Internet Workshop and Blog Publishing: Meeting Student (and Teacher) Learning Needs to Achieve Best Practice in 21st Century Social Studies Classroom February 9, 2010
Swashbuckling Adventures on the High Seas: Classroom Activities for a Unit on Pirates February 9, 2010
This article introduces effective ways in which students can organize their thoughts, ideas and understandings about what they are reading. The double-entry diary helps students keep track of important information found in the text and their understanding of the text. I think this is a great way to help students make connections with the text and truly understand what they are reading. Students are also required to individually do further research on a specific pirate and record their findings on a DRC (data retrieval chart). Student use a DRC to help organize information obtained from the various texts they read, this helps with students reading comprehension as well.
Pirates in Historical Fiction and Nonfiction: A Twin-Text Unit of Study February 9, 2010
The idea of combining both historical fiction and non-fiction books, I feel is a wonderful way to allow students to experience different types of literature as well as have sources to help them decide what is true and what is false about a particular subject. Having a variety of texts, which include both fiction and non-fiction, will also help in providing reading material for students at various reading levels.
This article is also full of great ideas, I especially like the suggestions for beginning the lesson with pirate music and an array of pirate centered materials. The idea of allowing students to first browse through the various materials and take note of what they see is a wonderful way to engage the students. In the article the use of a KWL chart is also presented, students keep track of their thoughts about what they know, want to know, and have learned in their own “Pirate Diary”. Finally it is extremely important for teachers to select books that capture their student’s attention and use a variety of activities to keep them engaged.
Integrating Instructional-Level Social Studies Trade Books for Struggling Readers in Upper Elementary Grades February 3, 2010
This article provides a great deal of valuable information that would be useful to all teachers, especially those who have children who are struggling in reading. Children need to be provided with material that makes reading fun and intriguing and is presented at a level in which the student can read fluently. However it is also important to remember not to “water” the reading material down too much. Reading should be somewhat of a challenge for the child but not so much so that they become frustrated or embarrassed in front of their fellow classmates, as stated in the article. I like the idea of selecting a common theme or genre as a way of encouraging all your students to respond to literature. By selecting a main theme and giving a book to each group based on the students reading level in each group and then allowing them to hold group discussions about what they have read allows them to feel important and become more successful readers. I also like the book list provided in this article, I feel it is a useful tool that all teachers should use to develop successful, eager readers. I also read in this article the importance of realizing that all children are different, they all learn different and they require different types of instruction. I totally agree with that, I feel it is impossible to expect that each and every child will learn everything the exact same way. Each child is unique and instruction and material should be provided to help those who struggle and fall behind so that they too are successful learners.
January 27, 2010
LOVE THAT DOG…I liked this book because it comes from a childs point of view and it shows how he struggles at times with the idea of writing poetry and the meaning behind the words and other poems he has read. This book also provides evidence of the student’s growth over time and I feel like other children can relate to Jacks need to be anonymous when sharing his work with others. A fear of others not accepting your work is often a roadblock we face when having to write, especially when it is something we struggle with.
all the small poems and fourteen more…This book is full of poems about all kinds of things; animals, plants, food, and other random objects. I feel as though this is a wonderful example that can be used to show children that poems can be inspired by just about anything. This book, like the other two contain more free verse poetry; my favorite poem in this book is titled fireworks.
Brown Angels…This book is probably my favorite of the three because it’s full of pictures that help bring the poetry to life. While reading this book I noticed most if not all of the poems were describing something or someone. Again another good example of how versatile poetry can be…it can be about anything the writer wants to be about.
HOT Blogging: A Framework for Blogging to Promote Higer Order Thinking January 20, 2010
Having a classroom blog for my students to use is a great way to allow them to share their thoughts and ideas with one another. Allowing students to blog also gives them an arena to showcase their work and creativity. Blogging will also give the students a way to communicate outside the classroom. However, one drawback of having a classroom blog might be that not all students will have access to a computer and internet outside of the classroom; this should be taken into consideration when using a classroom blog. Rules and guidelines should also be set forth for the students to follow.
Notebook Know How: Strategies for the Writer’s Notebook January 20, 2010
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is full of great ideas that will be a great asset to me when I have a classroom of my own. I feel like this book is easy to read and understand and offers a multitude of ideas to use when having your students keep their own writer’s notebook. The book also offers tools to help get the writing process started, such as creating lists, writing about their weekend, and writing off literature.(Buckner p.5)
A writer’s notebook is a place where student can practice writing, generate text, practice using different writing strategies, find ideas, and practice what they know about spelling and grammar.
I feel it is important to provide student’s with the tools they need become successful and fluent writer’s. To do this student’s should be encouraged to make writing a habit, the more practice they get writing the better off they will be. Also remember any writing is good because it allows the students the opportunity to simply practice writing.
I liked the example given in the book on how to launch the notebook. I think it is important for the teacher to start out by working right along side the students in a group setting. I feel that allowing the students to share their ideas and thoughts as a group will give them a jumpstart or place to begin their writing. Students will be more comfortable in a more informal setting and speak more freely about their thoughts and experiences.
I feel students should have a say so on how they feel their notebooks are organized, however it is also important for the teacher to set forth some specific guidelines for all the students to follow. I like the idea of having the students use the same type of composition notebook, however they should be allowed to “decorate” it to show their own individual personalities.
Otis December 8, 2009
Author/Illustrator: Loren Long
Publication Date: September 2009
Title: Otis
ISBN#: 978-0399252488
Grade: Kindergarten-Second
What is it about? This is a cute story about a happy-go-lucky tractor named Otis who roams the fields at night and plays in the haystacks. At night while put away in the barn the tractor’s engine makes a purring noise that comforts a scared little calf, which causes the two to become inseparable friends. However everything changes when the farmer brings home a brand new tractor one day and Otis is put out of the barn. This story ends with a wonderful twist, check it out to see what happens.
What you might be able to do with it in a class: for example what themes could be covered, or what content would link to the book. Is it a read aloud? This book teaches about determination, heroism, friendship, and perseverance.
All the World December 8, 2009
Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Publication Date: 2009
Title: All the World
ISBN#: 978-1416985808
Grade: First-Second
What it is about: The world is everywhere and it’s everything! This story follows a circle of friends and family throughout an entire day, from early morning until late night. Through this journey we learn the importance of all things in this world both great and small.
What you might be able to do with it in a class: for example what themes could be covered, or what content would link to the book. Is it a read aloud? Have student’s write about their own journey and all the important things they might come across, have them include things that are important to them. Teaches the value of appreciating things we have around us in this world.
Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library! December 8, 2009
Authors: Vicki Myron, Bret Witter
Illustrator: Steve James
Publication Date: 2009
Title: Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library!
ISBN#: 978-0316068741
Grade: First/Second
What is it about? A kitten is found abandoned in a library return box and his taken in by the librarian. The librarian names the kitten Dewey Readmore Books, and the adorable kitten soon becomes the “Library Cat” and is loved by even the youngest of library patrons. Before long Dewey begins to wonder if he is cut out to be a library cat, but soon realizes helping others is definitely the job for him.
What you might be able to do with it in a class: for example what themes could be covered, or what content would link to the book. Is it a read aloud? This book would be great to use in a lesson on helping others, even if they are different from you. Also this books teaches the importance of showing kindness to everyone.
