Overall Experience

I have learned a lot through this course about children's literature and myself. I have learned the genres of books that I usually stick to, and the new genres that I never would have tried reading. I have found a multitude of information about navigating libraries and choosing books. The most important thing that I have learned it that literature can be worked into all types of activities and every subject. I hope that I can inspire students to be passionate about reading the way that I am. I have learned that as a teacher, I will not only take the story from books, but the meaning of it. I found that I really focused on meanings through this semester, and learned a lot by doing so.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Owl moon takes place on a snowy winter night, and recants a child’s first trip “Owling” with Pa. After they drudge through the snow and into the woods Pa begins to call out to the Great Horned Owl. After a few calls an owl called out to them and they were able to see it up close. The child is able to share this special experience with the father and has their hope fulfilled in seeing the owl. The whole time I was reading this book I wondered whether the child was a boy or a girl. I think it’s better to write a book without saying though because it lends for the book to be related to by everyone. I remember when I was young and I went fishing with my dad for the first time and this book reminds me of that.  Owl Moon is a great story about the simple things that bond us as family. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the simplicity of this book, as a mother and a future teacher I can see its many uses. I could use this to read to my daughter at bedtime because it's written so wonderfully that you can't help but think of your own memories. In the classroom, it could be used when talking about nocturnal animals. Students could also write the story from the owls’ perspective, saying something like: I was so lonely that night and heard a friend call out, but when I went to find my friend. I was surprised by a great light and It scared me at first because I thought it was the sun, but I was not ready for bed.... Students could integrate characteristics of nocturnal animals with a fictional story from the owls’ point of view, this way you could pull language arts, reading, and science standards for one activity. However you choose to use this book, whether it be for teaching or personal use, you are sure to fall in love with the story and it’s beautiful illustrations.  Reference: Yolen, J. (1987). Owl moon. New York: Philomel Books.

Book Trailer for Dizzy by Jonah Winter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgN186cZuW0&feature=youtube_gdata

This was a wonderful experience and a great way to really look at a book. I loved going through and deciding the most impacting illustrations and setting them to music to tell the story. I was surprised that it was so hard to decide what to write as I explained the book because I didn’t want to give too much away. It was an awesome experience and I know I will use it over and over again.

I can think of many ways to use this in the classroom, it has infinite possibilities. One way is to introduce new books or a new author to my students by making a movie to show them. Another way is to have the students make a movie about books that they have read instead of doing a standard book report. I feel like working with students through the movie making process will really pull in a variety of learners and get them engaged. This is an awesome way to integrate technology into the curriculum.

Reference:
Winter, J. (2006). Dizzy. Arthur A. Levine Books.

Dizzy by Jonah Winter

"Dizzy" by Jonah Winter is about John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, the famous Jazz musician! His story is an amazing one and gives hope to so many different types of students.. As the book begins, we see Dizzy as a young child plagued by many issues. The way that the book depicts Dizzy being bullied and abused by his father made me sad, but kept it at a level that is age appropriate for students. I really liked in the book when Dizzy got excited about playing Jazz and that it was a way to get his anger out, I love that the author showed this as an outlet for young students. When Dizzy gets to New York, the illustrations put us right in the middle of the Jazz scene. When the author says, "he played diddly diddly bop de biddly wah wah de BLEEEEEP" I really felt as if I could hear the music. When the illustrations depict a quiet time they have hues of blues and when they are showing jazz they have reds and oranges, it makes me really fall into each emotion. The book was very well written and was perfect for it's intended audience. It gave us enough information to really get to know Dizzy as a musician. On a side note, I think the book really lends itself to be used when talking about bullying, abuse, controlling emotions, and etc. This book was wonderful and I know I will be integrating it in my future classroom! :)

Reference:

Winter, J. (2006). Dizzy. Arthur A. Levine Books.

Multicultural Literature

I picked the book I love Saturdays y domingos by Alma Flor Ada because it offers a window into the lives of many children in Southwest Florida. This book follows a little girl as she spends time with both sets of grandparents. She spends her Saturdays with her American grandparents and Sundays with her Spanish grandparents. The author explains Saturdays in English and Sundays with Spanish phrases. I think that this book would be vital for students who are Spanish coming to the U.S. so that they can see how the two cultures can be integrated. Also, I think that it can help students feel comfortable when they have a culturally diverse family as this one is because some children can feel self-conscious about differences from their peers!

Reference:
Ada, A. F., & Savadier, E. (2002). I love Saturdays y domingos. Atheneum. 

Meet Kirsten

For my first choice assignment I had to read a historical fiction book and develop a "Questioning the Author" to go along with it. I chose to read Meet Kirsten by Janet Shaw, which is part of the American girl series. This book takes us through the Larson family's journey to America from Sweden and lends insight into what life was like for pioneers. I never paid much attention to the tremendous benefits of historical fiction children’s books until I did this assignment. This genre gives a new face to history because it allows for students to relate to the children in the book. It also gives students the opportunity to "experience" what different periods in history were like. In the case of Meet Kirsten, students are able to relate and learn about the struggles of pioneer life. The author relates to students through attachments to stuffed animals and friends, and shows the differences between life today and pioneer life through traveling, disease, and lack of food. It is important for students to learn what pioneer life is, but reading about it in a history book is not as much fun as relating to it in a historical fiction novel!

Shaw, Janet (1986). Meet Kirsten, An American Girl. Madison, Wis. : Pleasant Co.