Critical Literacy Theory in Kindergarten

Throughout the past few weeks the kindergarten children have been focusing on fairy tales. The children incorporated the scientific method while hypothesizing on what a magic bean might grow into, how many “huffs and puffs” it will take to blow various objects and comparing their results with their predictions. The children used art to illustrate “Cinderella Dressed in Yellow” and sequencing to recreate the story of “The Three Little Pigs”. During Writers' Workshop the children worked in groups of 3-4 to recreate a version of their favorite fairytale. The children began the process by listing the characters, setting and plot of the story. Next they sequenced, rewrote and illustrated their story. They then discussed and agreed upon which characters perspective to retell the story from. The final step was writing their story as a group an including all of the features of the original tale.
During shared reading of our fairy tales we focused on looking at the stories from a different perspective. We began this approach by reading “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” and a version of Jack and the Beanstalk from the perspective of the giant. We then had discussions about how the same “story” took place, but the protagonist and antagonist were different depending on the perspective taken. This approach was based upon the Critical Literacy theory. Although reading through a critical lens will become more practical and useful as your children grow into expert readers, it was inspiring to see them incorporate the theory and create their own versions of the classic fairy tales. Please take some time to view the videos of your children retelling their stories from a different perspective (all videos are posted on the sidebar; Thank you Tricia!!). Below is some more information that I wrote on critical literacy theory, for those of you that are interested ☺
Critical Literacy theory involves an active, challenging and critical approach to reading. It shows us how to question and analyze the attitudes, values and beliefs of the author that may not be initially apparent. The theory is based upon the belief that as the amount of information sources we have access to increases we, and our students, need to be able to question who is writing the text, who is determining which topics to include or omit and which perspective they are writing from.
As your children are presented with information, whether it is in a newspaper, on a website, from a radio or through conversation, each source is going to have a different perspective and it is essential that they look at these perspectives through a critical lens.
The theory of critical literacy is focused on having your children question and challenge the text by understanding that no text is neutral. Through the use of this theory it is believed that they will become open-minded, active, strategic readers who are capable of viewing text from a critical perspective. They will understand that the information presented in texts, magazines, newspapers, song lyrics and websites has been authored from a particular perspective for a particular purpose.
By teaching your children to approach a text with a critical stance, using their schema to understand the relationships between their ideas and the ideas presented by the author of the text, it is my goal that they will begin to raise questions about whose voices are missing and who gains or loses by the reading of the text. The goal of this theory and practice of teaching is to have your children become active thinkers who comprehend from a critical stance.
Thank you so much for all of your support with the fairy tale unit and I am looking forward to our Avenida de la Playa study, which will kick off with a field trip on January 8th!