Amy’s Comments (group member since Oct 27, 2011)

Amy’s comments from the http://www.EDUG573Fall2011 group.

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem I chose to read The Night Before Christmas, a CLASSIC- just in time for Christmas Break. I will probably read this aloud to my class just for its "fun factor". I was unsure of the author as it was found in a collection of children's literature; so I looked it up. The story, written in the form of a long poem was written by Clement Clarke Moore.
As a fun idea, I used a line from the story to inspire one of our "door decorating" design one year. I used... "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" to symbolize that the school would be quiet with all of the kids being gone fro break. We colored little mice in jammies holding a candle- it was cute, but we didn't win =/ Oh well, the tiem spent was still JOLLY...... Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

I read over Aesop's Fables from long-long ago. I read The Fox and the Crow; The Ant and the Grasshopper; The Fox and the Grapes; and The Tortise and the Hare. All stories that I had heard in the past, all stories that teach GREAT lessons. I would imagine myself using these short stories in the future during a study of the genre fables/folktale/traditional lit. I think that although simplistic in nature, these are all valuable lessons that all of us young or old need to be reminded of. I was glad I stumbled upon them.

I chose the graphic novel Rosa Parks The Life of a Civil Rights Heroine by Rob Shone and illustrated Nick Spender. I was disappointed because i was thinking I would enjoy it since it is a graphic biography and biography is one of my favorite genres. But, it was like the pictures kind of "dumbed it down" or played it like it wasn't something that really happened. I did, however, like the switch from conversation / word bubbles to thinking bubbles to show character's inner thoughts. I enjoyed the "regular" parts of the story which came right at the front and right at the back of the book. There was also a glossary- which would be helpful for kids who struggle with vocabulary within text.

I would possibly recommend this to a student who is studying Civil Rights, or reading an additional biography of Parks- but would not let this be the only source of information.

I jumped on the bandwagon with many 4th+ students... Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I have not read the series, but the read goes so quickly that I just might. I would like to read them because many of my students read the series and conference with me about them. The cover alone makes you want to read it. It is graphic as it is written in the form of a sketched comic strip... making it an easy read for students who struggle.

I would recommend this book to boys who are looking for somehting to read or are frustrated - having them read the wimpy kid series boosts confidence and is realistic in nature. WHile the theme is actually "bullying" basically, it is still entertaining to kids. And as long as they are reading, I am happy.

Well, I will try this one again...
I was in the middle of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. I am sure my original post has something genius in it that I just cannot replicate- but I will TRY!
Love That Dog is awesome =) The main character (a boy) is confused about writing poetry, and is not interested as he doesn't know where to get inspiration, how to interpret, and so on. One day he reads a poem called Love That Boy- he falls in love and becomes "able" to write poetry.

I have been told by a teacher friend of mine to read this & just never have. But I saw it on my shelf and decided to take it down. I would use this with kids of many ages when introducing poetry. There is another book called Hate That Cat- which I have NOT yet read, but will most likely have to read it.

Lois Lowery does a beautiful job creating characters, focusing on detail, and telling an amazing historical-based story in Number the Stars. Not knowing much about the Holocaust as a child, I found much interest in it in my adult years. I still cannot believe that it happened. -Stories like Annemarie's really give a solid vision of the Holocaust in the eyes of a child.
The story is of a girl and her Jewish best friend. Her parents are forced to leave ... leaving their daughter, Ellen behind to stay with their friends. The story is based around the Jewish family fleeing and keeping Ellen safe.

I would recommend this to be used as a literature discussion group on a novel study over WWII. There are SO many other great Holocaust books, and many students at my grade level have already read this book- but it would be a perfect fit for the ones who have not. I have used this in the past as a n entire class study- students really love this book. It gives them an inside look at what this terrible time in out history wsa like in the eyes of children.

A long time favorite book of mine, The Catcher in the Rye in which I read about once a year. I don't necessarily think any age younge thatn juniors in high school or so should be reading it; actually, I think that was my first love affair with Holden Caufield. But, there are some topics that make it more geared towards the more mature / older crowd of students.

The thing I love best about The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger is there are SO many themes. If I were ever a high school teacher, I would definately dissect it to its max. Loss, grief, longing, innocence lost, corruption, identity, society (and its faults / bias)... the list goes on.

Although I have read this book many times... I wanted to put it out there as a good read- if teachers ever need a book just to love, and not teach- this could make a great go-to. So would be my one of my other favorites: Gatsby... but that is for another time =)

Being the environmentalist that I am, I found a natural interest in Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. Hoot is about a somewhat outcast boy - on a journey to find himself (as many young characters are intended to do). In the midst, he finds softspot in his heart for the owls he sees in this new construction / development zone. It is actually a pancake house that is to be made on a plot of land where the owls are actually living. He sets out on a mission to save tho owls.

I love that this is approached on a level that is informative for kids, inspiring, yet still a very fun / funny "hoot" of a story. The best time to use with kids would be close to Eatrh Day, or if they need a topic intended for debate. Most children from 4th grade up could handle the story... maybe a bit juvenile for high school. So 4-8 most likely would be the audience. Try it... Give a Hoot =)

The classic, The Outisiders be S.E. Hinton, has been picked up by a number of my girls this year. As a quick read, I decided to pick it up for the good reads. It is a perfect story for the genre realistic fiction. The characters in the story are well developed. The struggles they face are easy for kids to relate to. Not only are these boys divided into two essentially gangs, they are suffering otherwise. They have lost their parents in an accident. So, they are left to be raised by the older brother.

This would be a great book to teach when discussing class, struggle, maybe loss of innocence. I find it unusual that I see more girls read it than I do boys... maybe because I was also shocked when I found out that S.E. is a female. Interesting point of view for a female to be able to take. But she does it, and she does it well. I would encourage students ages 11/12 + for the read- there sre some tricky parts in it that may stir up a ruckus with parents if read any younger. The story seems timeless in a way.

I am choosing Breaking Dawn (not that I don't LOVE the rest of the Twilight Sage... but I recently read through Breaking Dawn again because I had to go see the movie. Have actually seen it twice now. (addiction). I really love the fantasy World that Stephanie Meyer creates. It is so "real" that it almost doesn't seem fantasy (I know that's very odd knowing that it is not true- but it feels true). Her language is so vivid. The dialogue she creates is priceless- on top of the fact she can weave in inner thought like a genius.

I would recommend this series to mostly girls, although some boys are interested as well. I know parts of the book can get a bit "rated R" - but with a parent approval, I would encourage students in my classroom to read. If nothing else, it will boost their confidence to devour large, scary books =)

In case anyone is wondering/cares/or whatever... Team Edward.

Another book I recently used with my class for writing is The Bat Boy and His Violin. We were given this book in a professional development help this past Summer. It is full of author's craft, a good example of using inner thought / and also dialogue. Many parts of the story lend itself to being a good example for students to use as a mentor text.
The story is about a father and son, mostly. We watch their relationship grow over time. The father is a coach for the "worst" team in baseball. It is during the time of Negro Leagues baseball. His son, not intrested in playing baseball, has much more talent in the music field. He tags along with the team as the bat boy, but Papa isn't much intrested. The boy ends up being a positive contribution to the team, and their relationship blossoms.

The story Four Little Old Men -A (Mostly) True Tale From A Small Cajun Town by Burton Brodt was cute and refreshing. Based on people's lives in Louisiana, Cajun style, these four old men are bored out of their minds. They finally get off of their front porches, and out of their rocking chairs to form kind of a new "gang" of fellows. They go through many entertaining events through the story. The author weaves in Cajun characteristics and the illustrator, Luc Melanson does a nice job of creating the lowlnads of Louisiana. I like that it is a story based on a different part of our country (many historical fiction books take place in places our students aren't familiar with- or they are from a completely far away time frame.
I picked this book up in an antique furniture store- thinking it just caught my eye and I thought it looked interesting. So I bought it, and I finally read it.
I would recommend this book maybe as a read aloud. It has themes of hard work, determination, creativity and friendship. All of which children need to see in multiple settings. These little old Cajun men make for interesting characters, and the group of them are easy to fall in love with.

More Parts by Tedd Arnold. Just looking at the cover of this book makes me laugh. The boy on the cover is screaming mouth wide open, eyes bulging, and hands up to his face in astonishing fear... The book is poetic in nautre with a focus on idiom. The boy fears losing body "parts" based on certain idioms like "give me a hand", "you crack me up", and "losing your mind". He takes the literal meaning of the idiom- no wonder he is so frantic looking on the cover.

I would recommend this to kids who "hate poetry" "can't do poetry" "don't like poetry"... all excuses they like to make. Students of all ages will think this book is funny. It would be a nice introduction to figurative language, or poetry. It would make for a fun read aloud for sure. Kids could make additional sense of other familiar idioms as an ongoing activity. Must Read!

Poetry is one of my FAVORITE genres to read, but especially to write. It is exciting to see kids get carried away with their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. When they don't realize they're writing poetry, it makes it even better. One of the books I chose, written like a story instead of a poem is DOGKU by Andrew Clements. This book is nothing but adorable =) The pup is a stray and looking for a home. He is taken in by a family who end up keeping him. Trials & tribulations of a dog's life are included... Written as a story, in the form of all haiku poetry. Love It!!!

I would recommend this book when introducing poetry. When you can get kids to relate to a topic, and have them shape it into poetry, they are more inclined to write. I have a soft spot in my heart for haiku- so, I love love love it... reading for all ages young and old.

I am currently reading aloud the 1st in the series of The Hunger Games... it is AWESOME! I wanted to post it as a good read because I have gotten so drawn in! My students are LOVING it.
The Hunger Games is a sci-fi story (usually I don't pick up much like this)... But after seeing the previews for the movie and hearing many of my students conferencing about this book I had to read it.

I would recommend this beeok to maybe 5th grade at the youngest through adult =) I am reading it to my class in hopes they find an interest and complete the series... if we like it too much as a class, I will read the series. I chose now to do it because the movie is coming out & I like to peak the interest of my kids. So, I am anxious to keep reading, and look forward to Catching Fire, and Mockingjay - all by Suzanne Collins. Brilliant!

A few years back, The White Giraffe was a Rebecca Caudill Award nominee. I had seen lots of students reading it, so I thought I would give it a try. A young girl is sent to Africa from England to live with a grandmother she didn.t know about. Here she learns about her family history and finds the strength to become the person she was meant to be. The white giraffe is a "supposed creature" only to be ridden by the one with the gift. Read the book to find out who has the gift... learn some African folklore and let your imagination run wild.

I would recommend this book to girls maybe 4th - 8th grade or so. Students who enjoy books with series may also like it- there is The Dolphin Song, The Last Leopard, and The Elephant's Tale... I am not sure of the dolphin book as it seems to not "fit" with the other animals- but, who knows. It is definately a book that makes you want to keep reading and makes you want to go on a Safari!

A great book that I had once heard only being referred to by teachers in my building now holds a big spot in my heart. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox is a great read. This is a story of a young boy who helps an elderly woman remember her forgotten memories. The memories are warm, from long ago, makes you cry, makes you laugh, and as precious as gold. The way the memories unfold is priceless.

I recommend this book for the beginning of the school year. It can be used for any age level. I read the story to the class. Students then gather up their memories (as follows in the book) and share with the class. It really makes kids think about their lives and gives them something interesting to share at the beginning of the school year. Precious to me =)

A great book to start off the year, and kids love it is Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. SS is scared to leave his tree where his comfort zone is. He discusses the fears and dangers that are outside of that zone. But then he ventures out one day, and surprises himself. A funny book, teaching that it is ok to face your fears.

We did this book as a read aloud when introducing the RESPECT code (our school wide code of behavior) when talking about safety and encouragement. I woudl recommend it to all ages because it is entertaining enough to keep intermediate kiddos interested, and easy enough for younger kids to enjoy.

My Side of the Mountain was recommended to me by one of my peers. I was thrilled to have read this book. As it goes along with one of my favorites, it is a story about a young boy who faces wome challenges. He is living in the wilderness. Sam keeps a diary full of drawings, his thought & reactions, and emotions to situations. He is living off the land to try and find himself. In the story he becomes friends with a falcon. There is also a sequel to this book.

I would recommend this book when reading realistic fiction. It also goes along with the theme of nature, being aware of your surroundings, and independence. Boys and girls alike love this book. I use it as a literature discussion book as well. It strikes many conversations and allows for deeper thinking. A good book to point out to students who are looking for something to read and not finding it.

One of my FAVORITE books of all time... Where the Red Fern Grows by Wislon Rawls. The setting is mostly outdoors as the main character Billy spends his time hunting with his 2 dogs Old Dan & Little Ann. They go through many experiences together. Themes of love, faith, determination, friendship and most of all loyalty are woven throughout the whole book. It is a must read for anyone who loves childhood, dogs, and the outdoors.

I would recommend this book when studying the genre of realistic fiction. The book is very well written with details and includes wonderful author's craft. Also in the book is plenty of figurative language.I have used parts of it to help writing a personal narrative in writer's workshop as well. I started the year with this as my read aloud. Upon completion, we watched the movie. Kids preferred, hands down, the novel becuase it is jam-packed with detail and keeps kids wanting more.