Posting 3: Literature Circles

Discuss your roles within the literature circle and how you might use literature circles in your classroom. Describe your thoughts/feelings about your book: Was it a ‘good’ book? Why? How could you use this book to teach a content area(s) (math, language arts, science, and/or social studies)? Each person post one of the following: Summary of the book; short description of the characters; short description of the setting short description of the plot, and short explanation of the theme(s).

The young man I used to assist me with this project is named Marcus Terrell Marshall II, also know as TJ. He wanted you to know his whole name. He is four years old and is about to turn five next month, August the 18th. He enjoys reading and going to the library. The book he chose to read was titled "My big Lie" written by Bill Cosby and illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood. He said he chose this book because he has seen the tv show that comes on cartoon network called Little Bill. The front cover had a picture of an African American family,a mother,a father and a son, who looks to be a little older than TJ himself. The book was to hard for TJ to read himself, so we read it together. The book actually was about a boy telling a lie to his parents and later on having to tell the truth. They told him (Bill) the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. This was a good chance to talk to TJ about telling the truth and why it is so important. TJ enjoyed reading this book mostly because of the other story being told about the wolf.

Posting #2 Carla McKinney

I had some books from the various Genres spread across my bed. I asked my six-year-old daughter to help mommie with a project. Deyanna is entering first grade this fall. She was very excited to help me with the project as she was very excited that it included reading. As she looked at the books, it took her a while to choose which one she wanted to read. She finally chose The Book that Jack Wrote, by Jon Sciescka. As we read the book together, she enjoyed the catchy lines that ended each page. When asked why she chose the book, Deyanna explained that "it looked like it had a lot of colors in it, the man on the front has on a shiny red hat, and the animals look shiny." When we finished reading the book, Deyanna said that she did like the book because of the catchy lines that ended each page.

posting #2, Gloria Russell

I asked Aaron Cowart, age 9, to pick a book from a collection I had from the library. These books were of a variety of mixed genre. Aaron chose the book All the Lights in the Night, by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by James E. Ransome. Aaron told me he chose the book because of the picture on the front of the book. He liked the drawing because it showed the book was about two boys, and he said because "it looked old".
Aaron's interest held through the book. He was very observant and able to discuss the book with me. Aaron said he liked the book. I asked him why he liked it and he said because it was about two brothers and because it had a good message. He also was interested in the history and setting (which was in WWII Russia).

Gloria Russell

Posting 2

Investigation into children’s interests of literature: (1) Choose a child. (2) Go to the library or have a variety of books from the various genres for the child to choose from. (3) Ask the child to choose a book (you can read, the child can read, or you can read the book together). (4) Ask: Why did you choose this book? (5) Read the book. (6) Ask: Did you like this book? Why? (Due by July 7th)

I can relate. When I was pregnant with both my daughters I read books to them that my Aunt had made for them, and they still have those books. One is 18 years old and the other is 20 years olds. I think this will be something I hope that they will keep and pass to there children. I also bought hundreds of books but they would alwyas have the favorite 3 or 4 books to read at bedtime, during quiet time and naptime. I read this one book so much my daughter who was only 2 and could read words but she had actually memorized the whole book and could read it to you. I thought that was too cute.

Finding my way through reading.

Growing up I really didn't have much reading done much at home. My mother was a single parent and worked very long hours. So most of my reading was done at school. I can recall this one story I had when I was in the third grade. I don't know the title, but it was in reference to a little girl being bullied by another girl and being chased home everyday until her mother made her face her. I relayed to to this story and remembered so well because I was is a similar situation where I was being bullied. Later on reading became a away where I could escape my problems. I know it sounds like a cliche but this is really true. Reading no is one of my most favorite hobby.

"Puff The Magic Dragon"

My earliest recollection of someone reading to me was when I was in Germany. I may have been about 3 years old. I got this book for Christmas titled, "Puff The Magic Dragon." I used to love that book. All I can remeber from the cover was that it was a blue book with a dragon with wings on the front cover. I used to vlove that book!

In my house, my brothers would read to me because being military, my father was not in the house that much, and my mother worked. My most memorable experience with this book was trying to sound out the words. I considered myself to be pretty smart for a three year, old but there was this one word in the book always stummped me. The word was "unique" I would pronounce the word "un-ne-coo." I think I did pretty good to even cound it out that much...considering I was three! This was a memorable experience because now that I look back on it, it is kind of funny and "unique," to see how that one word gave me so many problems.

June 23 Blog Assignment

My first memory of someone reading to me was when I was in first grade. My father was stationed in Germany and we lived above a German lady named Anna. Anna would read children's books to me in German and English. We would drink hot tea and read. She made reading fun.
Back in the States, I remember during the summer the bookmobile would come to our neighborhood. I would read as many books as they would allow me to check out at a time. I have loved to read ever since.

Heather Balkcum

The earliest I remember someone reading to me is when I was still living in Atlanta. I was just a little girl about 3 years old. My mom used to read this book that my uncle had special made for me. It was titled 'Heather's Big Christmas Adventure'. It told a story of how I find one of Santa's reindeer and cured it of a bad cold. I gave it chicken noodle soup and Vick's vapor rub. That was my favorite book because my Uncle Bubba had it include details such as my favorite color, food, and hobby. It even had a paragraph about my cousins. He gave me the book as a christmas gift. This is memorable to me because as a child I adored my uncle. I was six when he passed away and it was very hard on me. We were very close and spent a lot of time together. He was the only relative that lived near me and my parents in Atlanta.

checking in for the first time

I'm simply getting used to this. I'll post later.

Oh, by the way, I'm Gloria Russell.

Posting 1, Children's Lit and You

Reflect on your childhood experiences with literature. (1) What is your earliest recollection of someone reading to you? (2) During your childhood, who read to you? (3) Describe a memorable experience(s) with your favorite book(s). What age were you? What makes this experience memorable? **Respond to a peer’s reflection. (Due by June 23rd)