Recitation Literacy

Recitation and Report Literacy:1864-1916

In reading this particular article, I begin to chuckle when reading the following quote: "How can you learn anything with your knees and toes out of order?" This statement along with some of the instructional practices pertaining to recitation in our time would be asinine. The idea that a student toes or knees must be in order before learning may be a reason as to why some of our students are not successful in their academic endeavors. (LOL) I am joking.

Seriously, as I was engrossed in this article I had formulated questions about language development. For example, how the principal complemented the children about the superiority of wagging their tongues during mouth movements. (p. 65) How can a person equate this type of mouth movement with learning achievement? Also, the struggle of not having enough books still is a challenge in today's school. In addition, some of the practices still exist in school districts across the nations. For example, Spelling Bee competitions, reading aloud activities, etc.

I could not believe that teachers were pushing students out of school based on gender, class differences, racial and ethnic groups, and by achievement. (p. 69)

During this time period, it seem that people were interested in hearing the recitation of stated assignments and not interested in students understanding what they have read. "Whether the reader understood was not empahsized, presumably because it was assumed that if you got the words, you got the meaning." (p. 70)

Many of our students struggle with reading comprehension. How can we help our students achieve a better understanding of reading comprehension and apply writing skills in the process?