I had an interesting conversation about this book after reading it for last week with a friend of ours who has an eighteen month old daughter, Macyn. She was saying that she was a bit reluctant to have Macyn listen to the book out loud or on audio CD because she was afraid that she might learn the words the way Silverstein writes them, rather than the correct way. I thought it was a valid point and wonder what applications this might have for other kids who may struggle with language delays and development (this is not the case for Macyn). Is there any research to support this theory?
For kids who have already verbally reached some mastery of the English language, I don't think this would be a problem, but it would be an interesting tool to pull some kids into the study of poetry. Especially kids who "don't like poetry", as is the case with so many middle school boys. I might use some of the poems to introduce my poetry unit and have kids write their own versions for their poetry portfolios.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
How to eat fried worms
I was a bit disappointed with the character development in the beginning of the book and found it difficult to get into as a result. I couldn't get a clear picture of the characters right away and found myself wondering which character was saying what as a result. I wonder if struggling readers would have the same difficulty.
I think it would be really neat to integrate this book into a soil study unit and I wonder if there are enough texts out there to do literature circles in a science class on the topic. I have a few in my collection, so it might be something I try next year. (although I may have mutiny on my hands if I deviate from the text book, although it's still in the SCOS)
The parenting is interesting and reminds me of what I see with some of my students... the inconsistencies. Sometimes parents are tough on them, and other times they're lax... and I know that they're human, but consistency is so important for children in order for them to know where they stand. I know that once I have kids, I'll have a whole new perspective to bring to the table on this issue.
I think it would be really neat to integrate this book into a soil study unit and I wonder if there are enough texts out there to do literature circles in a science class on the topic. I have a few in my collection, so it might be something I try next year. (although I may have mutiny on my hands if I deviate from the text book, although it's still in the SCOS)
The parenting is interesting and reminds me of what I see with some of my students... the inconsistencies. Sometimes parents are tough on them, and other times they're lax... and I know that they're human, but consistency is so important for children in order for them to know where they stand. I know that once I have kids, I'll have a whole new perspective to bring to the table on this issue.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
How did I get so confused?!
Geez... usually I am so on top of things! Well, in looking again, I did read the right chapter and post the right thing... and I guess I'm now ahead since I've posted about A Dog's Life also. I guess I'll blog about Runny Babbit when I return.
The online class meeting was difficult for me. I didn't focus as well and my computer kept cutting out on me. I guess I didn't really realize how confused I was until today. Hopefully it'll all work out.
The online class meeting was difficult for me. I didn't focus as well and my computer kept cutting out on me. I guess I didn't really realize how confused I was until today. Hopefully it'll all work out.
A Dog's Life 2
When the young son of the Merrions discovers the puppies, he befriends the puppies, but wants to keep them a secret from his mother. It's an interesting perspective that Martin paints of humans from this first person dog perspective; that there are ulterior motives or the mixed messages that are sent. She cleverly helps the reader to pick up on the "sixth sense" that animals have for humans and their mistrust of them. Martin helps the reader to understand the mistrust that animals have for humans through a variety of interactions, including Squirrel being picked up by humans later on in the story and then dumped because she's not what they wanted.
In the end of the story, Squirrel finds companionship as an elderly dog with a retired woman who enjoys her company and keeps her warm, comfortable, and fed. Susan befriends Squirrel, now named Addie, and enjoys her companionship in the car running errands and in the evenings by the fire. Martin cleverly redeems the sense of mistrust of humans by providing a comforting sweet woman who gives Squirrel the home she's always deserved.
In the end of the story, Squirrel finds companionship as an elderly dog with a retired woman who enjoys her company and keeps her warm, comfortable, and fed. Susan befriends Squirrel, now named Addie, and enjoys her companionship in the car running errands and in the evenings by the fire. Martin cleverly redeems the sense of mistrust of humans by providing a comforting sweet woman who gives Squirrel the home she's always deserved.
A Dog's Life
OK, so I'm officially an idiot. I was looking at the wrong section of the syllabus this week and read the poetry chapter and was reading poetry! Glad I looked before class today.
So, I decided to read A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray. As an animal lover, it appealed to me. When we finally get our house built, we're planning on having at least one dog. In the story, it begins with a prologue entitled Night where Squirrel is thinking back to "puppyhood" and remembering the days of old, so to speak. As the chapters unfold, we discover that Squirrel had a brother named Bone in a shed in Lindenfield on the property of the Merrions, a summer home. The puppies explore the yard and shed, meet a family of cats, and see a fox named Mine, whom Mother is afraid of. When the family returns to the property for the summer, Mother is wary and discovers that the Merrions have killed Mine. Soon after, Mother leaves Squirrel and Bone in the shed never to return.
So, I decided to read A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray. As an animal lover, it appealed to me. When we finally get our house built, we're planning on having at least one dog. In the story, it begins with a prologue entitled Night where Squirrel is thinking back to "puppyhood" and remembering the days of old, so to speak. As the chapters unfold, we discover that Squirrel had a brother named Bone in a shed in Lindenfield on the property of the Merrions, a summer home. The puppies explore the yard and shed, meet a family of cats, and see a fox named Mine, whom Mother is afraid of. When the family returns to the property for the summer, Mother is wary and discovers that the Merrions have killed Mine. Soon after, Mother leaves Squirrel and Bone in the shed never to return.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)