11/19/05
Welcome Everyone! We are here today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Literacy Roundtable and to call attention to the suppression of voices in our society. This event was organized by the ABC’s of Literacy Committee, which is a project of the Literacy Roundtable and LIFT, Missouri’s literacy resource center in conjunction with the Literacy For Social Justice Teachers Research Group. One of our themes this year is Education as a Human Right and part of that theme is talking about intellectual freedom.
Many people think of book banning as something that occurred 100 years ago or occurs in other countries, and they do not realize that it is something that happens all the time in communities in USA. Every month there are books challenged in school and public libraries across our country. People who challenge books often have really good intentions: they want to protect others, often children, but also adults, from difficult ideas and information. However, the first amendment gives us the right to freedom of speech which means that one group cannot decide for everyone which information gets shared and which information is silenced.
Throughout history, people from different beliefs (both conservative and radical) have attempted to suppress the words of people who disagree with their beliefs. The American Library Association has collected lists of these books that are challenged every year and has compiled several lists identifying which books are the most challenged over time. Here is a list of the most challenged books of 2000-2007.
Today we have chosen some of these very books to donate to the library and 3 adult education programs in the St. Louis Metro Area. Our reasons are two fold.
One, we want to promote the idea that everyone’s voices should be heard. People have tried to suppress the voices of these authors by preventing their books from being in libraries and schools in the United States. But also, every day, there are thousands of voices here in our community that will never be heard because they do not have the skills to write their words down. The written word is very powerful, as evidenced by the fear it promotes in people, and if people do not have the ability to write and to read, then they do not have the ability to function fully in our society. These books that have been challenged often promote ideas that are difficult and complex. These books promote the discussion of these ideas and address complicated issues in our society. When people have the opportunity to discuss complicated ideas and complex situations, they then are better able to apply that reasoning process to other aspects of their lives.
The other reason why we chose these books is to encourage people to understand that in order for people to become better readers, to become more literate, they have to have a choice about what they read. There are multiple studies that show that people who have the opportunity to read their choice of reading material everyday, that they become stronger readers and if they are interested in the subject, that they can actually read at a higher level than they normally would. Often books that are challenged are books that describe lives and experiences that are not “rosy pictures”, but for many of us, our lives are not always rosy and perfect either – people need access stories that relate to our own experiences as well as stories that portray a different experience.
Education is a human right, a right that is not dependant on the laws or beliefs of any country. In order for us to effectively make this a reality for all students, no matter what their age, we have to do better. The impact of adults learning to read is significant not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of their children and grandchildren. The single best indicator of whether a child will succeed in school is the education level of their primary caregiver, often the mother. If we wish to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy, we need to focus on educating adults as well as children.
Without further ado, I give you Carlotta Algee Stancil, the chairperson of the Literacy Roundtable. Carlotta will be presenting the books today to the St. Louis Public Library – Julia Davis Branch, The St. Louis Public Schools Adult Education and Literacy Program, the Lewis and Clark Community College Adult Education and Literacy Program, and the St. Louis Community College at Meramec Adult Education and Literacy Program.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Introductory Comments for the Literacy Roundtable 10th Anniversary Banned Book Presentation
Introductory Comments for the Literacy Roundtable 10th Anniversary Banned Book Presentation
11/19/05
Welcome Everyone! We are here today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Literacy Roundtable and to call attention to the suppression of voices in our society. This event was organized by the ABC’s of Literacy Committee, which is a project of the Literacy Roundtable and LIFT, Missouri’s literacy resource center in conjunction with the Literacy For Social Justice Teachers Research Group. One of our themes this year is Education as a Human Right and part of that theme is talking about intellectual freedom.
Many people think of book banning as something that occurred 100 years ago or occurs in other countries, and they do not realize that it is something that happens all the time in communities in USA. Every month there are books challenged in school and public libraries across our country. People who challenge books often have really good intentions: they want to protect others, often children, but also adults, from difficult ideas and information. However, the first amendment gives us the right to freedom of speech which means that one group cannot decide for everyone which information gets shared and which information is silenced.
Throughout history, people from different beliefs (both conservative and radical) have attempted to suppress the words of people who disagree with their beliefs. The American Library Association has collected lists of these books that are challenged every year and has compiled several lists identifying which books are the most challenged over time. Here is a list of the most challenged books of 2000-2007.
Today we have chosen some of these very books to donate to the library and 3 adult education programs in the St. Louis Metro Area. Our reasons are two fold.
One, we want to promote the idea that everyone’s voices should be heard. People have tried to suppress the voices of these authors by preventing their books from being in libraries and schools in the United States. But also, every day, there are thousands of voices here in our community that will never be heard because they do not have the skills to write their words down. The written word is very powerful, as evidenced by the fear it promotes in people, and if people do not have the ability to write and to read, then they do not have the ability to function fully in our society. These books that have been challenged often promote ideas that are difficult and complex. These books promote the discussion of these ideas and address complicated issues in our society. When people have the opportunity to discuss complicated ideas and complex situations, they then are better able to apply that reasoning process to other aspects of their lives.
The other reason why we chose these books is to encourage people to understand that in order for people to become better readers, to become more literate, they have to have a choice about what they read. There are multiple studies that show that people who have the opportunity to read their choice of reading material everyday, that they become stronger readers and if they are interested in the subject, that they can actually read at a higher level than they normally would. Often books that are challenged are books that describe lives and experiences that are not “rosy pictures”, but for many of us, our lives are not always rosy and perfect either – people need access stories that relate to our own experiences as well as stories that portray a different experience.
Education is a human right, a right that is not dependant on the laws or beliefs of any country. In order for us to effectively make this a reality for all students, no matter what their age, we have to do better. The impact of adults learning to read is significant not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of their children and grandchildren. The single best indicator of whether a child will succeed in school is the education level of their primary caregiver, often the mother. If we wish to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy, we need to focus on educating adults as well as children.
Without further ado, I give you Carlotta Algee Stancil, the chairperson of the Literacy Roundtable. Carlotta will be presenting the books today to the St. Louis Public Library – Julia Davis Branch, The St. Louis Public Schools Adult Education and Literacy Program, the Lewis and Clark Community College Adult Education and Literacy Program, and the St. Louis Community College at Meramec Adult Education and Literacy Program.
11/19/05
Welcome Everyone! We are here today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Literacy Roundtable and to call attention to the suppression of voices in our society. This event was organized by the ABC’s of Literacy Committee, which is a project of the Literacy Roundtable and LIFT, Missouri’s literacy resource center in conjunction with the Literacy For Social Justice Teachers Research Group. One of our themes this year is Education as a Human Right and part of that theme is talking about intellectual freedom.
Many people think of book banning as something that occurred 100 years ago or occurs in other countries, and they do not realize that it is something that happens all the time in communities in USA. Every month there are books challenged in school and public libraries across our country. People who challenge books often have really good intentions: they want to protect others, often children, but also adults, from difficult ideas and information. However, the first amendment gives us the right to freedom of speech which means that one group cannot decide for everyone which information gets shared and which information is silenced.
Throughout history, people from different beliefs (both conservative and radical) have attempted to suppress the words of people who disagree with their beliefs. The American Library Association has collected lists of these books that are challenged every year and has compiled several lists identifying which books are the most challenged over time. Here is a list of the most challenged books of 2000-2007.
Today we have chosen some of these very books to donate to the library and 3 adult education programs in the St. Louis Metro Area. Our reasons are two fold.
One, we want to promote the idea that everyone’s voices should be heard. People have tried to suppress the voices of these authors by preventing their books from being in libraries and schools in the United States. But also, every day, there are thousands of voices here in our community that will never be heard because they do not have the skills to write their words down. The written word is very powerful, as evidenced by the fear it promotes in people, and if people do not have the ability to write and to read, then they do not have the ability to function fully in our society. These books that have been challenged often promote ideas that are difficult and complex. These books promote the discussion of these ideas and address complicated issues in our society. When people have the opportunity to discuss complicated ideas and complex situations, they then are better able to apply that reasoning process to other aspects of their lives.
The other reason why we chose these books is to encourage people to understand that in order for people to become better readers, to become more literate, they have to have a choice about what they read. There are multiple studies that show that people who have the opportunity to read their choice of reading material everyday, that they become stronger readers and if they are interested in the subject, that they can actually read at a higher level than they normally would. Often books that are challenged are books that describe lives and experiences that are not “rosy pictures”, but for many of us, our lives are not always rosy and perfect either – people need access stories that relate to our own experiences as well as stories that portray a different experience.
Education is a human right, a right that is not dependant on the laws or beliefs of any country. In order for us to effectively make this a reality for all students, no matter what their age, we have to do better. The impact of adults learning to read is significant not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of their children and grandchildren. The single best indicator of whether a child will succeed in school is the education level of their primary caregiver, often the mother. If we wish to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy, we need to focus on educating adults as well as children.
Without further ado, I give you Carlotta Algee Stancil, the chairperson of the Literacy Roundtable. Carlotta will be presenting the books today to the St. Louis Public Library – Julia Davis Branch, The St. Louis Public Schools Adult Education and Literacy Program, the Lewis and Clark Community College Adult Education and Literacy Program, and the St. Louis Community College at Meramec Adult Education and Literacy Program.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Banned Books Event 11/19/08
Banned Books Donated
On November 19, 2008 at 10:30 am the Literacy Roundtable in commemoration of its tenth anniversary will donate a selection of books that have been banned or formally challenged to the Julia Davis Library. The Literacy Roundtable is a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area.
An additional selection of banned books will be donated to three adult education classrooms in the greater metropolitan area. To highlight the nature of the banned books, they will be wrapped in brown paper, hiding their titles. The titles come from the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books in 2000-2007 list.
A community forum on intellectual freedom will follow immediately after the donation in the Julia Davis auditorium. This is the first in this year’s series of events initiated by the ad hoc ABC’s of Literacy Committee, which focuses this year on education as a human right. The committee has held a series of forums and conventions on literacy issues for the past five years often meeting at the Julia Davis Library.
In conjunction with the Literacy Roundtable and the Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group, the ABC’s of Literacy Committee’s next event will be a selected reading of banned books on December 8 from 6-8 pm at Legacy Books and Café, 5429 Delmar Avenue.
On November 19, 2008 at 10:30 am the Literacy Roundtable in commemoration of its tenth anniversary will donate a selection of books that have been banned or formally challenged to the Julia Davis Library. The Literacy Roundtable is a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area.
An additional selection of banned books will be donated to three adult education classrooms in the greater metropolitan area. To highlight the nature of the banned books, they will be wrapped in brown paper, hiding their titles. The titles come from the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books in 2000-2007 list.
A community forum on intellectual freedom will follow immediately after the donation in the Julia Davis auditorium. This is the first in this year’s series of events initiated by the ad hoc ABC’s of Literacy Committee, which focuses this year on education as a human right. The committee has held a series of forums and conventions on literacy issues for the past five years often meeting at the Julia Davis Library.
In conjunction with the Literacy Roundtable and the Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group, the ABC’s of Literacy Committee’s next event will be a selected reading of banned books on December 8 from 6-8 pm at Legacy Books and Café, 5429 Delmar Avenue.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Survey - Help Us Plot Our Course!
ABC’S of Literacy Survey - you can take the survey here:Click Here to take survey
The ABC's of Literacy promotes community awareness and participation in literacy efforts in the St. Louis Metro area through regional conferences, forums, adult learner leadership activities and internships, public actions, and professional development opportunities.
Please answer the following questions to help us determine next steps.
Have you ever participated in an ABC’s of Literacy Forum, Conference, or any other ABC’s activity?
_____ YES Why?
_____ NO Why not?
What type of forum or activity would you and/or your students be interested in participating?
What TOPICS are you interested in?
What FORMATS would you suggest? (discussion forums, field trip forums, class visits, training sessions, student rep groups or councils, etc. ?)
What DAYS and TIMES would be good?
What LOCATIONS would be accessible?
Thank you for your answers! You can leave your answers in the comments section or email your responses to mdyer@webster.edu. Our mailing address is: LIFT-MO, 815 Olive, Suite 22, St. Louis, MO 63101.
The ABC's of Literacy promotes community awareness and participation in literacy efforts in the St. Louis Metro area through regional conferences, forums, adult learner leadership activities and internships, public actions, and professional development opportunities.
Please answer the following questions to help us determine next steps.
Have you ever participated in an ABC’s of Literacy Forum, Conference, or any other ABC’s activity?
_____ YES Why?
_____ NO Why not?
What type of forum or activity would you and/or your students be interested in participating?
What TOPICS are you interested in?
What FORMATS would you suggest? (discussion forums, field trip forums, class visits, training sessions, student rep groups or councils, etc. ?)
What DAYS and TIMES would be good?
What LOCATIONS would be accessible?
Thank you for your answers! You can leave your answers in the comments section or email your responses to mdyer@webster.edu. Our mailing address is: LIFT-MO, 815 Olive, Suite 22, St. Louis, MO 63101.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Educating For Change Curriculum Fair
4th ANNUAL EDUCATING FOR CHANGE CURRICULUM FAIR
DEFINING DEMOCRACY
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
9 am - 3 pm
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Marillac Hall
The event is sponsored by the Literacy for Social Justice Group, The Dean's Committee on Social Justice of the College of Education, UMSL, The Literacy Roundtable and LIFT-MO.
The theme of this year's fair is "Defining Democracy."
This year we are planning an exciting program including featured speaker, Dr. Kevin Kumashiro who is the Director of the Center for Anti-Oppressive Education.
DEFINING DEMOCRACY
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
9 am - 3 pm
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Marillac Hall
The event is sponsored by the Literacy for Social Justice Group, The Dean's Committee on Social Justice of the College of Education, UMSL, The Literacy Roundtable and LIFT-MO.
The theme of this year's fair is "Defining Democracy."
This year we are planning an exciting program including featured speaker, Dr. Kevin Kumashiro who is the Director of the Center for Anti-Oppressive Education.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Following Up
Hello everyone,
How the time has gone by, it's August already. I just wanted to make contact with everyone to see how we could come together on-line ,conference call or what ever. Let's throw some suggestions around to see how we can make the connection. In May we made some commitments that we have not followed through with. At that time I took everyone who made the commitment to mean what they said. We do understand that life always has a curve ball. However the reason for writing everyone is that we can get focused again.
What have you heard about the presidential candidates and their view on education?
Are you registered to vote?
What would you want to do to support our education efforts?
I really want to hear from you all. Thank You So Much for your time and efforts.
ABC's of LITERACY
intern: Dwight F. Johnson
P.S Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
How the time has gone by, it's August already. I just wanted to make contact with everyone to see how we could come together on-line ,conference call or what ever. Let's throw some suggestions around to see how we can make the connection. In May we made some commitments that we have not followed through with. At that time I took everyone who made the commitment to mean what they said. We do understand that life always has a curve ball. However the reason for writing everyone is that we can get focused again.
What have you heard about the presidential candidates and their view on education?
Are you registered to vote?
What would you want to do to support our education efforts?
I really want to hear from you all. Thank You So Much for your time and efforts.
ABC's of LITERACY
intern: Dwight F. Johnson
P.S Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Reflections on COABE 08
My experience of the 2008 COABE Conference was awesome. I got to meet people from all over the world. This was my very first conference and one I will never forget. I especially enjoyed the classes designed for COABE students because, we were allowed to tell about our experience being students and how we can improve not just ourselves but the program as a whole. I was also intrigued to learn how much fun M&M’s can be in a math workshop. I enjoyed hearing different speakers from all over the United States, one in particular Mr. Ernest Best from Massachusetts. His story was most encouraging; he told how he too was a dropout and decided to go back to school. He earned two degree’s with a 4.0. I think that’s fantastic, not saying if Mr. Best could do it, anyone could. I just believe that there is hope. When a person tells a story and it reaches the soul of another person, that’s a start. It’s always good to hear about someone else’s struggle and how they made it through. Not only that, but
how he has hoped so many others including his assistant, Cindy.
Last but not least, our own Mr. Dwight Johnson gave a spectacular speech on his
experience as a student leader, and it was magnificent!!! I find that each time Dwight speaks, he tells a different story, one that is unique. Mr. Johnson’s experience seems to set fire to a lot of hearts and minds. People are inspired by not just how he gives a speech but the heart-felt story behind it. I call it a testimony which helps other overcome and know that there is something bigger than all of us. You see the conference has filled me up spiritually and mentally knowing how people give themselves in many ways to ensure literacy is a success through out the nation.
Jessica Billups
how he has hoped so many others including his assistant, Cindy.
Last but not least, our own Mr. Dwight Johnson gave a spectacular speech on his
experience as a student leader, and it was magnificent!!! I find that each time Dwight speaks, he tells a different story, one that is unique. Mr. Johnson’s experience seems to set fire to a lot of hearts and minds. People are inspired by not just how he gives a speech but the heart-felt story behind it. I call it a testimony which helps other overcome and know that there is something bigger than all of us. You see the conference has filled me up spiritually and mentally knowing how people give themselves in many ways to ensure literacy is a success through out the nation.
Jessica Billups
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