Which of the following is an example of engaging students in critical literacy?

• A. Memorize vocabulary
• B. The signs photo (to facilitate a discussion)
• C. Solve math problems
• D. Read a nutrition label

Answer: (B)

Critical literacy means examining texts to uncover underlying messages, purposes, and how power and bias are built into what we read. When students look at a photo of signs and use it to spark discussion, they’re not just decoding words—they’re asking who created those signs, why they exist, who they’re aimed at, and what assumptions or stereotypes are being conveyed. They consider how the signs might influence behavior and what that says about society, culture, and power relations. That kind of analysis—pulling apart meaning, context, and implications—is at the heart of critical literacy.

Memorizing vocabulary focuses on recall of definitions rather than analyzing sense-making in context. Solving math problems centers on mathematical procedures, not interpretation of textual messages. Reading a nutrition label involves extracting information from a text, but without interrogating authorship, purpose, or persuasive intent, it doesn’t engage the same level of critical discussion about meaning and power.