Blog #3

Anyone can write about the problems with reading and writing illiteracy that many students have today in the school system. Anyone can write about problems with anything but with no solution their argument is pointless and useless. In chapter 1 of Adolescent Literacy we read all about the nuisance that standardized testing and the NCLB act have on low-scoring schools but it did not offer any other option for assessing and improving these same schools. The thing that I liked most about this chapter is that it gave real possible solutions and applications on how to deal with underachieving adolescent students.

Throughout the entire chapter the writer is giving suggestion such as L: (U + M)(C1 + C2) and many other clever ideas. My personal favorite was the idea of using thinking maps. I had never heard of anything like this before, and the best thing about it is how simple it is to use. It allows the students to organize their thoughts which builds their analytical skills. I am excited to use these maps with my future students and maybe I will use them next time I get stumped when analyzing literature.