Entry 1. What does it mean to be literate?

Literacy means being able to communicate using reading, writing, listening or speaking.  A literate person is able to express themselves and communicate their needs to others. I first developed these ideas learning at a young age what it meant to be literate. I always heard that it meant that you could read and write. Teachers in my childhood often stressed the importance of reading and writing in my classes as well. However, since I have been working in education I have learned that there are more components involved in literacy. Some of these components involve listening skills, being able to have a discussion, and comprehension, etc.

 One thing I learned from working in special education is that not all students who are literate can read, write, speak and listen. Some can only perform some of these components. Some literate individuals can read and write but are unable to speak. One way  I learned this is from raising my son Leo who is nonverbal, but can read some sight words and is able to communicate using a device instead of speaking. He has known his alphabet since he was one and a half years old and has known his letter sounds since he was two years old. This shows that he is developing the foundations of literacy, but at a different rate than his peers. He is ahead in reading, but has a delay in speaking. Also, I have worked with many students that have influenced my ideas because they used other ways to communicate and comprehend ideas that do not always include speaking and writing, but they are often able to read and listen. 

I believe that I am a literate person because I am able to engage in the four components of literacy and can comprehend ideas from others. I am able to listen to others and respond, as well as participate in a discussion. I can also write my ideas down and form sentences that have meaning. I believe that these are some the the important skills I have developed that make me a literate person. As long as I am able to communicate my needs, wants, and ideas, read, listen and produce work that has meaning, I think I am a literate person.