Presentation---Dec 2

Spiders---You guys rock! It was fun and entertaining and I gained alot of information about spiders. I love the youtube video, I know yall had some technical difficulties but it went well and very smoothly :) You guys kept us busy through out your whole presentation, I think that was very vital in working with all ages. I love that the activity with the playdough and foam balls was an actual craft that was just for fun, there wasnt a worksheet but I still learn alot about spiders! Kudos for creativity!

Snow White-- to be continued ;)

Presentation (Nov 30)

The Empty Pot--Wow guys I really enjoyed your book. I love that it had a great moral to the story and it was based on a different culture. I thought it was great how you guys did a walk through the book. This allowed me as a student to engage and try to figure out what I was going to learn from this book. The activity was fun, I enjoyed having to put our own point of view on what integrity is to our group.

Pink and Say--- Well this was my group. So We were awesome! :) Seriously I was glad to get it done. :) I enjoyed our book it is emotional and I did not want us to be depressing but I thought it had a great story line and artwork. So I hope you all enjoyed it!

Presentation Day 1 ( Nov 23)

Why The Sun and Moon Live---This Presentation was amazing . The costumes had alot of color and you can tell alot of time and effort was put into this presentation. I think children could easily adjust a play, especially the way it was presented, with the class participating with the fish. I think you guys did an excellent job!
10 Things I can do to Help my World--I really enjoyed the movie maker on recycling, it had a very catching song that went perfect with the theme for your project. The activity was well done!

Shared and Guided Reading---Author Profile Roald Dahl

In Shared and Guided Reading Lecture/Power Point I gained a some great information on the importance of guided reading. There is so much more than just choosing any book to read to your class. In the process of chossing books, you need to know certain criteria about your students and wahat type of lesson as a teacher you are trying to put across. The importance of shared and guided reading also play a role in writing and understanding text. All of this together is like a giant puzzle that we are trying to figure out as we go along, with that said one piece of information is a link to the whole puzzle.
It depends on what the grade level your teaching and what exactly what you want your students to gain form a book.

As I began to search for a new book I found this amazing website http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/books/ It has a list of suggested book by grade level, genre, award winning, or for parents. If you have time I suggest you all check it out. Oh and this is my ultimate favorite website for good reads ... http://www.goop.com/ ( Gywneth Paltrow's website)
In anywho back to my ...Author Profile --

This Pick is new for me I saw an interesting title and chose it. The Enormous Crocodile. I found this clip also its a hilarious play on this book. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5675027551426483329#
The Author is Roald Dahl,(okay so I saw this book and the authors name looked familiar but I could not figure it out until I googled his name..So Yeah he is the author of the famous Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. (and Ithought I discoverd a new book lol)
Roald Dahl was an amazing author and an amazing man. I found it "amazing" ( I know I use that word to much) how every author I look up has a story has something that held them back and they over come or just a rough background that made them a better person and author. Dahl lived in Wales growing up his father passed away and wanted a better life for him, so his mother took her child to England to get an education, Dahl wrote a book called Boy and from them start to write Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Dahl wanted to travel and doing so he finish his education in England and worked with the Shell Company. There truely is so much information about this man that I could write a book, it is all very interesting so please check out his page!http://www.roalddahlfans.com/mydahlbio/page4.php You will be a better person after you read his bio. ;)

Author Profile-- Rick Riordan

One day at work I saw an 11 year old boy reading a book, and I asked him Hey what ya reading there?" .."Oh this ..it a Percy Jackson book" He replied. Oh whats it about? (I honestly was curious because if I find a book a teen / preteen likes I want to buy it ) "Well Do you like Greek Mythology?"

This boy was so amazing and adorable and then he said something like that I was in love he cracked me up! He was very serious and I loved it! The book he was reading is called The Last Olympian which is book # 5. He briefly explained to me that Percy Jackson is a dyslexic boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon (god of the sea) and he has to fight off other greek mythology creatures.

I was very interest and thought wow there is so many books that are series that children really get hooked on.. of course there is Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, Twilight ( which I know is all ages and mostly female), but I knew this book has potential and sure enough when I went to Borders I saw this book right when I walked in.. and went I went to the movies I saw a trailer for it!!! So this has to be a Must read book I encourage everyone to read before the movie comes out on Feb. 12 2010.

Rick Riodan is the author of this book. He is multi-award-winning author of the Tres Navarre mystery series for adults. He Lives in San Antonio, and He has taught English and History in California and Texas. He wrote the book series Percy Jackson because of his experiences teaching greek mythology to middle school students and teaching students with learning differences. For more info on the author and his books go to http://www.rickriordan.com/.

I feel this book is a "must read" it has action and everyone know that a book is better than a movie!

Nonfiction Books---Author Profile Patricia Polacco

Growing up I would label nonficition books as the huge bulky books that were meant for strictly education purposes. I have learned that nonfiction books can be entertaining and it is always important to keep a classroom entertain while learning about interesting facts. Some nonficition books I can recall reading were books based on true events (faction books).



Our genre presentation is based on a nonficition book called Pink and Say. This book has amazing artwork and tells a story that all ages will not forget, its a story about civil war and two young men who have develop a friendship through out the battle of slavery.

Patricia Polacco has amazing art work that captures the eye and makes the story run well with her art work. Patricia also illustrate all of her books. Patricia majored in Fine Arts and has a Ph. D in Art History. She did not start writing books until she was in her forties and she has over 45 books, that tell stories about family, friendship and moral values. Some of here inspirations were classic books like Peter Rabbit and Mother Goose stories. Check OUt her Artwork and all her books at Patriciapolacco.com

Favorite books---- Author Profile Lois Lowry

Well I was very excite with this blog assignment because I love to Read. As a kid I enjoyed to read, 4th grade we had to read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S Lewis and I remember thats when I was hooked. I had some great teachers who introduce me to some awesome books in Junior high, I read Go Ask Alice (which is a great book, but I dont know if it age appropriate for all 12 year olds), Lord of the Flies, Lupita Manana, and The Giver. In High School I fell in love with The Great Gatsby....and then there was a gap where I fell out of reading... One book that was life changing for me was Into the Wild, this book is a captivating true story about a young man named Chris McCandless, he is driven young man who seeks adventure after graduating college, I dont want to give too much away but its a great book about loving life. I read Twilight and felt like I was 16 again. I think that is one of the main reasons it is so popular. Everyone I know that has read it says they feel like a teen,its that vulnerable love Bella has for Edward and it doesnt help that its in first person...so you truly feel like Bella. After reading this book I was addicted again, I needed another book to escape away. I dont know if I have a particular genre that I enjoy reading. I think if it has a learning experience or can make me think outside the box I would enjoy it.
Now more than ever I am just overwhelmed by all the books that people recommend I feel like there is just too much to do and not enough time to read them all. I currently am reading two books a classic novel, A tree Grows in Brooklyn and a Christian novel Redeeming Love. If you hand me a book I will read the whole thing even if I dont like it ..that way I can tell you why I didnt like it.

Author Profile Lois Lowry

Like I had mentioned earlier Lois Lowry Wrote a book called The Giver, this book was an assign reading for me in 7th grade. After reading this book I purchase Lowry's book Number of the Stars. Her books all deal with the importance of human connection. She married young and her husband was in the Navy and found his way to Harvard Law, while the process was long she raised four children and got her degree. Then she began writing books which she always wanted to do. She has gone through lost in many different ways in life ( she lost her sister and a son) and has gain knowledge which is portrayed in her books. The Giver is a trilogy, the other books include Gathering Blue and the Messenger. For ore information on Lois Lowry please go to Loislowry.com

Author Profile : Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli wrote a book called Maniac Magee, this book is a great chapter book if fun and true to life in his I founf a great bio page that has a questionarie here is one of his his answers on what books to read to check out more about him for to http://www.carr.org/authco/spinelli-j.htm

If you could recommend only one of your novels for us to read, which one would it be and why?
Maniac Magee—for the message, the story, and the language.

I completey agree with the author this book is about a young boy who is not well off but has a talent that can bring a town together :)

Author Profile: Wilson Rawls

Since I am on blogging about chapter books this is anothor author that many are familiar with, Wilson Rawls wrote the books Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys. I encourage these chapter books for a 4th to 5th grade level reader, both books are for animal lovers. Rawls group up during the depression and although he want to be a writeer he had to find work , later in his life in threes weeks he wrote a book call Where the Red Fern Grows, this is about a boy and is two loyal dogs and racoon hunting. Some of Rawls inspirations was Jack Londons Call of the Wild this is when he knew he wanted to be a writer. Many would say Rawls is a ninspiration and so many that there is a book called Dreams can Come True dedicated to the author Wilson Rawls. Check out his profile at http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rawls.html

Chapter 7 Picture Books---Author Profile Eric Carle

Unfortunately I missed the lecture on Picture books. ... I think it is just as hard to tell a story with pictures as it is with words. I love art and I am very envious of those who can illustrate emotions with out words. As some of you may know I work at a hospital and I have a reading program here. I will give every child a book no matter what the age. Its important to read to little ones just so they can hear your voice. I use Picture books with all ages. The colors, texture, and the way they can clash together can really make a statement. I can see in the children's eye the interest they have in these books. Eric Carle is amazing.

Author Profile--- Eric Carle

Eric Carle is an amazing artist he is best know for his work with The Very Hungry Caterpillar which has been translated in over 47 language and sold over 29 million copies since 1969! WOW! He has illustrated over 70 books and as we speak three of his books are on my desk! He was educated in Germany and some fancy school :), But he always want to come back to America. So he did and he lived an American Dream, with very little money he moved to New York found himself a job as a graphic designer and then he work as a art director for an advertising company. This is when his work was notice by an author who use his piece in Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See? This is just the beginning of Carle amazing career! For more information on Carle books and history go to eric-carle.com

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."--Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou has a way with words that I am pretty envious and inspired at the same time. I really enjoyed the interview that we watched in class. I hope that one day I can inspire my students by my words and my actions. I want to teach my students the importance of education but I also want to teach them to continue to have a drive in what makes them happy and have motivation in other skills they will discover no matter what there peers tell them. I feel that are youth can easily be discourage. Maya angelou mentioned a saying that was told to many during her generation about having many trades and not mastering one is og no use. I diagree withthis completely I think if you can be good and master many things, more power to you. I am thankful that Mrs. Pickett showed this interview as future teachers we can all benefit from hearing some words of inspiration.

SHEL SIVERstein and Johnny cash ??

A Light in the Attic and Falling UP are two of my favorite books as a kid.. I feel like I say this at the beginning of every blog but I can recall these books being very popular and having to wait to check them out. I think Shel Silverstein is a genius I love his poems and what I love even more are his illustrations. His drawing are different and wierd and make children think outside the box. Sheldon Silverstein was an amazing writer. Some of his most popular books aould be The Giving Tree, Falling Up, A light in the Attic and Where the sidwalk ends.As I was reviewing this author I learned he was also a songwriter for one of my favorite songs from Johnny Cash A boy Name Sue. I thought about this and when I really listen to the lyrics and just read them on their own, I can see the touch of Shel's writing in the song. This man was very creative some poems rhyme, some are short and witty, and some our long and have a good lesson hidden in them.

Comprehension and Ramona

Chapter 3----Hello everyone I would like to say that I enjoyed todays lecture especially the discussion on comprehending words on there own. I completely agree that to learn a definition you need to hear the word in a a paragraph. I know that when I read a book and I dont know a word I sometimes will skip the word and look a the text around it before I look up the definition. I can understand that when you write down text it can be just repetition and when you assign reading it can feel like a chore. I hope to bring so much into a classroom and I cant wait!

Author Profile----(Beverly Clearly) Ms. Ramona Quimby !! How amazing is this character. I currently am taking a course where I have to do a milestone journal of my kid and give examples of different events and my childs social, cognitive and psychological development. I chose the book character Ramona, she is my generations Junie B Jones. Beverly Clearly is an amazing author I have read Ribsy, Dr Mr. Henshaw,Ramona the Pest, Ramona the Brave and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Beverly Clearly has over 25 books and amazing characters that all linked together in her books. Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Ralph the mouse. Beverly Clearly grew up on a small farm in Yamhill. After college she was a librarian. A young boy asked her "Where are the books about kid like me?" Her first book was Henry Huggins. Her books and characters really capture children's' childhood. Beverly Clearly has won many awards and her books are a great classic.

Author Profile: David Shannon

After reading about a mischievous girl I thought I would explore the world of David.
No David No! by David Shannon is an amazing picture book and about a boy who loves to get into trouble. The artwork really brings the character to life. David Shannon also wrote How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball, The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza, and A Bad Case of Stripes. David later wrote Alice the Fairy which is based off of his daughter. David Shannon got a degree in Fine Arts and live in LA. His books are great picture books and have a great story to tell about the daily life of a mischievous boy that you can help but love. To learn more about David Shannon check out his bio page at http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3623

Chapter 2 Author Profile

Hello All!

I really enjoyed Chapter 2--I love reading about culture and diversity in school environments. Something that caught my attention was a statement last week in class. We were discussing test and how some test don't relate with our culture. For example the question about snow in Texas, I can recall a similar situation when I was young about food and I can't remember the question exactly I just remember it had to do with broccoli which was a foreign food to me as a child. Well needless to say I got the answer wrong and was devastated. I have a pretty good memory and as a child I was a kid who had to have things perfect and if they weren't I would cry about it. Thinking back about my school age years I thought about my favorite book of all time ...Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry G Allard . Although I want to blog about new books this book is a classic and a favorite of mine. I suggest everyone read this one.

Author profile: Harry G Allard

Harry Allard wrote one of my favorite books Miss Nelson is Missing as I was reading his bio I realize he also wrote the books The Stupids have a Ball. I read both of these books as a child. I thought it was funny because I would check out these books because the word Stupid was in it( I was a weird child.)

I feel that when I read these bios I should be inspired and I am Harry Allard what a well educated man he recied his Ph D in French where he reside in Paris for a good portion o fhis life, thne he taught at Yale. Wow thats pretty amazing for a man who wrote a book called The Stupids Step Out :)

Check out his site at http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/birthbios/brthpage/01jan/1-27allard.html

Chapter 1 -- Author Profile

After reading chapter one I enjoyed the section on developing a good attitude on reading. Like Mrs. Pickett mention in our first class, children who are great readers at an early age tend to lose it through out the year.As a school age kid I enjoyed books so much, middle school not so much.I recently got back into reading and now I am hooked again. Today in class we were talking about how a book can take you away. I think it is important to have this good attitude about reading so children can enjoy it and really get a good experience. On page 10 and 11 the book show great examples about socializing and discussing books with peers, giving children the choice in what books to read, and teaching other students to read. I find this very helpful and can recall situations as a student having to do group work like the examples.
As for website I found a search engine called childrenslit.com this site has a list of authors and a blinking light next to the new ones :) If you click on the author it will take you to their website. So far I clicked on random authors and the sites are pretty interesting and intense. I cant wait to explore more and I will keep you guys posted!

Author Profile --Crockett Johnson-- "Harold and the Purple Crayon"

This man is brillant he takes a young boy on wild adventures through his own imagination and it as if he makes up the story as he goes along. I used this book for a reading activity. It is a great picture book. As an activity you can have a a piece of paper and a purple crayon and ask the class/group if they could draw a picture and it could come to life what adventures would they pursue? Crockett illusttration are amazing and as I was reading his biography I leanrned that he was an illustrator for a famous comic strip Barnaby, this makes perfect sense now that I look back at this book. For more information on this book and this author check out http://www.k-state.edu/english/nelp/purple/biography.html

Author Profile : Louis Sachar

Louis Sachar wrote hilarious books! In fourth grade I remember my teacher had all of his books. This was a chapter book and had a lot of crazy characters. A mean subsitute teacher who turn her kids into apples, the janitor, the nice sweet teacher who loved all her students, the mean girl with the pigtail, and many many more. His books were Sideway Stories from Wayside School, the books were very contradictiing I still have some from when I was in fourth grade, and I will open them up and reminisce because they were all so catchy. The books would have songs and poems also. Louis Sachar wrote a series of five books. This is a very intelligent but laid back guy, he found his inspiration in college when he had found a job as a teachers aide, this event was life changing. Louis majored in economics and weent to law school..and he writes childrens books. I think thats pretty amazing! If you would like to check out his books or read more about him go to http://www.louissachar.com/Bio.htm

3321---Francine

Hello All! This is my first Blog. Hope you all enjoy :)