EDRG 3321 Shared Reading

The shared reading activity was too loud and distracting. I like a more calm setting if I'm going to be read to. Although I was the one reading to my group, I felt like I was shouting. I found it very difficult to engage my readers. I suggest we don't do that one.

EDRG 3321 Fiction

When I think about fiction I think about scary stories. I think about ghosts and goblins. I see a haunted house and trees in the forrest coming alive to kill you. I see mystery and murder. You don't always have a happy ending and you don't always see the princess getting her prince. I see vengence, blood, and revenge.

EDRG 3321 Stiletto Stoners

I think MJ should be legalized. I think if more people smoked MJ that this world would be a better/happier place. The only reason people feel like they have to hide it is because it's illegal. Sometimes I think this country is ass backwards.... Alcohol is legal and tobacco is legal and we have research that both things destroy the body. Alcohol kills people everyday. Whether you are an innocent bystander that just happens to get hit by someone under the influence or you sit on your couch and allow your liver to dwindle away. The research on MJ shows that it helps the body and heals it. You never hear about someone being high and killing someone. When your high you're happy and relaxed. So whether you go home from a hard day and have a glass of wine or take some hits WHATS THE DIFFERENCE!!!?? There is a difference between being an addict and just relaxing in your home on your own time. I'm glad this story came out and I'm glad that successful women finally came out with it has well. You don't have to be a loser to smoke pot. Yes there are losers that smoke pot but there are also losers that have masters degrees. THINK ABOUT IT........

EDRG 3344 Star Trek TNG Darmok Episode

Well I guess I finally have seen my first episode of Star Trek EVER!!!! I wanted to fall asleep however the lesson on communication was good. Showing the film showed how important communication is and how difficult it can be as well. Communication is something I need to work on everyday. I need to watch how I say things. What I say is not necessarily wrong but the WAY I say it comes across NASTY and puts people on the defensive. Another form of communication is facial expressions. You can say a thousand words with your face without saying a word. Isn't that amazing? I think that a lack of communication or even miscommunication can cause a lot of damage. It can cause divorce and families to be broken, it can cause war and people to die........all just because you didn't know how to "TALK" the correct way....that's a powerful thing to think about. Words are powerful. I'd rather be punched in the face than for someone to tell me something degrading or hurtful with their words.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

The author is Jamie Lee Curtis. I didn't know Jamie Lee Curtis was an author until I ran across this book. The book I read is called, Is There Really a Human Race? I love this book and I think it would particularly be great to read to middle school students. The book is basically about life. It's about the decisions we make and how we are all such in a hurry to make them. It's about how we live ours lives and what things we should think about while going through "the race". Humans are in a race rushing to get to the "end" and for what reason? As humans we tend to be concerned with who "won" and who "lost". Why can't it be that we are all doing are best? It's more important how you treat people along the way rather than who you stomped on just to be first. This is a great book, go out and get it. You can read more about Jamie Lee Curtis and her books at www.jamieleecurtis.com

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

The author is Hans Christian Andersen and the book I was introduced to is The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It was an awesome book. The book was about a box of tin soliders given to a boy to play with but there was one solider in patricular that was special. He only had one leg. In the beginning of the book he meets up with a toy ballarina and she's in a famous ballerina pose with one leg up and one down. So the solider automatically thinks it's love at first sight because she only has "one leg" just like him. They get seperated and the rest of the book is all about his obstacles and trials he goes through just to get back to her. Finally at the end he meets her again and they both get thrown into the fire and die together. I recommend everyone read it. You can read more about the author at www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

I found an author named Katharine Lee Bates. The book I read is named America the Beautiful It's a poem with incrediable illustrations. The book is "the song" America the Beautiful. She wrote the poem in 1893 and through the book she wanted to inspire people to see the wonders of America. You can read more information about her life at www.katharineleebates.com and you can find out more about the actual places the illustrations came from at www.pikespeakcolorado.com/AmericaTheBeautiful.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

I found four books this week. My first author I want to share with you is Ian Beck. The book I read is Home before Dark. It is a book about a little girl named Lily and her teddy bear. She takes the bear out for a walk and the bear gets lost. He has to go through all kinds of obstacles to get back home. He was all alone and scared. He had to travel through stormy, windy, rainy weather. He had to cross the street and a car splashed him he got kicked and roughed up by people rushing to get out of the rain. It was dark and he had to travel up a hill and then he fell down. Teddy finally made it to the front door soaking wet and no one heard him knocking. To the rescue comes the night paperboy who picks Teddy up and puts him through the mail slot. Teddy was home safe, sound, and warm laying in the bed right next to Lily. You can look up more information about Ian Beck at www.tellingtrails.co.uk/pages/individuals/beckpage.

EDRG 3321 Ch 5 TTR

POETRY
It was interesting to me to find out that poetry is one of the most hated things to read. Poetry is unique in the way that you can be creative. You can put words together and make it your own. You can make interesting sounds using poetry such as rhyme and rhythm. Poetry can be fun or it can be boring. I think it's all about how you present the material. I like the idea of using poetry as a form of discovery and helping students to develop their language. Sound is a big one especially with the little ones just learning how to read. I also love the idea of teaching children the discovery of words through poetry as well. Very interesting idea's in chapter 5.

EDRG 3321 Maya Angelou

I love to hear this women speak. She is so inspiring and up lifting. She helps me see that there is more to life than "my problems".....ya know what I mean? Ms. Angelou helps me to see that there's more to life than just the everyday routine that I go through and if I'm determined I can accomplish my goals. " I am a human being nothing can be alien to me" this quote is so powerful. In other words nothing is impossible for me, I should fear nothing and I shouldn't let anything or anyone discourage me from what I want to do with my life. NOTHING IS TOO HARD!
Now for the classroom and my future students....I need to be an inspiration to them. I need to be able to take each child and appreciate their differences. I need to see their weaknesses and their strength and help them succeed. I need not make a pre-conceived opinion about a child. I love how Mrs. Pickett showed us how to talk to a child. When she pulled up a chair and sat down and talked to the child face to face.
I need to understand as an educator I'm only as good as my weakest student. It's going to be my job to pull in each student and make them feel like they can do anything they put their mind to.

EDRG 3344 TTR TALKING

TALKING in the classroom is a beneficial tool. I know for me it helps tremendously. When I'm able to hear myself talk through issues it helps me understand better. When I hear others talking about their perspectives it helps me see different sides of the issue I might otherwise have not seen. TALKING does not have to be disruptive to a classroom. I think it's often seen as a negative. Teachers can tend to want their classrooms quiet so the students "can learn." However, a quiet classroom does NOT necessarily mean the students are learning. I love to talk. I also believe that we learn from our peers. If I can get the classroom involved in a group activity were it involves TALKING, problem solving, and critical thinking for a short period of time to keep them on task......I'm all for that. The group activity we had in the debate of the "best chocolate bar" it was fun and interactive. I was able to hear,learn, and TALK to others. Engaging the students, mixing it up, and learning is what it's all about.

EDRG 3344 TTR MEMORIES

One of my happiest moments was when my oldest son took his exam to become a black belt in Taekwondo. It was 3 years ago, he was only 10. He had to write an essay about why he felt becoming a black belt was important. He had to come up with a routine on how he was going to break through 5 different boards, he had to do 150 push ups and 150 sit ups. He had to go through 8 different routines that he had learned since he was five and about 15 different kicks. It was the most incredible sight. He had to work and I mean work hard. I mean this was no oooohhhh he's only 10 let's give him a break kinda thing......this was intense. He had to spar two people at the same time and he kicked their butt. He was sweating and fatigue. He had tears coming out of his eyes from exhaustion. I was cheering him on and telling him, "you can do it baby!" It got so intense when he was in a group spar that I had to step outside, I had tears rolling down my face. THEY WERE PUNCHING MY BABY!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH. To see my son in action and to see his perseverance through it all was absolutely incredible. At the end of the test he ran, flew over 5 people and kicked a board and broke it in half. It was AWESOME. I was a proud mom that day.

EDRG 3321 TTR CH 4

Responding To Literature: Depending on the person who is reading the literature is going to depend how they are influenced by it. I can see why it's going to be so important to assess my students constantly. I'm going to need to be aware of their develpement and help them expand on the progress they are making or help them if I see no progress at all. I read the generalizations on pg 62 and I thought they were decent assessements. Again as Mrs. Pickett would say, "give your students choices" I think that the art of listening has been lost with some teachers. I believe that is unfortunate. I think that engaging their interest would be a benefit to everyone. We need to remember we are in the classroom to help the children learn not for an ego boost. Again I agree that students will respond based on their unique backgrounds...I found it interesting how two different types of children in different parts of the world can view a Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot books. I like Rosenblatt's theory on literature and agree that the readers do take an active part in literature based on their view of the world. Efferent and Aesthetic response. I believe that when we read we do both.

EDRG 3321 TTR CH. 3

Understanding What We Read:I completely agree with the fact that there has to be comprehension involved with reading. The student needs to be able to understand what they are reading or else it's just a robotic act. I also agree with the fact that the teacher needs to be the facilitator for the student. We need to provide our students with options and it's our job to know how each student learns so we can help them succeed. Not every student is the same. Every student is coming from different home lives and different ethnic backgrounds. It's going to be important as teachers to make that connection. We need to help the children relate on their level. I think it's also important to have high expectations for our students and let them know that we believe in them. Through books and vocabulary we can enhance and broaden their horizons, help them think outside the box. Building comprehension is key. I like the idea of "bridging the gap" either through discussion, lessons, or a book walk. I think the biggest challange is to help the students' brains not to be lazy. When I was a child growing up in middle and high school, I was good at "playing school" I did what I had to do to get by and that was it. I didn't want to do or think more than I had to. I was good at it but now as an adult in my 30's I'm trying to retrain my brain to actually learn and it's difficult sometimes. Retelling a story is a great thing. I know it helps me learn better when I can discuss outloud what I have just read. I'm big on discussions it helps me so I know my students would benefit from it as well.

EDRG 3321 T TR Ch.2

Culturally Responsive Classrooms-I think it's so important to be aware of the many different cultures. Before I read this chaper I thought of culture as only being based on ethinicity and religion. I found it interesting that their is a surface culture, deep culture, a school culture and mismatched cultures. I like the idea of giving your student choices. I need to work on this. My personality is to be controlling. I see it with my own children. I'ts my way or no way. I learned that literacy is not just through books, it can be through a computer, comic books, or knowing how to read a map. I don't agree with the fact that if a student's culture does not match their school culture they're less likely to succeed. I understand that it's going to take awhile to adjust but I think that anybody is able to conform/learn as long as they're given the chance to.

EDRG 3321-T TR CH1

Believing in Living Literature CH.1
I liked the way it talks about living and teaching through literature and how books are key to every child growing and learning. I also agreed with the fact that building a library for your class room is vital. I found it interesting that children's literature wasn't really focused on until the 1980's. That's kinda weird to me to think about. When I was a child I did not like to read I felt like it was a waste of my time and I would get mad when my mom made me read. It wasn't until I was older that I really started to appreciate it. When I had my first child I started him young, now he's 13 and he ask me to take him to Borders. He loves books. So I agree with teaching kids to want to read, is a bigger challenge.
If you don't believe every child can learn then you don't have any business being a teacher. Every child is going to be on a different level of learning so it's going to be our job to figure out how to help each child succeed. If you are going to have a negative attitude then your students will be negative as well. ATTITUDE is passed on!
The example of the students from Soviet Union was.... WOW. "The sight of so many books brought tears to his eyes" I tend to forget that books are an outlet to a whole new world. Books are knowledge. I have never thought of defending my values and beliefs because of a book....very interesting to think about.

EDRG 3344- Rationale

Rationale:
SANITATION-Why? Sanitation is a huge part of our planet. I want to bridge the ignorance of the unknown. It's so important that we do our part as individuals. I want to help the children be aware of the things they can do in their everyday lives to make a difference.

EDRG 3344- Jennifer Pineda

R-Quilt
A-Baby
F-Poem or Letter
T-Memories

Final Dream Vacation- EDRG 3344

It's chaos! Bodies are running everywhere zooming from one room to another. Clothes and shoes are flying around and every electronic device you can think of is sucking the life out of the electrical outlets. The adults are yelling from one room to another making sure no one is forgetting anything and the children are packing as if we're never returning home. Going on a vacation is hectic, no wonder we never go anywhere!

The Bahamas! The scenery is so beautiful. The air is fresh and the breeze is light. The temperature is an amazing 85 degrees. The birds are singing, the sun is shining and the locals are unbelievably friendly. Meanwhile as I'm looking around I see the faces of my family and see that every one's mouth is wide open. Their smiles are as big as the Cheshire cat. Everything is just perfect. This is going to be a vacation of a lifetime. Nothing could go wrong.

We finally make it to the hotel. It is fabulous. Everyone is claiming their space in the room and is so excited to get started with our first activity. As we're all getting our bathing suits on to head down to the swimming pool, I hear one of the kids scream. I must have jumped ten feet high! As I turned my head I saw an enormous bug roach looking thing on my son's shoulder. I immediatly swat it off and start stomping the crap out of it. Meanwhile, my daughter was coming out of the bathroom and she starts screaming. In a moments instance we were being invaded by big black hairy bugs.

All of us start running out of the room like bats out of hell. Before we could get to the elevator we see these black bugs invading the building from every side and people are racing out of their rooms in disbelief. My momma bear instinct came out in me and I raced down four flights of stairs into the lobby to give the staff a piece of my mind. Although I had a hard time catching my breathe I managed to shout out every curse word possible to find out what the hell was going on.

The staff looked at me and started to laugh. I could feel my blood boiling over. "M'am, please calm down, everything is going to be fine. " Before I could get another word out I start seeing lots of people with camera's scurring about. I see a man giving instructions and directing people on what to do and where to go. As I start to relax I'm realizing that something crazy is happening. The manager comes to me and explains that my family and I have just been a part of a scene in a major motion picture and we are going to be compensated for the inconvience.

Our family is pulled aside and we are told that we are going to be given $100,000. During our stay at the resort everything is going to be free. Food, drinks, entertainment, and a personal attendant to honor our requests for the remainder of our stay. My husband and I look at each other in awe. The directer of the film is also going to fly our family to the movie premier in Hollywood all expenses paid. As all the details are being worked out we are more than ready to start our vacation. My husband and I and all eight kids hugged each other and said, " This is the best vacation ever!"

EDRG 3344 TR BLOG 3

Writing is a PROCESS!
1. Pre-Writing/ brainstorm
2. Drafting/ outline or rough draft
3. Revising/ additions or deletions/ sentence structure/ elaborate
4. Editing/ spelling and punctuation
5. Publishing/ do something with your writing

EDRG 3344- TR BLOG 2

Some examples of pre and post strategies of a book are a book walk, be happy about the book, and predicting.

A book walk helps students by getting them to think about the characters and the events of the book.

Being happy about the book also helps the kids be happy about reading the book and shows if your interested then they should be interested as well.

Predicting helps the students to think. Which the goal is to help develop their critical thinking skills.

EDRG 3344- TR.

Blog 1 How Do I Learn:
I am a verbal learner, I use my body to learn (hands on), as well as a visual learner. My strength is Interpersonal. When I am happy or angry I usually know why. I help others deal with their feelings because I deal with my own. I like to sit quietly and reflect on my feelings and I am usually aware of my facial expressions. It's easy for me to say what I think in an argument or debate. I enjoy a good speech or sermon. I pick up dance steps quickly and I learned how to ride a bike easily. When I can see how something works i usually can pick it up, I'm not an instruction person. I am horriable with direction.

What motivates me? My boys. My own struggles as well as others. Seeing people and KNOWING I don't want my life to be that way.