Why should we teach Why should we teach Critical Literacy?Critical Literacy?

A Life LessonA Life Lesson

I am I am conflusedconflused!!

Should I get the H1N1 flu Should I get the H1N1 flu shot?shot?

My health is important to My health is important to me…me…

How can I navigate ALL the How can I navigate ALL the information and opinions to information and opinions to make an informed decision?make an informed decision?

I searched The Toronto Star I searched The Toronto Star onlineonline

• 95 articles95 articles

• 122 images122 images

• 13 videos13 videos

I searched GoogleI searched Google

• 20,000,000 results20,000,000 results

I checked the DCDSB I checked the DCDSB WebsiteWebsite• H1N1 Revised Clinic InformationH1N1 Revised Clinic Information    • Pandemic Plan Pandemic Plan - Revised Nov 2, 2009 - Revised Nov 2, 2009 • Community Update #6Community Update #6 - Oct 30, 2009 - Oct 30, 2009 • Letter to ParentsLetter to Parents - Nov 2, 2009 - Nov 2, 2009 • Letter to ParentsLetter to Parents - May 1, 2009 - May 1, 2009 • H1N1 and School Sport EventsH1N1 and School Sport Events    • HandwashingHandwashing Video Video  • Useful LinksUseful Links  Durham Region Health DepartmentDurham Region Health Department  • H1N1 Swine Flu Facts SheetH1N1 Swine Flu Facts Sheet • 6 Simple Steps to Staying Healthy6 Simple Steps to Staying Healthy • H1N1 Influenza (pH1N1) UpdateH1N1 Influenza (pH1N1) Update - Sep 2009 - Sep 2009 • Community Update #6Community Update #6 - Oct 30, 2009 - Oct 30, 2009 • Community Update #5Community Update #5 - Sep 30, 2009 - Sep 30, 2009 • Community Update #4Community Update #4  - Jun 12, 2009   - Jun 12, 2009 • Community Update #3Community Update #3  - May 27, 2009   - May 27, 2009 • Community Update #Community Update #22 - May 7, 2009 - May 7, 2009 • Community UpdateCommunity Update  - Apr 29, 2009  - Apr 29, 2009• Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Support MaterialsMinistry of Health and Long Term Care Support Materials    • Influenza Vaccination Clinics Web SiteInfluenza Vaccination Clinics Web Site • Fact Sheet Fact Sheet • Letter to ParentsLetter to Parents • Generic PosterGeneric Poster • Parent Poster Parent Poster • Teacher / Staff PosterTeacher / Staff Poster• Public Health Agency of CanadaPublic Health Agency of Canada    • Fact Sheet Fact Sheet • Pandemic CommunicationPandemic Communication

I thought I was SO smart!I thought I was SO smart!

I thought I knew how to read I thought I knew how to read and understand what I was and understand what I was

reading…reading…

I do have an English degree I do have an English degree after all.after all.

I even thought I knew how to I even thought I knew how to think about what I was think about what I was

reading.reading.

Until this…Until this…

Maybe you can figure it out?Maybe you can figure it out?

• ““Push is on to inoculate everyone Push is on to inoculate everyone against H1N1against H1N1”” from Nov. 19 Toronto from Nov. 19 Toronto StarStar

• Use 10 Questions to try and Use 10 Questions to try and understand this article criticallyunderstand this article critically

Critical Literacy Skills ARE Critical Literacy Skills ARE important.important.

• Our world is getting more complexOur world is getting more complex

• There is information coming at us There is information coming at us from more directions than everfrom more directions than ever

• There is bias (political, economical, There is bias (political, economical, etc…)etc…)

• We can count on the fact that the We can count on the fact that the future will continue to challenge us to future will continue to challenge us to think about what we are readingthink about what we are reading

Critical Literacy is Part of Critical Literacy is Part of Every Subject AreaEvery Subject Area

……and even my healthand even my health

Ontario Literacy CoalitionOntario Literacy Coalition

• If serious commitments to improve literacy If serious commitments to improve literacy are not made, 47% of adults aged 16 and are not made, 47% of adults aged 16 and over in Canada—totalling more than 15 over in Canada—totalling more than 15 million—will continue to have low literacy million—will continue to have low literacy skills below Level 3 in 2031. skills below Level 3 in 2031.

• Level 3 (defined as skill level required for Level 3 (defined as skill level required for successful high school completion and successful high school completion and college entry) is the internationally accepted college entry) is the internationally accepted level of literacy required to cope in a level of literacy required to cope in a modern society. modern society.

Ontario Literacy CoalitionOntario Literacy Coalition

• As the province of Ontario prepares As the province of Ontario prepares for the emerging knowledge-based for the emerging knowledge-based economy, over economy, over 50% of the total 50% of the total population has low numeracy population has low numeracy performanceperformance and and 42% has low 42% has low literacy performance. literacy performance.

The best thing about the The best thing about the future is that it comes one future is that it comes one

day at a time. day at a time. Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln