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Monday, 22 November 2004
Nonfiction Biographies and Informational Books
Topic: Week 14
Biography offers children the high adventure and engrossing drama that ficiton also supplies, but it also offers the special satisfaction of knowing that the pople and events described are really real.Take this week reading for example "The Diary of a young girl.One of the most valuable and informative artifacts of the holocaust, THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL is the actual diary of Anne Frank, a German-Jewish girl living in Amsterdam during World War II. The diary begins on June 14, 1942, shortly after Anne's 13th birthday. While initial entries focus on Anne's life at school and her relationships with her friends and family, she does touch on the ever-growing power of the Nazi party and the increasing persecution of Jewish people. In July of 1942, fearing deportation to Auschwitz, the Franks go into hiding in a "secret annex" in the attic of Mr. Frank's former business. Soon after, they are joined by the Van Daan family and a dentist named Mr. Dussel. For over two years, Anne recorded what life was like in the annex--the fear, tension, frustration--and even boredom--of a life lived under very compromised conditions. Much of the diary centers on Anne's difficult, if typically adolescent, relationship with her mother as well as on her crush on the Van Daan's teenage son, Peter. Anne also shares her hopes for her life after the war--and her dream of becoming a writer. In this way, the diary introduces readers to a very typical teenage girl--a girl whose thoughts and emotions put a human face on the almost incomprehensible horror of the Holocaust. First published in 1947 by Anne's father (the only member of the group to survive the war), THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL has since been translated into 31 languages and serves as an eloquent memorial to all those who died in the Holocaust.
 
Multicultural Literature
Topic: Week 13
Multicultrual literature is about racial or ethnic minority groups that are culturally and socially different from the white Anglo Saxon majority in the United States, whose largely middle class vlaues and customs are most represented in America literature maintain that children should be exposed to multicultural literature that heritage respsect for the individuals as well as the contributions and the values of cultural minorites.
The book I read for this week was The Village of Round and Square Houses By Ann Grifalconi. A grandmother explains to her listeners why in their village on the side of a volcano the men live in square houses and the women in round ones.
A picture book version of a folktale about how the women of an African village came to live in round houses while the men live in square ones. Color illustrations accompany the text
Little House on the Praire
Topic: Week 12
This was a very interesting book long but interesting. I really enjoyed reading this book. After reading it I asked my mother did she have to do some of the things this family encountered such as having to fetch water and working in the fields and she replied yes.I don't think I could have lived through all the hardship. Especially when the Indians came into thier home and took what they wanted.
Historical Fiction
Topic: Week 11
Children who read historical ficiton gain an understanding of thier own heritage. While the children are reading for enjoyment they relive the past. They can imagine different experiences through the pages of historical fiction, the past comes alive. This chapter tlaks about the values of historical ficiton for children. Somthing that was mentioned in this chapter took me back to my Humanities class, The Salem Witch- Hunt. Back in Europe any one that was said to be practicingwitchcraft was burned. All of this came about when a doctor said that the hysterical behavior of several girls was due to the evil eye. Within months many people waws sentenced to death and many more was sent to prison.
This week I read a book called " A Break With Charity" by Ann Rinaldi.In 17th-century Salem, young Susanna wants to join a special circle of girls. When she finally learns the true nature of their meetings, she must confront her own superstitions and fears. "An enthralling, authentic story that makes the results of compounding malicious lies with false confessions of terrified victims tragically believable.tionalized account of the Salem witch trails as told via the story of a young woman named Susanna English. Although Susanna has been told by one of the girls "crying out" that they are deliberately making up accusations, Susanna dares not speak up for fear that she and her family will also be accused of witchcraft. 
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Topic: Week 10
In chapter 9 we discussed that contemporary realistic fiction implies that everything in a realistic story is consistent with the lives of real people in our contemporary world. The word realistic don't mean that the story is true, only that it could be true.The greatest value of realistic fiction for children is that many realistic stories allow children to identify with characters of thier same interests and problems. This brings me to the book that I read in High school called Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
Poetry
Topic: Week 9
Poetry is not easily defined nor is it easily measured or classical. Author Rumer Godden (1998) states " True poetry , even in its smallest shape should have form, meter, rhythm bound into a whole with words that so match and express its subject they seem inevitable." With some children poetry is not understood and some do not believe that they are reading a poem unless the lines rhyme. Adults should not spend time with young children analyzing the form of a poem. Childern should be encouraged to write thier own peotry.
The reading this week is The Palm of My Heart by African American Childern: By Davida Adedjourna.A collection of poems written by Afro-American children celebrating what it means to be Black.
A collection of poetry that celebrates being black written by African American students. Acrylic and colored pencil illustrations accompany the verses.
Produced during the course of a creative writing workshop with members of the Minneapolis Inner City Youth League and the African-American Academy of Accelerated Learning, this collection of free verse is inspiring and enlightening. The poets, ranging in age from six to 12 years old, explore and interpret their lives and feelings as extensions of their heritage. 
Harry Potter
Topic: Week 8
Eleven-year-old Harry Potter was a baby when his parents died, and since that time he has been living with his horrible Uncle Vernon, dislikable Aunt Petunia, and truly disgusting cousin Dudley. Miserable and lonely, Harry is shocked when he receives a letter inviting him to attend the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. At this special school, which is kept a secret from all those not involved in the worlds of magic, Harry begins to learn the truth about the death of his parents and discovers his truly amazing family history.Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.
Modern Fantasy
Topic: Week 7
This chapter covers evaluating modern fantasay. It stresses many ways modern authors of fantasy literature follows in the footsteps of the anonymous storytellers who created and transmitted the traditional fandasies of oral literture. Modern fantasy is considered by adults to be among the most valuable literature selections for children. Authors of fiction use basic literary elemets to create stories that are interesting to create stories that are interesting, engrossing and believable.
This week reading was The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.It's a rich combination of high fantasy, high drama, and intense emotion. Philip Pullman's creation is a world thoroughly realized, completely convincing.
Traditional Literature
Topic: Week 6
In this weeks lesson we talked about traditional literature that takes children to times before recorded history and all parts of the world.Many traditional tales have been handed down from generation to generation by word of month. This text discusses four types of traditional tales and they are folktales, myths,fables, and legends.
This week reading was The Three Little Pigs by Wiesner.This book was some what different from what I was I am use to. In this book the pigs are actually telling the story. They are jumping from one scene to the next.It even had a dragon in the story.
Picture Books
Topic: Week 5
In this chapter we talked about the text and the illustrations in picture books should complement each other. In picture books the illustrations are just as important as the text. However, many picture books maintain a balance between the illustration and the text so that nether is completely effective without the other.Picture books is a termthat covers a variety of children books. Mnay of the picture books discussed in this chapter rely on illustrations to present content.
For this week I read The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss.When Mom's away, the mischievous Cat in the Hat comes to play--and turns the house into a total uproar. But the Cat manages to make things right in the end, not a split second before Mom returns. The story, told in simple words and delightful rhymes, makes beginning to read lots of fun. The Cat in the Hat came to play one rainy, nothing-to-do afternoon. .
Understanding Artists and Thier Illustrations
Topic: Week 4
This chapter covered the visual elements,media and styles that was used by illustraters of all books for children, but it focuses on the special requirements of picture books.It suggests criteria for evaluating illustrations in picture books and looks at some outstanding illustrators to see how they create memorable picture books.This week I read Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats.When Peter discovers his blue furniture is being painted pink for a new baby sister, he rescues the last unpainted item, a chair, and runs away.Peter learns to accept the new baby sister in the family. "(Keats') skillful and imaginative use of collage creates a picture book that delights the eye and wins the heart
Evaluating and Selecting Literature for Children
Topic: Week 3
Teachers and librarians, who share books with children should select books that provide balance in a school or library. If children are to gain any enjoyment, knowledge of thier heritage, recognition and appreciation of good literature, and understanding of themselves and others, they must explore balanced selections of literature. There are different development stages that each child go through and becasuse of these developmental stages, children have different ages.Children in the same age group or at the same stage of development also have diverse interests and reading abilities that must be considered. Understanding why and what then select materials that stimaulate thier interests and enjoyment.
The book that I read this was Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary.In this book Ramona and her family goes through some rough times when her father loses his job.
The History of Children Literature
Topic: Week 2
Long age childhood was not considered an important time of life.Society seen children as little adults who must step into the roles of thier parents they seen little needs for books beacause they had to grow up rapidly.After tme passed childhood began to be viewed as a special part of the human life cycle. Then and only then did literature written specifically for children became very important.
I read two books this week and the was Syvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Sylvester is a donkey who loves to collect unusual pebbles. One day he finds an amazing red pebble, one that , when he holds it has the ability to grant his every wish. As he's on his way home to share his prize with his parents he encounters a hungry lion. So he wished to be turned into a rock. Now he's a rock and can't wish his self back normal because he can't hold the pebble. He remain this way until one day his parents came upon the rock and the pebble and his mother makes a wish to have her sons home again.
The next book was Leo, the late Bloomer by Robert Kraus.Leo couldn't do anything right. He couldn't read. He couldn't write. He couldn't draw. When Leo's father asks what's the matter with Leo, Leo's mother explains that he's simply a late bloomer. In his own good time, Leo does read, he does write, and he does draw. "Reassuring for late bloomers, this book is illustrated with beguiling pictures." 
The Child Respond to Literature
Topic: Week 1
In chapter 1 we discussed how children develop language skills though literature and how literature plays a strong role in helping them understand and value thier own cultural heritage.During thier first few years children show dramatic changes in language ability.One thing adults fail to realize is that they have a responsibility to help children become aware of the enchantment in books.Not only do literature entices, motivates, and instructs but it also opens doors to discovery and provides endless hours of adventure and enjoyment.Many children experience literature through picture books, which help children give meaning to thier vocabulary.
The book that I read this week was In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming.This book is really good to read to small children because it has bright and colorful pictures in it ,as well as rhyming words that the children seem to love.
Posted by lisalmike at 1:30 PM
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Updated: Monday, 22 November 2004 3:59 PM
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