OK, here it is at long last. 2 video cameras, 5 different computers, 4 days of aggrevation and countless swear words later, I finally got the thing to upload. I wish I could say it is worth the effort, but as my MIL says, "it is what it is."
I would love to watch this video, but it says "This video is private" and will not play. Please let me know if anyone gets it to work. I do see the book cover and the play button, but when you click on it your out of luck. Thanks!!
I like your book talk and how you explained not only the book, but how it ties into what you are trying to accomplish. I was interested in your thoughts about why you chose books with all males and not females. I like that thought process and your right, more males are reluctant readers. It would be interesting to hear if your theory was right. The book you had that the person is writing letters through out the book reminded me of Dear Mr. Henshaw. I used to read this story when I taught fourth grade and the students really enjoyed the letter writing format. I have been introduced to all new literature, so I will have to check these out. Nice Job!!
Excellent, thank you. Very well thought out. I too was impressed with the details that you covered in regard to the male protagonist selections and trying to predict the choices of your students. This ties in also with what Teresa discussed in the blog regarding online lit circles being benefical to boys as they are reluctant readers and reluctant to share their ideas.
Yes, it would be important for kids to do some self-exploration before they can begin to understand others. Thank you for that! I hadn’t thought of it and you are exactly right. (I think it’s because you’re such a swell mom!) You've come up with a way to begin to address the theme of tolerance and responsibility. “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” sounds interesting. It would allow kids to consider things from their parents’ perspective and let them in on a little secret: adults are often trying to “find themselves” as well. “Brothers and Keepers” reminds me of one of the novels I included in my theme called “The Contender.” It is a less demanding read and I think these two books would companion well. I like the “modern day version” of Catcher in the Rye. I remember how that resonated with me when I was young, but I think it would not have the same effect for kids today - we always need to repackage our stories to reach the next generation. I wonder if “The Kite Runner” would be a book you could include. It’s an amazing book, but I got to the point where the little boy was about to be raped and I couldn’t continue reading - I’m afraid to pick it back up! The character I’m talking of symbolizes Afghanistan (I think). There is much to explore about tolerance and responsibility in that book.
VERY well thought out program of reading! I think you've managed to take Tolerance beyond the mainstream cliches. It's effective how you're looking at cultural influences, yet still keeping personal responsibility in the forefront. It would be interesting to see which books your students choose (good that you give 'em room to choose) and what their impressions are when they've read them.
What a GREAT selection of books and I wish I could be one of your students in your class! You did a great job at selling the books by telling us a little bit about each one of them! I might just have to go check them out at the library myself! Like Tony said, it will be very interesting to see what students pick what book and to hear why they choose that book! VERY COOL!
Wow, what a great book talk and selection of books. In just a small collection you have managed to cover several genre, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives. I agree that students need to get to know themselves before they can learn to understand others. These book selections seem like they will do a great job showing the students a character's struggle to "find" themselves and how they work through it. I'm curious to see if your theory about using all male characters to get the boys in class interested will work and how the girls feel about it. Great job!
It sounds like you have some really great books to share! You obviously have done your research. I think your kids would really benefit from you and your book choices. Excellent variety in your selections as well!
Great book talk Jennifer! Thank you for sharing your literacy circle books with us! I love how you are starting by having your students share about themselves. What a great attention grabber for your students! I believe your students will have a great understanding of themselves so that they can have a tolerance for others! You did a great job introducing the books to us! I was eager to hear even more so I bet your students will be ready to jump right in!
I will definitely be looking into these titles. Alexi Sherman is an important author for developing kids' sense of tolerance--he's had a huge affect on me. I agree with you in the knowing who you are before being able to accept someone else--we have to understand our basic human-ness, what we share, in order for the differences to not be the primary focus in how we view each other. Thanks for the great informaiton!
Nice Job Jennifer! Great info! I agree with Amy's comments about knowing yourself, having a sense of tolerance, before accepting someone else. I also was curious about the all male characters, if your theory panned out or not? As a nosey Nelly (myself), I would also like to see what books each student selected and why? Very cool! Love the book selections :)
What a great collection of books. I love Sherman Alexie. As many have commented on it is true that one needs to be aware of one's self before exploring the "other".
Great choices! I like how you've got such a variety of different backgrounds represented in your choices. I was confused at first why they are all from a male perspective- but that makes a lot of sense about how you want mixed groups. I just read The Perks of Being a Wallflower this summer- it's a good one. I read The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven in high school and really liked it, so I'm sure a lot of your students will as well. I like how you are leading them on a discovery of themselves through literature.
I KNOW that I am late in my response to your presentation and I apologize for that! Better late than never though, right? haha! First of all I REALLY want to read the book "Brother and Keeper" and I also want to read "A heartbreaking work of staggering genius"! I always learn so much from you :) Thanks! I am actually really anxious for you and your students to see how this book talk goes! I think it sounds very interesting and I agree with your choice of grabbing the boys attention first and only having the books being told from a male p.o.v. Great job Jennifer! I really continue to learn from you, so thanks!
I would love to watch this video, but it says "This video is private" and will not play. Please let me know if anyone gets it to work. I do see the book cover and the play button, but when you click on it your out of luck. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI also see the book cover and when I press play it says "This video is private"...
ReplyDeleteSorry! This is SOOOO frustrating!!
ReplyDeleteI just went in and made it public.
Thanks!! I can play it now! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your book talk and how you explained not only the book, but how it ties into what you are trying to accomplish. I was interested in your thoughts about why you chose books with all males and not females. I like that thought process and your right, more males are reluctant readers. It would be interesting to hear if your theory was right. The book you had that the person is writing letters through out the book reminded me of Dear Mr. Henshaw. I used to read this story when I taught fourth grade and the students really enjoyed the letter writing format. I have been introduced to all new literature, so I will have to check these out. Nice Job!!
Excellent, thank you. Very well thought out. I too was impressed with the details that you covered in regard to the male protagonist selections and trying to predict the choices of your students. This ties in also with what Teresa discussed in the blog regarding online lit circles being benefical to boys as they are reluctant readers and reluctant to share their ideas.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be important for kids to do some self-exploration before they can begin to understand others. Thank you for that! I hadn’t thought of it and you are exactly right. (I think it’s because you’re such a swell mom!) You've come up with a way to begin to address the theme of tolerance and responsibility. “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” sounds interesting. It would allow kids to consider things from their parents’ perspective and let them in on a little secret: adults are often trying to “find themselves” as well. “Brothers and Keepers” reminds me of one of the novels I included in my theme called “The Contender.” It is a less demanding read and I think these two books would companion well. I like the “modern day version” of Catcher in the Rye. I remember how that resonated with me when I was young, but I think it would not have the same effect for kids today - we always need to repackage our stories to reach the next generation. I wonder if “The Kite Runner” would be a book you could include. It’s an amazing book, but I got to the point where the little boy was about to be raped and I couldn’t continue reading - I’m afraid to pick it back up! The character I’m talking of symbolizes Afghanistan (I think). There is much to explore about tolerance and responsibility in that book.
ReplyDeleteVERY well thought out program of reading!
ReplyDeleteI think you've managed to take Tolerance beyond the mainstream cliches. It's effective how you're looking at cultural influences, yet still keeping personal responsibility in the forefront.
It would be interesting to see which books your students choose (good that you give 'em room to choose) and what their impressions are when they've read them.
What a GREAT selection of books and I wish I could be one of your students in your class! You did a great job at selling the books by telling us a little bit about each one of them! I might just have to go check them out at the library myself! Like Tony said, it will be very interesting to see what students pick what book and to hear why they choose that book! VERY COOL!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great book talk and selection of books. In just a small collection you have managed to cover several genre, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives. I agree that students need to get to know themselves before they can learn to understand others. These book selections seem like they will do a great job showing the students a character's struggle to "find" themselves and how they work through it. I'm curious to see if your theory about using all male characters to get the boys in class interested will work and how the girls feel about it. Great job!
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have some really great books to share! You obviously have done your research. I think your kids would really benefit from you and your book choices. Excellent variety in your selections as well!
Great book talk Jennifer! Thank you for sharing your literacy circle books with us! I love how you are starting by having your students share about themselves. What a great attention grabber for your students! I believe your students will have a great understanding of themselves so that they can have a tolerance for others! You did a great job introducing the books to us! I was eager to hear even more so I bet your students will be ready to jump right in!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be looking into these titles. Alexi Sherman is an important author for developing kids' sense of tolerance--he's had a huge affect on me. I agree with you in the knowing who you are before being able to accept someone else--we have to understand our basic human-ness, what we share, in order for the differences to not be the primary focus in how we view each other. Thanks for the great informaiton!
ReplyDeleteNice Job Jennifer! Great info! I agree with Amy's comments about knowing yourself, having a sense of tolerance, before accepting someone else. I also was curious about the all male characters, if your theory panned out or not? As a nosey Nelly (myself), I would also like to see what books each student selected and why? Very cool! Love the book selections :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of books. I love Sherman Alexie. As many have commented on it is true that one needs to be aware of one's self before exploring the "other".
Great choices! I like how you've got such a variety of different backgrounds represented in your choices. I was confused at first why they are all from a male perspective- but that makes a lot of sense about how you want mixed groups. I just read The Perks of Being a Wallflower this summer- it's a good one. I read The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven in high school and really liked it, so I'm sure a lot of your students will as well. I like how you are leading them on a discovery of themselves through literature.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI KNOW that I am late in my response to your presentation and I apologize for that! Better late than never though, right? haha! First of all I REALLY want to read the book "Brother and Keeper" and I also want to read "A heartbreaking work of staggering genius"! I always learn so much from you :) Thanks! I am actually really anxious for you and your students to see how this book talk goes! I think it sounds very interesting and I agree with your choice of grabbing the boys attention first and only having the books being told from a male p.o.v. Great job Jennifer! I really continue to learn from you, so thanks!