I. What is modern fantasy?
Generally speaking, modern fantasy is literature that take revolves around alternate universes and other worldly environments. Books like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia, come to mind. Here, characters of the "normal" world are taken or transported to worlds where laws of this universe do not apply.
Also, modern fantasy can consist of stories such as James and the Giant Peach. Although the story takes place in the "real" world, some of the characters and the situations they encounter are beyond the normal universe.
II. Design a classroom activity.
Although common, my favorite activity to assign my students would be for them to lift passages from their favorite stories and act them out. This is ideal for groups of 3 to 5 students. This is ideal for many reasons. Students who aren't able to read as well as others will still be able to get the story down. Also, it enables students to practice public speaking. And of course, learning to work in groups is a great skill to acquire.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Traditional Literature
Traditional Literature
I. Give a Super Sentence (who came up with this word?) definition of Traditional Literature. One definition of traditional literature is that it is a type of story. It could be a fable, a folktale, a myth or legend. It is passed down from older generations to younger ones in the form of a tradition.
II. How can you use traditional literature in the classroom? Give details.
Any time folktales, fables, legends or myths are introduced to students, they will be exposed to traditional literature. For younger grades, a story like the Jack and the Beanstalk or The Three Little Pigs or Billy Goats Gruff. Also, stories like The Tortoise and the Hare, The Hardworking Ants and the Lazy Grasshopper, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. You can use these stories to teach students about repercussions and consequences of their actions.
III. Will I use traditional literature in my classroom? Why or why not?
How can you avoid using it in your classroom? Well . . . I guess if you tried hard enough, you could avoid it. But yes, of course I will use traditional literature in my classroom. I think it is a great tool for teaching values. My favorite example is that of The Grasshopper and the Ants. What a great story to use to teach that: a) idleness brings want b) to work today is to eat tomorrow, and c) it is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
Of course Disney, much as I love Walt and the crew, softened their version a bit. Their (politically correct)version of the fable shows the ants taking pity and giving the grasshopper some food, on the premise that turning the grasshopper away in his time of need is also morally questionable. In their 1934 animated short subject produced by Walt Disney, the Queen of the Ants decrees that the grasshopper may stay in the ant colony, but he must play his fiddle in return for his room and board. He agrees to this arrangement, and the ant tunnels become a grand ballroom where all the ants happily dance to the music of the grasshopper, who finally learns that he needs to make himself useful.
Nowadays, we just use food stamps.
I. Give a Super Sentence (who came up with this word?) definition of Traditional Literature. One definition of traditional literature is that it is a type of story. It could be a fable, a folktale, a myth or legend. It is passed down from older generations to younger ones in the form of a tradition.
II. How can you use traditional literature in the classroom? Give details.
Any time folktales, fables, legends or myths are introduced to students, they will be exposed to traditional literature. For younger grades, a story like the Jack and the Beanstalk or The Three Little Pigs or Billy Goats Gruff. Also, stories like The Tortoise and the Hare, The Hardworking Ants and the Lazy Grasshopper, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. You can use these stories to teach students about repercussions and consequences of their actions.
III. Will I use traditional literature in my classroom? Why or why not?
How can you avoid using it in your classroom? Well . . . I guess if you tried hard enough, you could avoid it. But yes, of course I will use traditional literature in my classroom. I think it is a great tool for teaching values. My favorite example is that of The Grasshopper and the Ants. What a great story to use to teach that: a) idleness brings want b) to work today is to eat tomorrow, and c) it is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
Of course Disney, much as I love Walt and the crew, softened their version a bit. Their (politically correct)version of the fable shows the ants taking pity and giving the grasshopper some food, on the premise that turning the grasshopper away in his time of need is also morally questionable. In their 1934 animated short subject produced by Walt Disney, the Queen of the Ants decrees that the grasshopper may stay in the ant colony, but he must play his fiddle in return for his room and board. He agrees to this arrangement, and the ant tunnels become a grand ballroom where all the ants happily dance to the music of the grasshopper, who finally learns that he needs to make himself useful.
Nowadays, we just use food stamps.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Picture Books
picture book: a book that consists wholly or chiefly of pictures
Function: noun
Date: 1847
http://www.m-w.com
Picture books are the type that tell stories through a series of pictures combined with little or no text. Picture books emphasize the importance of illustrations, especially books made for younger children. By using picture book, children are able to create their own stories that coincide with the pictures.
Although picture books are primarily used in lower grade levels, say pre-kindergarten through third grade, they can be used in any grade level. At lower grade levels, picture books are mostly use for entertainment. At higher grade levels, picture books could be used in conjunction with an English Composition class.
When evaluating picture books, the instructor needs to determine what he or she is trying to accomplish. Lower grades will be happy with picture books. Higher grade school children will not be so easily content with picture books. They need something more challenging.
When I was a young child, I loved to read. Since I lived 'out in the boonies', my choice of books to read were whatever my mom bought at one of the many yard sales that were common in my neck of the woods. At first, my parents were proud that I chose to read instead of watch television. However, they weren't to so happy with my selections: The Godfather, The Entity. But again, these paper-backs were the only thing available to me!
Click here when done.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
International vs Multi Cultural Literature
First, thanks to everyone for sending me the blog questions. I had a senior moment and left class before writing them down. I think they make a pill for this . . .
International vs Multicultural Literature
What is international literature? How does it different from multicultural literature?
International literature is considered to be a book that has originally been published in a country other than the United States, in the native language of that country. If the book is later translated to English and published in the United States, it is considered international literature.
Multicultural literature is literature that represents any cultural group through accurate (non stereo type) portrayal. For the book to be considered authentic, the author needs to be either from that culture or write from the perspective of people from that culture. There are awards that are given annually to the most representative book of the year. Examples of these awards are the Coretta Scott King Award that honors black authors and illustrators of children's books. The Pura Belpe Award that honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best reflects the Latino culture. The Notable Books for a Global Society provides an annual list of trade books for children which help children experience other cultures.
Multicultural literature helps students to compare and contrast their lives with the lives of people from other places. It also helps to prevent or reduce prejudice based on lack of knowledge of a foreign culture.
These types of books can be used to help students connect with people from other countries and cultures. By exposing students to international literature, students can broaden their horizons by realizing that Podunk, TX is not the center of the universe as they know. Students will learn about diversity and out to appreciated cultures from around the world. They can see how it relates to their own classrooms and how they differ.
Multicultural Activity No 1: Middle and High School levels students can make a meal or prepare a dish from some country or region other than their own.
Multicultural Activity No 2: Have students locate and identify other countries using a map or globe. Compare that country to the United States. For example, have students compare the size of the country, language spoken, physical appearance, what side of the road to they drive on or even if the have cars or not.
International vs Multicultural Literature
What is international literature? How does it different from multicultural literature?
International literature is considered to be a book that has originally been published in a country other than the United States, in the native language of that country. If the book is later translated to English and published in the United States, it is considered international literature.
Multicultural literature is literature that represents any cultural group through accurate (non stereo type) portrayal. For the book to be considered authentic, the author needs to be either from that culture or write from the perspective of people from that culture. There are awards that are given annually to the most representative book of the year. Examples of these awards are the Coretta Scott King Award that honors black authors and illustrators of children's books. The Pura Belpe Award that honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best reflects the Latino culture. The Notable Books for a Global Society provides an annual list of trade books for children which help children experience other cultures.
Multicultural literature helps students to compare and contrast their lives with the lives of people from other places. It also helps to prevent or reduce prejudice based on lack of knowledge of a foreign culture.
These types of books can be used to help students connect with people from other countries and cultures. By exposing students to international literature, students can broaden their horizons by realizing that Podunk, TX is not the center of the universe as they know. Students will learn about diversity and out to appreciated cultures from around the world. They can see how it relates to their own classrooms and how they differ.
Multicultural Activity No 1: Middle and High School levels students can make a meal or prepare a dish from some country or region other than their own.
Multicultural Activity No 2: Have students locate and identify other countries using a map or globe. Compare that country to the United States. For example, have students compare the size of the country, language spoken, physical appearance, what side of the road to they drive on or even if the have cars or not.
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