Literacy within Communities

Throughout my life I have belonged to certain communities and still belong to several today. I have been a member of a soccer team, I belong to a family of five, and attend classes with other students and teachers. In these communities certain literacy rules are expected of the members of each group.
As a member of my high school soccer team, I was expected to communicate with the members of my team both on and off the field. This rule was not expressed by anyone, however, was expected to ensure success. In addition, before, during, and after games and practices our coaches would write on dry erase boards certain techniques we needed to work on, where each player would be playing on the field, and where each individual was supposed to be during a specific play. One becomes a literate member of this group from watching what older members of the team do by paying attention to the coaches. Becoming a literate member of a sports team is not something that can simply be studied, it must be gradually learned through time and patience.
In addition, belonging to a family also has literacy rules in which each member follows. When something runs out in my family’s house, we make sure we write it down on a piece of paper and put it on our refrigerator to make sure that that item is purchased the next time a member of my family goes to the store. In addition, when someone calls the house and asks for a member of my family, we give the phone to the person who was asked for. If they are not home we leave a message for them so that they are able to call them back. To become a literate member of a family, the group must spend quality time together in order to be able to express certain needs and desires of each member of the group in order to live in a well maintained and functioning community.
Furthermore, when I attend classes with students and teachers certain literacy rules are expected to be followed during each session. To ask a question a student must raise their hand and the teacher must call on them. Most students were taught this when they first started attending school to allow the teacher to be organized and in control of his or her students. In addition students are expected to take notes and listen during class so they are prepared for tests. This was learned by students because they realized that it was necessary to follow this procedure in order to receive a good grade in the class.