Genre Knowledge...
DEFINITION:
This is the understanding of genres, and knowing how to identify and read various genres. A genre has been referred to as a type or form of artistic expression. There are countless ways in which text is displayed as a genre. Genres may be basic such as classifying types of books, into categories of fantasy, nonfiction, mystery, biography, realistic fiction, etc. However, genres can be expanded to include lists, newspapers, credit cards, signs, cereal boxes, advertisements, magazines, cook books, etc. Pretty much anything that can be read fits into a genre. Both school and home have different genres, although some may be found in both. It is the purpose of the text.
KEY TERMS:
- text genre - the reason for the type of genre and way in which the words are displayed. different genres will be structured differently with a unique language or understood meaning associated with them
- Types of Genres: signs, labels, cards, license, advertisement, catalog, magazine, newspaper, ticket stub, money, etc. Pretty much anything with words (see venn diagram)
DEVELOPMENT:
This varies from child to child. Generally the genre knowledge is gained based on familiarity with it. If a student is exposed to reading the newspaper they will understand how to produce that genre. Whereas students who are pushed to read anything and everything will have a greater genre knowledge due to exposure. Also, children must understand that a genre may not have words. Even if a child thoroughly understands one genre they might not have a great understanding of another; it is on an individual genre basis. There may be a slight correlation between socio-economic status and genre knowledge.
Students may have genre confusion, thinking that they are familiar with one genre and understand how to read another one because of it. However, genre principles cannot be applied across the board.
This varies from child to child. Generally the genre knowledge is gained based on familiarity with it. If a student is exposed to reading the newspaper they will understand how to produce that genre. Whereas students who are pushed to read anything and everything will have a greater genre knowledge due to exposure. Also, children must understand that a genre may not have words. Even if a child thoroughly understands one genre they might not have a great understanding of another; it is on an individual genre basis. There may be a slight correlation between socio-economic status and genre knowledge.
Students may have genre confusion, thinking that they are familiar with one genre and understand how to read another one because of it. However, genre principles cannot be applied across the board.
ASSESSMENTS:
Have the student sort the various book genres
Walk around the building and find as many genres as you can
Empty your purse/backpack and sort the genres into categories
Define various genres and talk about the ways in which they are different
Ask students to bring in various genres from home and discuss. This is a genre venn diagram that shows many genres to consider for literacy (HR)
These are centers used to define different genres (HR).
Have the student sort the various book genres
Walk around the building and find as many genres as you can
Empty your purse/backpack and sort the genres into categories
Define various genres and talk about the ways in which they are different
Ask students to bring in various genres from home and discuss. This is a genre venn diagram that shows many genres to consider for literacy (HR)
These are centers used to define different genres (HR).
SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS:
This could be difficult due to a lack of exposure. They may not read all the texts they come in contact with and may not be aware that it is considered a genre. Furthermore, they may not have a comparable source of genre in their previous language or may have been more exposed to one and not another. Therefore, genre knowledge can be extremely staggering.
This could be difficult due to a lack of exposure. They may not read all the texts they come in contact with and may not be aware that it is considered a genre. Furthermore, they may not have a comparable source of genre in their previous language or may have been more exposed to one and not another. Therefore, genre knowledge can be extremely staggering.