Critical Literacy and Questioning
When teachers and students are engaged in critical literacy, they “ask complicated questions about language and power, about people and lifestyle, about morality and ethics, and about who is advantaged by the way things are and who is disadvantaged.” (Comber, 2001)
Questioning is central to excellence in drama, dance, and critical literacy. Rich, open-ended questions invite students to think and feel deeply about the topics, issues and characters and being explored through drama and dance. The following resources support the development of high-level thinking and questioning skills for both students and teachers:
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8, The Arts
https://www.edu.gov.on.ca:443/eng/curriculum/elementary/arts18b09curr.pdf
There are a series of excellent questions embedded in the front matter of the document pertaining to the Critical Analysis Process under the headings: Initial Reaction, Description, Analysis and Interpretation, Expression of an Informed Point of View (pp. 23-27). Questions are also provided to guide students to think critically about cultural context: Consideration of Cultural Context. (pp. 27- 28).
Tasmanian Department of Education Website
https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/curriculum/standards/english/english/teachers/critlit
This site has an excellent selection of questions that can be used to help students critically examine dance, drama, visual and written texts.
Critical Literacy Resource List
Connecting Practice and Research: Critical Literacy Guide
http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesLIT/CoreResources/Critical_Literacy_Guide.pdf
The critical literacy guide defines critical literacy, identifies key messages related to critical literacy in action, and provides excellent questions to promote high-level thinking and engagement with texts.
Critical Literacy: Capacity Building Series (The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat)
https://www.edu.gov.on.ca:443/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/
This document provides an excellent overview of the core concepts behind critical literacy and provides a variety of strategies and resources teachers can utilize to incorporate critical literacy into their classrooms.
Guides to Effective Instruction in Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume One (Ministry of Education, 2009)
This guide provide teachers with a framework and practical resources for planning a successful literacy program that equips all students to grow as strategic readers, writers, talkers, listeners, and thinkers. It includes the following strategies which are used in many of these units: Questioning the Author, Ranking Ladder, Four Corners, Anticipation Guides, Value Line
Think Literacy: Cross-Curricular Approaches Grades 7-12, Subject Specific Examples Language/English, Grades 7-9 (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2004)
These documents provide numerous structures, strategies and templates, used throughout these units, including: It Says-I Say-And So, R.A.F.T., Text Message Analysis Sheet, Anticipation Guides, T-charts, etc.
Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat Resources
Critical Literacy: A Lens for Learning: Capacity Building Series
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/Critical_Literacy.pdf
This document provides an excellent overview of the core concepts behind critical literacy and provides a variety of strategies and resources teachers can utilize to incorporate critical literacy into their classrooms.
Critical Literacy Webcast: November 29, 2007
https://www.curriculum.org/secretariat/november29.shtml
This comprehensive webcast examines “what critical literacy is, why it is essential, and what it might look like in an elementary classroom”.
See additional webcast support materials on the above web-site including:
Critical Literacy
https://www.curriculum.org/secretariat/files/Nov29LessonPlans.pdf
Critical Literacy: What Is It, and What Does It Look Like in Elementary Classrooms?
https://www.curriculum.org/secretariat/files/Nov29CriticalLiteracy.pdf
Critical Literacy – The Four Roles of the Reader
http://eworkshop.on.ca/edu/pdf/Mod08_four_roles.pdf
Learning Role Cards (Based on the Four Roles/Resources of the Reader)
Four Roles of the Reader Placemat
Robust Thinking: A Must for All Students By Camilla Martin & Jennifer Leclerc, Student Achievement Officers, The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat
https://www.cpco.on.ca//News/PrincipalConnections/PastIssues/Vol13/Issue2/RobustThinking.pdf