Blog 1: should popular culture be explored in primary schools?
'Popular culture in early childhood settings enhance literacy learning opportunities for children' (Arthur, 2001, p 295). Having interviewed a parent and two student teachers (I sent more surveys out, however had only three responses sent back) it was interesting to see the difference perspectives that each one had to offer. The parent felt that in the right context that popular culture should be explored, but felt that because there is so much within the home environment that it should be explored as a leisure activity and not the main focus within the lesson, this would be in accordance with traditional thinking educators (Dean, 2010). The parent also had concerns that the use of popular culture that had been explored in class influenced her child within the home environment. The student teacher had a really interesting point of view and stated "if there is something like commercial products that interests someone it should be researched in their leisure time". Both of these views are in strict contrast than those who have researched using popular media culture within a primary classroom setting. There seems to be a strong emphasis towards the teaching of popular culture but only when generated towards the learning. It has been acknowledged that popular culture can bring literacy levels up especially for boys from lower social cultural standing (Arthur, 2005) and can build speaking and listening knowledge from these influences, which the National Curriculum (1999) is an advocate of. My third response had a completely different perspective about using popular media culture within the classroom environment. This student teacher was in agreement with Merchant (2007) suggesting that teachers should be able to use a variety of media to help with the development of literacy knowledge to make it more engaging for children. The student teacher continued that popular should be tailored within a lesson so not to sidetrack children. Also expressed in cocordance with Arthur, L (2005)were issues of race, gender or ethnicity within popular culture, in regards to this when taught properly the benefits for teaching popular culture far outweigh the negative attributes that it may bring.
Arthur, L. (2001) Contempory Issues In Early Childhood, Popular Culture and Early
Literacy Learning, volume 2, Number 3, 2001
Arthur, L. (2005) 'Popular Culture: views of parents and educators' in MArsh, J. (2005) Popular Culture, New Media and Digital Literacy in Early Childhood Oxon: RoutledgeFalmer
Dean, G. 'Rethinking Literacy' in Balzalgette, C. (Ed) (2010) Teaching Media in Primary Classrooms London: Sage
Department of Education and Employment (1999) The National Curriculum, handbook for primary teachers in England London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
I found it really interesting that your parent and student teacher thought popular culture should be used as a leisure activity. I'm not sure I agree with this or not. I think the use of popular culture can be used in many subjects as a leisure activity, however, will the children know the explicit learning that comes from that or will they think it is just a bit of fun? I personally think popular culture would be a great way to engage children in Literacy, even if it was incorporated into one Literacy lesson a week or a mini project in a term, therefore, the teacher/student teacher will be able to plan explicit learning objectives and discuss with parents and other teachers any concerns that may arise and why they are teaching in that particular way and using that resource.
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