My Community and Me: Using Communication Skills across Content Areas

• Published in: English in Texas Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 29 - 31
• Main Authors: Rodriguez, Regina Chanel, Bingham, Teri, Hughes, Crystal D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts 2017
• Subjects: Achievement Tests; Communication Skills; Elementary School Curriculum; Elementary School Students; Language Arts; Listening Skills; Literacy; Mathematics; Reading Skills; Social Studies; Speech Skills; Standardized Tests; Writing Skills; Texas
• ISSN: 0425-0508

In the past, literacy was defined as the ability to read and write. According to the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE, 2013), this definition has evolved and expanded to now include the ability to effectively utilize technology, build cross-cultural relationships in order to solve problems, multitask, use multimedia texts in a variety of ways, and attend to ethical guidelines. This notion of literacy as a social practice (Perry, 2012) is embedded in several strands of various Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) across content areas. For example, the English Language Arts TEKs include a Reading strand, a Writing strand, and a Listening and Speaking strand. The Social Studies TEKs include a Social Studies Skills strand that highlights collaboration involving the four communication skills, and in the Mathematics TEKs, students are expected to develop number literacy, communicate mathematical ideas, and use problemsolving methods to offer solutions. Essentially, being literate means that a person will be able to successfully communicate ideas in a variety of settings in society. Each of the tasks outlined by NCTE requires a citizen to use reading, writing, listening, speaking, or a combination of the four skills to convey messages, collaborate, and facilitate problem solving. By integrating the communication skills across the curriculum, teachers can ensure that students are receiving the required curricular content as well as the skills needed to be contributing members of society. This column discusses examples of how the four communication skills can be connected to other content areas using the theme "My Community and Me."