Chapter 10 Response

Chapter 10: Nonfiction: Biographies and Informational Books

Non-fiction books are considered to be "literature of fact". These books incorporate information and biographies that are based on truth and fact. I can only imagine many students find stories like these boring, so it is important for the books to have an intriguing quality and "enchant" the students. But, these books are very beneficial to students because they give them insight to the real social and scientific world as well as providing interesting and factual matter that will help them succeed in the future. Actually, it is very surprising to me that students generally prefer non-fiction books, especially boys. For teachers, it is important to select interesting and quality non-fiction books. The topic should have been well researched by the author to provide the most accurate information. The last thing you want is for your students to be reading false information about Abraham Lincoln or Benjamin Franklin! There are also books that use fiction to portray and non-fiction topic such as a war. 

Biographies are another way for a book to intrigue and explore a factual topic. I think biographies are a great way for students to see the progression of real life, how people can overcome challenges, and how people reach their goals and dreams. It is also crucial to evaluate a biography before presenting it to your students. Some elements for evaluating a biography are: setting, plot, characters, style, theme, and accuracy. 

Informational books that teach students facts come in a variety of topics ranging from language to science to philosophy. Evaluating these books is also important to determine whether they are good enough for your students to learn by. The elements to evaluate them are: organization, style, design/illustrations, and accuracy. Just like biographies, your students should be gaining accurate information that they can build on in their academic future. 

I like that the book suggests that you do not need to read the whole book to the students, but perhaps a chapter. So, if your class is studying a period of time while John F. Kennedy was President, only his 2 years of presidency really needs to be read. A brief overview of his past would be enough, rather than reading all the chapters before he was elected. 

Having students make a connection to a subject they are learning with a non-fiction book they are reading is a great way for them to further understand the subject. For example, if the class is learning about the solar system, a book they choose about the solar system with pictures and interesting facts may be a great addition to the lesson plan. All in all, incorporating non-fiction books with real curriculum helps students to increase their reading skills while learning factual information.

Chapter 11 Response

Chapter 11: Diverse Perspectives in Children's Literature

In the United States today, diverse cultures are everywhere, including schools. Student's will interact with more cultures than ever before, and it is now a crucial topic for teachers to address. There is diversity in culture, language, religion, social class, age, exceptionality, and family structure and no two students are the same. Even in the same family, birth order can come into play. It is very important for teachers to acknowledge and accommodate to this variety of students. A major con to the increase in diversity in the U.S. is that many of these students will face discrimination and may obtain inferior education. Wealthy schools can afford to integrate technology and high quality teachers, while counties of high poverty rates can only afford minimal educational resources.

Discrimination and cultural differences among students can be alleviated if multicultural literature is included in the classroom. Adding this component to curriculum allows students to learn about diverse cultures and promote inquiry of these cultures. All of these different forms of diversity can be found in many children's books. The difficulty is choosing. As a teacher, you need to analyze the books to be sure they are appropriate. Some important things to look at when choosing a book are the illustrations, the story line, the characters' lives, the relationships between people, the roles of the models and heros, author's background, the language and the copyright dates. One way to incorporate a variety of roles of a culture is by choosing a variety of books. Many books can come from other countries as well. I think it is important to let students know this so they see that people in other countries are all just like us in many ways. Translated text can also be used to show the differences in culture, as well.

Chapter 12 Response

CHAPTER 12: The World of Online Children's Literature

Children now are way more adapted to the use of technology as a learning tool than even myself. I remember the long loading page times, the limited use of a computer, and not ever hearing the term smartboard, laptop, or memory card. Now that technology is a major component in today's classroom, it is important for the modern teacher to know them and include them in the classroom. Now teachers must help to prepare their students for the modern world where they must develop proficiency in technology. This means incorporating digital tools into lesson plans.

The internet provides virtually every children's book made where students can now access them either in their traditional form, or in a new interactive way such as online read alouds interactive storybooks, and virtual meet the authors.There are many author websites where student's can look up their favorite authors, see more books they wrote, and learn more about the book.  Through these outlets, students can discover much more about their favorite book than previously possible.

It iss extremely important for students to learn how to do their own research online as it will be important for their studies in the future. I really like the search strategy proposed in the book.

Set a purpose for searching
Employ effective search strategies
Analyze search engine results
Read critically and synthesize information
Cite your sources
How successful was your search?

Through this process of searching, students gain critical thinking skills, while having fun looking up something interesting to them. It is important for the teacher to analyze websites for the students, too, to make sure they are kid user-friendly and be sure it is safe and credible information.

Online discussions, blogs and wikis are a way for students to reflect and discuss their readings in a virtual way using modern digital media. While it is important to still use group and class discussions, when a lesson is coming to an end, the students can use a blog or online discussion to share their final thoughts. Or, it can be used as the lesson persists so the students ideas are continuously logged.

Chapter 13 Response

CHAPTER 13: Reading to and with Children

The importance of reading aloud to students of all ages is stressed greatly in this chapter. According to the chapter, there a variety of benefits in reading aloud with students. Some of these benefits include: increased motivation and positive attitude toward reading, language and literacy development, and vocabulary development. I think many teachers may lack the understanding of this significance. Of course, silent reading is always important, but reading aloud and making a book come alive holds a student's interest much more. I can remember when I was a student, even in high school while reading Of Mice and Men, having my teacher's read aloud to the class was always a highlight of the class period. I was much more interested in the story and found that I learned about the art of literature much better. 

Knowing exactly when to read aloud and with what topic can sometimes be tricky. So, it is important for the teacher to get to know their students and learn their interests and how they respond to different topics. For example, if you are teaching a dull topic, it may be useful to include a read aloud about it in order to keep the focus of the students. There are also many things to know about how to read aloud that should be considered before the actual read aloud. The teacher should know the story and what voice to use during different parts of the story. They should also have think aloud prompts thought up for the students to do. 

Shared reading and guided reading can be conducted as a way for both teacher and student to be involved with the reading. Shared reading provides the opportunity for both teacher and student to read aloud collaboratively, thus creating a more engaging environment for the student where they are more active in the read aloud. The teacher should select an engaging book and choose questions to ask prior to the lesson. It is also important to be sure all students can see and hear so that everyone can be properly involved. As for guided practice, students are able to apply reading strategies on their own, reading in groups with books of their interest level. Guided reading allows scaffolding in the classroom where teachers can observe and discuss a student's reading skills, while they learn on their own, as well. 

Working through all of these reading levels are an important component to student learning skills in literature. I feel there should always be a mix of reading to learners, reading with learners, and independent reading practice.

Introduction

ABOUT ME

I am currently a senior at FGCU and transferred here last year from FSU. My major is Child and Youth Studies and I will be graduating in Fall 2013. I transferred because I could not find a major I loved at FSU and I changed my major way too many times. When I decided to transfer I also found my desire to become a pediatric nurse. But, I still had so many prerequisites to complete before I applied for nursing school. So, I decided that while I was taking the prerequisites I would obtain a bachelors degree that would be useful in the future. I have always wanted to work with children and realized that Child and Youth Studies would prepare me well for becoming a pediatric nurse. Since I chose this major a little later, this is only my second semester of education classes at FGCU.

I am originally from Davie/Cooper City area in Broward County where I am currently living and commuting once a week to Fort Myers. I work as a waitress at a restaurant called Smokey Bones when I am not in classes or doing work for school. I do not have much experience with children in the education setting aside from observation assignments, but I did volunteer as a cheerleading coach in my hometown through out high school. I worked with children ages 6-13 for about 10 hours each week, so I definitely gained experience in learning the pros and cons of working with children.

As for my family, I live with my parents in Cooper City. My mom was always involved in PTA and yearbook staff when I was young, and I think that experience has shown me how important it is for students to have their parents involved in their school. Also, I have a younger brother who is a sophomore and attends FGCU, and a sister who will be graduating from high school this year! My boyfriend, who I have been dating since my freshman year of high school, is a student at FGCU, as well, and will soon get his degree in Forensic Studies.

 JOURNEY TO TEACHING

Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher. I think that had to do with the fact that I had such incredible elementary school teachers and I wanted to be just like them. My teachers in elementary school taught me everything I could have needed and always encouraged me to do my best. And, I always wanted to be that person to someone else. But, once I reached high school, I also developed a passion for the medical field and health. When I first reached college, I went back and forth between education, athletic training, sports management, and public health. And, then before I transferred here to FGCU, I decided to blend those two passions into my perfect future career, pediatric nursing.

For the purpose of these education classes, I like to think about what grade I would want to teach and what I would do in my classroom so I can get the most out of what I am being taught. I am glad I will be getting a degree in an educational field so that if I change my mind, I am able to still have a career in something that I love. I have such a passion for working with children and being able to witness them growing. I can only imagine that knowing you have made an influence on their life must be the most rewarding feeling in the world.