Hillary's Blog
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Multi Text Link
http://hcports.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/judy20moody20multi-text20unit1.pdf
Additional Literature
http://hcports.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/additional-literature.pdf
Breaking Down Words to Build Meaning: Morphology, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension in the Urban Classroom
Morphology should be something that every student should have the privilege to work with and learn in-depth. If a child has a strong concept of morphology they essentially have a great tool for reading comprehension. I found it interesting when reading about how they were testing second language English speaking students. “Teaching Spanish-speaking students to recognize and use cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning in two languages, such as information and información) has the potential to be a very powerful way for students to use their first language as an asset to improve their English reading comprehension( Michael J. Kieffer, Nonie K. Lesaux).” Teaching this concept of Morphology could help students for the rest of their lives. I even use this skill if I do not know what a word is when reading. I will definitely save this article and use it in the future when im teaching my students how to read. I found it very useful and informative. Last semester I learned about morphology and vocabulary and it was one of my favorite topics. Reading this article only added to my prior knowledge on the topic
Swashbuckling and DED Pirate Diary Article Response
After reading these two articles I felt very comfortable with content given. The DED pirate diary is a wonderful tool to use in a classroom. While students are reading in the informational books they are able to log about what they learn. The charts are a great tool for critical thinking and student involvement for the readers. The first part of the DED was involving because students have to draw conclusions and try to understand the background knowledge of the quotes. Students also get concrete understanding of the nautical terms that they are reading. Doing these activities can give students a deeper understanding and comprehension of what they are actually reading. The Swashbuckling article had the same concept but used a different tool such as the KWL chart. This enabled students to propose their own questions and find their own answers. Each of these articles were very constructive!
I Poetry
Participating in the I poem was entertaining. I enjoy writing I poems and finishing one about a person as interesting as Blackbeard was very fulfilling! Many resources inspired me including the power point with all of the students writing. Each students words were so descriptive giving mental pictures of their topics. Using the I am Poem template was very helpful as well as the variety of resources. The more I was exposed the more I felt comfortable with writing my own.
IRI and Article
The IRI is a wonderful tool to get an assessment of students to see what reading level students are on. By checking to see what reading level students are on it is possible to assign specific reading levels of books. Students under the correct reading level can have the opportunity to read and grow just like everyone else in the classroom. The article, Integrating Instructional-Level Social Studies Trade Books for Struggling Readers in Upper Elementary Grades was an extremely beneficial article. I have always thought about how I would find materials for students below reading level and why it was so important. This article fulfilled my curiosity. I found it unexpected that students can all stay on the same page even though they are reading different books. Even though they are reading different books, if they all relate to the same subject and similar story line each student stays on task. Keeping each student on the correct instructional level will be the most constructive tool for a low leveled reader. I was fond of many excerpts from this article and found, “In matching students to instructional-level texts, the teacher aims to increase students’ word recognition automaticity and comprehension (including literary analysis) as well as improving their motivations for reading and academic self-esteem.”(Dr. Frye). I remember learning about the automaticity in class and I can relate to this statement. As a child and emergent reader I always felt so great about my-self when I could read a simple book aloud, it always encouraged me to read more and develop a stronger sense for words. This is an article I will keep on file for when I have my own classroom. I enjoyed reading this and feel that I have acquired a great deal of knowledge about this subject.
Pirate Unit
After reading the pirate unit articles I was inspired to go look at my pirate books. Each of the articles had creative and thought provoking ideas. I remember when I was in school we made kwl charts. By doing kwl charts many benefits are rewarded. Along with the kwls, the teacher guided questions are very helpful. In the second article I felt like the methods of writing and learning were a lot more concrete. Students are required to read and research Pirate topics and write their own understanding. Students can also get a concrete understanding by engaging in the twin texts and writing in their pirate notebooks. By doing so students can be expressive with their own questions and thoughts in a small group without sharing to the class. Students are also able to build a more personal experience with pirate by researching one certain pirate. All of these parts in the pirate unit are all beneficial for the social studies aspect as well as the writing aspect.
A circle of love….
So much depends on
my special ring
sparkling with diamonds
that represents forever
a circle of love
that lasts a lifetime
Poetry
Poetry is a different type of language that some people do not understand. I am one of those who can. When I read this poetry it gave me a joyous feeling inside. I enjoyed laughing when reading poems from Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. This particular set of peoms is told as a story in sections. The poems are random and stirring. When reading through this book I was presently surprised that the poems in the beginning were carried on through the book. Each part of the poems has ways of connecting.
I was soon introduced to a different mood after reading through Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers. There is one part of these poems that gives a light to what the poems were about while I read them. That one special part is the pictures. Looking at each and every picture is a sweet and meaningful peak into each brown child’s’ life. While reading I enjoyed the author’s language choice and the incorrect grammar used to give an emphasis on the past.
The third book of poems is one I know I will use in my classroom. It will be a useful tool to read to my students when we have spare time while waiting to go to pullouts or lunch as well as for instructional use. All the small poems and fourteen more by Valerie Worth. My favorite part of this book is the sporadic topics used throughout for each poem. On one page it’s all about dinosaurs and on the next page there is a poem about a bubble.
Each of these poem books are all wonderful but very different. I look forward to using them in my classroom!
My guardian Angel
This angel is one of my favorite sit arounds in my house. I received this Angel from my Mimi. It was hers before she passed and I always admired this particular one. My grandmother collected these angels from friends and loved ones. Every time I look at it I picture my Mimi as an angel. She was as much of an angel on earth as im sure she is in heaven. It has almost been a whole year since she passed away and each day forward gives my heart more comfort. My grandmother and I were very close. I was so blessed to have such a special Mimi who loved and cared for me like no one else. On the bottom it says “thinking of you” , and how appropriate it is because this special angel reminds me everyday of how much she meant to me and all of our special memories.
Something Special
I would not say that this item is ordinary, but it is one of the most meaningful possessions I own. My ring is special to me because it represents a numerous amount of things. It represents the love that Clay has for me and the commitment that we share. I knew that I loved Clay from the first date we had together. unfortunately we have had a long distance relationship for the past 4 1/2 years. Whenever I look at my ring I can’t stop thinking about how excited I am to be with Clay the rest of my life. He is my best friend and my other half. Clay is a very selfless person. He is always making sure everyone he loves is happy. I never really told Clay what I wanted in a ring or what size I wore and everything was perfect! Picking my engagement ring as one of the objects that I love was the first thing that popped in my head.
