One of my favorite authors is Patricia Polacco. Her illustrated books have always amazed me with their details and moving illustrations, as well as the deep and realistic characters. I noticed many of her stories have actual people from her own life in them.
While reading her book, Thundercake, I noticed that the culture of her characters are similar book-to-book, and are obviously part of her heritage. This got me curious about Patricia Pollaco. I wanted to know more about her life, where she was from, some of the experiences she had growing up, and so on. So, instead of reading another Patricia Pollaco book, I decided to read about the author. I wanted to know the real stories behind her stories.
Have you ever looked up your favorite author? Have you ever wanted to know more about the stories they write and why they create certain characters and plots? Have you ever wanted to know more about the author's own life?
Look up the author of your book-club book. Search them on Google (you can use SafeSearch) and you will find that he/she most likely has a homepage. Read about the author. Usually they have a bio included. What do you notice about them? What do you find interesting about their life? What about their life makes you better understand the book? Take time exploring your author's website and reading about them. Then comment on the blog about what you found interesting about the author. It can be anything.
This should be a well-written entry, with lots of great thinking. One sentence answers will not be published. Really stretch yourself. Use your best writing.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
"Tagging" the Main Idea
Readers,
Many of you have heard about the unrest in Egypt right now. Perhaps your parents have been watching the news coverage or discussing the problem at home. As a child, you might be confused or unsure what is really happening. When it comes to important issues around the world, especially those in unfamiliar areas, adults can feel the same way as well.
One way we gain information about world events is through reading news articles. Read this article about Egypt. Discuss it with your parents.
We have been working on finding the main idea when we read - or as I call it, "getting the gist." To help us with this, I want us to look at a digital tool called "tagging". When bloggers and other writers submit online articles, they can "tag", or label, the most important words and phrases. This allows people who are searching for specific information to locate their articles easily online. When writers "tag" words in their article, they think of the most important words and phrases, ones that stand out the most, and the words that show what the article is really about. In other words, online writers "tag" their Main Idea words.
What words would YOU tag from the Egypt article? What words stick out as really important? After reading the article, comment here about the words YOU would tag in the article and explain why. I have given you an example.
Many of you have heard about the unrest in Egypt right now. Perhaps your parents have been watching the news coverage or discussing the problem at home. As a child, you might be confused or unsure what is really happening. When it comes to important issues around the world, especially those in unfamiliar areas, adults can feel the same way as well.
One way we gain information about world events is through reading news articles. Read this article about Egypt. Discuss it with your parents.
We have been working on finding the main idea when we read - or as I call it, "getting the gist." To help us with this, I want us to look at a digital tool called "tagging". When bloggers and other writers submit online articles, they can "tag", or label, the most important words and phrases. This allows people who are searching for specific information to locate their articles easily online. When writers "tag" words in their article, they think of the most important words and phrases, ones that stand out the most, and the words that show what the article is really about. In other words, online writers "tag" their Main Idea words.
What words would YOU tag from the Egypt article? What words stick out as really important? After reading the article, comment here about the words YOU would tag in the article and explain why. I have given you an example.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Teacher's Reflections - What are Your Thoughts?
The new year underway, I began to reflect on my reading life; therefore, also thinking about the reading life in our classroom. Over the break, I was able to enjoy reading for pleasure, where I read books that have been on my "Books I Plan to Read" list for quite awhile. The books I read were recommended to me by dear friends, who are voracious readers and know a good book when they read one. Their recommendations were spot on and I found myself in the "Reading Zone" time and again.
As I began planning our next steps for our reading lives in the classroom, I came across this blog post by a fellow reading and writing teacher. I don't know her, but I know she is passionate about teaching reading and writing and thinks deeply about what she reads. I read her blog often for inspiration.
In her post, she reflects on her reading life and what she noticed. It made me think about why we read and the best way to enjoy reading. The changes I have made to our reading class are somewhat influenced by this post and my own reflections.
She begins her post with a quote by Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie and many other acclaimed books: "Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift." As a teacher, who considers reading as a "precious gift" in my own life, I hope, if you do not already feel this way, you will see reading as a gift in the New Year.
As you read her blog, post your reactions to her reflections. I have posted my own response to demonstrate the level of thinking you should demonstrate in your own post.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Concise, Precise Summaries
Readers,
As a voracious reader, I love discussing books with other lovers of literature. I have joined book clubs, emailed with friends, and sat down over many meals where the conversation turned to what everyone was reading. Books are a part of my life.
However, I have noticed I have certain friends who never fail to disappoint me with their EXCELLENT recommendations. I finally figured out why they are so great at this life skill ...
When recommending a book to me, they give a concise, precise summary of the book. Their summary consist of the main characters, the setting, and the problem and solution, otherwise known as, the plot. They use LITERARY ELEMENTS to explain what the book is about!
I would like for you to write a short summary about the fiction book you are reading, including characters, setting, and the plot (problem/solution). Assume I have not read the book and be sure to edit your work.
Here is an example from Ruby Holler:
Dallas and Florida are two orphans who are often refered to as 'trouble twins.' They live in a home for children until an older couple adopts them and takes them to their small home in beautiful Ruby Holler. Dallas and Florida begin to build a relationship with the older couple, but are troubled with the couple's plan to split them up for the summer to go on different journeys. The twins plan on running away and living on their own, but the promise of money, and the kindness of the older couple delay them for a while. They have to find a way to stay together, but not go back to the awful home for children.
I cannot wait to see your understanding of what you are reading!
As a voracious reader, I love discussing books with other lovers of literature. I have joined book clubs, emailed with friends, and sat down over many meals where the conversation turned to what everyone was reading. Books are a part of my life.
However, I have noticed I have certain friends who never fail to disappoint me with their EXCELLENT recommendations. I finally figured out why they are so great at this life skill ...
When recommending a book to me, they give a concise, precise summary of the book. Their summary consist of the main characters, the setting, and the problem and solution, otherwise known as, the plot. They use LITERARY ELEMENTS to explain what the book is about!
I would like for you to write a short summary about the fiction book you are reading, including characters, setting, and the plot (problem/solution). Assume I have not read the book and be sure to edit your work.
Here is an example from Ruby Holler:
Dallas and Florida are two orphans who are often refered to as 'trouble twins.' They live in a home for children until an older couple adopts them and takes them to their small home in beautiful Ruby Holler. Dallas and Florida begin to build a relationship with the older couple, but are troubled with the couple's plan to split them up for the summer to go on different journeys. The twins plan on running away and living on their own, but the promise of money, and the kindness of the older couple delay them for a while. They have to find a way to stay together, but not go back to the awful home for children.
I cannot wait to see your understanding of what you are reading!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
If It's Broke, Fix It!
Readers,
I have enjoyed getting to know all of you as readers over the past few weeks and have especially enjoyed hearing your thoughts about books. It is always so interesting to know how readers connect to the text, and where their minds take them when they read.
The other day, a student told me he had abandoned a book because he did not understand it. Truthfully, this happens to all readers at some point, especially when we do not select books that are just right for us. However, in this student's case, he had been enjoying the book, and read most of it with ease. His breakdown in understanding (comprehension) only occurred at a particular part in the book, not the entire book. Readers, when this happens, we use our Fix-Up Strategies to "fix" our comprehension when it breaks down.
Before we begin this unit of study on Fix-Up Strategies in Reading Workshop, I am curious what strategies you already use to fix comprehension. What do you do when you do not understand a part of a book? How do you know when your understanding is broken and how do you try to fix it?
I have enjoyed getting to know all of you as readers over the past few weeks and have especially enjoyed hearing your thoughts about books. It is always so interesting to know how readers connect to the text, and where their minds take them when they read.
The other day, a student told me he had abandoned a book because he did not understand it. Truthfully, this happens to all readers at some point, especially when we do not select books that are just right for us. However, in this student's case, he had been enjoying the book, and read most of it with ease. His breakdown in understanding (comprehension) only occurred at a particular part in the book, not the entire book. Readers, when this happens, we use our Fix-Up Strategies to "fix" our comprehension when it breaks down.
Before we begin this unit of study on Fix-Up Strategies in Reading Workshop, I am curious what strategies you already use to fix comprehension. What do you do when you do not understand a part of a book? How do you know when your understanding is broken and how do you try to fix it?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
What is a Reading Community Anyway?
Readers,
In my readerly life, I noticed that I have a hunger for good literature that goes far beyond just reading books. In fact, when I finish a book (or even in the middle of a book) I feel the urge to talk to someone about what I am reading. Much to his dismay, my husband is often the person I speak with about the books I read because he is the one who is usually around. But I also pick up the phone and call a friend or share ideas with fellow teachers. And sometimes, I simply feel so strongly about what I read that I absolutely have to share with loads and loads of people. Blogging helps me share my thinking with people who have the same reading interest or ideas - or maybe even have different ones - and who are not in my immediate circle of people around me.
In the online world, blogging helps us connect with other readers and share our ideas about literature through writing and posting for all the world to see. In this online Reading Community, we can post about anything relating to literature. It's a forum for us to share book ideas with other readers, and also to reflect on our reading. For example, we are reading Lily's Crossing and have developed strong feelings about Lily and the main character. We also have learned more about some struggles families faced during World War II. This blog would be a place to ask questions about those struggles and Lily and reflect back on what we have read.
But this is not the best part! Blogging also allows us to respond to another person's post. So, let's say that you read a reflection about Lily and her fear of her father leaving her during WWII. You, as a fellow reader and blogger, can respond to my thoughts. This gives us a way to communicate without being in the same room. There is no test or wrong answer when sharing your ideas - courage and knowledge of the text are the only requirements.
So, join the community! Come on in, pull up a computer, let me know your thoughts about literature. Read my post and reply back to me. You never know what you'll discover about your own readerly life.
In my readerly life, I noticed that I have a hunger for good literature that goes far beyond just reading books. In fact, when I finish a book (or even in the middle of a book) I feel the urge to talk to someone about what I am reading. Much to his dismay, my husband is often the person I speak with about the books I read because he is the one who is usually around. But I also pick up the phone and call a friend or share ideas with fellow teachers. And sometimes, I simply feel so strongly about what I read that I absolutely have to share with loads and loads of people. Blogging helps me share my thinking with people who have the same reading interest or ideas - or maybe even have different ones - and who are not in my immediate circle of people around me.
In the online world, blogging helps us connect with other readers and share our ideas about literature through writing and posting for all the world to see. In this online Reading Community, we can post about anything relating to literature. It's a forum for us to share book ideas with other readers, and also to reflect on our reading. For example, we are reading Lily's Crossing and have developed strong feelings about Lily and the main character. We also have learned more about some struggles families faced during World War II. This blog would be a place to ask questions about those struggles and Lily and reflect back on what we have read.
But this is not the best part! Blogging also allows us to respond to another person's post. So, let's say that you read a reflection about Lily and her fear of her father leaving her during WWII. You, as a fellow reader and blogger, can respond to my thoughts. This gives us a way to communicate without being in the same room. There is no test or wrong answer when sharing your ideas - courage and knowledge of the text are the only requirements.
So, join the community! Come on in, pull up a computer, let me know your thoughts about literature. Read my post and reply back to me. You never know what you'll discover about your own readerly life.
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