What an Eyeopener

LIt 3321 T/R Wow!What an enlightening point of view. Everyone should listen to the words of the wise. The time that these older people have spent on the earth gives them the right to express their views to the younger generations. I love the way Maya Angelou Recited the poems. I was totally effected by the Shakespeare sonnet when she recited it with such poise and feeling. It is amazing that God has given us a human ability to cope with life situations. He has equipped us all with a different adaptability. Maya was candid in explaining how reading for her was a kind of escape.Reading the books that were availabe to her allowed her to work through the difficulties that were imposed upon her. I thought it was so innocent and childlike when she all but claimed the authors as her friends. NOt by talking to them but finding a common ground to identify with them. I think she was truly blessed to have such a supportive family unit to allow her to work through the horrible experience and the post trauma it caused. I can't imagine and would never want to experience being mute for 1 year much less six. It seems to me that the reading that she did and the authors responsible helped to get her voice back. when I think of my childhood experience I wish I would have been able to use reading as a sort of escape. As we all can see reading helped to prevent destruction of a brilliant mind. I was touched by what she had to say. I tried not to show it too much. The video awakened a hunger in me to be the difference in the children's lives not the addition to the problem. I know that my past experiences are going to help me to identify these traits in the students I will have the opportunity to teach. I enjoyed the wisdom and talent that she portrayed in such a profound way. Her feelings and attitude about our young people really did hit home. I've always loved poetry bbecause I love music and I could sometimes sing it. I also have written afew pices through the years. I would love to be as passionate as MAya Angelou. Thank You Professor Pickett for sharing it with us. I for one feel blessed.

Author Profile E. B. White

Lit 3321 T/R when I think about children's authors I don't have a very long list of familiar names. I automatically think of E.B.White."Charlotte's Webb" author. That book was a coming of age book for me> I read it(Well Sort Of read it in 5th grade. I got to see the movie and it hit home right away. I remember crying when Charlotte died. I don't know much else about E.B. white so let's explore shall we.I know what your thinking....or maybe I don't but anyway. what I thought you were thinking was why explore an author who has already passed away? The only thing I can say is while Mr. white is gone is wonderful writing lives on and on through generations. Isn't that a neat concept. So should we all become authors of wonderful literary works so that when we're gone we won't be forgotten? i think if we have been gifted in some capacity or another we should utilize those gifts. E.B. White lives on in his books and children for years to come will remark about his experience prompted writing.Here is the link to the website:http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3410 Have a blessed day.

Author Profile : Shel Silverstein

I have been hearing a lot about authors this semester. In fact I have probably never heard more about authors in my life. That is of course due to the fact that I have decided to make my concentration in reading. One of the authors I've been hearing about is Shel Silverstein. I can be honest with you and tell you that I hadn't ever heard of him before I was in Professor Pickett's class. I think it was Natalie and Professor Pickett who were very enthusiastically discussing his work.I decided I want to know about him and I will pass on what knowledge I get about him along with the link for his website.http://www.shelsilverstein.com/play.asp He has apparently affectionately called himself Uncle to his readers and has been told his books are too adult for children Intrigued? That intrigues me. I'm just a little hesitant because I don't like sad stories. I try to read the ones with happy endings. That isn't reality though and I really do have to change that. I need to realize that the children in my class might like the stories. If I consider them I wont be such a crybaby about sad endings.

Author profile: Beverly Cleary

Lit 3321 T/R I am looking on the internet to get these children's authors names. I am not familiar with many of the children's authors because I don't read alot.I came accross the author Beverly Cleary. I know it sounds familiar for a reason. I'm going to look up her website and see if I have read any of her books.O.K. ApparEntly I've not read any of her books. Maybe she sounds familiar because I should have. Well, If it's any consolation I guess I'll try to get ahold of a few of her books too. Her website is designed for children. It is bright and colorful. Here I'll let you be the judge.http://www.beverlycleary.com/index.html Maybe if someone comments on this blog they can let me know what they think.From looking at some of the book covers and characters,they look like good choices of literature for public schools.

Author Profile

Lit 3321 T/R I was recently watching a movie I rented on DVD. One of the previews I noticed had all types of interesting creatures in it. I remembered while i was looking for book covers and authors, I had seen a book by Maurice Sendak thart it reminded me of. come to find out it is based on that book "Where The Wild Things Are". Now, more than ever I want to read it. I know it's probably a real popular book,but we have covered that in earlier posts, I'm not aesthetic yet working on one.I decided that if they're to make a movie based on it it is probably a good book. I don't know if I'm wrong to assume that. I guess I will find out. I do know that Maurice Sendak is an acclaimed author and illustrator. I'm going to get that book "Where The Wild Things Are" as soon as I get the chance.I think I'm going to use it to read to my five year old. I think she might like it. Have a Blessed day.Here is Maurice's link http://www.mauricesendak.com/

Chapter 4

Literature 3321 T/R Chapter four is a very interesting chapter. It explains further what we have learned about children's interest in reading.Most children want to read stories that not only interest them, ,but that they can identify with. The book gives some good suggestions like Professor Pickett made about how to select books that your children will read.I think the chart on pgs. 64 and 65 will be a good guide. It is important to find books that are of the appropriate levels of development,so as not to discourage or frustrate young readers.The chart on p 68 and69 is a guide for older children with choices of age appropriate selections.P 70 covers Middle School, students and age appropriate books, with expected levels. The chapter also covers the types of books that boys and girls read. The chapter further explained that more books are read by both boys and girls. The chapter mentioned that alot of the books read by books are also read by girls. This is not the same for boys reading books girls read.When I am a teacher I'm going to try to read alot of books so that I can be filled with excitement about the books.According to the chapter,young readers,especially adolescent girls are influenced by their peers in their reading selections.The reason why I want to be well read is because my being excited about the books can help encourage them to have a sense of expectation about the books they may not have if I give a reading assignment and I don't sound enthusiastic about it. Another rule I'm going to abide by is to research the cultures of my students. I'm going to strive to get all the books I can to appease all of the different cultures represented. The text made mention that children relate to books based on their culture.I would like to have a class full of aesthetic readers. I myself have rarely read for enjoyment. I guess I'm kind of envious of my friends who do have that luxury. I know that if my students enjoy reading I know it will be easier for them to succeed. After all reading,fluently,and with comprehension is the gateway to all learning and success in education.One example in mind is the research that was done with the Alaskan native children. Not everything we deem natural is natural to everyone. We have to, as educators be in touch with the culures and back grounds of our students. W then can scaffold them with new information on a basis of what they are culturally familiar with. I also have to remember how literature affects everyone in different ways according to their past experiences. On a ersonal note. I remember reading Charlotte's Web by E. B.White. I couldn't stand the idea of Wlber being killed just because he was the runt of the group. While I reacted that way and made it seem like in my mind that Wilber was human'I'm sure alot of people who were raised on a farm or hunting probably didn't see the big deal at first. It all goes back to culture and past experiences.One of the things that I am excited about as an option is using Drama to futher explore the ideas of a book that we'e reading. I think that will be fun and it might help to engage the students who may not enjoy reading as much as others.