Cognativism

Essentially, through my research of cognativism over the past few weeks, I've relearned much of want I explored during my undergraduate ed. psych. class: 1) if students are motivated to process information because of interest in a topic, then they are more likely to understand new material and revise previous knowledge, and 2) lasting conceptual change is likely to occur only if students truly engage in reflective practices and make an effort to elaborate/change previous knowledge basis. Conversely, students are likely to disengage if the material is unfamiliar or incomprehensible. If they are pressured to learn material (testing), then they may learn it for the short term and then return to their original thoughts.

I see much of this last point in my teaching currently with regards to the curriculum we are required to teach. If students have no basis for learning algebra or geometry at the middle school level, then they may learn it for the short term, but will likely not retain it in the long term. However, if we make these things meaningful to them in the form of helping them plan the layout for their new bedroom, etc. then they are more likely to remember these things. Part of my educational philosophy entails giving students a certain amount of choice, so that they are more invested and interested. This is why I allow them to choose their independent reading pieces for me, rather than assigning those. I find that I get far better products from them in terms of products, and have much more meaningful conversations with them about literature if they truly enjoy what they're reading.

For me in a library setting, this would translate also. I would love to have a book club for students who enjoy reading where they could discuss what they're reading, and perhaps help to write some reviews to post throughout the library, to encourage other students to read the same literature. The Battle of the Books program is very successful at our school, but only a small number of students are engaged in that because it is an after school activity and they are not interested in the books on the list. It would be an interesting idea to explore the possibility of developing a few teams similar to Battle of the Books, but use a list of books that students developed. In terms of collection development, I think it would be beneficial to have a place in the library for students to place requests for books that are not within the collection, with the understanding that not every book put into the box would or could be purchased (which many public libraries have).

The Search for Delicious post 2

Well, I think I like the book so far, although I'm not sure that I'll read it again. It's nice to see the typical fantasy creatures, the standard crow, the mermaid, etc. It's a nice take on good vs. evil with the environmental twist thrown in. Since I'm into words, the dictionary premise intrigued me and would be a neat classroom activity after reading the book with students. How would you define the word delicious? What food epitomizes that? Interesting food for thought; no pun intended.

The Golden Compass

I chose to read The Golden Compass for my independent selection this time. I've read it once before, when I was in middle school, and decided with all the hype surrounding it now, it would be a good opportunity to revisit it. Many of my students have read it and enjoyed it, but I remember so little of it, I can't carry on a decent conversation with them about it.

The Search for Delicious

So far, the book is entertaining, but I don't feel like I get enough depth with the characters. I know it's written for younger readers, but wouldn't it be easier for them to connect with the characters if there were more development there? Also, the setting is kind of vague. I'm having a tough time getting a mental image of the whole thing, which isn't usually a problem for me.

Judging from the prologue, I get the feeling that to an extent, this will be a commentary on the environmental state of our world... when the man came to the lake and took Ardis's whistle, the world began to see sadness and destruction. Is this intended to be a commentary on our world?

Running low on energy

So, I'm running low on energy tonight, but need to post something here. I really enjoyed reading Johnny Appleseed. I think what I enjoyed most was the illustrations. They were so representative of the time and the early American culture, and beautifully done. I would almost like to have a print of some of the pages to hang on my walls.

Goodnight Moon was not at all what I remembered it being, but it could be that the memories of that book have faded and become muddy over the years. The pictures were not as colorful as I remembered them being, and the point of view was not what I remembered. I thought that the story was told from the perspective of the mother, but now that I think about it more, I think perhaps I had blended The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon together in my mind to create another story entirely! Funny thing how memory works sometimes.

Benny took the computer completely apart this weekend to fix it, so I got my reading done, but no posting. Tomorrow will be another early morning to do some grad work before going to school. I should have my Wiki's posted by early tomorrow afternoon... somehow I find that I'm always a better writer when I wait until the last minute, even though it's exactly what I tell my students not to do. I think I'm much more honest in my writing that way.

Well, it's off to bed for the night and then up at 5:00 to do some work.

Where the Wild Things Are

I truly enjoyed Where the Wild Things Are. I am incredibly intrigued by art and love pen and ink type illustrations, so these really appeal to me. The story may be simple, but the illustrations say so much about Max's imagination, and that of Maurice Sendak as well. Art is a passion of mine and I marvel at those who can not only create one picture that tells a story, but a series and then put just the right words with those pictures. Which comes first for this writer, the pictures or the story? How do most author/illustrator types go about composing what they write and draw?

Locating Books

I've been under the weather this weekend and today, but am currently locating the books for our literature circles and my wiki posts. I plan to have those in hand tomorrow to begin reading tomorrow evening.