Nolen, Susan B. (2001). Constructing literacy in the kindergarten: task structure, collaboration, and motivation. Cognition and Instruction, 19, 95-142. . Retrieved from http://ezproxy.butler.edu:2076/stable/3233907?seq=4&Search=yes&term=literacy&term=physical&list=hide&searchUri=/action/doBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dphysical%2Bliteracy%26wc%3Don%26acc%3Don&item=20&ttl=17802&returnArticleService=showFullText&resultsServiceName=null
This study studied the impact on student learning conducted by kindergarten teachers as part of their regular classroom instruction. Teachers attended a 2-week workshop that focused on learning, development, and creating multiple activities they could use as part of their existing classroom instruction. The activities would address specific weaknesses in their struggling students, while engaging their other students. The activities included singing and toy-sorting games based on initial sound. Based on the observations described, these appealed to almost all students in the class, while at the same time provided additional practice as needed.
I appreciated the study's work in addressing how students and teachers work towards a shared definition of literacy. The study was well-thought out, and the theories tested were chosen for their importance to the learning process. I chose an article on kindergarten learning because it often involves more aspects of physical literacy in each task than instructors incorporate into grade and high school classes. Susan Bobbitt Nolen conducted an excellent study, but in thinking critically about her approach, I would like to see more recent articles as a frame of reference for her study. This study was published in 2001, but some of the sources cited are more than 10 years old at that point. Other than the issue of chronology, the study provided interesting insights into ways literacy can be taught at early stages of development.
Canan,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea here of physical literacy. One of the readings we haf for class talked about the physical act of reading, and how with the technology of today (touch screens and whatnot), people are becoming more active while reading, and are no longer sitting in one position and turning pages. I find this link interesting here, because students learn literacy in a physical way early on in life, then generally go to that traditional stationary idea, and now with technology, reading is becoming active again. I think the full circle here is quite interesting, and maybe there is some direct purpose now in getting students physically active while learning to read.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteWhere I used to teach back at home, kindergarten teacher makes "interdisciplinary integrated" plans for their kids with other branchs like PE, art or music.
For example, when kids started to learn how to read letters (a,b,c) or counting (1,2,3) in theirs classrooms, that following week we're planing our PE lesson plan with games which they can also read letters (a,b,c) or count (1,2,3) and have fun.
I believe that strengthening what they've learned as a reading letters in classroom and also help physical literacy.