Literacy inside the classroom is an area of focus that many teachers zone in on. We focus on how to bridge the gap between home and school life by sending books home, talking with parents and focusing on skills they can work on with their student(s), and helping children with their literacy in the classroom with interventionists and other supports. However, understanding and know what literacy looks like outside the classroom is also important. Bloomington is a very diverse place in which literacy is a part of every day life and every one from young children to adults can participate in these events.
Living in a community in which there are several diverse cultures present, our public library has many opportunities for children to engage with these cultures through the form of events catered to families, read aloud stories, and/or culturally diverse books. Our public library also has several events throughout the year in which families and teachers can learn about numerous subject areas. Literacy in Bloomington is also informal. The community has several artists and artistic citizens who paint murals, put on performances, or write books that anyone can access and partake in.
The Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center also offers several art and painting classes in which members of the community can participate in throughout the year. Literacy can take the form of expression through these mediums. Literacy can also take the form of musical arts. Several events throughout the year have artists of several genres present and both children and adults can engage with these experiences.
I think it's important to understand what literacy looks like in the community I'm a part of not only to understand the make up of the community, in terms of culture and practices, but also in order to better provide my students access to these opportunities. Displaying and fostering a love for literacy can positively influence students to be passionate about these opportunities.
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