Role of Literature in the Curriculum

Up till recently, the relentless debate surrounding the idea of integrating literature and language arts as a joint field never stimulated any interest in me. For all I cared, literature could have been permanently erased from the curriculum, for it served no  definite purpose… my thoughts, till my journey and in depth study into the subject began. Literature, I have learnt, serves great purpose, not only within its field, but as well within other aspects of the curriculum.

Regardless of the fact that literature is being taught as a subject with very little concern or priority, it must be made known that literature serves to enhance students’ reading and writing skills as well as their critical thinking and listening skills. When students engage in or listen to literature it aids in developing their imagination and imaginative skills. They are able to transcend to different époques, times and generations. Additionally, it creates a consciousness of the differences and similarities that exists between cultures and about the generations that preceded them. Literature, whether it be directly or indirectly (use of figurative speech), goes beyond just providing slight titbits on our ancestors and their “olden times,” it details all the important events during the historical period upon which the text is based and as well provides  a more comprehensible outlook on the goings on within each historical era. Moreover this assists students in understanding and making sense of their lives and the traditions that are handed down from generation to generation.

 Furthermore the student’s articulation, writing and oral skills are developed as they voice their emotional responses to the text.  Students write as readers and read as writers whether it be efferently or aesthetically. Constant exposure to reading material that pays attention to grammar, sentence structure and the mechanics allows the reader to communicate more, share responses, not in the vernacular but in the standard form of the language. Simply put, it creates in the student an awareness of the accepted standards of reading and writing which they eventually will reproduce in everyday speech and writings and as well will demonstrate an enhancement in their vocabulary.

Surprising though it may seem, literature has been used as an aid in teaching difficult concepts in other parts of the curriculum. Literature is performance based and can be used to make any subject one of interest only if used effectively, through dance, drama, recitations and of course singing. From grammar to mathematics literature helps convey meaning and understanding from the least challenging to the somewhat more difficult task in any subject. “THE POWER OF THE ARTS.”

Useful link: 

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:sn0pHkRVfn8J:math.unipa.it/~grim/SiLipsey.PDF+literature+in+math&hl=en&gl=vc&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi3DYjn6muNOxjSJUmyqLxkZfzURX96-3gJVs0cRf1pJ1dNh7my2y0bZZvdb4mzVFFDjKVdL6Fy1v0kTc1y1AiECwAz5nfmeQJuk-0FN4enPwn4mXNVdB5EiVOsXxJlPPbYS_Ko&sig=AHIEtbTetgJxc0fIbtaQ917g_QnaFQ6S1g&pli=1