DINNER PARTY /BLOG #10

Menu:
Prime Rib Garlic Mashed Potatoes Wine
Southern French Fries Ice Tea
Shrimp with Garlic/sauce Garden/Caesar Salads
Stuffed Baked Chicken Corn on the cob Rolls/Variety
T-Bone Steaks Asparagus/garlic sauce
Grilled Fish



Peanut Butter/Banana Dark chocolate Fudge cake

California Rolls Pecan Pie

Chips/dips Strawberry cheesecake
Dinner Guests:
Elvis Jesus
Wilda Sonya
Violet Frankie

Wilda: Where’s the drinks?

Elvis: Over here, want some wine hun?

Wilda: Sure if that’s all you got

Jesus: Is it a little too early sweetie?

Wilda: I know I know I should eat first, but I will don’t worry

Sonya: When are we eating? I’m hungry

Elvis: So am I, I’m starving!!!!!!!

Violet: Mom I think everyone is ready to eat

Frankie: Me too !!! I want some strawberries, the chocolate ones

Violet: Wait Frankie, (smacking him on the head) you know we have to eat food first.

Frankie: I don’t have to listen to you!!! Your not my mother !!!!!!

Jesus: Now children, Do you think this is approximate behavior?

Violet: I am sorry, Jesus but he gets on my nervous

Sonya: Everyone, the host is ready for us to sit and eat.

(Everyone one sits at the table gives thanks to Jesus and God for the food they are about to eat, everyone enjoys the food and Elvis’s music playing through out the dinner party)

HISTORICAL FICTION

SUPER DEFINITION:

Historical fiction is literature that illustrates the past, thus the setting, dialect, and themes in the stories take place in the pass. The story may represent some real people or place, but the main character and story are fictional.

How can use this in a classroom?

You can use this type of literature (picture books are best) to connect students to the past


* You can use a timeline to illustrate changes through 0ut the story
* You can use a timeline to compare books from various time eras
* You can have students compare and contrast current events to past events
* You can create a fancy folder listing major events
* You can students create a ABC book on characters, or events in the book

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION

Blog #8


Super sentence definition of CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION:

Contemporary Realistic Fiction- is literature that demonstrates realistic situations that are not necessary true, but are real life circumstances that people can relate to.

* How can I use CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION in the classroom?

* Compare and Contrast (Use two books that have similar situations, and then have
Students compare and contrast the characters)

* Allow students to choice a book, then have them write about how the story relates to them

* Read aloud a book your class can relate to: Death, Divorce, Sickness, Family, School, War

* Allow students to participate in a drama play that demonstrates life situations along with a book that relates the same

* Choose a book that deals with current event situations contrast to past events

Extra Credit Poem

Extra Credit Poem



Though I wish you were here with me
I know you must be
Up high with thee
And
Though I know you’re looking down on me
I keep asking why must this be
And
Though I missed to see the last smile
I know your love will always be
With me
And that you are now smiling down on me

(This is a poem that I started writing for my Mom who passed way before I got to say good bye, but I know is now in a better place)

BLOG #7

What is modern fantasy? Modern fantasy is literature that is based in the real world, but then is changed to create an entirely new worlds, other words a fantasy world.

ACTIVITY: THE MODERN NEWSPAPER

Materials: construction paper, colors, markers, ruler, yarn, scissors, whole puncher (choose a modern fantasy book to go with your grade level)

Directions: Read the book out loud (depending on the grade level) and then have them construct their own "modern newspaper".

1. The newspaper must a include a cover page (that will attract buyers to buy the newspaper)
2. An article that summarizes the book
3. A classified section that can include (auto, employment, real estate etc....)
4. A comic section on their favorite character or part of the book
5. Finally a free section (students can choose to create a make their own sections)
6. Have students share their newspaper with the class

BLOG #6 TRADITIONAL LITERATURE

1. Definition of Traditional Literature:

Traditional Literature can be defined as literature that has been passed down from generation to generation orally, thus by the word of mouth, along with a reflection of the storytellers’ culture, natural environment, and place in society.

Traditional literature includes:

Folktales- narratives that are fiction

Fables- are brief tales which use animals’ characters to talk

Myths- account for the world and humans in reference to everyday natural phenomena

Legends- detail the historical facts of human wars and migrations.

How can you use Traditional Literature in the classroom?

You can use Traditional literature is various ways in the classroom for example:

* Compare and contrast versions of fairly tales stories for example: African version of Little Red Riding Hood with the traditional story.

* Have students construct their own version of a fairly tale story

* Have students choose their favorite tales and allow them to make a collage, puppets, object…………

* Compare and contrast the story and the movie

* Read a tale with the students and have them act out various scenes


Will you use Traditional literature in your classroom?

Yes, I will definitely use this type of literature in my classroom. Why? Because I think children love it. Traditional literature has been passed down from generation to generation meaning that most students are exposed to this type of literature at a very young age. Also this type of literature can enhance students’ imagination, exploration and learning abilities.

PICTURE BOOKS!!!!!!!!

BLOG #5 PICTURE BOOKS


1. What are picture books? When can you use them? How? Are there any limitations?

Picture books are books that use pictures and text to tell a story. The most important feature about this type of book is the pictures, thus the pictures alone can tell a story. I think you can use picture books with every age group, especially if you want to engage the reader, and keep them interested. I know I’m personally attracted to books that have lots of pictures. Yes I do think that there are limitations. That is you must make sure the picture matches the text, and of course the picture and text should be appropriate for the age of the reader.


2. How do you evaluate or select picture books? What is the process?

I think when evaluating and selecting pictures books you must:

Know your reader
Select pictures books that you know will engage the reader
The most important make sure the text matches the picture being illustrated.

The process begins by selecting the appropriate pictures books for your diversified students, thus you the teacher should look at the book first, then make a sure you a wide selection of pictures books available for your students.


3. Personal views on picture books like? No likey? Why? Use or no usey? Why

I personally love pictures books. Oh I mean likey! likey! I use them with my own children and will definitely use them with my students. I think these types of books engage, attract, and keep the reader interested from beginning to end.

BLOG #4 International & Multicultural Literature


What is International Literature?

International Literature – Books written and published in that country’s language,
then translated into the English language.

How is it different from Multicultural Literature?

I think the difference between International, and Multicultural is, International Literature has more of an authenticity to its work. The reason is, the literature is written in that country, and many of that country’s values, and culture is displayed in its text. For example, the characters, settings, plots, symbolism, and dialect will reflect that country’s beliefs. A good example is like the one Dr. Harris gave in class of the gingerbread man. We here in America have our vision of the how a gingerbread should look, but if we read a book from another country their version of it can be totally different.

Why is it important to use in the classroom?
I think it is very important to use both of these types of literature in classroom because:
* Teacher can expose students to different types of cultures around the world.
* Students can travel to another country by reading this type of literature.
* Teacher is displaying respect and acknowledgement for other countries around the world.



Classroom Activities:
International Literature:
* Compare and Contrast that country’s characters to American ones.
* Compare and Contrast symbols used in the literature.
* Draw maps: listing resources, shelter, and location of the country you are reading about.

Multicultural Literature:
* Bring in food to celebrate different cultures found in the classroom
* Art project: Displaying the student’s individual cultural beliefs.

Blog #3 Evaluating Books

Describe how to effectively evaluate books for children. Is this value based?

I think to effectively evaluate books for children a teacher must keep these points in mind:
Is the book going to be interesting for the student? Its plot, climax, setting etc…..
Is the book challenging? Thus, is the book going to help the student grow?
Does the book make sense? Thus, is it well written?
Does the book contain graphic/violent content in it?
Does the book use profanity?
Does the book present any type of bias?
I also think it’s very important that history continues to part of children’s literature.

I do believe that values play a part in evaluating books for children, because I think most people go along with what is currently accepted in society. I think as a teacher if you decide to expose your students to books that might be viewed differently by a parent, thus offend their beliefs. I personally would them aware of it beforehand.

2. Why do character/setting analyses on children’s books? Purpose? What did it accomplish?

I think it is important to analyze children literature, because by doing so we can share the best literature with our students. It's also important for students to analyze their books, because by doing so they will have to think deeper into the book and, they will also be accountable for reading the material. This type of process can also help in narrowing the down the type of books the student likes or dislikes.

Blog #2 Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 focuses on the development of children’s literature through out different times in history. The chapter also notes the standards used in evaluating young adult literature, the history of censorship, and the role children, and the family has in children’s literature. Oral tradition and early printed books are noted as being the earliest type of children’s literature, though they were not particularly geared for children. The oral traditions of families, and tribes were told through out the world, and develop what is known as folktales. Early printed books are traced back to the 1400’s, and were primarily used by children that attended monastery schools. A few other influences that brought forth the development children’s literature I found interesting include: the Puritan influence, John Locke’s influence on views of childhood, and Rousseau’s philosophy of natural development. Other information in the chapter that I found important is the criteria used to evaluate young adult literature, and that I agree with include: Does the literature motivate and inspire students?; Do the characters overcome problems in ways that help young readers gain insights on how to handle different problems. Finally, the child, and the family aspect that was brought into children literature around 1856-1903 is the influence that I find to be the most important, because now children were being taught of as valued individuals that had their own rights.

Personal connections: I personally can understand the development of folktales; I mean I remember as a child hearing adults talking about stories that were told to them as kids. I also enjoyed reading folktales when I was growing up, and still read them to my children.

Classroom application: I think in a classroom children should be exposed to different kind of genres along with the history that brought forth the genre. I also think having literature that relates to today’s society is important; because I think children can relate, and have a better understanding of what is currently happening around them.

Example of an Excellent Teacher:

Mrs. Kelly

Mrs. Kelly was my daughter fourth grade teacher last year. Mrs. Kelly has been teaching for over twenty years, and continues to have a true heart for teaching. Mrs. Kelly is an excellent teacher because, she instills confidence, encouragement, and instruction according to the needs of the student. Mrs. Kelly made extra efforts to make her class exciting, creative, and provided a very enriched learning environment, and as a parent I was very impressed by her. My daughter loves her, and still comments that she misses being in her classroom.

Chapter 1 and Values

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter one is about how literature promotes values, and development in children. The chapter also talks about how children response to literature. It notes that books are the major form of how we can pass on our literary heritage from one generation to the next. Literature can attract, motivate, instruct, and bring hours of endless adventure for children. The love of literature should begin at a young age in order to promote early literacy. Literature can also develop emotional intelligence as noted by Daniel Golman (1995); it can promote: self awareness, manage emotions, handle anxiety, motivates oneself, and sensitivity towards others. The chapter also notes that children develop in stages, and do so at different times. The indentified stages include language, cognitive, personality and social development. The chapter gives a brief description of each stage including the age, characteristics along with teaching recommendations, and literature suggestions for each stage. The chapter also illustrates great pictures of books, along with a brief understanding of how it can be used.

What is a value?
I define value as a quality a person cherishes, accepts, and respects. A value is something a person believes in, and is acquired through out a person’s life. I think a person’s core value foundation starts at home, but ultimately is or can be influenced by society, and consequently can change what a person defines as being valuable to them.

What value is most important to me and why?
The value that is most important to me is religion and faith. Why? Because I think my faith in God is what has directed my path in life. Although, my life has, and probably will encounter many more struggles, challenges and joy, my faith is what I believe will carry me through the hard and good times. I believe a good religion/ faith foundation will in turn establish many great values in a person; respect, love loyalty, family, honesty, justice and trustworthiness.

Where did you learn this value?
I learned this value of faith and religion at home and through the trust in God. Though I do not remember going to church much as a young child, the presence of faith and God were always instilled in me in various ways as a young child.

Can you teach this value? How? Do You?
Yes, I believe you can teach the value of faith and religion to your own children, and guide them to live a healthy safe fulfilling life. How, do I teach this value: I teach it thorough modeling, believing, praying, and always mentioning my faith in a higher being to my children. I believe the value of faith and religion should be taught at home, and church, and I as a classroom teacher accept, and respect your student’s religious beliefs while keeping your own out of the classroom.