I want to apologize for being so late with my posts. Life gets in the way and other obligations bigger than school, so it's been hard to stay on top of all my school responsabilities at the moment. I try to be proffesional and i've been failing lately.
-Cameron Martinez
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Children's and YA novels
I love young adult literature. It's usually so outlandish and wacky that it's entertaining, but it engages the creativity and abstract thinking needed in children. My favorite young adult novels are the goosebumps series. I am a fan of anything age appropriate that will get children to WANT to read.
From wikipedia "Many books feature a twist in the end, similar to the format of television shows like The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone, such as Night of the Living Dummy, where the protagonists spent most of the narrative fighting a murderous dummy, only to be confronted with a second creature at the end. Another book in the series, The Girl Who Cried Monster, which was based on the fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf, also has a twist at the end; the main character's parents transform into monsters, then eat the villain. Welcome to Dead House ends with a sadistic real estate agent, thought to be dead, turning up on the last page, seen in the distance by the main character. A Shocker on Shock Street ends with the two main characters revealed to be robots, and in Attack of the Jack O'Lanterns it is revealed that two kids are aliens. One of the best-known twists is My Hairiest Adventure, in which the main characters turn out to be dogs (as the result of a failed science experiment). In some of the books there is a completely happy ending, as in Piano Lessons Can Be Murder and Why I'm Afraid Of Bees, in which the protagonist actually comes out better from his experiences (although in the latter he retains some traits from his transformation). In some books, the twist ending actually benefits the main character. An example of this is the twist ending of The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, in which the protagonist's bratty sister is never born due to his tampering with the space-time continuum."
This twist at the end of every book gets the kids thinking of what could have happened if the twist wasn't their? again the abstract thought is beginning to become more of a norm within the child.
Also, these books serve another great purpose. In Speak, we hear of a girl who is raped and can not "speak" out to the world her problems due to fear. The book is amazing, compelling and funny at times as a read. But, in the background, reading in between the lines, are other topics raised in the book and ideas that children don't realize they are learning from the book. one, they learn that keeping secrets can only hurt you more. and also, they learn that being yourself and expressing yourself is important. There are many underlying themes in this story.
These stories seem like only stories to kids, but, they also help children learn valuable lesson and also learn different ways of thinking.
From wikipedia "Many books feature a twist in the end, similar to the format of television shows like The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone, such as Night of the Living Dummy, where the protagonists spent most of the narrative fighting a murderous dummy, only to be confronted with a second creature at the end. Another book in the series, The Girl Who Cried Monster, which was based on the fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf, also has a twist at the end; the main character's parents transform into monsters, then eat the villain. Welcome to Dead House ends with a sadistic real estate agent, thought to be dead, turning up on the last page, seen in the distance by the main character. A Shocker on Shock Street ends with the two main characters revealed to be robots, and in Attack of the Jack O'Lanterns it is revealed that two kids are aliens. One of the best-known twists is My Hairiest Adventure, in which the main characters turn out to be dogs (as the result of a failed science experiment). In some of the books there is a completely happy ending, as in Piano Lessons Can Be Murder and Why I'm Afraid Of Bees, in which the protagonist actually comes out better from his experiences (although in the latter he retains some traits from his transformation). In some books, the twist ending actually benefits the main character. An example of this is the twist ending of The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, in which the protagonist's bratty sister is never born due to his tampering with the space-time continuum."
This twist at the end of every book gets the kids thinking of what could have happened if the twist wasn't their? again the abstract thought is beginning to become more of a norm within the child.
Also, these books serve another great purpose. In Speak, we hear of a girl who is raped and can not "speak" out to the world her problems due to fear. The book is amazing, compelling and funny at times as a read. But, in the background, reading in between the lines, are other topics raised in the book and ideas that children don't realize they are learning from the book. one, they learn that keeping secrets can only hurt you more. and also, they learn that being yourself and expressing yourself is important. There are many underlying themes in this story.
These stories seem like only stories to kids, but, they also help children learn valuable lesson and also learn different ways of thinking.
Fairy Tale Unit
After reading through a lot of the fairy tales I used to know as a child, I think back to how I really never thought about the intentions of each long tale. In some way or manner, each story had an underlying common theme or some lesson to be learned at the end of it.
For fairy tales, normally there is some damsel in distress and there is some "knight in shining armor" to save them, or dirty rags, but either way it is always the male doing the saving. There is an idea of male chauvanism within each story and they try to make the women seem to have so many issues and problems. With as many problems as they seem to have, who WOULD want to marry them.
Well, if i were to have my students read through these "classic tales" i would make sure they first would right a short summary of what they think the story is about before they read it. Then, id let them read the story/ies and the next day come back and retell the story in a modern way. This would bring home the stories more to the children because they are trying to apply them in a modern day society and also it would implement an english activity/lesson.
For fairy tales, normally there is some damsel in distress and there is some "knight in shining armor" to save them, or dirty rags, but either way it is always the male doing the saving. There is an idea of male chauvanism within each story and they try to make the women seem to have so many issues and problems. With as many problems as they seem to have, who WOULD want to marry them.
Well, if i were to have my students read through these "classic tales" i would make sure they first would right a short summary of what they think the story is about before they read it. Then, id let them read the story/ies and the next day come back and retell the story in a modern way. This would bring home the stories more to the children because they are trying to apply them in a modern day society and also it would implement an english activity/lesson.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Fate of ENGL 341
Hey everybody, your friendly neighbourhood dancer here.
So, to start off this blog... a little about myself. Well, I like long walks on the beach and..
Ok, jokes aside, here's the rap sheet on me: I've been going to college since I was in my second years of highschool. I went to Butte College through concurrent enrollment. I graduated from high school during my third year in. I also graduated from butte a a year later. I transfered to CSUC last semester and hopped into the liberal studies program through ITC. It seemed like agood idea and i'd heard about it through my counselors. I have over 80+ units currently and hopefully will be graduating in one year exactly.
That's my school background, but my personal info I didn't mention. When i'm not slaving away on homework, due to taking 21 units a semester, I am dancing/teaching/taing for ballroom dance and competing in west coast swing. I have been dancing for 10 years now as of next month. I also play the piano and flamenco guitar. I went to culinary school for a time. I guess in one lump sum I can call myself, artistic. Doesn't mean i'm good at art though. I couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag. The only kind of art i know I can do well is Martial Arts, which I have a second degree black belt in two different styles. I also did theatre all throughout high school.
If by now you've been wondering how old I am, do the math. I was born in 1990 july 17.
I've just had time on my hands. If you didn't know by now, I also enjoy talking at times.
-------------------------
Why I want to be a teacher:
Well, my dad was a teacher, but that wasn't the reason I wanted to become one. Ever since I was little I always remember being the immature bratt saying I didn't want to grow up to be like him. But, that was always due to me not getting what I wanted.
Well, in grade school i had many teachers that I looked up to. So, my teachers throughout my educational career have made me want to become a mentor and teacher for the next generation.
I volunteered/worked at the boys and girlsclub in chico and paradise for a grand total of three years. Never once did I doubt that I don't like working with kids. I will always look back on that job and remember it as the main reason I do want to become a teacher.
I also did ROP: Careers in Education during highschool at Chico High. So, once again i wasn't turned away.
I currently work at Butte County Behavioral Health with minors, teens and adults with mental problems. Prior to that job i had been working as a senior at a group home.
All these experiences will only add to my love for teaching.
I want to graduate from college with my ba in liberal studies, minor in special ed and minor in dance. Aside from teaching i do/am going to open up a public dance studio/weekend night club 18+ in chico.
Expectations: I expect to acquire more tools to utilize as a teacher once i have my own classroom. I want to have that toolbox full that i plan to have ready for when that day comes. Because right now i have some teaching tools, but you can never have enough.
I expect to also just have a fun time in the class. I mean, why go through college without any fun in your life.
So, to start off this blog... a little about myself. Well, I like long walks on the beach and..
Ok, jokes aside, here's the rap sheet on me: I've been going to college since I was in my second years of highschool. I went to Butte College through concurrent enrollment. I graduated from high school during my third year in. I also graduated from butte a a year later. I transfered to CSUC last semester and hopped into the liberal studies program through ITC. It seemed like agood idea and i'd heard about it through my counselors. I have over 80+ units currently and hopefully will be graduating in one year exactly.
That's my school background, but my personal info I didn't mention. When i'm not slaving away on homework, due to taking 21 units a semester, I am dancing/teaching/taing for ballroom dance and competing in west coast swing. I have been dancing for 10 years now as of next month. I also play the piano and flamenco guitar. I went to culinary school for a time. I guess in one lump sum I can call myself, artistic. Doesn't mean i'm good at art though. I couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag. The only kind of art i know I can do well is Martial Arts, which I have a second degree black belt in two different styles. I also did theatre all throughout high school.
If by now you've been wondering how old I am, do the math. I was born in 1990 july 17.
I've just had time on my hands. If you didn't know by now, I also enjoy talking at times.
-------------------------
Why I want to be a teacher:
Well, my dad was a teacher, but that wasn't the reason I wanted to become one. Ever since I was little I always remember being the immature bratt saying I didn't want to grow up to be like him. But, that was always due to me not getting what I wanted.
Well, in grade school i had many teachers that I looked up to. So, my teachers throughout my educational career have made me want to become a mentor and teacher for the next generation.
I volunteered/worked at the boys and girlsclub in chico and paradise for a grand total of three years. Never once did I doubt that I don't like working with kids. I will always look back on that job and remember it as the main reason I do want to become a teacher.
I also did ROP: Careers in Education during highschool at Chico High. So, once again i wasn't turned away.
I currently work at Butte County Behavioral Health with minors, teens and adults with mental problems. Prior to that job i had been working as a senior at a group home.
All these experiences will only add to my love for teaching.
I want to graduate from college with my ba in liberal studies, minor in special ed and minor in dance. Aside from teaching i do/am going to open up a public dance studio/weekend night club 18+ in chico.
Expectations: I expect to acquire more tools to utilize as a teacher once i have my own classroom. I want to have that toolbox full that i plan to have ready for when that day comes. Because right now i have some teaching tools, but you can never have enough.
I expect to also just have a fun time in the class. I mean, why go through college without any fun in your life.
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