Reflecting on Our Community Adventure

After taking our trip through our community, we decided that there were some things that we expected, that held true. However, there were also some things that we observed and learned that we did not anticipate. First, we anticipated that the library, the mall, and the restaurants we visited would all be filled with opportunities to interact with rich literacy. After visiting these places we decided that this indeed was true. While it was obvious that the library would be full of these opportunities, we were a little less sure about the restaurants and the mall. We went to the Friday's in Novi and boy was it surprising. The amount of stuff that they had on the walls was almost suffocating. They have tons of stuff ranging from old sports memorabilia to old dog sleds. Street signs, posters, plaques, you name it they have it. And most of it you can read. It was interesting to observe people interacting with it also. Its one of those things were you are eating and you kind of stare off, and then something wacky hanging on the wall catches your eye and you can't help but check it out, read what it says, and try and figure out what it is. There are endless opportunities to do this in Friday's. However, we were not even close to prepared to the overwhelming amounts of literacy there is to interact with at Twelve Oaks Mall. There are so many different stores, with so many different items, so many different sales, so many different menu's that it is almost overwhelming when you really look for it. But that is the thing, most people don't really even realize just how much they are reading and comprehending on even the most average trips there. Whether is is spatially figuring out where your car is parked if you left it in D3 and you are in D1. Or whether you are reading the hot sale and trying to figure out whether you meet the criteria. Whatever it is, the opportunities are endless!

Then there was the library. What can I say about that place other than WOW! It was absolutely unreal. And it wasn't only just the high-tech state of the art factor that got me. What really hit home and made me shake my head in wonder was how many kids were there!! This was after school on a Thursday, and there were kids everywhere. Downstairs working together at a table on a group project. Upstairs on the computer taking an accelerated reader test. In the quiet study area, doing their homework they got that day. It looked like a college library! All I could think about is how much I wished that I had exposure to something like that before I got to college. I definitely would have been able to get more out of the library at MSU had I learned how to study and use it effectively before I got there. It was just really cool to see so much learning going on, in a setting that wasn't forcing it. These kids weren't required to be there. They were there on their own free will. They could have been running around causing trouble somewhere, but instead they were in the library getting comfortable with a good book. I will definitely be utilizing this resource as much as I can this year, and why not?!?!