Community Guide to Alternative Teen Literacy
DO YOU KNOW?
Do you know that an adolescence is a special period in human life that by its intensity and the amount of changes could be compared to the growth of an infant? These period is formally divided into four developmental age groups: 9 – 11; 12 – 14; 15 –18, and 19 – 21+. Because of the certain characteristics of the development – biological/physical, mental/cognitive, and social/ behavioral - it is of a particular interest for the academic and scientific research studies, get a special attention from the behavioral psychologist, social workers, school, and community.
WHAT ARE THOSE CHARACTERISTICS?
Rapid growth in the body mass - size.
Change in mental cognition processes - the ability to think abstract.
Hormonal changes that bring forward secondary gender characteristics.
HOW IS IT EXPRESSED?
Because of hormonal changes noticeable change in the behavior (with a possible but not a required mood swings), search for one's identity and place in a family and a social structure. Because of the developing and changing perception of the world and identity, there are possible conflicts with the established norms of behavior, a risk-taking, or a persistent searching for new alternative methods of learning, communication, and expression of their positions on the current issues.
CRISIS OR CHALLENGE?
There are many symptoms that can be present, observed or demonstrate themselves in more than one way as the adolescents progress through the crisis, or face the challenges. It could be an age-specific, internalized, or an external problem. It is only after careful observations, tactful questioning, analysis of behavior, and consulting with other teachers and parents/guardians in regards to students' performance we could be certain to some degree on the reasons of crisis, or some kind of challenge that adolescent is experiencing at the present moment. Another important factor to know about is an alternative teen literacy
WHAT IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVE TEEN LITERACY?
By learning about it and providing opportunities through the collaborative effort of school and community could be an essential element in teens' success. Because we all learn differently, alternative literacy should become a common practice! Now through the research is known that some students learn better with the visual elements: Comic books, video games, and color-coded visuals and posters; Others learn through physical activities: Hand-on creation, physical movement, play, experimentation; While others learn through listening and reading: Books and lectures.
WHAT WE CAN DO, HOW WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE HEALTHY TRANSITION, A SPIRITUAL AND MORAL GROWTH OF THE TEENS IN OUR COMMUNITIES?
As a community, family, friends, and neighbors, we can make this developmental period to be the most beneficial for the adolescents and for the family and community by utilizing their creative energy and thrive for the change, and experimentation in a projects such as 'Green Earth,' 'Big Brother/Sister,' etc. In addition, we can organize during the weekends, holidays, and after-school time a sport activities, video game clubs, art, poetry/writing, dance, play events, but the most important are, in my opinion, a critical thinking educational forums where the teens along with the families will participate in discussions, and learn about how to analyze and filter the information streaming through the internet, 'popular crowds,' and advertisements. Critical thinking is a skill, and like any such need to be taught, and required a time and a practice to be learned.
Websites for the Fun, Encouragement, Reference and Support:
http://www.freetypinggame.net/
http://www.wordgames.com/typing-games.html
http://youtu.be/Lrg6Q7j7KjA
http://youtu.be/p9PjrtcHJPo
http://casel.org/guide/
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=108438816006589" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Do you know that an adolescence is a special period in human life that by its intensity and the amount of changes could be compared to the growth of an infant? These period is formally divided into four developmental age groups: 9 – 11; 12 – 14; 15 –18, and 19 – 21+. Because of the certain characteristics of the development – biological/physical, mental/cognitive, and social/ behavioral - it is of a particular interest for the academic and scientific research studies, get a special attention from the behavioral psychologist, social workers, school, and community.
WHAT ARE THOSE CHARACTERISTICS?
Rapid growth in the body mass - size.
Change in mental cognition processes - the ability to think abstract.
Hormonal changes that bring forward secondary gender characteristics.
HOW IS IT EXPRESSED?
Because of hormonal changes noticeable change in the behavior (with a possible but not a required mood swings), search for one's identity and place in a family and a social structure. Because of the developing and changing perception of the world and identity, there are possible conflicts with the established norms of behavior, a risk-taking, or a persistent searching for new alternative methods of learning, communication, and expression of their positions on the current issues.
CRISIS OR CHALLENGE?
There are many symptoms that can be present, observed or demonstrate themselves in more than one way as the adolescents progress through the crisis, or face the challenges. It could be an age-specific, internalized, or an external problem. It is only after careful observations, tactful questioning, analysis of behavior, and consulting with other teachers and parents/guardians in regards to students' performance we could be certain to some degree on the reasons of crisis, or some kind of challenge that adolescent is experiencing at the present moment. Another important factor to know about is an alternative teen literacy
WHAT IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVE TEEN LITERACY?
By learning about it and providing opportunities through the collaborative effort of school and community could be an essential element in teens' success. Because we all learn differently, alternative literacy should become a common practice! Now through the research is known that some students learn better with the visual elements: Comic books, video games, and color-coded visuals and posters; Others learn through physical activities: Hand-on creation, physical movement, play, experimentation; While others learn through listening and reading: Books and lectures.
WHAT WE CAN DO, HOW WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE HEALTHY TRANSITION, A SPIRITUAL AND MORAL GROWTH OF THE TEENS IN OUR COMMUNITIES?
As a community, family, friends, and neighbors, we can make this developmental period to be the most beneficial for the adolescents and for the family and community by utilizing their creative energy and thrive for the change, and experimentation in a projects such as 'Green Earth,' 'Big Brother/Sister,' etc. In addition, we can organize during the weekends, holidays, and after-school time a sport activities, video game clubs, art, poetry/writing, dance, play events, but the most important are, in my opinion, a critical thinking educational forums where the teens along with the families will participate in discussions, and learn about how to analyze and filter the information streaming through the internet, 'popular crowds,' and advertisements. Critical thinking is a skill, and like any such need to be taught, and required a time and a practice to be learned.
Websites for the Fun, Encouragement, Reference and Support:
http://www.freetypinggame.net/
http://www.wordgames.com/typing-games.html
http://youtu.be/Lrg6Q7j7KjA
http://youtu.be/p9PjrtcHJPo
http://casel.org/guide/
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=108438816006589" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0"></iframe>