Mod 11 Discussion: Teaching Critical Literacy

The critical approach that I have had the most success with would be the juxtaposition strategy. Our units always have common themes but they are presented through a variety of genres with readings often comprising of fiction, informational texts such as newspapers or articles, historical documents and an assortment of varied media. Juxtaposition allows my students to move across these seemingly contrasting elements to find the commonalities beneath the surface, expanding their understanding of perspective, bias and the impact of language in these settings. I like that the approach forces them to utilize deeper thinking about the messages being conveyed and how different viewpoints can effect understanding.