| Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page | Literacy and cultural context: A lesson from the Amish
Livingston-Webber, Joan, and Andrea Fishman. “Amish Literacy: What and How It Means.” Language, vol. 65, no. 4, 1989, p. 887., doi:10.2307/414964. |
| Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words | Literacy is brought to people in many different styles and forms. In this case we are learning about literacy in the Amish culture. Eli Fisher Encourages his kids to read but the scene in the fisher home could be the scene in any home that values reading and writing and wants their children to value them as well. Eli and Anna encourage their kids to go as far in life as they do in school. Their culture is called “Old Order Amish” which means to raise your family to old order tradition and belief. In their home you won’t find a radio, stereo, television, or any other electrical convenience. Schoolwork actually rarely enters the Amish household because they believe that household, field, and barn chores matter more to them. The Fisher kids are taught by an Old Order woman who also went through the same schooling herself. The way Eli sees and learns literacy is much different than any mainstream learners. The family buys their books only from the local christian bookstore and an amish operated dry-good store because they trust these places not to have objectionable material. If they go to a normal bookstore they use the publisher’s name as a way to see if the content inside the book is objectionable or not. The way they see literacy is described as a force in their world and that it “imparts power to all who possess it”. |
| Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author. | Contrivance- a convenience |
| How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?
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It just reinforces the point that there are many different ways people see literature. |
| Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion. | How have the Amish played a part in the growth of literature? |