LESSON 1

[Amie]

You'll receive a video with one of my favorite authors--Jason Reynolds--via text. It's a two minute video. Please watch it. Then answer:

1. What was your gateway book? What book really spoke 'your language' and got you to believe that reading is not boring? (Once you list the book and author, please add a sentence or two explaining why.)

2. Do you believe Jason Reynolds is right in his assertion from the video. Either confirm or argue Reynolds's claim--in doing so, use your own experience and reading to back up your thoughts. There is no right or wrong answer--it's simply your personal experience and books read bounced against his idea. This answer should be a paragraph or so.

3. THEN, you must comment on at least two of the other student's comments. If you are first or second to respond, you might need to wait a few days and come back to check the responses and add in your comments then.

DEADLINES: You may start responding anytime, but the DUE DATE (meaning your one response and two comments ) is FRIDAY, April 3rd.

[Amie]

My 'gateway' book was Blubber by Judy Blume. I was in the third grade, and I lived in Las Vegas. On a hot summer day, I was bored out of my mind and picked up this little gem of a book. I read it cover to cover. It absolutely spoke my language. I went on to read every Judy Blume book after that one.

I think Jason Reynolds is correct in his assertion that people/kids/students need books that speak to them specifically, a book that speaks his/her language. So many times, I've heard students say, "I hate to read." I believe it's because they haven't been given the right book yet. When I finally help someone find that book, I'd like to believe it's because of what Reynolds asserts-- that reading isn't boring when you see yourself and your life and your culture in a text, reading isn't boring when you meet someone right where they are.