EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 10

Read Aloud can be enjoyed by students at all levels, even at the university level:) Professor Pickett showed us a video about Jennifer Myer doing a read aloud lesson with her students. I was amazed by the classroom management and how she would engage her students in thinking about text to text connections. The teacher also had the students talk to their elbow partner to discuss the book and reinforce the lesson.
During a read aloud we must first do a book walk, showing the cover discussing the title, make predictions, go over vocabulary, look at the illustrations and make more predictions. We also need to connect the students, referencing or building the students schemata.

EDRG 3321 T/R Presentations

The semester is near the end and the presentations have all been awesome. They were very informative and engaging. The first presentation on the 19th was "mind blowing" as far as the creativity and level of technology applied to the project. The second presentation on the 24th was also wonderful. The art work was great and the closing PowerPoint and vocalsdealing with grace was so emotional to me. The third presentation about fantasy had a beautiful PowerPoint of art work and very detailed info about the genre of fantasy. The set up of the chair was so cute and the activity was excellent (Down the Back of the Chair). I so want to have my students create a genre presentation without limiting the children to the old book report and oral report of yesterday. These have been a joy to watch.

Author Profile EDRG 3321 T/Th

I know I have my twenty five authors but there is one more I really need to include. The author is Patricia Polacco, two of my professors have read her books to the class or had us do a read aloud/ group work. Polacco's stories are based on historical event, either in her own family or the nation. Her narratives cause me to feel emotional (more so than usual:) Here is her web site with the list of books and activities, http://www.patriciapolacco.com/index.htm The two book I enjoy are Thank You, Mr. Falkner and Pink and Say.

EDRG 3321 T/R Author Profile

Author Judy Schachner writes the Skippy Jon Jones books. These books are great for students because it can be used for poetry, decoding, comprehension, concepts of cause and effect, and language lessons. The web site offers downloads like name cards, counting worksheets, and Spanish practice. The website also offers games and activities. http://www.skippyjonjones.com/

EDRG 3344 T/R Objectives

Remembering: The student will identify between living and non-living organisms or objects by labeling a worksheet at 95% accuracy.

Understanding: The student will summarize what the main idea of a story is by explanation @ 90% accuracy.

Applying: The student will be executing decoding words with common spelling patterns (e.g., -ink, -ick) by demonstration on a pocket chart @ 90% accuracy.

Analyzing: The student will be comparing monthly vehicle payments with varied down payments and interest rates on a spreadsheet @ 90% accuracy.

Evaluating: The student will be surveying what the student body feels is the most unfavorable food in the cafeteria and the data will be put into a report @ 85% accuracy.

Creating: The student will produce a media product about a weather pattern or event using a technology software (e.g., Movie maker) @ 85% accuracy.

EDRG 3321 T/R Shared Reading PDF

The article was a great reinforcement to show the importance of shared reading. I have applied a lot of what we learn in class to my children. My four year old son loves for me to read to him daily. I do a book walk, I have him predict, we discuss the story and events of the story in order. But most important he always asks, "Read it again!" I have noticed that as I reread the story he absorbs more about it. He connects more, he also interprets and evaluates the story. Even my two year old daughter listens to me read to my son, she can repeat the lines and be involved in the shared reading. My son goes to pre-k and his favorite center is the library. I could never inhibit his love of reading.

My sons favorite story is the same as the girl Sarah in the article, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
He has to read it with his little plastic toy caterpillar, I have read it so many times he now has memorized the story verbatim. I listen to him as he reads the story to his caterpillar, he points to each word has he (mock) reads, he reads with enthusiasm and fluency. Also, he can apply what he has learned about the life-cycle of a butterfly. Last month, he saw a monarch butterfly and he explained the life cycle to his grandfather (without the text in front of him).

During shared reading it is important to provide a comfortable atmosphere and be an enthusiastic reader in order to engage the child. Also, we must encourage active participation between the child and the text to foster a love for reading.

Author Profile EDRG 3321

Frank Asch is not only an author but a poet. His website not only lists

his books but also has several suggestions on how teachers can use his works with in a variety of centers, games, can be used with math, science, social studies. Lots of great ideas. His books are geared towards pre-k to first. http://www.frankasch.com/about_asch.shtml My son loves the book, Happy Birthday Moon, you can teach about echos with this book.

Ezra Jack Keats is an author who has established the Ezra Jack Keats Award to recognize and encourage authors and illustrators to the field of children's books. He has several books, but one book I would like is Keats Neighborhood, it is a collection of ten of his stories. On his web page there is a tab for kids that has animated stories to watch.

www.ezra-jack-keats.org

EDRG 3344 T/Th Star Trek

Language Barriers is something I encounter daily. Because I am half Anglo and half Filipino, people mistake me for being Hispanic. I had never lived in the southern states before so I never had to learn the language. When I moved to San Antonio, I worked in retail (optics) for 13 years, and I could earn commission for my sales. You better believe I tried my hardest to communicate. I could communicate enough to confidently make the sale. I am still not fluent in Spanish but I can get the gist of it.

I believe Captain Dathon's sacrifice was worth it because rather than beginning a war due to miscommunication, only Captain Dathon dies. Maybe it could have been done without him dying, but for entertainment purposes it had a greater impact. As he lay wounded, Captain Picard took the time to understand the language of metaphors. In turn Picard was able to complete the alliance with the alien culture, the Tamarians.

The experience caused Captain Picard to gain an understanding of how important communication is. He knows now that he can not insinuate that another culture, that they can't communicate with, is going to be defensive and want to harm them. Where we might think a gesture or tone of voice is threatening, to the other it is an act of connection or reaching out for friendship. (This is a common thing between my husband and myself, I should have him watch this episode of Star Trek:)

EDRG 3344 T/ Th MGP Expository

My expository piece is about how to set up my aquatic turtles habitat within the classroom. I could set it up as a power point. The second grade students could follow the directions to create a home for thier new class pet. I, of course, would have all the supplies assembled and pre-measured (eg., filter, chemicals).

Step 1
Place the filter along the back inside corner wall of the aquarium.
Make sure you have pressed the suction cups securely.

Step 2
Get the dock and center it along the back, inside wall of the aquarium.
Make sure the suction cups are attached securely.

Step 3
Fill the aquarium tank half way with cold tap water. Do not put warm or hot water. This could hurt or kill the turtle.

Step 4
Add the pre-measure solution of water conditioner and Turtle Clean to the water. This will help keep turtle healthy. Please do not dip your fingers in liquid and do not taste the liquid.

Step 5
Plug the filter in. This will mix solution evenly throughout the water.

Step 6
Attach the heat lamp to the top of aquarium making sure to point the light on the dock. Plug in the lamp. This helps to warm the turtle because he is a cold blooded animal who depends on the warm sun.

Step 7
Carefully place the red eared slider turtle on to the dock. Then place the screen over the top of the tank to make sure nothing falls in by accident.

Final Step
Feed turtle two times a day. Your classroom turtle will be happy, healthy, and will grow from the size of a silver dollar to be as large as a saucer. Students, you will enjoy watching the turtle chase your finger through the glass, feeding him, and seeing him bask in his lamp.

EDRG 3321 T/Th Author profile

The author Laura Numeroff is famous for her circle stories, like If You Give A mouse A Cookie. These books are great for predicting. All children seem to love her books. Check out her web site

http://www.lauranumeroff.com/ She has two new books I am looking forward to reading. Also, Oprah has added to of her books to her book club ( ages 3-5).

Leo Lionni is a four time Caldecott Honor Winner. Here is his website http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/lionni/ His books are great for lesson plans. You can take two of his books and students can compare details by creating a Venn diagram. More lessons can be found on http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=263

EDRG 3321 T/ Th Chapter 9 Non Fiction

I was surprised how this category of genre has changed. Like informational picture books and Photographic essays, diaries, and activity/ craft books. It is not just a biography or a resource book. Now I come across a book and I can determine if it is a "faction" like the example Diary of a Worm or Diary of a fly.
Like Prof. Pickett mentioned, something we all need to remember is about how boys learn and take to reading. Boys usually hate to read because they are disengaged. We as teachers need to introduce literature, whether it be non-fiction or not, so they can see themselves in the text. When you interest them with something they like, you will have an engaged reader.

EDRG 3344 T/ TH MGP Descriptive

This is my poem.

I have a pet turtle,
who a year ago was tiny.
I named her Myrtle,
and her shell was so shiny.

She loves to bask on her dock,
warming her body with a heat lamp.
She sits as still as a rock,
until she is warm and no longer damp.

Larger, Myrtle began to grow.
She would startle and dart.
My turtle is not slow.
She is very, very smart.

I've had her a year,
she's as big as a block.
She looks at me as gentle as a dear,
I look at her and wish she still fit on her dock.

EDRG 3321 T/ Th Chapter 8

I know we have the option of blogging about a fiction book we like, but until recently I had no interest in picking up a book for enjoyment. Now that I have found that reading can be aesthetic, I don't have the time to read because of homework and having a family. Some books I would like to read are the Twilight series. My daughter says there is so much that the movie did not cover or that the film changed. The books are so much better.

Stephanie Meyer is a Christian who has many morals, for example she believes in no sex before marriage and has incorporated this in her writing. Which is a good moral to have for children today with high pregnancy rates and diseases. It is a great role model for children to read and know that it is OK not to.
The Characters in her book are almost real. But not the typical vampire. These vampires sparkle in the sunlight rather than dissolve, they have a reflection and they can be "vegetarian" vampires, meaning they feast on animal blood instead of human blood. I can't wait to find time to read the series.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

Author Margaret Wise Brown is a famous children's author who wrote Good Night Moon and The Run away Bunny. She did not write like the typical fairy tales, she focused on quite times and was gentle in her voice. She never spoke down to her readers.
http://www.margaretwisebrown.com/Her_storynew.html

Robert Munsch is a very interesting character. His website is interactive. He was a strange child, he went to school to be a priest, then ended up working at a daycare making up stories. This is were he began writing childrens books, he had so may stories that his wife urged him to publish. http://www.robertmunsch.com/

EDRG 3344 T/R MGP Persuasive

My Persuasive piece is a letter to my students about not littering around lakes, ponds, or beaches because it can harm not only turtles but other animals who inhabit that watery home. So here goes:

Dear Second Grade Students,

This month we have been learning about turtle habitats. We have also created an aquarium habitat for our own classroom turtle, Sheldon. As we have cared and feed our class turtle, we realize that our turtle is a living organism that needs caring and we have grown to love Sheldon. Yet, Sheldon is not the only turtle who needs our help.

Zoologists are scientists who study animals. Zoologists tell us that turtles are being hurt because of human pollution. The ponds, lakes, streams and oceans are not being kept clean. People are throwing trash in the water and the turtles are eating the trash. Some of the trash that scientists have found inside of turtles is foil, Styrofoam, paper, hooks, fishing line and plastic bags. Turtles in the ocean usually eat jellyfish, but when they see a plastic bag in the water they think it is a real jellyfish and eat it. When turtles eat trash they can get very sick and die.

We don’t want to hurt any more turtles. So we need to tell our friends and help to keep the lakes, rivers, and ocean clean to keep turtles healthy. Please throw away all trash into a garbage can. Don’t leave it in or near the water. We will not only help Sheldon’s family but all the other living animals like fish and frogs.

With love,
Ms. Bernal and Sheldon

EDRG 3321 T/R Author Profile

Steven Kellogg is both an author and illustrator. He has several books to look at on his site. http://www.stevenkellogg.com/ He also has American tall tales such as Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, John Henry and Pecos Bill. They locate the settings of these tales on U.S. maps which is great to teach geography beginning second grade. This a website that takes his books and gives you lesson plans http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?

Audrey Wood has several books and she also writes with her husband Don Woods. Their website has an interactive page for children to copy coloring pages, play games, and cut and paste activities. This author also has picture books.

http://www.audreywood.com/mac_site/clubhouse/clubhouse_page/clubhouse.htm

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 7 Blog

The chapter was very interesting. I learned so much about picture books and now I view them differently. I never realized how much is inferred when reading a picture book. I went to the library to pick out a book for class I ended up checking out six picture books so I could read them with my four year old. He loves it and thinks they are so funny. When using picture books for students it can be used as a writing exercise and will help promote higher order thinking along with learning about the genre of art. I now look at the inside cover for what type of medium was used to illustrate and I look at the techniques used in the art work. like hatches used to texture.
I admire the authors of these genre because so much is said with little to no words, just expressions and motion on the pages. Wow!

EDRG 3321 T/R Author Profile

Melanie Watt is both an author and illustrator. She has several book for younger children, like a book about Scaredy Squirrel who never leaves his nut tree because it's way too dangerous. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap and a parachute.very cute and funny book http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/author/1263/Melanie-Watt.html

Author David Shannon has three books that I like. The first is Duck on a Bike and the second is A Bad Case of Stripes, about a girl who is worried about what others think. Last is The Bunyans
a spin on the Paul Bunyan story and how his family helped create the wonders of our landscape today. http://www.scholastic.com/titles/nodavid/davidshannon.htm

Kevin Henkes has several books and his web page is cute. He is an author of a book that my daughter loved to read, Chrysanthemum, about a mouse who is embarrassed of her name and kids make fun of it. Most of his stories have a mouse as the main character. Check out the website, http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 6 blog

I am horrified by the original stories of children's fairy tales that we read to our own kids. I wonder how someone could see the original tales of a bloody murder and think, I could change this for kids, like in the story Little Red Riding hood. Freaky!

I did enjoy the fractured fairy tales, it was a fun twist of other stories that we traditionally tell and hear. Like variations of The Three Little Pigs and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! Also, the story of Cinderella and Cinder Edna. I love how Cinder Edna was so down to earth, she put a dress on layaway then took the bus to and from the ball.

Lastly, I like how chapter 6 has given so many ideas that we can use traditional literature in our classrooms. Also, how we can make it fun and meaningful to our future students, like having puppetry, drama, and ways students can transform a traditional story into a new variation of the original.

Hope y'all have a great weekend. I hope I have a great weekend too, my week has been sleepless with sick little ones.

EDRG 3344 T/R MGP Narrative (revision)

A Place for Sheldon

Once upon a time in a pond far, far, away, there lived a turtle named Sheldon. The animals of the pond called him Shel for short. Shel was awkwardly larger than other turtles his same age. Shel never quite fit in and he was wanting more than anything to be good at some thing, anything. His best friend is a dragonfly, named Drake. Drake had lots of ideas to help Shel find a talent he
was good at.

Drake suggested that Shel could try to be a chef, but Shel's arms were to short. Shel would hold a bowl in one claw and a spoon in the other but the mixture could not be stirred because his arms could not reach across his shell. Drake then said, “Well maybe you could be a singer." So Shel and Drake went to go see the best singer of the pond, Froggy the frog. Froggy had a great singing voice. He performed karaoke every night on a lily pad stage. Shel asked Froggy, "Can you teach me how to sing?" Froggy gave Shel some pointers on how to croak karaoke. Then, Shel decided he was ready to try his singing voice out. When he opened his mouth, a horrible sound came out, Screech!!!! So, Drake said, "Maybe if you climb on the lily pad stage, your voice would sound wonderful." Shel struggled to climbed on the lily pad. But before he was even up on the pad, it sank.

Sheldon was so embarrassed and sad because he still could not find his niche in the pond. He could not find what he was great at. Shel just swam away with his head down. Drake the dragonfly found Shel on his log. He told Shel, " Just be yourself and in time you will find who you are suppose to be."

Just then they heard a "Splash!", it was a fish doing her acrobatic routine. The fish was part of a circus show in the pond. Sheldon had an idea. "I could be an acrobat!!!! Excited, he rushed into the water and dove straight to the bottom. He just knew if he got enough speed he could fly into the air and flip just like the fish. He pushed off the bottom of the pond and swam as fast as he could. Which was not very fast. When Shel reached the surface, only his neck came out of the water. "No flying, no flipping! Aahhh!" growled Sheldon. " I can't do anything."

Drake felt so bad for his friend. "There is something you can be good at. Just be yourself and you will be happy," Drake said. Sheldon agreed and said "Maybe your right. Like they say, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The two friends called it a day and went home for the night.

The next morning, Shel woke to the sound of birds chipping. He left the log to find breakfast. After breakfast, Shel basted himself out on top of his log to warm up in the sunlight. Hours went by before Drake came over. Drake was so exited he found something for Shel to do. Earlier, Drake came across the pond's water polo team. They told the dragonfly that if he knew any turtles who were big and strong, to send him to the cattails of the pond. Shel heard Drake but he did not feel confident enough to go.

Shel took three days before he finally was convinced by his friend to go try out for the water polo team. Once Shel arrived at the cattails, he noticed that the other turtles were his same large size. They were missing one team mate and needed a new player. Sheldon tried out for the team and they asked Shel, "Will you help our team go to the championship finals?", Shel didn't hesitate, he
accepted. After two months of being on the water polo team, Shel was a strong player. He was a very good player and was voted the most valuable player. Drake was so proud of his friend.

The pond was all a buzz. All the pond animals were preparing for a parade. Their home water polo team won the championship game. Shel was who everyone was waiting to see in the parade. Shel felt like he finally belonged and he had a purpose in the pond. When Shel was on the float he waved to everyone while Drake rode on top of Shel's shell. Shel turned to see Drake and
told him, "Thank you for always believing in me and standing by my side. Your a great friend."

Author Profile EDRG 3321

Author Mo Willems was recommended to me by my mentor teacher. his books are funny. http://www.mowillems.com/ some of his titles are Pigs Make Me Sneeze!, Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, Elephants Can't Dance.





Actress, Jamie Lee Curtis, also writes childrens books. Jamie Lee Curtis is the author of Big Words for Little People (for empowerment), Is There Really a Human Race? ( self awareness), It's Hard to Be Five (self control), I’m Gonna Like Me (self esteem), Where Do Balloons Go?(imagination and loss), Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day (moods and feeling), Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, and When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old’s Memoir of Her Youth.
http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/meet_jamie.html





Ted Arnold is another good author. Some of his works are Parts, Frogs in Space, Hooray For Fly Guy. http://www.teddarnoldbooks.com/

EDRG 3321 T/Th Maya Angelou Video

I have always loved to listen and read poetry. I don't understand it sometimes, but that is ok with me. The poem is like a song, it can make me feel sad, happy, calm, and some make me feel at peace. One of my favorite poems is by Sylvia Plath called Morning Song. When you read it one may interpret as a baby's death. But when I read into it more, I now see that it is about a mother and a new born and how she wakes in the night to breast feed her baby. It is so beautiful. Maya Angelou too is a wonderful poet. I enjoyed watching the video and was amazed that she memorized and recited so many poems by memory.

Paul Laurence Dunbar is a poet who influenced Maya Angelou. When she recited his poem It brought up feelings that upset me, due to a situation the happened during my field base. A child was being picked on by a teacher every time he moved, she had labeled him like a caged bird. I ended up getting emotional when I shared my feeling of this poem with Ms. Pickett. Here is the poem:

Sympathy

I know what the caged bird feels.
Ah me, when the sun is bright on the upland slopes,
when the wind blows soft through the springing grass
and the river floats like a sheet of glass,
when the first bird sings and the first bud ops,
and the faint perfume from its chalice steals.
I know what the caged bird feels.

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
till its blood is red on the cruel bars,
for he must fly back to his perch and cling
when he fain would be on the bow aswing.
And the blood still throbs in the old, old scars
and they pulse again with a keener sting.
I know why he beats his wing.

I know why the caged bird sings.
Ah, me, when its wings are bruised and its bosom sore.
It beats its bars and would be free.
It's not a carol of joy or glee,
but a prayer that it sends from its heart's deep core,
a plea that upward to heaven it flings.
I know why the caged bird sings.

Because of this situation and this poem, I feel that I know what kind of a teacher I hope to be. I don't what to be putting a child down, I don't want to tell them they are better when they are not in class, or that they are bothers. I want all my students to feel wanted and that I care. I hope that none of you fall into that ugly teacher that speaks badly of your students and gossips with colleagues about them.

EDRG 3344 T/TH Benefits of Talking

Talking is very beneficial in a classroom and helps students academically. Talking promotes higher-level thinking by making students think more about the story , also causes them to reread the text to confirm the question or comment. Furthermore, those questions and comments made help other children, who may be lost, to understand what is going on within a story. Talking also helps build language proficiency, helps gain confidence, and gets the quiet students to participate.

I know that talking benefits me as a student. In school, I was always quite and just sat back to absorb information. When giving an oral report or speech, I would have such anxiety. I hated to speak out. Now, I still shake a little but I am able to perform. I love that in our classes, talking and participation in encouraged. I have been able to learn more about not only the subject but my fellow classmates. In turn, I feel more confident in speaking during class because they are on longer strangers. We are a community.

The debate we had in class, Snickers v. Twix, is a great example. As each side of the classroom argued back and forth, I noticed people who usually don't say anything, speak up to give they ideas toward the debate. Even though the topic was silly it was a great learning experience to be a part of and a tool that we can use in our classrooms. That was so FUN!

EDRG 3344 T/Th "Memories"

The memories that make me laugh are the memories of my childhood growing up with three sisters. I was the oldest and I always dressed the my younger sisters up. When we played "school" or "work" I was the teacher or the boss. My sisters and I, to this day, are very close and when we get together we always reminisce on events and situation we have experienced. We all end up laughing so hard that tears roll down our cheeks.

Last weekend was one of those "Remember when" visits. My sister, Barbara, brought up the time I was forcing her to learn how to apply eyeliner. I was about 17 years old and she was 11 years old. I felt it was time she start wearing eyeliner, despite what my parents thought. I was always the one that was the most outgoing, popular, I was a cheerleader , and I would never dare walk out of the house without hair and make-up, someone might see me if I checked the mail box. Anyway, Barbara kept squirming out of letting me apply eyeliner on her for a week. Then finally, I locked her in my room and chased her until I cornered her. As I pressed her up against the dresser, she was laughing so hard. Barbara kept telling me I was tickling her and she had to pee. I felt that she was trying to get out of it again, so I proceeded to pull her eye open so I could apply the liner to the inside eyelid. She continued to laugh hard and began screaming, " I HAVE TO PEE". Just then, I felt her body just relax and she began giggling and crying at the same time. I asked her "What?' She just looked at me scared with black eyeliner on one eye, I realized then that she pee'd, not in a puddle on the floor at her feet but on a cushion chair that was next to her. Apparently, she did have to pee very bad because she had her legs crossed and was wearing bluejeans at that. That pee must have shot out with force because a large amount squirted to the side. I was so mad but I could not stop laughing. I had to clean it, keep in mind I did not believe that was my fault. I blamed her for it. If she would have just let me do what I wanted earlier, it would have been easier.

I don't think that way anymore. I am more mature now and I see the I was at fault. This is one of the thousands of the memory that always makes the whole family laugh. We are still amazed to this day how she could pee sideways. But none the less, I am so luck to have sisters that I am so close to. My sisters are my best friends.

Author Profile EDRG 3321

The author Barbara O'Connor has a good website with several of her books she has written. Also the site gives a lesson plan to use in the classroom. There is also multiple intelligence projects and comprehension guides to help teachers in the classroom. http://www.barboconnor.com/pages/teacher/teachr1.html

Theodor Geisel is the author of Dr. Seuss books and they are great to do as independent reading and as read alouds. Lots of repetition and rhyming. My son just brought the book Green Eggs and Ham home from pre-k, he laughed so hard and I had to read it over and over. Now he has memorized the book in one day the book and is able to make up new word to rhyme. http://www.seussville.com/

Eric Carle is the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See. These are great circle books to help with chronology. He has over fourty books and some are availiable in spanish. Here is the website http://www.eric-carle.com/

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 4 Blog

I am amazed how much I have acquired about the way that students learn to read and are able to enjoy reading. Chapter 4 discusses how reading is a personal connection and how schemata influences the readers response to the text. It is true, I see my daughter enjoying reading and can feel what the character is going through, she is engrossed. It is a natural thing for my daughter is incorporate higher order thinking when she discusses the book or text. I get a little jealous because I was not taught these techniques. My daughter was taught on Rosenblatt's theory giving her the power to get what she whats out of it rather than what the author wants. I was given a novel with a stack of worksheets and vocabulary. Then I was asked what was the authors message, or what was the author trying to say. My teachers never tried to create a connection to the text so that I could relate it the book and become interested and motivated to want to read it. I would read the cliff notes to get by. So now I understand why I did not like to read. I could not connect my culture or background knowledge to understand what I was reading.

Another point I liked is how it discusses the SES of students because it is true. I see several of my daughters friends who hate to read because the don't connect with the novel. My daughter loves the novel and tries to help her friends get involved in discussions by giving them descriptions of experiences she has had to help her friends relate. This is when I realized that because we took my daughter on several trips and I pointed out things to teach her about while on the vacations, we unknowingly built her schemata. On the other hand, some of her friends have never flown on a plane or even left San Antonio for that matter because of the cost of traveling. Now one can get on the Internet and experience what it looks like to go on a trip (but it is not the same as being there and experiencing the real thing). Anyway, If students are not allowed or unable to because they don't own a computer at home, then the child will not be able to explore and build background knowledge.

This chapter gives lots of great examples of how to incorporate different assignments in writing, oral responses, storytelling, drama, puppets, art and music to help students enjoy reading and understand the text.

EDRG 3321 T/R Author Profile

Author Debbie Allen (2003), a famous choreographer, wrote the book Dancing in the wings is geared toward grades K-2. It is about an African American girl who wants to dance but is to tall and gangly. The story will build self-esteem, and teaches to not judge someone by their appearance. A great read aloud. http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Wings-Debbie-Allen/dp/B000685KO2

Author Crockett Johnson book, Harold and the Purple Crayon, is a cute story

about a boy who creates his own world with a purple crayon. The story is full of word play and a reminder of the importance of creativity and imagination of children. Here is the web site http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/07/05/authorillustrator-spotlightruth-krauss-and-crockett-johnson/spotlightruth-krauss-and-crockett-johnson/

EDRG 3321 T/R Author Profile

Author profile for Ch 2....

Eve Bunting (2006). One green apple. Illustrated by T. Lewin. Clarion. Is great for students 1-4 grade. This would be a good addition to a classroom library because it makes children aware of cultural difference and tolerances towards other cultures. This books main character is a Muslim girl who feels different and alone, but in the end had something unique to contribute. http://www.multiculturalchildrenslit.com/middleeastern.html

The author is Rosemary Wells and the name of the book is called, Yoko, A Japanese kitten brings sushi for lunch, and the second book is Yoko Writes Her Name, about a kitten who writes her name in Japanese and is teased. Both books help bridge cultural differences. A perfect book for those American-melting-pot kindergartners who need to develop a genuine respect for one anther's differences. Grades K-2. The author is the creator of Ruby and Max books. My children enjoy her books. http://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Wells/e/B000AQ8TYI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

By The Way:

If you have not seen it already, scroll down to check out the mariachi video.

EDRG 3344 T/R "RAFT"

Role: Mommy
Audience: Child
Format: Letter
Topic: Love for child

To my love,

I want you to know how much I love you. You are my world. Even before I felt you in my womb, or saw you on the sonogram, I loved you. I pined to see your tiny face, kiss your soft feet, and smell your hair. And when you kicked my ribs, I didn't mind, it made me want to hold you even more in my arms. I could not wait to meet you.

When you were born, I held my breathe waiting to hear your first cry, I too cried tears of happiness. I could not get enough of you. As you slept, I should have been getting my rest, instead I would stare at you as I held you. Also, if you would wake in the middle of the night, I was not bothered to nurse you at three in the morning, knowing I had to wake early to go to class.

As you grew older, your smiles and sparkling eyes would never fail to pull on my heart strings. When your little hand wraps around my finger, I know you love me also. I love when you throw your arms around my thigh to hug me after I have been at school all day, you make all my worries go away. My favorite is when you place your tiny soft hands on my cheeks to pull me in for a small wet kiss. You melt my heart with your love. I want to protect you, but I know you must learn by doing. At times, you may fall and skin your knee, and I will be there to pick you back up.

I know now that at times I am to busy to play and cuddle with you because I am forever doing homework and blogging for school. It won't be long before I am done. Just know I will always love you. I am going to school to better our lives and be a better provider. But most of all I am setting an example for you to follow. I want the world for you because I love you. You are my sunshine.

I love you forever,
Mommy

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 3 Blog

This chapter gives a lot of information that is useful for our students. For example, our role as teachers, Rosenblatt's theory that the main goal of reading is comprehension, and building and assessing comprehension. The chapter discusses understanding how our students read and how past experiences help students relate to the reading.

I feel apprehensive about assessing students' comprehension. what if I don't do it correctly or the student is not interested in the text so he does not perform, then I will incorrectly assess that child. I am an aesthetic reader, yet if it is something important, I am a fluent reader but I will not comprehend anything. Therefore, I need to focus and reread the text several times.

I love the tips this chapter gives because I apply them to my Four year old. I can actually see that he is engaged. His pre-k teacher sends books home for me to read to him. I bring to the book his past experiences and relate it to him. This in turn motivates him, captures his attention, and he wants to read and reread the story. He is able to comprehend, remember, and even do some critical thinking. I also practice pre-reading and post-reading discussions to help him build vocabulary and understand the text.

Every chapter so far has opened my knowledge to help my son love reading. Granted he does not read by himself, but with his enthusiasm, it won't be long.

EDRG 3344 T/R "Explain The Writing Process"

Writing is a process. Writing is a process.Writing is a process. Writing is a process. Writing is a process that helps with reading development.

In order to have a good, well thought out composition, you must follow the five stages to the writing process. The first step of the process is pre-writing. A topic must be chosen, have a purpose and brainstorm ideas about the topic. The second step of the process is creating a rough draft. Quickly writing thoughts and leaving spaces between the lines for revision. The third step to the process is revising. This is where you make any additions and/ or deletions to your draft. You may even want to elaborate your ideas and reread the draft. The fourth step to the process is editing. this is when you correct any grammatical errors, mechanical errors, and polish the writing. The final step to the process is publishing. Whether it is hung on the wall, in a newspaper, magazine, read out loud, or blogged, then the composition is considered published.

My Dream Vacation

As I lay there I can feel a sea-sprayed breeze blow and the warm sun on my skin. I watch my three children play in the surf and build sandcastles. Meanwhile, my husband brought us a couple of Mai Tais as we relax in this paradise. Coming to Hawaii for a week is my families dream vacation. Just resting and relaxing at the beach without any schedules to follow. The island is beautiful, it reminds me of my childhood in the Philippines. Hawaii is full of lush foliage, beautiful flowers, and the sand that just falls off your skin.

When we first arrived at the resort, my family took off to the beach to explore the sand for shells and look for live animals. While we walked along the beach, a local told us about a scuba diving trip. So before long, we were in scuba gear flipping backwards off the boat into the ocean. The world under water is so peaceful and wonderful. We saw colorful coral, various fish, and dolphins that approached us. It was amazing.

Another day was filled with shopping and sight-seeing. Afterward, we ended up back at the resort. The two girls and I enjoyed facials, manicures, and pedicures. My son and husband joined us later for massages. At sunset, the Hawaiian sky was full of vibrant colors as we took part in a Luau. There was a large feast of Hawaiian food among lit torches, beating drums and our necks filled with fragrant leis. We watched the various Polynesian dancers but our favorite performance was the Samoan fire dancers. It was all muscles and swirling fire.

Furthermore, on another excursion, we went on a Hawaiian volcano tour. The experience was breathtaking, we saw magnificent waterfalls, spectacular lava flowing into the ocean, and the steam as it hit the ocean waters. Not only was it a learning experience for the children, it will be an adventure we will never forget.

But one life changing event happened. During our shopping expedition, my husband and I purchased a winning lottery ticket. It was worth $75 million. With that money we returned home to Texas, built a 5,000 sq. ft. home on 75 acres of land with a large outdoor living area in the backyard. Then suddenly, as I lay there, I feel my two year old climb into the bed and I realize my vacation is all a dream.

Mariachi Plays "Beat It"

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 2 Blog

Chapter 2 is very enlightening because it tells us how much a culture can impact a classroom, students, and the teacher. It was also filled with great ideas and information that will help me in my own classroom. I like how the author placed a chart on page 30 & 31, fig 2.2, a list of questions to ask students and their cultures. Gives a guideline of responsible questions to ask our students and gather information to understand and be culturally responsible, in turn we will be aware of a child's learning techniques. It is very important that we understand that the subject "multicultural" to being stressed to new teachers. I am half Philippine and I have never had a teacher use my culture in any lesson or reading, much less as a tool to help me feel valued or accepted. Rather, I had to conform to "Western Education" to succeed. With the suggestions given, my goal is to create a room full of living literature to address all students of any culture to feel self-worth. I believe this will also help other classmates learn about other cultures.

EDRG 3344 T/R " Pre/ During/ Post Stratigies"

It is important to instill the love of reading in our students. There are several strategies to get students attention, involvement and interest. Beginning with pre strategies, prior to opening a book, the teacher can introduce the book by showing the cover, discussing the title, and find out if anyone is familiar with the story. Also, the teacher should have students predict what the book is about, relate the story to something personal to the student (e.g., A toy, culture, a family member). If you really want to entice their interest, then a box of random items from the book can be played with prior to reading it, or a food item from the book could be enjoyed.

During the reading, the teacher can have children read along, or maybe say a repeating sentence out loud for participation. Also, explain new vocabulary words and read with interest and feeling to keep the students engaged. If a food item was eaten prior to reading the story, the teacher can relate them eating it also. The last strategy is the post strategy. A teacher may have an activity that the students review sequencing, create their own story, students can write in their journals about their favorite part and draw a picture about it.

By applying pre/ during/ post strategies, a teacher can help students enjoy reading. They learn how to predict, brainstorm, work in groups, organize, and reinforce the six language arts. The students are engaged in the book as they listen, discuss, read and view the illustrations. Also, students have visual representation, and when they journal, students can practice their writing.

I know these strategies work because my son has been in pre-k for 2 weeks now and I can see how much he loves his books. The minute he runs off the bus at the end of the school day, he immediately opens his backpack wanting me to read the story. He acts like it is a Christmas gift. In using the techniques, I can ask him specific questions about sequence, vocabulary and to read a word we reviewed and he can answer correctly. But if you ask him what he did five minutes ago, he won't know.

EDRG 3344 T/R "How Do I Learn."

The strategies that have always been successful for me to learn are with repetition and rehearsal. I start studying the night before and then just before a test, usually it is done in the car driving to class. Another strategy I practice is organization. It almost borders on OCD because a section of notes may be broken up on to two separate pages or if I wrote the notes hurried and disheveled, so that I can understand them, I rewrite the notes and file them in to my folder with a tab attached for quick reference. Then a few days before the test I rewrite major points about the notes so that I can remember with repetition.

According to my Multiple Intelligence Profile, my strength is that I am intrapersonal. Which did not surprise me because I feel more productive when I work alone. I always get stuck in a group that would rather than chat about problems with relationships and take their time getting to the activity at hand. Like a lot of you, I have a family to get back home to, I don't have time to waste. Music and Visuals were tied as my second strength. Sometime I will put my notes into a pattern or song that I can recall during a test. It is easy for me to remember song lyrics, I can hear a new song and I will learn the lyrics quickly.

Lastly, my motivations are my three children. I come from a family that no one has ever attended college. I am the first to not only go to college but I have earned an Associates degree and now am working towards a Masters. I hope to set an example for my children and make college something that is expected. I want my name on a brick at the new A&M San Antonio campus so that I can show my children my accomplishment. My husband is also another motivator. He always encourages me and supports me. He also keeps the kids away if I have alot of studying. Finally, the last motivation is that I have a sense of accomplishment when I look at my GPA and I have maintained a 4.0. Which is a hard task when you have a large family to care for and two of them are toddlers that demand my time.

EDRG 3321 T/R Chapter 1 blog

I enjoyed reading this chapter because it expresses the importance of how a teachers role can be effective in supporting reading, how to create a classroom to promote reading, and gives great insight on how to motivate your students to want to read. This chapter caused me to look at my own beliefs and values that influence my abilities at a teacher. I am a very organized person and have had thirteen years of management but there is still a part of me that questions will I be a good teacher? I know I can create the environment to teach but that is not all it takes to be great. My beliefs are strong in that all children can learn to read and the ability to read is very important in life. I instill this with in my own children. My oldest has a love of reading and excels in all her AP courses.

Another point made by the author is about the six language arts and how they correlate with each other. The author goes one step further, beginning on page 18, in giving wonderful examples of how a living literature classroom is organized and utilized by the students to stimulate learning.

EDRG 3321 T/R Children's Literature Authors

Hi everyone!!

I have found a hilarious author named Mike Reiss, my kids loved his book. I had to buy How Murray Saved Christmas (funny). He also has a book called The boy Who Looked Like Lincoln, great to read when you have a lesson about Abraham Lincoln. Check out his bio http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/27286/Mike_Reiss/index.aspx
And his body of works are on this site http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Reiss/e/B001HQ3LAW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0/186-5182691-1703611

My second author is Audrey Penn. Her book The Kissing Hand this is a jerker for me because it is about a little one going to school for the first time and how mom and child overcame the separation. I so happen to have a son that is in pre-k this year. http://www.audreypennchildrensbooks.com/

The last author I thought was interesting is Amada Irma Perez. She is a bilingual author and within the books she writes in both Spanish and English. Great tool to teach about culture and values. http://www.amadairmaperez.com/biography.php

Hope ya'll have a great weekend. See you Tuesday.