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September 10
Today we recieved our literary elements for research. I have folklore, structure/characterization and simile/metaphor.
Also, I picked out a book to read in preperation for working with the students at Tibbetts. The book is titled Al
Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. I have enjoyed the 30 pages that I have read so far. Plus, we
worked on cementing the meaing of the literary genres with a quiz. It really helped me to learn some of the genres and
clear up some of my misconceptions about a few other genres. I look forward to working with the students at Tibbetts.
Ben
Do Work Son
September 17,
First, we began class by talking about the books we have been reading so far. I really have enjoyed reading the
book that I chose for the book sell so it was pleasant to tell others some of the interesting things about this book.
Next, we went over the syllabus in depth. I am pretty sure that I know what is happening in this class now. Every
question I had at the time was cleared up so I am very pleased that the time was taken to really make sure that everyone knows
what's going on. After that, the class watched the Reservoir Dog clip. It was an excellent example of how to tell
a story. Finally, we played the Jeopary Game. I wasn't really sure about that assignment either so the game really
cleared up exactly what I was supposed to do for the genre and literary elements. See everyone in class next week.
Ben,
Put in Work Son
October 1,
Today, we met at Penny Smith's class to give our book talks to the sixth grade students. I am excited to begin
discussing the books in the literature circles with the students. Then, we went back to the classroom to hear Uma Krishnaswami
discuss postcolonial literature and how books continue to change for the better to represent all cultures in today's multicultural
world.
Ben,
Do Work!
October 8,
Today we visited Penny Smith's class once again. Characteristics of good conversation skills were discussed and
the class divided into the reading groups. Once in the groups, work was done on getting to know one another.
My group created lists of items that they would like to know about one another and the students interviewed each other
to get this information. Next, the students left to their next classes and we went over the characteristics of a
good literature circle (there can be a great deal of variation) and the effectiveness of the literature circle.
After that, the class met at the park to discuss more information about literature circles. We participated in
a literature circle as a class by reading "Stray Dogs" by Mark Richard. It was a funny story and we had a text book
literature circle conversation about the story and our thoughts. I look forward to the literature circle with
the students about Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Put In Work Son
Ben
October 15,
This is the week that the literature circles began. The students in my group weren't very talkative probably because
this is new to all of us. Plus, it will take a little while to get used to the different roles that will be changing
every week. I am ready for next week when we turn the circles over to the students completely and let them begin to
become comfortable sharing about what is happening in the book. One positive that I noticed is that they are enjoying
the book so far because they listened very intently as the UNM students read. The in class discussions about the literary
genres and elements was very helpful and informative. I came to the conclusion that historical fiction is a very wide
genre that has very loose boundaries that can change. For example, a book can be contemporary fiction and become historical
fiction as the book ages. I especially liked the article that mentioned that children aren't getting enough play time
in school. The article mentioned the lack of P.E. time that continues to get put on the back burner in most schools.
As a kid I loved to participate in any kind of sports activity. Not only did it help me socially, physically and mentally,
it helped me learn a number of life lessons that are relavent in the real world. I can't say enough about the role that
games (whether they are sports or any other kind of physical activity) can have as far as helping a child learn.
So, I was very pleased to see an article that recognized P.E. as being important.
Ben
Life comes at you quick.
October 22,
Today, we met in Penny Smith's classroom to continue our literature circles. After the first chapter, the students
weren't talkative and were unsure of what their roles in the literature circle was and how a literature circle even works.
So, myself and the rest of my group (other UNM students) began to model the different roles and held a short discussion for
the first chapter. Then, after the second chapter, the students had much more of a discussion about the reading and
the girl who was the discussion director was able to get the other students to speak about the text. I was very happy with
the progress made today. It has went from really no discussion at all the first meeting to some meaningful discussion
today. It is still a work in progress but they will continue to learn and get better as the semester continues.
After what seemed to be 20 minutes with the students, (although it was actually 45 minutes) we went to the classroom
to watch a video about an illustrator (I don't remember his name), go over our midterm evaluations and discuss our genre
and literary elements. I found out that nothing was on my website because I hadn't posted my coments to the web since the
website was created. Once my coments were posted, it actually looked like I had been doing something this semester. This
semester has really been going by fast. Only half of a semester left already. I feel like I have done a lot but
there is still a lot of work to do and some more fun to be had (yes, I really have had some fun in this class
and that is saying a lot).
Ben,
Go Colorado Rockies!!!!!!
October 29,
The students at Tibbets continue to progress in their reading circles. We even had one student volunteer to read
an extra chapter. So, I guess that means he is really getting into the book. We allowed our talkative student
to be the discussion director. As I expected, he did a great job and everyone a chance to speak. We modeled a
few of the roles for the students. They seemed to pick up right where we left off and they are getting more comfortable
discussing in a group. We didn't model one of the roles (connector), but the student assigned to be the connector
did a great job fulfilling her role and making a connection with the story. I now know that the literature circle doesn't
have to be an every week thing. The students can just read on one day and attach sticky notes to ideas that they want
to bring up in the circle, they can write in their journal and create an illustration one day, they can read their journal
to the group or have a discussion about the text with a partner. There are a lot of options to make the literature circle
experience something different and exciting instead of doing the same old thing every time.
After the literature circle at Tibbets, we went over to the library. We discussed with our groups how we were going
to work to improve our circles and how the experience was going. Then, we watched two films on literature circles.
Afterward, I was able to present my literary genre and elements. This semester is flying by and there is only about
one month left. I can't believe it is almost over.
Ben
Put in Work Son
November 5, 2007
We began at Tibbets Middle school, but this time doing something different than literature circles. We once again
became our characters and did some role playing in character. Then, we went over the literary elements that had been
discussed so far. After that, we attempted to have a brief literature circle in the limited amount of class time that
they had. My group was able to get through about three chapters. We decided to change it up and have them draw
a picture about the reading in their journals and write about the picture. The one journal entry that I noticed was
very short and void of detail. It is hard to do an assignment thoroughly when the time is so short.
Afterward, we went over to San Juan College. Sean gave his presentation about fantasy and point of view.
It was a good conversation because we were able to distiguish between fantasy and folklore and state the similarities between
the two.
Ben
Whatever it takes.
November 12,
Today, my group and I showed up to participate in the literature circles and guide our students. Little did we know
that half of our group would be gone for good and there was only one of the three still remaining there. So, we didn't
get to continue the literature circles this week, but we will beginning next week hopefully with all three of the kids.
As a class, we decided that a practice video sesssion would occur next week and the real thing would happen the following week.
Then, we all met at the room in the back of the library. We discussed the work done by Dr. Lois Meyer about the current
NCLB and the changes needed. Next, we once again became our characters and wrote about different pictures in character.
Each writing was expanded on and we concluded after about 5 or 6 rounds. Finally, Richele presented her genre (science
fiction) and literary elements (climax, denouement and dialogue). We discussed the difference between fantasy and science
fiction and went over the elements (in jeapardy form) so that we would be ready when the game begins. See all of you
in class next week.
Ben
Whatever it Takes
November 19
Today we met in Penny Smith's class first thing. Instead of continuing on our literature circles we helped administer
short reading exams to the students. I gave Jonathon his exam and I found out that Jonathon is a great reader (I hadn't
heard him read yet). I had a great time working with him on the other part of a test. It had 19 tricky questions
that I assume tested his comprehension skills, listening skills and other skills that have something to do with reading?
Overall, he did a great job and according to the directions he didn't need to be involved in the corrective reading program.
Then, we went back to the classroom to discuss genre and literary elements and play a short story game. It involved
making up parts of the story and leaving off at a consanant sound for the next person in the story. It ended up being
a confusing story but Terrill was able to put it into perspective for us. Afterward, we took a short genre quiz that
we will probably be able to discuss next time we meet. Next, Terrill, Cassady and Christy all did their genre and literary
elements. We discussed each one in depth with examples and we also went more into depth about a hero's journey and the
parts incorported into this type of writing structure. We had a long and productive conversation. Next week we
will be attempting to finish our literature circles and do a practice filming of a literature circle that will show us their
progression over the semester.
Ben
Can anyone beat the Patriots?
November 26,
We once again met over at Tibbetts to finally have another reading circle session. Our students are finally starting
to talk and they are attempting to get much more involved with their roles. But, having only three members can sometimes
cause the conversation to pause. Especially, when one of the students feels very comfortable talking and the other two
feel very comfortable listening. I found myself attemtpting to start some conversation by talking and I was doing it
too much. I need to stress to them quickly before the filming begins next week that every member needs to fulfill their
role and respond to whatever member is the discussion leader. Conversation and thoughts on the subject matter are excellent
whatever they are. Plus, towards the end a reflection in the journal might be nice. Then, they can each read what
they have written in their journal outloud. I was thinking that maybe they could fulfill some of the roles as a group
together in the journal. For example, they could all write a summary of what happened draw a picture and point out one
word from the text in their journal reflection. That would only leave three parts which would suite our group perfectly.
I need to make sure to relay that to my other group members and discuss how they think that would work.
After Tibbetts, we met in the cafe at Pinon Hills golf course. It was a relaxing atmosphere as we were the only
group in there. We had a great discussion on censorship and what the teacher's role is (and what should be said) when
a parent asks about book choice and questions the content or the book itself. We discussed a variety of options but
the main idea was to avoid a confrontation, be empathetic and make sure to use the resources at hand (other staff,
etc.). We also discussed the final meeting with the students (pizza, show the film, talk and wrap it up), the showing
of our website, the trip to Walden Books to discuss anime, author and illustrator focus order and the jeopardy finale.
I can't believe it is almost coming to a close. I still have too much to do and a short time to do it.
Ben
Put in Work
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