Poetry & my author profile

Okay, this book is written by author David McPhail. The book talks about the relationship between big and little brothers. I visited the library with two of my little ones, and I loved it. As my eight-year-old son read the book, his face lit up with glee, immediately he saw the truth in the writing. It talks about how a little brother gets away with not doing chores, and wants to wear big brother's clothes. This is a great read, and it helps children see that the annoying behaviors of their siblings are felt by others.

The other book, Crickwing, I haven't read but the great illustrations drew me to the book. Janelle Cannon. Crickwing is the book's main character, a cockroach with an injured wing. I found the book at the following website http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/677. Check out the website, it has lots of great books.


Now, I blogged about the poetry chapter last week in error, but I'll do it again. I, unlike Mrs. Pickett, enjoy poetry. Poetry is varied in it's styles, and comes in many shapes and sizes. I truly enjoy reading poetry, but writing it is so much fun too! I think that as a teacher, I would focus on trying to make poetry fun and I liked the idea of poetry slams.

I loved the Maya Angelou clips, and okay, I got a bit emotional as I listened to these interviews. Hearing Maya Angelou talk about not placing boundaries on our lives, and living to the fullest made me feel like I could acheive all my dreams. I have decided to pursue my master's degree in reading, and to become a published writer/author. Thanks, Mrs. Pickett for showing me these enlightening clips.

Responding to Literature & Poetry

I just wanted to blog a bit about last Monday's Chapter 4 reading. I think that it's important for teachers to allow their students the freedom to choose books that they believe they can connect to. The discussion in class also focused on how each student's background influences their responses to literature. I truly believe that this is the case, and can see that sometimes if I read my children a book that they have no prior knowledge about the subject makes it difficult for them to conceive what the book is about the first time around.

However, I think that it is important to expand their so that they can increase their schema. They should be encouraged to read books about places they've never been, and about people they don't have much in common with in order to gain understanding of those things.



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Chapter 5 - Poetry







Poetry has always been fun for me to read. When I was in middle school I started writing poems, and it is something I still do today. Chapter five talks about the importance of introducing great examples of poetry to students, and then encouraging them to learn the different types of poetry. Poetry is important because it teaches children elements such as rhyme, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, and rhythm.

When I was doing some searching on the internet I found the following book.
Title: Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse
Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Paul Meisel

The web address below also gives you a sneak peek at the inside of the book. I found that there are also a whole bunch of related websites that give teachers "lesson plans" for this specific book. The book is really cute, and it is something that most young readers can recognize and find interest in...a puppy.

Please take a look at the book; I think that it is a great poetry book that your students would enjoy!









http://books.google.com/books?id=-KbaB72eU-kC&dq=%22stella+unleashed%22+ashman&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=1hwmk9ZI32&sig=nZ-KbxUgsZAx5IgvvSOkesFTt-U&hl=en&ei=cgSjSbz1JoTSnQf-xIH9DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Chp 2 & Author Profile

Let me share my thoughts on chapter 2. In my opinion, it's incredibly important to have teachers who are willingly to give encouragement to their diverse students. As teachers we need to put aside our own stereotypes in order to make sure that we give each student the same opportunities. Teachers are responsible for making sure that all their students have a great learning environment. I found it interesting that chapter two indicates that if the "school culture" doesn't mesh well with the student's own culture that it can adversely effect them incredibly. Sometimes I think we all just assume that these students will adjust to their environment, and just "get with the program". However, it's important to note that this isn't always the case. I remember reading about the first settlers, the Native American Indians, and how they were put into schools and forced to "assimilate" to the white man's way of learning. The first time I read these accounts of the Native American students and their feelings on how they were forced to "assimilate" I got really emotional. A young boy talked about how he was stripped of his culture, and his educators were stripping him of his spritual beliefs which meant the world to him. This is what we are still asking of many students today, and I don't think it's fair.

I also believe that because no two people are exactly alike, that our teaching methods must be diverse enough to reach all learning styles. We must ensure that all our students are able to read because not doing so will impact the rest of their lives. If they can't read and comprehend what they are reading then they won't become successful adults. Imagine trying to fill out a college admissions application and not being able to comprehend what is being asked of you. That leads to you not filling out a portion of that college entrance application correctly, and could lead to you not being accepted into that college. Perhaps you are just trying find a job via the internet, and you aren't able to create a resume that the employer is requesting of you, then what. Reading effects the way we comprehend, and the way we write. I hope that as future teaching professionals, we can all do whatever it takes to reach each child. That we keep our eyes open for those who may have learning disabilities, and make sure that they are given all the necessary tools needed.

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Author Profile: David Shannon

This week my husband read to my children, Too Many Toys, a book written and illustrated by David Shannon. When I finally got the chance to pick up the book and take a look at it the first thing that I noticed were the great illustrations. The vivid colors and whimsical images made reading the book truly engaging. Plus, a few of the pictures made it seem like I was looking at the floor in my own home. Toys in every nook and cranny, and covering the floor so that you don't even know if there is a floor underneath it.

The content of the book was also really wonderful! It captures the spirit of a young boy to a tee. Then, I did a little research on author, David Shannon. I had never heard of him, but as I looked him up on the web his books popped up quickly. Apparently, Shannon has a popular character, and line of books entitled, Oh, David. I will truthfully say that I haven't read these books, but many others have and love them. So this weekend I'm going to make a trip to the library (pay my library fine), and checking out more of Shannon's books. I'll report back to you once I read more of his books.

Happy reading to all!

Assign. 1 - Children's Literature Authors

I loved this assignment, because it made me think back to the books I loved as a child. My mother read to me every night as a child. I even remember when we tired out the books we had, then she would create her own stories and include me in the story.

When I "Googled" the topic you assigned us various websites came up, and the following are a few of my favorites.
http://knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/List_of_children's_literature_authors/
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/child_lit/authors/
http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai.html

Each website pretty much consists of listing children's authors and links to other helpful websites that list the author's books. The websites are helpful and for a teacher can provide a great resource to locating new books to add to their own classroom library.

My favorite book as a child was Pierre by Maurice Sendak, and I still remember it to this day. (Sendak is popular for his book, Where the Wild Things Are, but it's not the book that sticks out in my mind.)

Oh Pierre, the boy who didn't care. Imagine a book being stuck in your head, and evoking so much emotion in you 25 years after hearing it read to you for the first time. My mother read me the book when I was just 4 years old, and I still remember the story today. Storytime with my mother was awesome, and I don't think I'd love reading if it wasn't for her spending so much time reading to me.

Another favorite author of mine, Tomie dePaola. One Foot, Now the Other, that is the book that creates vivid memories for me. Tomie dePaola has so many great books, and when I was old enough to pick my own books at the library I chose his most often. I love his books, but he's also a great illustrator.

Reading helps create memories, and helps you become more imaginative. Personally, I think reading is the reason why I wanted to become a teacher. I want to help children become lovers of books, and help them see that reading is what will help them become great thinkers.

Hi, it's Angela

From the 3321 class on Monday nights!