The article defined adolescence as being the time period from a young person’s life between puberty and completion of bone growth or from age 12-22. I identified with the part that discussed the enormous mood swings due to the fact that I have 13 year old twin boys. One moment they want to do the things they feel they are ready for- they already know the answers, while other times they want to snuggle up next to me and be petted. I was interested in how the article described this stage in two ways: identity-seeking and age of commitment. I actually agree with both descriptions because young adults are struggling to identify who they are, career choices, but are also committed to their friends etc… The article stressed how young people need to participate as citizens, gain experiences in decision making, and to reflect in relation to others and self. As a teacher and a parent, I try to instill all these qualities in my students and children’s lives.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret is a novel in words and pictures. An orphan, clock maker, and thief must survive on the skills his father and uncle taught him before they died. Hugo is an artist of many trades who experiences life in a unique way. This book will have you turning the pages to admire, as the Selznick put it, the 158 different pictures and the 26,159 words.
Brian Selznick is a true artist in both writing and drawing. I read the whole book in one sitting, and then I suggested it to my children!
Brian Selznick is a true artist in both writing and drawing. I read the whole book in one sitting, and then I suggested it to my children!
Young Adults Reading Survey
Young Adults Reading Survey
1. What is the title of the last book you read for pleasure?
Hunger Games Trilogy, Twilight Saga, Harry Potter Series, Unfortunate Events Series, Sand Dollar Summer, Night of the Living Dummy II, and The Thirteenth pearl
2. What is the title of the last movie you watched and enjoyed?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, Red Riding Hood, Gnomeo and Juliet
3. If you have a choice between a really good novel and a really good informational book on a topic you're interested in, which would you choose?
They all said they would rather read a really good novel
4. What are some topics you would like to read about?
fantasy, sports, adventure, fighting, love, animals, and fiction and non-fiction books
5. Would you rather read a novel or an informational book about those topics?
A novel
6. What’s the title of the best book you ever read?
Twilight Sega, Hunger Games
7. What’s the title of the best movie you ever saw?
Dumb and Dumber, A Simple Wish, Harry Potter, and Twilight
8. who’s your favorite author (authors)?
R.L. Stine, Carol Keene, Kim K. Jones, Barbra Parker, Susan Collins, and Stephanie Meyers
9. Which magazines do you like to read?
Teen Magazines, Seventeen, Vogue, J-14, sports magazines, National Geographic Explorers, American Girl and Girl Life
10. What do you read on the internet?
Face book, music review, music lyrics, informational articles, and e-books
J-14 Magazine Article
J-14 Magazine Article
Chang, R. (2011, May/June). Miranda confesses: “I was insecure about wearing a bathingsuit”. J-14, 13(6), p. 26-27
Miranda Cosgrove, star of Nickelodeon show iCarly, opens up about her deepest summer fear. Cosgrove talks about how insecure she always felt in a bathing suit when she went to pool parties. Miranda discusses how all the other girls and some boys would make a big deal out of what bathing suit you were wearing, and this made her feel weird. She often felt stressed when she had to go to the mall to pick a bathing suit out. She felt a lot of pressure to buy the right bathing suit. One pool party, Miranda wore a one-piece bathing suit and was embarrassed by the snickering and comments her classmates made. She even talks about how tabloids, magazines, and television didn’t help. It always seemed that the magazine girls were super skinny and pretty. The article includes excerpts from other stars who felt the same way. Miranda said that she finally just had to except her body the way it is, and she stop letting other people make her feel uncomfortably about her body. She wants other girls to do the same.
I loved reading this article because I felt it was a positive piece for young girls everywhere. In the article, Miranda Cosgrove identifies how she felt growing up with an issue that most young adults face every year. Picking the right bathing suit and then wearing it in front of peers can lead to stress, anxiety, and psychological problems with their image. Young adults are very impressionable and often feel inadequate around their peers. Add tabloids, magazines, and television and some young adults will not even wear a bathing suit. I was impressed with Miranda for talking about such a private but important issue with young adults today. Most young ladies believe they have to have the perfect figure or be super thin which can lead to major health problems such as anorexia or bulimic. It is important for adolescence to have a healthy image of them selves- having positive article such as this one can help with improving low self esteem.
Got books? Promoting YA literature using Technology
Cassinelli, C. (2010, October 13). Got books? Promoting YA literature using
technology. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from edtech Vision’s website:
http://edtechvision.org/?p=861
This is a website with eleven new ways (using technology) to promote reading. It discusses how you can create posters, book trailers, wall wisher, bathroom graffiti, teen book video awards, digital frames, genre PSA’s, blogging with book buddies, guess the book, author labels, and poetry break to get students and teachers involved in promoting books. Teachers or students can create posters where they are dressed up in costume holding their favorite book. Then they can add the word “READ” and any phrase to the poster using GIMP, Open office, Picasa, Big Huge Labs, Aviary. It also provides a website from ALA where you can edit and create posters. Students can create short book trailers using free editing software such as iMovie, MovieMaker, and Photostory. It talks about having students create Wall Wishers Bathroom graffiti, and Blogs where they can discuss the books they are reading adding their own suggestion and comments about books. It even includes a list of AASL Standards - Pursue personal and aesthetic growth. The article includes a list of other websites where you can use on-line tools to help you with these projects.
I enjoyed this article because it showed me several new ways to promote reading to my students using technology. Students love to use technology in the classroom whether it is computers, cameras, or handheld devices. Creating posters gets everyone involved from teachers, students, even principals. Webcams allow students to make book trailers right in the classroom where their classmates can go on-line and listen to them. I can only imagine how many books my students would read just to make a video. It is a win-win situation. How many students want to play n the bathroom? Well, Wall Wisher actually allows them to do just that but in an educational way. My favorites were creating posters, book trailers, teen book awards, blogging, and guess the book.
Critiqued by: Loretta Brackett
Additional Resources for projects listed in article:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/graphics/READ_Mini_Posters.cfm
www.wallwisher.com
Book Trailers: http://www.book-trailers.net/
Literacy on the Web: https://literacyontheweb.wikispaces.com/
Reading 2.0 – Using Technology to Promote Books – not Replace them: http://readingtech.wikispaces.com/
Directions for the projects will be posted at: http://sites.google.com/a/lshigh.org/gotbooks/
technology. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from edtech Vision’s website:
http://edtechvision.org/?p=861
Got books? Promoting YA literature using Technology
This is a website with eleven new ways (using technology) to promote reading. It discusses how you can create posters, book trailers, wall wisher, bathroom graffiti, teen book video awards, digital frames, genre PSA’s, blogging with book buddies, guess the book, author labels, and poetry break to get students and teachers involved in promoting books. Teachers or students can create posters where they are dressed up in costume holding their favorite book. Then they can add the word “READ” and any phrase to the poster using GIMP, Open office, Picasa, Big Huge Labs, Aviary. It also provides a website from ALA where you can edit and create posters. Students can create short book trailers using free editing software such as iMovie, MovieMaker, and Photostory. It talks about having students create Wall Wishers Bathroom graffiti, and Blogs where they can discuss the books they are reading adding their own suggestion and comments about books. It even includes a list of AASL Standards - Pursue personal and aesthetic growth. The article includes a list of other websites where you can use on-line tools to help you with these projects.
I enjoyed this article because it showed me several new ways to promote reading to my students using technology. Students love to use technology in the classroom whether it is computers, cameras, or handheld devices. Creating posters gets everyone involved from teachers, students, even principals. Webcams allow students to make book trailers right in the classroom where their classmates can go on-line and listen to them. I can only imagine how many books my students would read just to make a video. It is a win-win situation. How many students want to play n the bathroom? Well, Wall Wisher actually allows them to do just that but in an educational way. My favorites were creating posters, book trailers, teen book awards, blogging, and guess the book.
Critiqued by: Loretta Brackett
Additional Resources for projects listed in article:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/graphics/READ_Mini_Posters.cfm
www.wallwisher.com
Book Trailers: http://www.book-trailers.net/
Literacy on the Web: https://literacyontheweb.wikispaces.com/
Reading 2.0 – Using Technology to Promote Books – not Replace them: http://readingtech.wikispaces.com/
Directions for the projects will be posted at: http://sites.google.com/a/lshigh.org/gotbooks/
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thank You, Mr. Falker
Wow! I actually cried as I read this book. It is a powerful autobiography by Polacco and a dedication to Mr. Falker. My heart went out to Tricia as she was being bullied and the tears streamed my face as she thanks a teacher who made a huge impact on her life. I believe this is the kind of story every teacher dreams of hearing- to know you made a difference in a child’s life. Polacco is working her way into my heart as my favorite author with every book I read!
Thank you to all the teachers out there who work hard and are truly making a difference to our children!
Thank you to all the teachers out there who work hard and are truly making a difference to our children!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
AL Capone Does My Shirts
I just finished reading, "AL Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko. It was a wonderful book. I cried near the end of the book. Moose is a great character.
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