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I have a suggestion for our Lead Discussion posts!!! Can everyone please note the discussion date in the title (shown at the left of our Wiki page)? It would make it much easier to decifer which discussion(s) we need to comment on for that particular week. Thanx all!!! See you all in the Wiki :-) =**In small groups we thought about literacy this way:** =


 * **Analyzing and interpreting different forms of communication**


 * The ability to understand and communicate through actions, words and visually. These ways of communication and the understanding the ability is highly influenced by culture.


 * The ability to use language in any way in order to communicate effectively.


 * Interpretation and creation of mediums in order to facilitate communication.


 * Understanding and ability to use different systems, i.e. language, music, math, etc.

=**As a community we narrowed our definition to: ** The complete process of decoding and interpreting information as presented and communicated in symbolic form. Literacy is... Understanding and Communicating The proceses by which Info is passed and interpreted... Coding and decoding experiences based on enviroment, social structure, and culture.= =so... what about reading and writing? Are these aspects of literacy unimportant to the definition? Are reading and writing necessary components of literacy? = =Reading and writing are necessary components of literacy because as previously mentioned literacy is the act of understanding and communicating. In order for one to communicate efficiently they must be able to comprehend written and spoken word. As the readings suggest, literacy and learning to read and write can be enhanced through such activities as field trips that not only complement the texts, but allow children to become active participants in their own education, rather than just learning to regurgitate information. -- In other words, the practices behind teaching kids literacy and to read and write need to have cultural and/or community meaning. = == "Specifically, children learn the meaning of written language in the context of culturally relevant situations both in and out of school. (Larson and Marsh, 2005) ==