The End is Near! EDRG 3321

I can't believe this semester is almost history. It is amazing how fast time flies! I will read some of chapter 11 but I guess we've already covered most tof that material. I guess today is agood day to expose some more childrens authors and the books that make them famous.These are some books by Janice Herrington. They are about change it seems. That would be good to have in the classroom for children who are forced to move around alot and don't feel thay have a firm foundation.

EDRG 3321 TR

I was looking through Blackboard and I accidentally came upon the posting for this week's blog. The information about the little girl Sarah who was studied is so interesting. I found myself reexamining how I deal with reading to my 5 year old daughter. I also was very intrigued by the way she(my daughter)always seems to talk to herself. After this morning's discussion about self talk I totally am not going to get after her to be quiet. It is so interesting the way every day is a new day for learning. I want to make sure that I make learning fun and a time to look forward to for all of my kids. I will also try to implement that in the classroom through read alouds and discussions. I really did come away informed. I found myself giving more effort to make Felicity,my daughter be more involved with the reading. I was amazed by the little girl Sara,who essentially became her younger sibling's teacher and knew exactly what to look for in the assessment she was unwittingly conducting. What a world of discovery I am going to make available for my kids. There are so many books like The Hungry Caterpillar. Here are a few other titles to use for read alouds,especially for early readers!Alot of these books are advanced for the older students as well.

Informative,yet enjoyable

This a book on Judy Garland from child hood to adult hood
This week we have been delving into non-fiction.When I think of non-fiction books,usually large,bulky,hard to carry and boring comes to mind. I have in the last week found that those adjectives may not be entirely fair.The examples given by Professor Pickett actually sounded interesting.When we were talking about the different types of non fiction books there are out there we started talking about the different personalities we were intrigued by. My first choice was Judy Garland because I know a little of her story and I've always battled with my weight like her. She also sang like a bird. I love to sing myself.My second choice was Shirley Temple becacuse she as well was an entertainer.I really looked forward to a book for either lady. Natalie had a chance to go to her elementary school library and find the biography of Shirley Temple Black. It was extremely interesting.I almost finished it. When we ran out of time I was on the last page. I did get to learn alot about her. I also found out that she was one of the first advocates for breast cancer. She even had the press come for a bedside interview after her surgery. She spent most of her life helping others by working for causes She made sure to encourage women that if they found something that seemed not right to check with their doctor. She went into politics unsuccessfuly but she still kept on. She is still alive today.The book I read today is very interesting. I am not usually into non fiction but this is non fiction you can get in to.

LIT 3321 T/R Some Favorite Fiction

Fiction is one of my favorite genres of writing.I like the way the characters become real when you read about them. One of My favorite fiction stories deals with a much deeper theme than Once upon a time or happily ever after. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tantalizes your senses with suspense,Childhood imaginations,the issue of prejudice and murder all rolled into one.This was one of the first books that affected me in so many different ways.I have mentioned in past postings the fact that I've never been an avid reader.With this book, reading it caused me to want to watch the video.The imagination that Scout and Gem had were so difficult for me to visualize. The ham suit for instance was so hard to imagine, until I saw the video.After I saw that I was able to read it with more enthusiasm.Another work of fiction that I enjoyed was "Where The Wild Things Are".I finally got to read it. I recommend it to anybody. It is so awesome, the use of this boy's imagination. It was very enjoyable. It left me wanting more! Maurice Sendak was on to something for the generations to partake of and enjoy!There are so many wonderful works of fiction that I have had exposure too.I am sad to say I haven't appreciated reading and these books as much as I have in the past few months. Something has been ignited inside of me and it has changed my outlook on reading. I now look for the opportunity. I am also sad to say that too many times I don't have much success in finding the time to read.Hopefully after I have completed my degree plan I will be able to spend more time reading for leisure.Another book that I absolutely could not put down wasn't by a children's author. The book "A Cosmic Christmas" by Max Lucado is a very good account of the Christmas story. It brings it in such a manner that it is appealing for all ages.http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/authorsillustrato/a/sendakartistry.htm The preceding is website for Maurice Sendak

The website for Harper Lee is as follows http://www.gradesaver.com/author/harper-lee/

The website for Max Lucado and "A Cosmic Christmas is as follows
http://catalog.ebay.com/Cosmic-Christmas-Max-Lucado-1997-Hardcover-Illustrated-/690448 Have a blessed night. These are the two books I mentioned. I strongly suggest reading them they are very good reads.

Ch 7 and class reflections Lit 3321 TR

Owl Moon is a picture book by Jane Yolen. It is a book that teaches about snow and winter. It would be good book to consider reading in the classroom around the holidays. It would also be good on cold and dreary days like today started out.

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The Littlest Angel seems like it would be a good picture book to have in your classroom. It is written by Charles Tazewell It was first published in 1946 with a new edition in 2004.


I also found Julia Donaldson. She is the author of children's picture books. Gruffalo is one of the books written and illustrated especially for ages 2 and up.So us adults can enjoy it as well!

Lit 3321 TR Some reflection from class and chapter 7.First and foremost I love to look at pictures in books. Unfortunately I can't draw flies. That is o.k I will leave the drawing to the experts. I do however need to have some words to accompany the pictures or I get bored. Go figure. Nothing like that happy medium. I was reading through the chapter and some of the misconceptions that often occur about picture books. I don't think they just have to be considered to be for children only.I know that if Professor Pickett would have taught me early in my life my attitude about reading would have been better.Here I am a junior at a University and she has already changed alot of my feelings about reading. She is very passionate in the way she shares books.I want to be like that when it comes to my students.It is so different these days compared to when I was in school.When I was in school nobody really did book walks. At least I don't think they did. If they did they probably didn't call them that.They might have introduced the book but not in the way we as teachers should.I liked the visual objective in class today. We got to see the usage of lines as discussed in the power point. We also discussed the usage of colors. Bright colors for cultural references as well as light,calming colors to help create a mood for the reader.It was interesting to me to find out about the different workings of illustrations.The illustrator makes sure that the pictures mirror the situation that the character or characters are facing at the given time and often each illustration.The thing about books without words is they are an invitation to creativity. In the chapter it is discussed that many teachers used illustrated books without words to allow children to create their own story. I guess in that context I would be more receptive to wordless books. It would give me a chance to be creative if I wouldn't have such a hang-up about the subject of only pictures. Well,I guess that is a new goal for me to learn to enjoy and create with picture books.One of the last ideas expressed in the chapter was my favorite subject Drama. I love the chance to act it out.In retrospect those wordless books would really help me in a lesson planning endeavor.I would require the students to create and act it out. I'm sure that would cover quite a few TEKS (JK). To sum it up I think illustrations play a huge part in whether a book is approachable.This is especially evident in young children. I know when I have seen children flipping through a book for selection they all more than not do select the book with more illustrations. I know I always have. Now what that says about me I guess I'll let you be the judge. I do know that I don't want to be a hinderance to my students in their learning by not being enthusiastic about reading.I want to make my enthusiasm obvious!Have a blessed day.

Which path to choose

Lit 3321 TR Boy Oh Boy was I surprised about the origin of Little Red Riding Hood. The Grandmother's Tale was quite a bit more interesting than the rather repetitive fairytale.The story I heard as a child was a moral story. It carried with it the warning: Don't talk to strangers ever. I hated the fact as a child that the wolf had outsmarted Red Riding hood by getting to Grandmother's house before her.I can honestly say that the story I heard as a child made it definite in my mind to never do the very dangerous thing (talk to strangers.) I was told countless times by all the adults in my life and this gave me an example of what can happen if you disobey that cardinal rule. My favorite part of the original is when the girl in symbolism becomes a very decisive woman. She decides she is not going to let the wolf get the best of her. She then turns the tables on him. Bye Bye Wolf man (Boy, What a Sicko he was!)

LIT 3321 TR On tuesday we learned about traditional literature. I was able to go to ,the library and find some. I found a book on legends and myths of monsters. I ,thought it was interesting. It just so happens that the creature that Professor Pickett was telling us about is in the book. She had made mention of an Irish monster called the Banshee.Boy she is not pretty at all.I know if I ever get the privilege to go to Ireland I hope and pray I don't have the privilege to see the Banshee LOL. I found it interesting about the west as compared to the east. The different customs and legends are interesting to compare.The difference in the significance of three in the west and four in the west.I ,though Anansi was a really cute story. I think it serrves a purpose for all cultures. I think that would be a good boojk to sheare with a child who has been made to feel like they are different or that they don't belong. It brought to mind a song about an ant who was trying to move a rubber tree plant. It is really cute.I was interested in the actual fairy tales that Professor Pickett was telling us about. They are quite dark though. I bet it would be interesting to research the origins of some of our most beloved fairy tales.