Connecting Literacy and Popular Culture

This study examined the benefits of using popular culture in the classroom to teach reading and writing strategies. The research was conducted in a one-to-one meeting with a fourth grade student. During the study, the participant read a chapter book Dramarama, based on Zoey 101, a popular television show for teenagers. Data was collected and analyzed through means of observation, student work samples, and personal interviews. The findings suggest that it is advantageous to incorporate popular culture into literacy instruction within the classroom. Knowledge of popular culture is not hindering on education, but is a large part of what students directly identify with. By embracing this idea, students of all developmental levels can flourish and become engaged in literacy