Literature Discussion Groups

We had quite a few people absent this week, so I wanted to let everyone know that I've posted the lists that indicate who is in each discussion group (by color) and role responses (by letter) on the Angel site. I'll also keep posting power point slides. (Remind me if I forget!)

Managing your blog reading

It can be a pain to keep having to "check in" on favorite blogs to see if anyone has posted new material and/or to keep track of on-going discussion/comments.

Luckily, there are a couple of strategies to bring the information to you.

Here's a link to a post that I wrote for last semester's class on using Google Reader to manage your reading of blogs.

If you are commenting on a post, you can also check a box and have follow up comments sent to your email address. (And, if the blog is your own, you can set up your account to notify you anytime anyone comments on one of your posts.)

Try it out and let me know if you have any questions!

Session 4

Hi Everyone,

We'll have two themes in session 4: exploring graphic novels and other innovative picture books and practicing the different types of responses to text so that you'll feel more comfortable preparing for our first literature discussion.

To prepare, please:

• Read Rudiger (2006) "Graphic Novels 101". (On Angel) What are graphic novels? What types of visual literacy skills might we use to read them?
  

• Recommended: Read the Kiefer (2004) and Sipe (NA) articles on Angel. They'll provide useful vocabulary for discussing illustrations.
  

• Optional: Check out this post and resource on manga!
  
• Optional: Bring in a graphic novel, manga, or other innovative text.
  

Also, if you haven't posted or commented on our blog, remember that you should try to do so by the end of next week. (Roughly by the end of the first five weeks of class.)

Valerie

The MSU Writing Center

Just a head's up... Monday, February 4th kicks off the International Writing Center Week. In its honor, the MSU Writing Center will be holding activities all week long for students to be a part of. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, Feb. 4 - Graffiti Wall (Outside the Main W.C. in Bessey students will be able to post messages about writing or whatever they want on the "Graffiti Wall")

Tuesday, Feb. 5 - Card Making @ the Main W.C. (Students will be able to make Valentine's Day Cards for free; supplies and sample cards are available)

Wednesday, Feb. 6 - Creative Writing Exploration (5:30 pm, students will be able to discuss and participate in creative writing)

Thursday, Feb. 7 - Open Mic Night (Students will be able to get up in front of the mic and show their stuff!)

Friday, Feb. 8 - International Writing Center Week Wrap-up Party (the party will include word games and food starting @ 2:30 at the Main W.C. in 300 Bessey Hall)

If you have any more questions or want further information feel free to contact me (kretkath@msu.edu) or go to the MSU Writing Center's website (writing.msu.edu)

Interviews with authors

Here's a link to a radio program that might be of interest:
Bob Edwards interviewing Jon Scieszka (who wrote The Stinky
Cheese Man that someone mentioned in class and)and 
Brian Selznick (Hugo Cabret).

You can listen to the show online at
http://www.bobedwardsradio.com/bob-edwards-weekend/

One of the ways I come across gems like this is by
subscribing to the child_lit listserve.

You can join at:

https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/child_lit

Standardized testing

Last semester I worked at Attwood Elementary school as a Lead Preschool teaching assistant. I went back last week to check out the library lay out for our project and was talking to some co workers when the subject of standardized testing came up. What does everyone think about standardize testing for K levels?

NCLB Video

"No Child Left Behind"

“After spending a year as a student teacher in a New York City elementary school, documentary filmmaker Lerone Wilson explores the effects of President Bush's momentous No Child Left Behind Act on schools across the country.”

Boondoggle Films

Lerone Wilson, a Detroit native, includes Michigan schools in this documentary

Friday, February 8^th * Room 252 * 10:30am to 12pm

Film followed by Discussion ~ Brown-Bag session

Vocabulary Visits: LARC is hosting Blachowicz

I'm sorry that I'm posting this at the last minute. Blachowicz is speaking tomorrow (Friday 1/24/08). From her articles, I think her talk will connect to our discussion last week about reading aloud, vocabulary and concept development. Everyone is welcome!

Camille Blachowicz, National Louis University

Vocabulary Visits: Enhancing Content Vocabulary Learning in the Primary Grades

Room 133F Erickson Hall

10:30-12:00.

For more information on the talk, and to link to some of Camille’s work on this topic, check out the LARC website, www.msularc.org

TE Study Abroads this Spring

Hey everyone! Im sure most of you already know about this, but there is a study abroad fair for the spring 2008 program. It's this Thursday, January 24th from 11:00 am to 4:00pm at the LaSalle Club in the Spartan Stadium Tower.
It's just like all of the other study abroad fairs in which you can walk through and look at all of the different programs and talk to the different professors running each trip. There's lots of information and pictures that you can look at that will really help when you're deciding what trip to go on. Im sure there are tons of programs for students majoring in education and child development set up for this spring so i just thought it would be a good idea to pass on this information if any of you are interested in attending this fair!

American Born Chinese: Lattice Group

I just went to a bookclub discussion of "American Born Chinese". I'm going to save what I got out of it until we're together in person and I can show you the book.

We've talked a little bit about how the context of reading and discussion makes a big difference. (Little wonder that we started off with food and bit of catching up with old friends!) Only then did we move into talking about the book. Some people had done research on the author, others talked about graphic novels in general, we spent some time looking at particular illustrations that we liked or had problems with, people asked questions about the ending, someone passed around a couple of resources on China, etc.

I guess my point is that talking about books helps us understand texts, but it is also fun! I hope that we can recreate some of that in our class. (And maybe you will in your future classes!)

Blogging follow up discussion

This post is directed to section 003, although everyone is welcome to weigh in!

Since we didn't get a chance to talk about the blogging articles in class, I thought we could follow up on-line. Here are some prompts to get us started:

• What has your experience been like so far? Any questions? Concerns? Technical glitches?
• Did anyone check out the blogs that Suen (2007) and Bird (2006) mentioned? Which ones? What did you think?

• Here's a quote from Bird that I thought was interesting:
  

"For good or for ill, blogging gives voice to anyone--a parent, a writer, a publisher, a librarian--with an opinion." (305)

What does the "for good or for ill" refer to?

Suen writes that "posts that are easiest to read" contain only one idea. (She also says they are the ones most likely to get responses. I guess I didn't do a very good job of following her suggestion! Feel free to respond with your own ideas on blogging or follow up on any of the prompts!

Martin Luther King Children's Literature Poster Contest

This is an event that a education group that I'm in is hosting. If your interested you can email Sandy (her email is below) and she can send you a submission form:

A great new opportunity has presented itself! Kappa Delta Pi is hosting a Multicultural Poster Contest in celebration of Martin Luther King Day on:

Sunday January 27^th

6pm in Erickson

Check in for submitting posters begins at 5:30 on Sunday evening, and the judging of the posters will take place from 6-7pm. The judge for this event will most likely be a TE 348 or 448 professor from the College of Education. Posters will also be left up in Erickson for the following week. If you submit a poster then you will receive 2 event points, and if you attend the event then you will receive 1 event point. More details about the contest are also in the attached word document KDPMLKpostercontest.doc. All attendees will also receive a certificate for their participation, and prize winners will receive additional certificates for their award.

If you would like to submit a poster please e-mail me a completed

submission form (which is attached to this e-mail) by

Monday, January 21^st

My e-mail address is allens11@msu.edu.

This is a great opportunity to network with your peers as well as learn about books which will help diversify your classroom library! Please also invite friends to come, and you do not have to be a member of Kappa Delta Pi to submit a poster or attend this event. I highly suggest all members to take a part in this event if they are able! If you have any questions whatsoever feel free to contact me.

Interesting Events

Hello Class:)

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Dream-Maker: Combining Art and Literacy in Your Classroom

with Harvey Goldstein 

Location: Holt United Methodist Church, Holt

Pre-register by January 21st to receive a free sample of Crayola Products 

For reservations:

Joyce at 517-882-7324

or 

Stephanie at Knapphouse@aol.com

Safe Schools Seminar Series

Hi everyone,

Here's the schedule for the MSU Safe Schools Series. If you aren't familiar with Safe Schools, it is an organization that promotes education and discussion in the teacher education department around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. The group and the sessions welcome anyone who would like to learn more! (And there's always free pizza!)

Seminars for Spring, 2008

Transgender Issues in Education

Award-winning author, performer, and educator S. Bear Bergman will visit share insights, stories and perspectives on the experiences of transgender people in schools. This event will be entertaining and informative.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Erickson Kiva

***

Legal Rights & Responsibilities

Attorney Jay Kaplan from the ACLU will return to provide an overview of the teachers’ and schools legal rights and responsibilities towards GLBT students, teachers, and parents. He will also give us an update on the current legislation affecting Michigan schools, including the school bullying bill.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 5:00 – 6:30 252 EH Erickson Hall

***

Identity in the Classroom: Traversing Teacher's Multiple Identities

What issues arise as a teacher enters the classroom? How does a teacher's "identity(s)," be it related to race, gender, sexual orientation, etc., impact his/her/hir interactions with not only students, but with parents, colleagues, and administrators? This seminar will allow participants to think through the complexity of their own identities and ask questions perhaps left un-asked in their curriculum.

Wednesday, April 2, 5:00-6:30, 252 EH Erickson Hall

Books as a child to books as an adult!

I was searching through my old book shelf looking for one of my old picture books to bring in to class. By doing this, as well as how we reflected on books we loved as a child last class, I realized something. Almost ever book that I saved was a mushy-gushy book. When I was a little girl my favorite books were romance fairy tales, or anything where the girl ended up with her prince. Little Mermaid was #1 on my list. As an adult, I realize nothing has changed! I love to read love stories, and no matter how predictable I love romantic flicks! I'm what you call a hopeless romantic. So I was wondering if the books that my mother chose to buy and read to me have truly effected who I am today. My roommate said she loved mysteries when she was little and today she loves watching shows like CSI and law and Order. I just found it quite interesting and was wondering how people felt about this.

Session 3

First remember that we do NOT meet the week that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed. If you attend or want to publicize an event commemorating the day, feel free to post!

To prepare for session 3:

• Complete the Library/Bookstore Assignment, as described on page 2 of the syllabus. Come prepared with a hard copy of the assignment to turn in and be ready to share what you learned with others! Remember that this assignment is being evaluated both on the detail of your observations and the thoughtfulness of your interpretation of the settings.
• Read chapter 2 ("The Art of Picture Books") and chapter 3 ("The Content of Picture Books") in the C & G textbook. Come prepared to apply what you are learning to some books!
• Optional, but recommended: Bring in a picture book that you would like to discuss. (I'll bring in some as well.)

Remember that you can add questions as comments (or email me) as you work on assignments!

Assigned readings on blog

Are the readings "I Blog..." and "Blogging in the Kidlitosphere" somewhere on the blog website or are they on Angel. Angel is down right now so I can't check but I thought they were supposed to be on the blog page. If so, I'm probably just missing them.
If anyone knows please let me know.

ALA Award winners announced

We'll be talking about the role of awards in the world of children's and adolscent literature in the upcoming weeks. The American Library Association has just announced the 2008 award winners of the:

• John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature
• Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children
• Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults
• Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults
• Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences
• Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers
• Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults, the The Pura Belpré Award honoring Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children's books
• Robert F. Sibert Medal for most distinguished informational book for children
• Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video
• Mildred L. Batchelder Award for the most outstanding children's book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States.

Check out the lists. Has anyone read any of the award winners?

Anyone a manga fan?

I'm planning ahead for the session in which we'll be discussing graphic novels and manga. I'm new to reading manga and was just wondering if anyone in the class reads it? If so, I would love to talk to you (and have you share what you know with the class)!

Teacher Tube: Blogs in Plain English

I found this short video on TeacherTube that I thought people might find helpful: Blogs in Plain English.

If you don't know about TeacherTube as a resource, it works just like YouTube: it is searchable, you can see the most popular videos, and it is a great way to "work" when you aren't quite up to working. :-) (Seriously, it has some powerful and useful footage that could be used in the classroom.)

Feel free to share your favorite videos with the class. (I'm especially curious to see if anyone turns up video related to literature discussion, books, authors, the use of technology, etc.)

sad:(

So I just signed up for a course two days ago and just found out that we have loncapa due...and I have know idea about the information....missing the first day sucks!!

Upcoming Event: "Culturally Contested Literacies..."

One of the ways that we'll use this blog is to tell each other about upcoming events. Here's one that sounds interesting.

Book Launch and Presentation:
Culturally Contested Literacies:
America's 'Rainbow Underclass' and Urban Schools
By Guofang Li (Dr. Li is a professor here at MSU!)

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Noon-1:00, Room 507 Erickson I think this has been moved to Erickson 252
Light Lunch Provided

If you attend, please let us know what you learned or thought by writing a post or commenting on this post!

Honors option

For anyone who is eligible and interested in doing the honors option for the class, I've posted the description of the required project on the angel site.

To sign up for the honors option, please email me and I'll forward the request to Professor Apol, who supervises projects.

Session 2

Hello Everyone!

Here are some guidelines for preparing for next session. If you have any questions, post them as a comment and I'll respond publicly so that others can benefit as well!

Introduction to Children's and Adolescent Literature:

• Chapter 12, Galda & Cullinan textbook (G & C): Developing Responsive Readers
• Chapter 1, G &C: Children's Literature Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

• Some weeks I'll offer questions or make suggestions that might guide or focus your reading. This week, however, I would like you to come prepared to discuss 3-4 big ideas or questions you have about the chapters. (Remember to record or mark pages so that you can direct us to the text!)

• If you have trouble getting the textbook in time to prepare for session 2: I have posted chapters 1 and 12 on Angel. (These are large files--sorry!) This will be the only week that I do this, so make sure you get the text!
  

Blogging:

• The Suen (2006) and Bird (2007) articles provide an introduction to blogging and its place in the world of children's literature. Choose one of these articles to read. Check out some of the children's literature blogs that they mention!
• If you want more general information on blogs, you might also check out the wikipedia entry on blogging.
• Follow the directions on the last page of the syllabus to respond to my email "invite" to become a contributer to the blog!
  
• Next session we'll spend some more time talking about the role the blog will have in our classroom community and trouble shooting any problems people encounter!
  

Wow! This is a lot to do, but I think that it will set us up for a good semester! (And, if it makes people feel better, this isn't a typical week's assignment!

Valerie

Welcome to TE 348! (001 and 003)

Welcome to TE 348: Reading and Responding to Children's and Adolescent Literature! We'll use this blog as a form of communication and archive of our work.

If you are curious how this might look, check out the TE 448 blog from last semester.

This will be a community blog, which means that everyone in sections 001 and 003 will be able to post and comment. More on this later!