For my literacy project, I chose to find out more information regarding emotional literacy by creating a website using Weebly. After completing the project, I realize my conceptual understanding has completely changed. I originally walked in to the class knowing nothing about emotional literacy, I began by thinking emotional literacy was being able to identify emotions; however, after exploring a bit, I realize that it is much deeper. It involves being able to recognize emotions and respond to them in a healthy way that will help develop a better, lifestyle.
I learned that emotional literacy can be incorporated into the classroom by using more than just books as well. Emotional literacy can be carried about by having counselors and better emotional diagnosis. It can also be carried out through the use of technology. While creating my website, I realized Weebly would be great for informing people about emotional literacy. The website allows you to add links within your webpage to take users elsewhere. I knew this was a feature I would want to incorporate, so I did a little exploring on the internet. I found that PBS Kids had three online interactive games children could play that would help them identify emotions. By exploring many sites, and having the opportunity to create one of my own, I am now aware of the multiple strategies listed about that will help introduce individuals to the idea of emotional literacy. This information will also help individuals see the difference and similarities between traditional literacy and emotional literacy. One site talked about literacy being able to navigate through text. It soon compared it to emotional literacy by saying that emotional literacy is when we navigate our feelings and are able to read and decipher them. By becoming aware of the differences and similarities, we can better provide literacy instruction.
Providing effective literary instruction to diverse learners is extremely important, especially within the context of emotional literacy. Not every child feels the same way about certain situations. In addition, not every child is faced with certain situations. These factors will affect how students learn. Therefore, when I say it is important to provide effective literacy instruction, I mean it is important to take into consideration these differences and make sure students are aware of these differences. By making students aware of their own emotions, they can be more aware of others emotions and be able to understand how someone may be affected by words or phrases that were said. I think sometimes the words we used are overlooked, but this project and creation of a webpage really helped stress the importance of careful planning and forced me to recognize the impact some words could have.
Words and emotions have an impact no matter what age, but I believe that the younger one is, the bigger impression they leave. As a teacher, implementing emotional literacy is extremely important. It will help create a friendly environment where students can feel comfortable with each other because they will know how to better express their thoughts. Students would need constant modeling as a support mechanism in addition to opportunities for practice. I would provide this support by incorporating lists of helpful and hurtful words, modeling my feelings through personal messages and reflections, and provided ways children can express their emotions through communications, journals, or even a tattling turtle.
There are many outlets to explore emotional literacy, such as creating a new digital project such as a Weebly. In order to do this, students must be aware of how to use a computer and navigate a website. Students, especially younger ones, may need hand over hand support and explicit direction and visual aides/ demonstrations. With the right directions, students can better develop their digital literacy by openly exploring and creating new things.
Exploring a variety of literacy types in a classroom is extremely important. While I do believe emotional literacy is important, I also believe that it has to be joined with other literacy types such as digital, social, cultural, etc. to truly be effective.
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