Jan, I think your question of how much of a text a reader needs to use to understand is really dependent on the text itself and what purpose the reader sets for reading. I do believe that, at times, a readers (or a viewer of art or a listener of music) is free to make up their own meaning, in a sense. An example might be poetry - where you and I could read the exact same text yet come away with two very different understandings. I think Ellin illustrated this point a couple times in her opening vignettes in MOT. I know I have experienced this in a book club I belong to made up of fellow teachers - we have all read the same book yet come away with different understandings of characters and author's message. So I think it's true that readers do bring their own meaning. However, there are times, too, when understanding, or meaning, would depend on the author's message. I'm thinking of nonfiction books, especially, that you are reading for a purpose. Here, wouldn't the reader be dependent on the author's message? Or what about if you're teaching theme to a group of third graders? Doesn't their understanding of theme somewhat depend on the author's intent? Sooooo..... my initial response to your question would be - it depends on the text, on the reader, and on the purpose of reading. Just my initial thoughts..... which are subject to change, and frequently do, upon reflection. :) Dana
>>>> Another question that keeps coming up in my mind is how much of the text a student needs to use to understand. In one chapter there seems to be the idea that readers (viewers of art too) can make up their own meaning. But in another place is says that making meaning includes the author's intended message. I see a contradiction here. Can someone point to the text to show me where I can reconcile this contradiction. Or am I missing something? Can you tell what I think students should be doing? :) _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list [email protected] http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
