Blog #9 Historical Fiction

• Historical fiction tells a story in which real events tell a story and are true to the time and place however, the characters are fictional living and dealing with issues of that time.

• I could use this genre in different subject area such as social studies, history, science, reading and several other subjects. I would select a historical fiction to tie in with social studies and history. The experience of historical fiction would begin before the story was read. I would assign various homework assignments in which the students would place themselves in this time period. They could start off by making a entry into their journal (writting) and describe their typical day and the technology they used to get through the day: microwaves, computers, cell phones, television, etc. Then one day during the week they would eliminate these "convinences"and make a journal entry which they could compare to their daily lives. They could describe how they felt, what the house sounded like when it was quiet etc. Later, they would interview their mom and dad or grandparents and ask them what life was like when they were kids. We would have a class discussion so that students could relate their experiences and share their thoughts. We would then read a historical fiction story and the children could relate or have more insight into what life was really like during that time period. Their senses would be stimulated and therefore, more likely to engage and relate to the characters and time the story is set in. To follow up I may ask the children would life may be like for children 5 or 10 years from now.

Blog #8 Part 2

Super Definition: Contemporary Realistic Fiction is based on real life situations in which a character(s) deal with a problems and in many cases rise above or overcome their dire situation such as: divorce, poverty, sexuality, ghettos, gangs, abuse, race issues, gender issues,loss etc.

I would definitely use contemporary realistic fiction in the classroom because these are real life situations that my students could be facing. Even if they have not experienced some of these hardships they maybe able to relate in different way or be aware of the real world around them. This genre may also be effective in dealing with real world issues like 9-11 and the aftermath and toll it took on Americans emotionally. Some students may relate to losing a sister, mother, or father. They also can get a better understanding of there own emotions.

For Blog #8 Shelly Shouted Soft Ball at Eight!

For Blog Number 8
Shelly Shouted Soft Ball Soft Ball
Tonight at Eight!
It's at Braun Station
Don't Be Late!
She went up to bat
1-2-3 strike Your Out!
The pitcher was mean throwing
balls she's never seen!
But she came back to school in one piece
Till she went to get her cola and there she
went OOPS! and twisted her ankle.
Poor Shelly she won't be shouting
Soft Ball Soft Ball Tonight at Eight

Love ya Dr. Harris get better soon!

Blog #7

What is modern fantasy?

Modern fantasy is literature that is set in the real world but characters have been altered by the author and set in an imaginative setting. Many times animals such as rats, mice, horses, turtles are humanized. They have human like qualities which allow them to speak, dress and act out adventures to tell a story. Human characters in modern fantasy are often given super natural powers which normally could not happen in real life situations.

Make up your own activity for your books.

Materials: Qualified teacher, box, colors, clay, feathers, paper, glue, and all kinds of fun stuff.

Facilitate a guided open group discussion on modern fantasy:

1. Give the children the definition of modern fantasy like the one above. Then facilitate a guided open whole group discussion on what modern fantasies they have experienced. This will give you chance to make corrections on wrong assumptions and shape their idea of modern fantasy.
2. Depending on the grade some may say: Nemo, Toy Story, while other grades may relate to Shark Boy Lava Girl or tell stories of recent books they've read like Little Quack, The Tale of Despereaux. (While this may not be exactly base all on books they can relate to modern fantasy by what they are exposed to at home etc. However, you should have some literture on hand they are familar with and have had exposure to in class. Identify characteristics of modern fantasy in these books.)
3. Then ask them questions like: Can a clown fish really talk? Can a mouse save princess with a sewing needle? Can a boy really live in salt water with sharks? .
4. Then, tell them that you have a box and in it lives a silly monster. Tell them to write a story and draw the silly monster for all to see.
5. The silly monsters and stories will be posted in the hallway.

Have all kinds of materials ready like clay, buttons, feathers, glitter etc. Be prepared for their imagination to run wild !

Blog #6 Traditional Literature

Traditional Literature is a written expression of a particular culture which is done with exceptional high quality and is often in the form of folktales, fables, myths and legends.

Traditional Literature can be used to engage students by exposing them to other cultural traditions. Some students may find out that some cultures are not that different or find out that in some area what seemed taboo is not in another culture. It's also thought provoking. It makes the student look at their own culture and wonder if the things they do may seem taboo to other cultures.

An interesting concept lesson I may have my students do is have them author their own folktales, fable, myth, and legends. They could write a folktale about their heritage or a legend based on science concepts. I may even encourage the children to make sure that it's humorous but not required. The key is to let the children be creative and have fun.

As a reward some students could act out their stories. The author could be the director or play the main character. Some students could choose to bring their creation to life by making a him a puppet or get really creative and bring in material from home (like slime etc.) or they could choose to dress up at the character.

I would definitely used Traditional Literature in my classroom. Many of these stories have been told for many generations and add insight to many other cultures. It exposes children to the world, including the people, their homes, traditions, foods, etc. I also believe it is an essential tool for social studies.

Blog # 5

Picture books tell a story using pictures. The stories can be told with or without text. Most of time the illustrations in the book are just as important or more important than the text. They are very popular with young readers because the pictures match the text which helps them with emerging reading skills. Because pictures books tells stories through pictures with little to no text almost anyone can use pictures books eliminating most limitations with the exceptions of the blind.

I personally select pictures books by scheming through the pictures first then follow the text and make sure it's appealing visually and a good read aloud if text is included. Once, I find the book appealing I find the objective in the book. The picture book may focus on cognitive, social or emoitonal skills.

The next thing I do is read the book to make sure that it is age appropraite for my audience. I am also look for revleance. Is this something my audience can relate to. Although, the character is a dinosaur he is encounter daily situations the children may find themselves in? I aslo want to find out what the end result will be. Do I expect the children to learn more about good manners, colors, numbers, alphabet, length, moutains, oceans etc. or just a fun read.

Overall, picture books can be used by almost everyone. It uses pictures primarily to tell a story and can be used build cognitive, social, emotional skill or simply be entertaining. I love pictures books because it makes the story come to life.

Blog # 4 Multicultural and International Books

Multicultural books depicts how a certain culture of people live their lives. This could include various things and can include how they celebrate and what they celebrate, foods eaten and how they are made, clothing , housing, how a leader is elected and much more.

It is important the author is creditable. This means that the author has first hand knowledge or insight to the culture and could share details that someone from a different back ground could not. This may even include a visitor who may observe a culture for a certain amount of time and writes from his or her perspective. Keep in mind that the author may only be receiving filtered information.

It is also important to read or have information on the author before making the book available to make sure this is material that you want your students to be exposed to. You want a book that will stimulate their interest and gain insight to other parts of the world or other people. They can gain great insight in knowing that some things in their culture is taboo in other countries it make be considered beautiful. This can help students develop respect and understanding of difference and help open the door to discussion to other topics like race, defining beauty and having them come to realization that one way doesn't mean it's the only way.

Two activities I would enjoy doing with k-2 is having them look at their own culture and bring in one item that they could share with the class. I think the children would enjoy the hands on fun of being able to touch and see other objects from other countries in person. They could display it on a table along with their flag. Another activities that I think they might enjoy is food bringing in one food that they enjoy very much. If this proved to be too much they make a menu of what one of their favorite dishes might be and share it with the class.

International Literature is a book published in another country besides the United States other parts of the world may have a different definition. Of course, one of the most famous books of all is The Book: The Holy Bible but I found many international books that really sparked my interest and were really enjoyable and definitely worth having in your classroom. Some books I just considered classical like Henzel and Gretel where internationals books which I found interesting and help me to see books from different perspective.

International books also include so much insight to other cultures including word choice and tone which really give you insight and taste of authenticity.

For an a class activity I would have the children pick a country then I would encourage them to become experts and become our tour guide. Students would be encourage to write a mini-book entitled If I was born in China, If I was an Aztec Indian, If I was Eskimo. Whatever, interest they had they could take off an run with their imagination.

After, they were done with their mini-book I would like to see a follow up activity which compared both worlds to see if how different or alike they really are. I would try to inter agate some of this into Social Studies.