Integrating literature has proven to be very beneficial to students. The importance of the integration of Literature in the school`s curriculum has been highlighted in the International Reading Association’s Adolescent Literacy Commission’s position statement, which notes that “adolescents deserve access to a wide variety of reading material that they can and want to read” (Moore, Bean, Birdyshaw, & Rycik, 1999, p. 4). In other for this integration to be successful we need to encourage students to read and expose them to a wide range of “high-powered young adult literature” texts which focus on “content-area concepts and interpretive activities” and “discussions that engage students” (Bean, 2002, p. 37). Students should also learn to analyze, interpret and develop an awareness or appreciation for literature. As this filters into the school and becomes part of its niche, students become sentient about the premium the school places on literature and reading and reacts positively with the environment. Educators have established a strong correlation between students’ reading abilities and success and have advocated that teachers allow students to be engaged in independent readings of “good young adult literature” texts. Bean sums up this view nicely when she posits that “If educators are serious about developing students’ lifelong love of reading, they need to incorporate in the curriculum literature that is captivating and issue-based”.
According to Richardson and Miller (2001) incorporating literature in the curriculum has four main benefits. Literature in the curriculum
C Helps students become emotionally involved with events and people
C Aids students in understanding reality,
C Provides stories with satisfactory endings, and
C Provides a common, shared experience for the teacher and all students.
Literature can be integrated in almost all subject areas if not all. For example literature can be integrated in science in which case it helps students in “finding and pursuing their own question rather than only providing information” (Harlen, 1989). Literature should in no case take over any discipline but rather, it should complement the subject. For instance literature should not take the place of experiment and observation in science but it should support inquiry in ways that textbooks cannot.
Though not an easy task, integrating Literature in the curriculum can make a vast difference in the school as students’ attitudes towards the different subject areas will improve.
If I were asked to include reasons for introducing literature into the curriculum i would surely highlight all the evidence that you have provided Miss Gimie. In addition, it creates avenues for students to view things, concepts from multiple perspectives and not just the literal point of view.They can also apply this skill to society in general.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Many persons do not value Literature bacause they have not understood the role and importance of literature in and out of the classroom. Literature has been seen by many persons as strictly academic and its primary place is in the classroom. We now have to sensitize those persons we come across about the importance of literature so that a greater appreciation can be show.
ReplyDeleteWell said miss Charlery. Well said
ReplyDeleteWell said Miss Gimie. If i was not aware of the importance of Literature in our Curriculum and by extension our lives, I would definitely feel a need to place emphasis on its importance after reading this entry.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Antoine. It is imperative that we acknowledge the importance of Literature in our lives. It is then that we will be able to truly appreciate the subject and will be in a better position to package it to our students.
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