Reflection Time

I can't believe it is the end of the semester! I feel like it was just yesterday when I was trying to figure out how to set up this blog. Now, I have had many successful posts, meaningful connections to literature and have learned a ton about picking the best books possible for my future students. I have really enjoyed all of the discussions that we had in class and also the different books that we were told to read for the class. I would have never been exposed to some of the books that I have if it weren't for this class. 

I really believe that this class has prepared me to become a better teacher. I also know that when it comes time to pick out books for my classroom library, there will be choices and I now have the confidence and strategies to make those choices. 

My favorite activity/project that we did would probably be the text set. I think this will be one of the most useful things I will use in the future. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that no matter what topic I want to expose my students to, there will be plenty of books to have this option. I really will keep this class in mind in the future and do my best when working with children's books! 

Togo

This picture book is about an undersized dog that has the determination to lead his team in a Serum Run, that later becomes known as the Iditarod. The team hits many difficult Alaskan storms and Togo leads the way with great courage. The inside cover, along with all the other Robert Blake books has the map of the Iditarod course, from Anchorage to Nome. The illustrations really help the reader image what the Alaskan conditions would be like. 

I can defiantly see myself   using this book in my future classroom along with other books on this topic. 

Akiak

This is a touching picture book about the determination of one particular sled dog, Akiak. This particular Iditarod was her last race because of the dog’s old age. During the beginning of the race she gets injured and is unable to continue with the team. During the night, she escapes the dog hospital and takes off into the Alaskan terrain to find her team and lead them to victory. She finally meets up with them and points them in the direction of the finish line, where the other team takes a different path. Akiak saves the team and leads them to a first place win for her final race. The illustrations were really interesting to look at while reading the book; they definitely keep the reader pulled into the story like all the other Robert Blake picture books. 

The overall message of never giving up and standing up for your friends and family to get them safe and the winning prize. I can see this book in a text set that I use about the Iditarod. The illustrations were wonderful too! 

Wind-Wild Dog

This picture book is about a dog names Ziva. She was born with two different color eyes which the mushers thought made her only half as fast as the other dogs. However, Ziva loved to run. One man decided to take a chance on her and he trained her with other dogs to run in the Iditarod. However, Ziva somehow got loose and chased after a wolf. In the end she reunites with her owner and they sleep besides each other during the long, cold Alaskan night. In the back of the book there is a vocabulary page of different words that relate to the Iditarod and that are used often in the race. 

Not only does this book teach about the Iditarod and would go great in a text set about the topic, it also is great to talk about diversity and the underdog. The illustrations are wonderful and keep readers attached to the book. The front cover for example, really drew me in and made me check out the book.

Black Star, Bright Dawn

This novel by Scott O'Dell was a very touching story that kept me wanting more to read. This story is about a teenager Eskimo girl named Bright Dawn. Her dad asked her to take his place in the big Iditarod and work as a team with Black star, part husky but mostly wolf. They had the confidence needed to make it to the finish line but no one would have expected the harsh Alaskan weather to turn on them and bring danger knocking at their door. This is a thrilling story that will have readers on the edge of their seats. It also gives a lot of insight to the actual Iditarod and the terrain of Alaska.

I think that this would be a perfect example of a read aloud book when studying the Iditarod. This would be a great addition to the text set because it can generate a lot of discussion form students. Being around the same age, I think this book would also be a good choice because a lot of the students in my class will be able to relate to Bright Dawn and her endeavors. Also, a lot of them maybe also able to relate to the strong bond between owner and dog.

I have read other Scott O'Dell books and really admire him as an author and can definitely see myself reading his books in my future classroom. 

Hansel and Gretel

This well known fairy tale is retold by Rachel Isadora. She sets the fairy tale in a lush African Forest and the a poor woodcutter needs to abandon his two children in the forest because he can no longer feed them, and their step mother wants them out. Hansel over hears his parents plan for their children and goes out in the middle of the night and collects pebbles. The next morning they are taken and left in the forest. But because Hansel dropped the pebbles he knew just where their house was and had a happy homecoming with their father, however, their stepmother was not too happy.

The next night they were left in the even darker and deeper part of the woods, but the birds ate the bread that they left to find their way home. Hansel and Gretel searched for three days, they finally came upon a house built of cake and sweets and started to eat it. An old woman came out and brought them inside and fed them a big meal. When she started to cook them, Gretel kicked her in the stove so she would burn and lite on fire. Then the two of them found their way home and rejoiced with their father, their stepmother died....

The illustrations in this book were absolutely gorgeous. They were really what made this book what it was for me. I thought that the way the illustrations were drawn really add to the over all story. I know I would defiantly have this story in my classroom in the future.

Yay!

I thought this book was the awful. I hated it and thought there was no point to it whatsoever. Something good would happen and the boy would say YAY! and then something bad would happen and the boy would say OH!...I really did not like this book and don't recommend it. 

Holes

Everybody has bad luck at one point or another, and this is no exception for Stanley Yelnats. He was blamed for a crime that he really didn't commit and sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp. The conditions of the camp are awful. The boys have to be in the hot desert sun all day digging holes and looking for something the warden wouldn't tell them what they were digging for. In the end Stanley is relieved of being at the camp and the truth comes out that he didn't commit the crime. Also, all of his bad luck seems to have worked out and he is in the clear for a while. 

This book covers a lot of important concepts that can be discussed in a classroom setting. For example, racism. Since Katherine was white and Sam was a black man and they fell in love the towns people were furious and in the end Sam is killed because of his color. Everyone was against this even the sheriff of the town who was suppose to be the safe haven. It would be interesting to see how students thought about this novel and the topic of racism presented in this way. 

This novel was also turned into a movie with a popular actor. This idea of popular culture may play a role in motivating students to read this longer text and get them excited to discuss the differences between the movie and the book.

Harry and Willy and Carrothead

This is a story about three different boys. One was born with no hand, the other red hair and the other was what some people like to call, "normal". They all were teased and sometimes mad fun of, but in the end they all realized no matter what they look like, they all have the same interests and become best friends. 

I choose to read this book because I have reddish hair and was teased by some people when I was younger. I think that a lot of the times when we are younger we all want to look the same and be like everyone else. For example, I hated my hair and wanted to dye it a different color. But as I grew older, I realized that my hair is what made me who I am and different from everyone else. I think this book does a great job of showing how important it is for kids not to judge other kids on their appearance. It can be really harmful and traumatic to some kids. 

The Retired Kid

 This is a cute story about an 8 year old boy who is sick and tired of doing what kids do. He didn't want to go to school, soccer practice, eat vegetables or play the violin everyday. He sat down his parents and told him that he was going to take a break and retire. His parents then threw him a retirement party and he left for Florida and lived in a retirement community. At first he loved everything about it, the naps, the games etc. But after awhile he realized it wasn't as fun and the "older people" were all talking about the good old days. He decided he missed all the things that made him a kid and decided to go back home and be a kid again. 

I thought this book was a cute one which had a good lesson. Be happy with who you are and what makes you, you! However, this book did display the old people as typical larger, white haired and slower, which isn't always true. 

Pinkalicious

This is a really cute book about a young girl who loves the color pink. One day her and her mom make pink cupcakes and she ends up eating all of them. When she wakes up in the morning she is pink! She loves being pink, but soon she starts turning darker and darker and finally realizes she needs to listen to the doctor and eat green foods to help her turn back to her "normal" color. After she does this, her brother ate a lot of the pink cupcakes and turns pink as well. 

There is a good lesson behind this book, of being thankful for what you are given, but don't ask for too much of it. Although I know that this book is popular in classroom libraries for little girls, I have many issues with it. I look at the characters in the book and it is a typical white upper middle class family with no diversity what so ever. The fact that it is so popular with little kids today and making other books like purpleicous etc, they are sending a message to kids that these colors are gender specific and people who like these books look a certain way. 

Although I have learned in classes that it is important for students to choose in their readings, I don't think that this book has a lot of knowledgeable content for students to take away. I would categorize this book under one for pure relaxation and enjoyment. 

Stop, Drop and Roll

This is a very good book to have on hand when students are learning about fire safety and what to do to be fully prepared when dealing in case you encounter a fire. I really liked this book because I could personally relate to Jessica the main character. I was always a real anxious kid and was worried about practically everything. When I went to my family about certain things they would most of the time ignore me or tell me not to worry, just like Jessica's family did to her. 

This book covers a lot of great information that kids could take away and really use and save their lives in a situation with a fire. Also, it makes them think about their own houses and whether or not their house is the safest it can be from fires. 

The illustrations in this book are perfect for this type of book. They are sketches and since the book is more about the "what if" and "be prepared" for a fire, there aren't scary pictures of fires that will make children nervous. I think this is a good idea because a lot of time children might see scary pictures and avoid the whole subject, which they shouldn't at all. 

I think this book is perfect for a classroom library. Students will be able to relate to Jessica and her feelings of anxiousness. Students should know that they shouldn't feel bad if they don't have a fire plan, but they should make one and start thinking about what to do in emergencies. Preparation is key. 

Year of Impossible Goodbyes

I am really glad that I had an opportunity to read this book. I had never done this in my elementary years, but I think that it was really a eye opening experience to read two books on the same topic but different sides. I could definitely see these books being the topics of a huge debate or discussion in class. Reading them together also proves to readers that there are two sides of every story. Unlike So Far From the Bamboo Grove, the characters in this book were Korean and are the other prospective of the war. From reading these books I have learned so much about the different cultures and their ways of life. 

The first couple of chapters were a struggle for me to get through. I didn't know how I was going to be able to read the whole thing. However, as I kept reading, I became more and more attached to Nuna and her family. I wanted them to survive the war so badly. After reading it, it reminded me of how similar the two sides who are fighting against each other actually are. They are both children being strong and growing up so fast to provide for their family and survive the war, while also keeping up with the many traditions of their countries. The whole scene at the school when the little kids were making the weapons really made me angry. The children are so innocent, and yet here they are making devices to kill the enemy. 

Both of these books make readers appreciate what they have and the world we live in today. I have especially been touched by these books and I know that I'm probably not the only one. In today's society, with our country actually at war, I think it is even more important for younger grades to pick this difficult subject of war up and openly talk about it and get their feelings out. 

Who Wants a Dragon

This book is a nice rhyming book for young readers. This is a story about a young dragon who needs to find someone who will love him and cuddle with him. He tries to find people or other animals to take care of him, but everyone is either really scared of him or for some reason doesn't want to be around him. Finally, in the end he finds his mother who will do all the things he was looking for someone to do. 

The illustrations are bright and beautiful. They pull the reader in and keep them hooked on what will happen next. This book is a good way to teach correct expression in some one's voice. With many different question marks and exclamation points, it is easy for young readers to be able to acknowledge the differences and read in a voice that is appropriate. This book is also perfect for little ones because the print is a lot larger than a normal book and the vocabulary is a lot simpler. I think I would have this book in my classroom for younger readers to read and go to during independent reading time. 

Home Lovely

This is a story about a little girl and her mother who have to move into a trailer by themselves. Her mother can't afford a babysitter and she needs to work, so the little girl Tiffany had to stay in the trailer all by herself for a couple hours a day. One day when Tiffany was taking out the trash, she discovered something that looked like seeds that were starting to grow. She moved them to the front and watched them grow. They grew into beautiful plants and flowers. Her garden was admired by all including the mail man. In the end it made her home lovely. 

I wasn't really a fan of this book. I thought it was trying to cover too many topics for one book. The topics I thought it was covering were poverty, plants and single families. I think that this book could be considered controversial because it doesn't really portray a message that we want to teach our students of staying by themselves in a home for long periods of time. 

Slugs In Love

This is a warm hearted love story about two slugs falling in love. Marylou, a slug, has always been attracted to Herbie, another slug. One day she decides to start writing him love poems on different things in the garden. Herbie of course is flattered and writes poems back to his secret admirer Marylou. However, all of Herbie's poems get destroyed before Marylou can find them. After many different poems Marylou finally shows herself to Herbie and they live happily ever after with their tiny slug babies. 

The story line and illustrations make this book interesting and fulfilling to all readers no matter their age. Since the slugs write love poems back and forth to each other this book deals a lot with different rhyming words. This would be a good book to have out when students are learning about poems or in a classroom library, or maybe even during Valentine's Day to show the theme of love in a different way. I don't think it would be a good book to read aloud just because I can see it not appealing to everyone in the class. 

Marsupial Sue

As I have learned from my child study in block A, I am at one point or another going to come across a reluctant reader. For example, my child that I am working with doesn't like to read. It wasn't till the fourth week that I learned she like to sing. Immediately I thought to bring this book by John Lithgow. Marsupial Sue is a fun book that readers can sing along to. It comes with a CD in the back of the book to help provide the tune, however, when I brought it to the elementary school we didn't use the CD. I will defiantly have this book in my classroom and even use it as a read aloud. I think it would be a fun way to encourage students to interact with the text. It also has a wonderful message of be who you are. The illustrations also make this book wonderful for young readers.

It is about a marsupial who doesn't like doing what kangaroos do. So she tries to fit in with other animal groups, but realizes that it is best to just be who she is and do what she does best. I would recommend this book also for teachers who are teaching rhymes and music in the classroom.

Arthur Babysits

This is another great Marc Brown Arthur story. All of the Arthur books are a great read for elementary level students. I'm not sure if I would end up reading this book out loud in class, but I know I would have it in my classroom library. It may also be a good one to have around for maybe a author study or a book report. There is an easy, recognizable plot line and kids can easily relate to it.

Arthur gets stuck babysitting for the worst behaving twins and is not looking forward to it. D.W. doesn't help his confidence either becuase she keeps reminding him what an aweful time he will have. However, Arthur gets the boys to calm down by telling them a scary story and making them nervous that a monster is coming. In the end, Arthur enjoys babysitting for the twins and agrees to do it again. This is a great lesson for readers, no matter how much other people talk and have opinions on someone or something, it always depends on your own personal expeience. Arthur learned this lesson when he babysat for the Tibble Twins.

So Far From the Bamboo Grove

The best way to learn about history is to read books like "So Far From the Bamboo Grove" and actually read about real stories of the time and how people worked through them. A lot of times textbooks don't inform readers of all the emotions and heartfelt stories that are involved in war. In history classes we usually learn about the different countries or people fighting in the war and what it was over. By reading about Yoko's personal story, readers can make more of a personal connection to the text and in my opinion take away even more from that period of time.

I really liked how the story followed both Yoko's and her older brother Hideyo's story. Since there are two main perspectives in this book, I think it is a great one to read in class. It caters to both girls and boys when relating to the text. Readers really get a feel for all the awful events that were going on to these innocent young adults. I really was emotional when reading about what happened throughout this time period in Yoko's life. I kept thinking to myself, this girl is only eleven years old. How can she be so strong and deal with everything that is thrown at her. I think about my life and what I have experienced that has made me who I am and then I look at Yoko's past experiences and I almost feel guilty. I think a huge part of who Yoko is, is her mother. Even though they were going through this horrible time, Yoko and her sister were still kept in school, it wasn't even an option for them to slack off for a minute. This is another thing that readers can take away, no matter how unmotivated you feel, think of Yoko and all she was doing to survive. She was able to build and maintain relationships throughout the war period, although she lost both her parents, in the end she did find her brother and the Corporal.

I really found myself relating to Yoko and her mother's relationship. I always hated to leave my mom especially going to school in the early elementary years, so in the one scene at the new school in Japan I could relate to how she was feeling and the loneliness that took over her body. Also, when the mom passes away was extremely hard for me to read and get through. I can't even imagine being in Yoko's position and going through what she did.

Like I mentioned, I think that young readers would really benefit from this book in a classroom setting. If I were to teach an older class I would defiantly have this as one of our group readings.

The Widow's Broom

I thought this book would be aimed for more of an older elementary classroom. The students would need to understand the consequences of their actions. They could learn from the two boys who tried to steal the broom in the story. Also, the book is a little scarier. It deals with witches and ghosts, it isn't a happy, colorful picture book like a lot of them are.  

This is a story about a witch’s broom and all the power that goes along with it. A witch had fallen in the vegetable garden of a lonely widow named Minna Shaw. The widow took the witch in and cared for her until one night at midnight, the witch just disappeared. Her broom stayed and helped the widow do chores throughout the farmhouse.  As neighbors heard about the amazing things the broom was doing for the widow, they came to see it in action. One of the neighbors decided they would try and steal the broom to help them with their house chores. They take the broom when it is outside, the broom throws their dog, and is mean to their children so they put the broom away in the closet. Since the broom was causing extra harm to the neighbors, people decided to burn it in the yard. The next morning Minna Shaw called the neighbors with frightening news that she had seen the ghost of the broom! It had come back and this sent the neighbors packing immediately. However, Minna Shaw decided to stay. She had fallen asleep and was awakened by her friend the broom who she covered with white paint to fake its ghost. 

I would have this book in my classroom library, I think it tells a good message and students could learn from it. Also it is mysterious and has a great story line. However, I don't recommend reading this as a read aloud just because some students may become frightened.