My definition of literacy

Through out the course of English 201, I have discovered the meaning of literacy is quite different from what I originally thought it was. I always thought that being literate was having the ability to read and write. I figured as long as you could do that then you were considered literate. Not until I began reading the various articles in this class did I realize that literacy is much more involved than that. To be literate means you have to under how to correctly speak and write in certain situations. As you grow up, you become literate in one certain language or discourse around your community and home. Then later once you enter into the school/academic setting you are forced to learn a new language or discourse. It seems like for the most part being literate stems from school or the academic community. Students are forced to put on a mask in order to speak the proper language in school. As a future educator, these articles are especially important since they seemed to be geared towards me. They write about how we need to change how students are taught in the classroom so they become literate and good writers. This is not only useful in school but in the rest of their lives. It may change the outcome of the child completely. In the Gee article she gives specific examples of students who came from poor neighbors and were not excepted to graduate high school. Then a few inspiring teachers came along and changed the outcomes of these students who turned out to future leaders in the community. I think if I remember that when I become a teacher, I can change students lives as well.