Author Profile-Traditional Literature

An author I really like is Tololwa Mollel. The book that is a favorite in our house is, Rhinos for Lunch and Elephants for Supper. It is story that reminds us things are not always what they appear to be.

Chapter 8 - What is fiction to me

Fiction to me is something that cannot be backed up with facts.

There is so many types of fiction. Sci-fi, horror, fantasy, romance, historical, the list goes on. I like stories that may have realistic description to it. For example, I like fictional characters made to live during a historical event. I also like books that integrate fact and fiction. When I was in junior high and high school, I really got into Stephen King. My favorite books were Salem's Lot and Misery. I like the fact that the characters seem real. Even the crazy ones. I don't have time to read like I used to, but I do get to read books with my children now. My older son enjoys stories that have to do with Amelia Earhardt and Charles Lindburg or other flight stories. My younger son likes scary stories. We are getting into the Goosebump series. It is fun to see their minds sort through the details.

Chapter 6 - Traditional literature

It is amazing what traditional literature is to different cultures and different generations. For example, The Brothers' Grimm's tales being cleaned up and made into nursery rhymes. To find out that the stories were originally a moral lesson and not just entertainment, puts a whole new spin on the versions we read now. Cleaning them up into nursery rhymes is contradictory. When I first learned the differences, I thought how twisted is it that we allow little girls to dream of Prince Charming. In the original versions of the story, even Price Charming wasn't always the real prince. Maybe part of the problem with allowing these children to believe in this facade is some children then can not cope with the reality.

I now think of retold stories as I do books made into movies. They to me are two separate works. I try not to compare books with movies because the movie generally does not live up to my expectations.

Chapter 14 - Children as Authors

I have already begun my field-based observations. I have been placed in a Kindergarten classroom. The teacher does numerous class books. Her philosophy is "if the class owns it, they will want to do it." It is true. In the two weeks that I have seen the class, everything from the walls to in their bins, they take care of. They are excited about learning because they see the before and after.

One example is, they had a community field trip and a book was made. It started with the entrance to the community, then a page focused on the fire department, the bank, the police station, etc... Although, the books won't be published, they do organize the thoughts and studies of the students. The children stayed focused and they were able to internalize the material. The assignment was able to reiterate writing, reading, and listening skills.

Through this chapter and real observations, I feel this is a very good way to introduce literature, mechanics of language arts, reading, and provide extension activities.

Chapter 6 - Traditional Literature

The section over traditional literature has been very interesting to say the least. When my kids were little, I would tell them the story of The Three Little Pigs. I would originally tell them the stories with the pictures. Then when my children had the story memorized, I would tell them to close their eyes and picture the story the way they wanted to see it in their minds.

Thank goodness we have a PG rated version to tell our children.

I do agree with Professor Picket, I do think it would be interesting and valuable to include the original tales in a high school literature class. Because morals are not allowed to be directly instructed upon in the public education system, this could be a way to do so indirectly. An extension could be to find were the stories originated and then compare/ contrast the tradition and/or culture of the of the origination point.

This is not a site related to a specific author or book, but it offers a great variety of literature.

http://www.learningwithliterature.ualberta.ca/traditions.htm

Also,
http://www.storycraft.com/files/activ.htm
is a great site for us to use with our students. It allows us as educators to explain that storytelling is not always the same. Most times when we verbally repeat a story it is not usually the same. Really this is just a neat site.

Maya Angelou in place of Chapter 5

I am very thankful for today's lesson. Not only did we get to hear from a poet who is a walking history and social studies lesson, I believe most of us were reminded why we have chosen to go into the field of teaching. Some of us even continued the discussion into our next class. A lot of us have begun our field service hours. We have come back to class with good and bad stories. It is encouraging to see men and women, students and professors care about the student. The fact that we were reminded that we may have nothing in common with our children except the fact that we are human beings is very touching. This is a term that I plan to take to the classroom with me.