I created a brief story using storybird to pay a small tribute to our classmate and friend Trisha. I did not know that it takes 5 to 7 days to be able to use the share link from storybird. I have pasted below the url because when I try to insert it as a hyperlink it does not work?
http://storybird.com/books/a-pretty-girl-with-a-pretty-smile/
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Now is the Time for Running book trailer
I could not put this book down. Michael Williams does a magnificent job of painting an all too real painting of what life is like in Zimbabwe and Cape Town South Africa. I have a guest that just moved here from South Africa and I had conversations with him after reading this book and he confirmed that a lot of details were accurate. I do not know if I would let sixth grade students read this, maybe eighth grade. I hope if you read it, you enjoy it as much as I did.
Chapter 5- Traditional Literature
Traditional Literature is so much fun to use in the classroom. I was surprised to find out that Stone Fox by John Gardiner was traditional literature, I would have considered it historical fiction. As a little girl I loved and still do, fairy tales. It was always so much fun to read about some enchanted princess encounter some terrible evil and then miraculously be saved to live happily ever after. Traditional literature includes sub-genres like fables, myths, legends, tall tales, folk tales, and religious stories.
I found it amazing that the traditional story Cinderella had been told around the world in some form or another. I read many Cinderella stories deciding which one I wanted to use for my annotated bibliography. They all had an element of the Cinderella story I was familiar with. Sometimes Cinderella only had one sister instead of two. Or her father didn't actually die, or she had a fur boot instead of a glass slipper. The theme was always the same though, a young girl mistreated and then perseveres.
I think a fun activity to do with a folk tales is to play telephone with the class. Folk takes are stories passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, it is easy to assume that not all parts of the tales are true because they may not have been repeated 100% accurately.
I found it amazing that the traditional story Cinderella had been told around the world in some form or another. I read many Cinderella stories deciding which one I wanted to use for my annotated bibliography. They all had an element of the Cinderella story I was familiar with. Sometimes Cinderella only had one sister instead of two. Or her father didn't actually die, or she had a fur boot instead of a glass slipper. The theme was always the same though, a young girl mistreated and then perseveres.
I think a fun activity to do with a folk tales is to play telephone with the class. Folk takes are stories passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, it is easy to assume that not all parts of the tales are true because they may not have been repeated 100% accurately.
Chapter Six - Modern Fantasy
The genre modern fantasy is by far my favorite. I love stories like The Lightning Thief, where the hero goes on a quest. I also loved the book The Giver by Lois Lowry which is more science fiction. Modern fantasy can cover a variety of subjects from talking animals to ghost stories to quest tales. A modern fantasy can have fantasy and imagination woven into the story, but the story also needs to be believable to be modern fantasy.
The benefits of modern fantasy is that teachers can use these books to discuss difficult topics like death and loss. After reading the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, teachers can discuss why Gale and Katniss assume the roles provider when their fathers disappear.
Our textbook also suggests using the read aloud technique to expose children to this genre.
The benefits of modern fantasy is that teachers can use these books to discuss difficult topics like death and loss. After reading the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, teachers can discuss why Gale and Katniss assume the roles provider when their fathers disappear.
Our textbook also suggests using the read aloud technique to expose children to this genre.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Chapter 8: Historical Fiction
What is historical fiction? Well in short it is when we combine some fact and some fiction. Not just any facts, but maybe some events that took place. For example if I were to write a story about 911, I could incorporate some real facts like dates and times, and places that things occurred and combine those with some fiction, like characters that I could use to bring to life the tragedy of the event. Or I could take a real person like Albert Einstein and incorporate some of his discoveries or creation ns and fill in with blanks with believable fluff.
Some of the books that I have read that are historical fiction are: Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, Meet Kaya, An American Girl Kaya 1764 (American Girls Short Stories) by Janet Shaw, and The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis. These books again take some fiction and some historical events and combine them to create a story. Christopher Paul Curtis is my favorite! His characters are so funny! Kenny in The Watsons go to Birmingham is a middle child that is growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. Although this subject is sensitive and painful it is important that we bring these events to light, and Curtis does a wonderful job doing that through Kenny. Kenny acts like a normal boy trying to avoid the wrath of his big brother.
The best things about historical fiction is that our students are learning history without even trying. We don't have to stand in front of a board and say "Blah, blah, blah!" We can read a story that peeks their interest and make our students want us to explain what the civil rights movement is and why it started. Why weren't blacks and whites treated equally? Reading stories that interest our class on historical figures and events is the ultimate hook!
Some of the books that I have read that are historical fiction are: Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, Meet Kaya, An American Girl Kaya 1764 (American Girls Short Stories) by Janet Shaw, and The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis. These books again take some fiction and some historical events and combine them to create a story. Christopher Paul Curtis is my favorite! His characters are so funny! Kenny in The Watsons go to Birmingham is a middle child that is growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. Although this subject is sensitive and painful it is important that we bring these events to light, and Curtis does a wonderful job doing that through Kenny. Kenny acts like a normal boy trying to avoid the wrath of his big brother.
The best things about historical fiction is that our students are learning history without even trying. We don't have to stand in front of a board and say "Blah, blah, blah!" We can read a story that peeks their interest and make our students want us to explain what the civil rights movement is and why it started. Why weren't blacks and whites treated equally? Reading stories that interest our class on historical figures and events is the ultimate hook!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Christopher Paul Curtis did a fantastic job of putting the reader into the shoes of Bud. Bud is an orphaned 10 year old black boy living during the Depression. After he has been abused by his latest foster family he runs away, riding the railroad trying to find his birth father. Bud's life experiences are heartbreaking at times, but he is a hilarious 10 years old that once knocked down, gets right back up on his feet. I would 100% recommend this book to any reader, adult or young alike.
I also found this book trailer on youtube and apparently this book has been acted out in Chicago and I have attached a clip from that as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paLKLoeozvU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwiNWSRl1U
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Chapter 10 Nonfiction: Biographies and Informational Books
This chapter gives great advice on how to choose Informational text and Biographies for your students. Remember to consider your children's preferences. If you are doing a review of Abraham Lincoln, it would be a good idea to have a variety of texts for students to choose from. Also just because it is informational text, it does not have to be boring. For my upper informational text, I chose: Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World, by Jane
Yolen. This book is so interesting and informational. You could take this book and break it up your class into pairs and them have them give a brief summary of their pirate and what she did during her life.
It is also important that when you make your book selections, you choose books that are written based on accurate facts. Some research can be controversial at times, but if you consider the sources that the author used, you can quickly identify if they have done thorough research or just made stuff up. Our text book explains that children often have difficulty with non-fiction, (especially first grade students). I think that animal books are a great way to expose them to non-fiction. Kids love animals and when you point out that we can learn many other interesting things that are true through non-fiction books, we can hook our students on reading.
It is also important that when you make your book selections, you choose books that are written based on accurate facts. Some research can be controversial at times, but if you consider the sources that the author used, you can quickly identify if they have done thorough research or just made stuff up. Our text book explains that children often have difficulty with non-fiction, (especially first grade students). I think that animal books are a great way to expose them to non-fiction. Kids love animals and when you point out that we can learn many other interesting things that are true through non-fiction books, we can hook our students on reading.
CHAPTER 7 - Realistic Fiction
CHAPTER 7
Realistic Fiction was never my favorite... I am much more of a fairytale or fantasy girl! But over the last few weeks I have read more realistic fiction than in my whole life and I have found it to be most intriguing. The stories I have read are; Because of Winn-Dixie, Bud... Not Buddy, The Watsons go to Birmingham, and Now is the Time for Running. Michael Williams wrote Now is the Time for Running and while I was reading it ideas for incorporating it into my class were just popping off of the pages. The story follows a young boy and his older brother (who has exceptionalities) through their journey from Zimbabua to South Africa. This book gives examples of the challenges of being different and trying to blend in with surrounding society. Death, Starving, Abuse, these topics are very difficult to bring up out of the blue in our classrooms, but if we incorporate a book into the subject it can become more acceptable to speak about. The classroom I just interned in during the Spring was comprised completely of students who qualified for free lunches. I am sure some of them understand what it is like to go to bed hungry, but this would be a difficult conversation to bring up without embarrassing any of these big fifth graders. However, if you incorporate a book and have your students journal a response to the question "How do you identify with this character?" about death or starvation, or abuse you can discuss these difficult subjects. I would have my students break into groups and write a different outcome to the story. Students could also list possible solutions to the situations.
In the stories Bud... Not Buddy and The Watsons go to Birmingham, by Christopher Paul Curtis he incorporates abuse and abandonment and being raised in a foster home, but even though all this sounds very depressing, the stories are actually quite funny.
I have learned that while fantasy and fairytales are still fun, I really enjoy realistic fiction and I find that I could use them in many ways in my classroom to teach about controversial issues.
Realistic Fiction was never my favorite... I am much more of a fairytale or fantasy girl! But over the last few weeks I have read more realistic fiction than in my whole life and I have found it to be most intriguing. The stories I have read are; Because of Winn-Dixie, Bud... Not Buddy, The Watsons go to Birmingham, and Now is the Time for Running. Michael Williams wrote Now is the Time for Running and while I was reading it ideas for incorporating it into my class were just popping off of the pages. The story follows a young boy and his older brother (who has exceptionalities) through their journey from Zimbabua to South Africa. This book gives examples of the challenges of being different and trying to blend in with surrounding society. Death, Starving, Abuse, these topics are very difficult to bring up out of the blue in our classrooms, but if we incorporate a book into the subject it can become more acceptable to speak about. The classroom I just interned in during the Spring was comprised completely of students who qualified for free lunches. I am sure some of them understand what it is like to go to bed hungry, but this would be a difficult conversation to bring up without embarrassing any of these big fifth graders. However, if you incorporate a book and have your students journal a response to the question "How do you identify with this character?" about death or starvation, or abuse you can discuss these difficult subjects. I would have my students break into groups and write a different outcome to the story. Students could also list possible solutions to the situations.
In the stories Bud... Not Buddy and The Watsons go to Birmingham, by Christopher Paul Curtis he incorporates abuse and abandonment and being raised in a foster home, but even though all this sounds very depressing, the stories are actually quite funny.
I have learned that while fantasy and fairytales are still fun, I really enjoy realistic fiction and I find that I could use them in many ways in my classroom to teach about controversial issues.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
I just finished reading The One and Only Ivan, if you are looking for a book to read that has recently won the Newberry Award Medal, I recommend this one. SO good!!!
Check out this link!
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/books/One-Only-Ivan/
Check out this link!
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/books/One-Only-Ivan/
Friday, May 24, 2013
Late for School by Steve Martin
So I just got done reading Late for School, by Steve Martin. It even came with a CD of him playing a banjo with his band and singing the words to this book. SO funny! It is about a little boy who is running late for school. I highly recommend!
Check out this hilarious video.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_ie&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=519169&p=late+for+school+by+steve+martina+nd+song
Link to book with free preview.
http://www.amazon.com/Late-School-Steve-Martin/dp/0446557021
Check out this hilarious video.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_ie&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=519169&p=late+for+school+by+steve+martina+nd+song
http://www.amazon.com/Late-School-Steve-Martin/dp/0446557021
Monday, May 20, 2013
Chapter 12 - The New Litericies: The World Of Online Childrens Literature
We live in a digital age! This chapter focused on the many ways we can incorporate technology into our classrooms. Although I hate technology and I am not totally comfortable with it. It is important for me to learn how to "blog" and create webpages and web quests, and virtual field trips. The first reason is, Our students are comfortable with these things and if we do not incorporate them into our lessons, we are not preparing our students for their future education. I have created a web quest and two virtual field trips. They are not what I expected them to be. Like the teacher said in the how to blogging video, there is a lot of information on the internet. We don't just want to hand them a computer and let them roam. We want to give them a list of topics to research and websites to visit. We want to give them objectives and them assess them. So technology can be a useful tool or a disastrous mess if we are not careful when using it.
Also when using technology like digital texts, it can be very beneficial. For example, last semester, I rented an e-textbook. I forgot my bag one day and all I needed was to log onto any computer and pull up my book. Plus as our book explains, you can increase the font size. and some have the capabilities to linked to pages that pertain to our reading or questions relating to the text. One amazing resource that our book recommends is the International Children's Digital Library. This library has a plethora of books that relate to different cultures, religions, and differences, and they are already categorized! The last thing that I learned about that I would love to use with my future class, is a Virtual Author Visit. I met Lois Lowry when I was in grade school and she signed my book "Number the Stars", I remember it being such an inspiration to me. Here in Southwest Florida we are lucky because we have the reading festival that brings authors from all over, but many of our students are not able to attend. It is important that we can still expose them to authors that they have read from so that they are able to ask questions and have a meaningful experience.
Also when using technology like digital texts, it can be very beneficial. For example, last semester, I rented an e-textbook. I forgot my bag one day and all I needed was to log onto any computer and pull up my book. Plus as our book explains, you can increase the font size. and some have the capabilities to linked to pages that pertain to our reading or questions relating to the text. One amazing resource that our book recommends is the International Children's Digital Library. This library has a plethora of books that relate to different cultures, religions, and differences, and they are already categorized! The last thing that I learned about that I would love to use with my future class, is a Virtual Author Visit. I met Lois Lowry when I was in grade school and she signed my book "Number the Stars", I remember it being such an inspiration to me. Here in Southwest Florida we are lucky because we have the reading festival that brings authors from all over, but many of our students are not able to attend. It is important that we can still expose them to authors that they have read from so that they are able to ask questions and have a meaningful experience.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Chapter 11 Diverse Perspectives in Childrens Literature
This chapter reinforced a lot of great ideas that we have witnessed first hand in our classroom observations or learned in RED. Books are a great way to discuss difficult or sensitive topics without making any one student feel isolated and singled out. For younger children you could do a read aloud of the book "A Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon and for older kids, like 5th grade you could use "The Moorchild" by Eloise McGraw to discuss individuality and acceptance. When we face situations where we have a new student from another country it would benefit our classroom environment to display and discuss a few books relating to that country to educate our students about some cultural differences. I experienced this first hand in my world religions class. There was a young girl who was Muslim and when we started reading excerpts from the Qur'an and discussing the Islam religion, I was able to see past the differences in our beliefs and recognize the similarities. It did not convert me, but educating myself on her religion helped me understand the symbolism and importance of a Hijab which I did not previously know. It was through this experience that I decided that I wanted my future students to feel comfortable enough in their classroom to ask questions and get answers about anything that they were not familiar with in their culture. I do not think that I can use a Qur'an, but our book has a blurb about a book called, "Mosque" by David Macaulay and I am sure there are many more.
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