Welcome to Your Journey in Literacy
AS A TEACHER, I BELIEVE THAT LITERACY IS AT THE HEART OF LEARNING. IT OPENS DOORS, BUILDS CONFIDENCE, AND GIVES STUDENTS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
What is Literacy?
Literacy today is much more than the ability to decode printed words. According to Frankel et al., literacy is “the process of using reading, writing, and oral language to extract, construct, integrate, and critique meaning through interaction and involvement with multimodal texts.” (Frankel et al., 2016). Literacy includes speaking, listening, viewing, and creating texts in a variety of forms, from books to digital media! It is rooted in social and cultural practices and varies across disciplines. From my perspective as a classroom teacher, literacy is the foundation of learning. I have seen how students build confidence when they can read and understand a story, write about their ideas, or share their thinking during a class discussion. I believe literacy also gives children a voice. It allows them to make connections, ask questions, and express who they are.
Why Reading Matters?
Students need reading skills to achieve success across all school subjects. Students who develop strong reading abilities transform into self-sufficient thinkers and assured learners. Reading extends beyond word recognition to involve understanding content while making connections and utilizing learned material in everyday contexts. Reading enables students to explore new information while encouraging them to express their thoughts and experience their surroundings. Teaching reading through methods that bridge classroom learning with students' personal experiences transforms it into something greater than just an academic ability. It enables students to explore the world with self-assuredness through reading. Grote-Garcia et al. (2025) explain that “there is no single, universally accepted sequence of phonological skills, best method for teaching reading comprehension, or conclusive approach to teaching writing to all learners.” By acknowledging each student's unique abilities and cultural backgrounds teachers gain insights that allow them to tailor educational content to individual learning needs. Reading instruction matters because it enables students to achieve academic success while also preparing them to function as informed participants within their communities.