Dr. Schulz' Literacy Story

The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on your own experiences with language arts as you develop a personal philosophy of teaching and to appreciate your uniqueness as a language user. The project has at lest three parts which may be discussed in any order you choose. Please do not feel limited to guidelines. If your feelings and experiences concerning language arts take you in additional directions, follow your muse!  Submit your story in the form you most enjoy: web site, Power Point, scrapbook, video.....

  Home Experiences

Describe your experiences with language at home, going back as far as you or your family can remember.

• What were your first words?

• What are some especially fond memories? Not so fond memories?

• What role did your home play in your learning to read, write, speak, and listen?

• What role did your home play in developing your attitudes about language use?

 School Experiences

Describe your experiences at school with the language arts.

• During your years in elementary school, which language arts instructional activities do you recall fondly?

• Which instructional activities do you recall with regret? Why?

• What role did school play in your attitudes toward reading, writing, speaking, and listening?

 Current habits: Describe your current language arts habits and attitudes.

Writing

• What kinds of writing do you like to do? How often do you write voluntarily?

•  What kinds of writing do you not enjoy doing? Is this related to the kind of reading you like or don't like to do?

• For a piece of writing you recently completed, describe your writing process.

Listening

• How would you describe yourself as a listener?

• In different situations are you a different kind of listener? Please give examples.

• In general, are you more of a listener or a talker, or does it depend on the situation? Give examples.

Talking

• In what situations do you feel the most comfortable talking?

• How do you feel about speaking in front of a large group, small group, and with just one person?

*Adapted from Dr. Hope Elkins who received the original idea  from Jeanne Janson, a wonderful college teacher whose specialty is working with American Indians and diverse populations. She used information from a journal such as this to begin teaching students to appreciate their uniqueness as learners and language users.