The more I learn about critical literacy in terms of how I can integrate it into my grade one classroom the more I am realizing that I have taken so many things for granted. I think over the years I have almost become desensitized toward all the advertising and subliminal messages that bombard me everyday. Since I have been incorporating critical media literacy into my classroom, I am becoming much more aware of the commercials, posters, news broadcasts, etc. and how they are trying to make me believe certain things and think a certain way.
I realize that I need to be more critical myself in terms of what the media is trying to do to me before I can teach my students. How can I teach what I do not know or understand myself? Through professional learning and personal reflection I have gained a better understanding of what critical media literacy really means. It is important to understand the pedagogy behind such an approach to learning.
I now feel that my literacy program is complete with the incorporation of media literacy. It includes each of the Four Resources that are described by Luke and Freebody. The media literacy component would fall under the Text Analysis resource. Click on the link http://www.learningplace.com.au/deliver/content.asp?pid=36570 to find out more about their model. This model has changed my approach to teaching literacy in my classroom. I now find that I refer to the model frequently to ensure that I am offering a rich, inclusive literacy program to my grade one children.
