A child called it

Pelzer, D. (1993). A child called it. Omaha, NE: Omaha Press.

 

 

 

David is a young first grade student who is living a nightmare. The author tells David's story through the use of conflict as he travels down a road a emotional, mental and physical abuse at the hands of his mother. For example, David often has to wear dirty clothes to school and sleep in the cold garage. The author also uses mystery in the story as David's journey continues. At one interval, David's mother allows him to believe that the abuse will stop. Also, he stays in confusion because he doesnt really ever know why his mother is abusing him or what he has done wrong. Furthermore, the author uses survival in the story. David is left by himself and must fight to survive in a world that he thinks is against him.

This is a very controversal book to use in the classroom. While it shows students the first hand account of what abuse is and how it is properly delt with, teachers must consider the graphic exposure of events and situations in the book.

Big Ideas: Child abuse

conflict

 

 

 

 

 

week 8 questions

1. For this course, I have completed five field hours.

2. During my time in the classroom, I was able to observe the teacher modeling phonics instruction. Words were broken into the various elements: Diagraphs, blends, vowels and inflected endings. I was able to complete a reading and spelling invetory list to determine the current instructional level for the child. I was able to work in small groups and teach a lesson on phonics instruction. I used assessment for the child and determined the next steps of instruction for the student. I collaborated all information to the teacher for future use.

3. During the field hours, I was able to strengthen myself personally. I was able to share information, contenet lessons and assessments with the teacher for her use. This has really helped me to kno how important it is to collaborate with others for the needs of other student.s

4. One thing that I learned during the field hours was the importance of using tools such as the reading and spelling inventory. These are vital documents that help form lessons for the students that are right on their instructional level and current learning needs.

book log/wiki

Genre / Titles you read (Hit enter after each one and a new number should pop up)

            I.     Non-fiction/Informational (1 chapter book or photo essay book reflection required on blog)

1)     A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer

2)     My Life In Dog Years by Gary Paulsen

3)     Years of Dust: The story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin

 

 

          II.     Poetry (1 chapter or picture book reflection required on blog)

1)     Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech. (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     If the shoe fits by Sarah Mlynowski

 

        III.     Modern Fantasy (1 chapter book reflection required on blog)        

1)     I, Jack  by Patricia Finney. (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

3)     The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

 

       IV.     Historical Fiction (1 reflection required on blog –can be a picture book)  

1)     The Teacher’s Funeral by Richard Peck. (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

3)     Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

4)     A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

 

         V.     Multicultural/Traditional (2 reflections required on blog – one can be a picture book)  

1)     Hiroshima: A Novella by Laurence Yep (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     The Drinking Guord by Jeanette Winter

3)     Faithful Friend by Robert D. Sansouci

 

       VI.     Realistic Fiction (1 chapter book reflection required on blog)

1)     Baby by Patricia MacLachlan. (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     The Hatchet by Gary Paulson

3)     Holes by Luis Sacher

4)     Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

5)     Flat Broke by Gary Paulsen

 

     VII.     Picture Books (5 reflections required on blog during the first two weeks of class. There should be a total here of at least six.)

1)     The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting. (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)

2)     –No, David by David Shannon

3)     –Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

4)     –Hey, Al by Arthur Worinks

5)     –True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Lane Smith

6)     –Faithful Elephants by Wukio Tsuchiya

 

 

 

Wiki Checklist

Instructions: Write the number of entries for each category you posted into on the Course Wiki (requirement is four total posts, in four different categories)

 

___1_ Social Studies

____ Science

____ Math

____ Music

___1_ Art

____ Reading/Language Arts

____ Physical Education

____ Other

Book Trailer

Curtis, C. (1999). Bud, not buddy.New York, NY :Delacorte Press.

Historical Fiction



https://www.dropbox.com/s/e5b0icd2ic3pljx/Bud%2C%20not%20buddy%20%281%29.wmv?m

Book Talk- The Hatchet

Paulsen, G. (1988). The Hatchet. New York, NY: Puffin Books.


     Have you ever been asked what you would bring with you if stranded on an island? Have you ever made a list, not putting much thought into it because you feel it will never happen? I'm sure Brian Robeson felt the same way.
     When young a young boy, Brian Robeson, boards a small jet plane heading to the Canadian oil fields to see his father, Im sure the last thing he thought about was survival. The only thing on his mind was spending time with his father as his parents are now going through a divorce. However, this quickly changes.
     In mid flight, the pilot suffers a heart attack and Brian is forced to land the plane in a forest after the pilot dies in flight. The only thing that Brian is equipped with is a hatchet and windbreaker. How will he survive? Will he get rescued in time?
     Read this book to see the journey and obstacles Brian must face as he is forced to learn how to survive in the wild. Will he ever see his family again? Will he be a fighter? All these questions will be answered in the book written by the award winning author, Gary Paulsen, in The hatchet.

Hate that Cat

 

Creech, S.2008).Hate that cat.New York:HarperCollins Publishers.

 

     Hate that cat is a poetry book that is targeted for a younger group of students. The main character in this book feels like he is not good with poetry. His teacher explains that he can create poetry by using various forms. She encourages him to not give up and gives him the inspiratation to begin writing. He begins his poem by hating a cat and by the end of the story he loves the cat.

     The author uses various forms of technique in this book. The boy uses alliteration as he explains that there is chocolate chalk. Other technique forms are exposed as he often uses metaphors and similies throughout the book. He uses a similie when he explains how the cat is moving about. The author also uses onomatopeia as he describes various sounds such as drip, pop and buzz. The technique really draws the reader into what the boy is describing. This book would have many uses in the language arts classroom for introducing students to various forms of poetry and writing techniques.

 

Big idea/questions: Inspiration/dedication

story elements

writing techniques

Faithful friend

San, S. R. D., Pinkney, J. B., San, S. R. D., Hale, C., & Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (Firm). (1995). The faithful friend. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

     The story, The Faithful Friend, is a West Indian Folktale that is based upon the traditions and cultrues from Africa, Europe and South America. The story describes the journey of two friends, Clement and Hippolyte, who are embarking on a courageous path of danger as Clement is determined to date the woman he is falling in love with, Pauline.
     The author uses onomatopoeia to describe the sounds of the drum  (tam! TAM!) that lures Hippolyte into a trap in which he is forced to make a hard decision with horrible consequences for each. The dark, oil on the illustrations allows the reader to emabark on this fast paced and courageous journey with the main characters. It also allows the reader to draw upon the mystery and danger as seen with the zombies. In this story, the reader can find conflict within the characters. Hippolyte has person against self conflict as he is forced to make a decision that will either put him or his best friend in danger.
     This story has many uses in a classroom. The teacher can pull out several examples of the onomatopoeia to introduce students to sounds and descriptions. I would also use this as a real world connection by allowing students to write a personal narrative about times when they had to show courage and bravery.

Big questions/ideas: The true meaning of friendship
                                  Courage/bravery
 

Follow the drinking guord

Winter, J. (1988). Follow the drinking guord. New York, NY: Random House.

     Follow the drinking guord is a story of the underground railroad and the slaves escape to freedom. The story uses reference to the drinking guord which is the big dipper. This story tell the true act of bravery that the slaves had to emabark on with their families in order to provide themselves with a better life and future.
     The reader can see conflict in the story as the characters must battle against themselves when deciding if they will risk their lives and follow the drinking guord to freedom. The warm watercolors allows the reader to embark on the courageous journey of the slaves and really draws the reader into they mystery of the unknown. For example, as the rive tends to wind around where the reader cannot see the end of the river. This is the same for the slaves as they do not truly know how or what will happen at the end of their journey. Furthermore, the author uses the sound device of rythym for the song that the slaves use to make their escape to freedom.

     Follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a waitin'
For to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd

When the sun comes up
And the first Quail calls
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a waitin'
For to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd

 

Big quetions/ideas: Slavery

Civil rights movement/ rights



Charlotte's Web

White, E.B. (1980). Charlotte's web. New York, NY: Harpertrophy.



     When Fern talks her dad out of slaughtering the runt pig, she begins the hard task of raising him. She names the piglet Wilbur and moves it to her Uncle Zuckerman's farm. At the farm, Wilbur is sad because the other animals do not want to play with him. During her spare time, Fern visits Wilbur and becomes very close to the pig. Soon after moving to the farm, Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte who helps his days become less lonely. When Wilbur learns that he will soon be slaughtered, Charlotte devises a plan to try and save him from that destiny. Will this plan work? Will Wilbur be slaughtered? The reader will be compelled to find the answers to these questions.
     The author, E.B. White, uses personification on the animal characters in this book. The animals still live their lives on the farm; however, they are able to talk and communicate with one another. Each character contributes something unique to the overall plot. For instance, Charlotte is able to use her smartness to devise a plan of help while the rat is able to use his knowledge to gain sources of clues for the team. The point of view is told by Wilbur, the talking pig. The reader is connected with the story through his feelings of happiness and dread throughout the book. Each chapter holds the reader in suspense as to what is going to happen. While the story is told in chronological order, every chapter holds the reader in suspense as to what the fate cards hold for Wilbur. This book offers an overall theme of true friendship. Each friend is willing to put their own lives in danger to save the others from what may happen.

Questions/big ideas: What are you willing to do for a friend?
                                  Responsibility

The Hello Goodbye Window

Juster, N. (2005). The hello goodbye window. New York, NY: Di Capua Books.

     Norton Justin, author, wrote a touching story about a bond between a gradchild and the grandparents. One special window at her grandparent's house allows this little girl to experience a magical place. Everything she sees or does comes through this window. What special and magical journey will she go on as she visits the window at her grandma and Poppy's house? The illustrator uses impressionistic art to draw the reader's attention. For instance, the house is made to come alive through the use of the white space. The use of the watercolors, oils and pastels allow the reader to embark on the magical journey with the little girl at her granparents house.
    This is a touching story that truly shows the special bond between a child and granparent. The story would be good for use of predictions and sequencing. This book would invite students to explore them and they could also write a personal narrative about a special memory they have with a loved one. This is a beneficial book for all classrooms.

Big question/idea: The true meaning of love, personal narratives

Hey, Al

Yorinks, A. (1986). Hey, Al. Cananda: Collins Publisshser.

     Al and his best friend Eddie, his dog, live in a small cramped apartment. The work, clean and feel like their life is horrible. One day a mystical bird appears before them and offers them a life like no other. Will the two decide to leave their lives and pay the ultimate price? The illustrations in this book are extremely realistic and offer the reader a glimpse into his life by creating illustrations that take the reader far beyond what is pictured. The beautiful rich colors used allow the pictures to come allow and offer a deeper understanding of the feelings of the characters. The theme in this book makes the reader stop and think about life in a different perspective.
     I really enjoyed this book and feel that it would be beneficial in many ways in a classroom. The book offers the chance to explore adjectives more in depth and allows students to think about what the true meaning of happiness is. This is an excellent picture book with such a wonderful theme.
Big idea/questions: What is the true meaning of happiness and how much is it worth?

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!

Scieszka, J (1989). The true story of the three little pigs!. New York, NY:Viking Penguin.

    The story of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is a captivating story that puts a spin on the original version. It is narrated by the wolf as he recalls what he feels to be the true story of  what happened on that fateful day his life intertwined with the pigs. Students will enjoy reading the story and finding out how close his story is to that of the pigs. The illustrator, Lane Smith, uses framed illustrations that help set the mood in this story. The dark colors help keep the reader in suspense as the journey begans from one house to the next.The illustrations begin with a double spread frame that allows the reader to become engaged from the onset of the story.
     I feel that this is a wonderful book to read to all children. This book allows children to realize that there is more than one side of the story. This is an excellent way to introduce students to comparing and contrasting characters and adventures in stories and texts and also making predictions.

Big ideas/questions: The importance of being honest

No, David!

Shannon, David. N (1998). No, David! New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

     No, David!, is a must read picture book for young children. It gives a glimpse into the importance of rules and following directions. The author, David Shannon, holds the attention of the young audience in his book, No, David!.

     The main character in this book, David, is a young boy who is constantly getting into trouble. He continually tries the patience of his mother by constantly breaking the rules of the house. Will he ever hear his mother say anything besides, "No, David!"?

     David Shannon, author and illustrator, uses many traits to help the reader enjoy this picture book. The double spread pages allow the reader to understand the high energy level of this little boy as he is going room to room disobeying rules. His use of expressionistic art allows the reader to observe his disruptive behavior and non-compliance. The use of his acrylic paint illustration allows the reader to depict a more in depth look at the character and setting.

     Big questions/ideas: Classroom rules/procedures and the importance of following rules.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Steig, William.(1969) Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York, NY: The Trumpet Club.

     Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a picture book with an unforgettable theme and captivating illustrations.William Steig is the author and illustrator of this young children's picture book. After reading this book, I had several ideas of how to incorporate this book into a lesson for my first grade students.
     Sylvester considers himself quite lucky when he discovers a magic pebble that can grant all of his wishes. When a lion frightens Sylvester, he soon realizes what happens when unexpected wishes come true. The jouney that Sylvester embarks on reveals the art of true magic.
      The illustrations depict the use of cool spectrum watercolors (blue, green, white) that complement the text and help the reader determine part of the story by giving a descriptive glimpse of the setting and the character's feelings. The double spread pictures help portray the character's helplessness and determination during his journey.
      After reading this book, several big questions would arise for the classroom. The importance of family and being happy with what you have in life would be great topics for a unit of study.
    

Introduction

Hello Everyone!
My name is Charlotte Cecil and I am a first grade ELA teacher at  Millbrooke Elementary School. I live in Hopkinsville, KY with my children and husband. We have four children, Cody,Ashley, Haley and Brittany and a shitzu named Bently.
We enjoy anything outdoors: swimming, camping, fishing, gardening and 4-wheelers. During the summer we are always outside in the sun.
During my free time I love to read and learn. Some of my favorite authors include Nicolas Sparks and Jodi Picoult. I also enjoy reading with my friends in book clubs and reading anything that will help enhance and strengthen my teaching and student learning.