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.

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.