Field Experience

The KTS that I feel I met are numbers 1, 7, and 11.

Standard 1: The teacher demonstrates applied content knowledge.
I used my knowledge of Common Core standards to create kid friendly "I can" statements and formative assessments. This was a very time-consuming task, but I feel that it was beneficial. We had to really tear down every standard and have lengthy discussions about each. I had to use my classroom experience and critical thinking skills to make this work.

Standard 7: The teacher reflects on and evaluates teaching and learning.
I cannot believe how much I have done this already this year. Since I have volunteered to pilot a Standards Based Grading policy, I have to reflect and evaluate every since thing I do. Every assignment has to be truly aligned with Core Content before I give it, and my feedback has to be more meaningful than ever. This was tough to explain to parents because it's totally new to me as well, but I do think it will be worth the effort and in the end make me a better and more effective teacher.

Standard 11: The teacher demonstrates the dispositions: caring, a strong work ethic, critical and creative thinking, and a commitment to excellence.
I think I met this standard because of my Walmart encounter. When a student you know has struggled through life says that you taught him to help others, you know you've shown dedication and commitment to students and the education field.

LeBron James: The Rise of a Star

Morgan, D. L. (2003). LeBron James: The rise of a star. Cleveland, OH: Gray & Co.

   

 This informational chapter book begins with the baby King James entering the world. Born to a 16 year old, immature mother, his life was sure to see its ups and downs. The only stability in his early life was his grandmother, who at about age three died of a massive heart attack while his mother was out partying. This lack of stability in his life resulted in absolute turmoil, moving in and out of people's homes for several years. LeBron recalls moving seven times in one year, and missing 89 days of the school year. It is hard to believe that a little boy who experienced what he did growing up developed into such a talented, hard-working athlete. 

 The author's style is quite informal. He refers to LeBron's mother, Gloria, as "belligerent" and "immature", and claims she was simply not ready for the task of raising a child. He does, however, make it clear through interviews and information from others that although she was struggling, her love for LeBron was never wavering. She was true to him the best she could be. 

 The organization of the biography was a struggle for me. It moves through time until present day (which was actually 2003- the date of the book bothers me because it doesn't reach "The Decision" of 2010, which is a pivotal time in LeBron's life). The focus, however, is how he became a star. Rather than just sequentially traveling through events in his life, it divides the chapters into themed ideas. For example, one chapter was dedicated to moving around; another was dedicated to the game in high school where he managed to gain fame. Although I think that all of the details the author shares are very important, I would rather the book been divided  into ages and travel more sequentially through his life. At times it was difficult to jump back and forth between him being a baby, then talking about fifth grade, then going back again. 

 Overall, I really enjoyed this book. LeBron James is one of the most controversially disputed players in NBA history. My husband and I argue about him frequently; I am in love with him, and my husband hates his guts. I think that rather or not you really like him, it's beneficial to see where he came from. Biographies always have a way of making me love a person, or at least having some empathy for him or her. A man who has won two championships in a row, a man who is frequently referred to as "King" or "The Chosen One" used to play street ball in a milk crate attached to a pole. What person can't find some interest in that? 

.

Sophia's War: A Tale of Revolution

Avi, . (2012). Sophia's war: A tale of the Revolution. New York: Beach Lane Books

Genre: Historical Fiction 
Age Group: 11+

Can you imagine, at twelve years old, witnessing someone being hanged? That's exactly what happened to Sophia, a  young girl traveling with her mother in 1776. Her older brother (and hero) has decided  that he wants to fight for the Revolutionists, so he walks away from his family truly believing that he is doing what is best the country. She has very little contact with him after he leaves, and frequently she worries that he has been imprisoned or worse. 

Sophia, at a young age, is expected to be wise beyond her years when she finds herself in a situation where she has to stand up to treachery against her country... or be hanged herself. 

Will Sophia's hero, her brother, survive this brutal Revolutionary War? Will Sophia be able to stand up for what she believes in without it costing her her life? Read this awesome historical tale and see what happens! 

Reading Log

I. Non-fiction/Informational 
1) Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War by Yukio Tsuchiya
2) The Rise of a Star: LeBron James by David Lee Morgan, Jr.

II. Poetry 
1) Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
2) Dream Works by Mary Oliver
3) Mary Had A Little Jam, and Other Silly Rhymes by Bruce Lansky
4) If I Were in Charge, the Rules Would be Different by James Proimos

III. Modern Fantasy 
1) Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
2) Pish Posh by Ellen Potter
3) City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

IV. Historical Fiction 
1) The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feelings
2) Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting
3) Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
4) Sophia's War by Avi

V. Traditional 
1) Jack Tales (required for discussion – do NOT use on blog)
2) In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

VI. Realistic Fiction (1 chapter book reflection required on blog)
1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
2) Swindled by Gordon Korman
3) The Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck

VII. Picture Books
1) Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young.
2) Olivia by Ian Falconer
3) If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty
4) Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas
5) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
6) Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
7) I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer
8) Oh! The Places You Will Go! By Dr. Seuss
9) The Loudest Roar by Thomas Taylor
10) The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
11) Many Moons by James Thurber
12) Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
13) Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
14) Little Rabbit Waits for the Moon by Beth Shoshan
15) Llama Llama, Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Book Talk 

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown.

Have you ever felt left out? Have you ever wondered how your life could be different with a few small changes? What person hasn't, right? This book is a partially true story about the hilarious author, Sherman Alexie. 

The main character, Junior, is somewhat of an outcast. He was born with water on the brain (literally!), and this makes him seem a little different to everyone else. He begins to think that he is meant for better things in life, so he decides it is time for a BIG change. 

If you're curious about what his does to change his life, or how he manages to overcome some serious bullying, this is the book for you! 

This book is fantastic for any young adult who has ever felt like he didn't really belong; it's even great for someone who just wants a big laugh! Alexie's strong character, Junior, is guaranteed to take you on a truly miraculous journey. 

Media Specialist Interview

     Well, let me start off by saying our media specialist was JUST hired. I felt a little bad about badgering her with questions already! She has ten years of experience in an elementary school, but this will be her first in a middle school. She is still getting to know our school, and what she has to offer for the teachers. Many of the procedures and polices for the library are yet to be determined. The poor lady had a lot of reorganizing and library "first aid" to take care of first. I did, however, have a great chat with her. I think she will do a fantastic job!

    Basically, one of the most important and effective  ways the library can help ELA teachers is by offering book talks. I am going to do book talks in my class as well, but I don't think you can too many. I think it's especially important that students hear about how great reading can be from a variety of people. I think we will visit the library as a class bi-weekly, and she will doing a book talk that correlates with what I'm teaching each time. How awesome is that?

    I also learned that all of our books sets (new ones we received this year and older ones) were all added to the library and we will check them out as class sets there. Before, they were in stuck in someone's classroom and we didn't have to actually "check them out".

 One thing that I was really excited about was when I asked her how she can help our students and she said she wanted to find their "fire" in reading. She said her ultimate goal is to help students use their interests to find a book they absolutely love. This is exactly what I tell my students every year... if the media specialist and I have the same goal for our students, we are bound to make a great team!

 I hope this information doesn't seem too limited, but again, she only started last week. I am glad that we had the interview though, because it looks like we have an EXCELLENT addition to our staff this year!

If I Were in Charge, the Rules Would Be Different

Source: Proimos, J. (2002). If I were in charge, the rules would be different. New York: Scholastic Press.

Genre: Poetry

Age: All Ages!

      First of all, let me begin by warning you that you take on this book, it's not exactly Keats or Eliot. Just look at the cover of this fun specialized poetry book:

 

 The back of the book reads: "Ahem. The proper way to read the title of this book is standing on your head. Thank you." Obviously, this book was intended for a young audience; you can tell by the fun voice the author uses throughout. The meaning behind the poems are all lighthearted, and the rhythm and rhyme both help keep it that way. Just look at the the title poem included: 

 If I were in Charge the Rules Would be Different

 It hurts me to lecture you, Mommy, 

but you didn't eat all your salami. 

 Plus, your room is way too neat

and you have socks on both your feet. 

 Why in the world, may I ask, 

 did you go and take out the trash? 

 You also get every inch of blame

 for hardly playing your video game. 

 Oh, after all you put me through, 

 what am I gonna do with you? 

 Go to your room and don't come out

 until you learn to whine and pout! 

The rhythm is very "sing-songy" and fast-paced. This AA/BB pattern poem instantly attracts children into listening because it is so enticing with its cadence. When I began reading to my fifteen month daughter, she instantly grinned and seemed to listen intently. Even when children don't understand every world, they hear the fun rhyming ends and it continues to keep their attention throughout. I also think this book would be good for older students because they were understand the humor and meaning behind the poem. It's intended to make the audience smile and appreciate its silliness. 

Another one of my favorites is entitled "My Delightful Derriere" because it begins with the stanza: 

 I'm so proud of my butt, 

 my roundish rump, 

 my delightful derriere. 

 What child wouldn't want to finish reading this poem? I'm 30 years old and I can't wait to read about why this speaker is so proud of his butt. It was absolutely delightful. 

 Again,  this isn't the type of book that's going to move you or bring tears to your eyes, but you will certainly get a few giggles, and your kids or students will, too!