Mod 11 Discussion: Teaching Critical Literacy

I use the Juxtaposing Strategy in my classroom because it is highly visual and provides a strong foundation for students to compare and contrast using pictures and graphic organizers, which are especially important in special education. This strategy allows me to assess students’ ability to identify similarities and differences without relying on reading comprehension or independent reading skills. Instead of testing whether a student can understand a story in print, it focuses on their ability to observe, analyze, and explain what they notice.

This is especially helpful in my classroom because many of my students are nonverbal. When students can point to similarities and differences in an image, they are still able to communicate their thinking in an accessible way. It also supports ELLs, since limited English vocabulary can make reading-based compare/contrast tasks difficult. Using visuals reduces the language barrier and gives students an entry point to participate through observation and nonverbal communication.

Overall, this strategy helps students demonstrate comprehension by showing they can process visual information and apply the concept of compare and contrast through evidence they can point to or select, rather than only through spoken or written language.