Why Cant She Remember That

   One of my most vivid memories as a child was my parents reading to me before bedtime. I liked this time because it gave me something to look foward to and I got to spend time with my parents. By having my parent read to me it allowed me to be more imaginative and made me explore more books. The books I ranged were from the human body to How the Grinch Stole Christmas; but perhaps my favorite was I Love You Stinky Face. This book my mom used to read to me and eventhough it sounded funny and absurd it reassured me that my mom would love me no matter what because as a child that is a concer. I think intergrating reading and storytime into schooling is a necessary part of education.
    I agree that reading is a helpful tool to use in the classroom. Meirer states that by having storytime helps children work on many different skills necessary for later years of schooling and life. Some of these skills are listening, using their imaginations, remembering questions, and raising their hands. It shocked me when Meirer says that kids from different backgrounds understand stories and questions differently. I thought it was quite amuzing when the little Spanish girl says "why cant she remember that". Using this I could completly picture. I also found it interesting that the teacher would not think girl to be smart; instead, she might think she needs extra help when in fact she is actually smart and pointing out the obvious. I also agree with Meirer saying books need to be able to relate to the children because if not then they will not be interested; I remember it being the worst when a book was boring. I also thought it was a good idea to make books come alive with props and using different voices because after all most children are very visual. Another thing I think could be done would be to have a different child read to the class every week taking turns; this way, it works on their reading skills as well as class interaction.
   In reading this article it brought back memories of when I was in Kindergarten and we had reading buddies. Reading buddies was when a fifth grade class would come down to the Kindergarten and be paired up to read with a child. This was my favorite part of Kindergarten and I always looked foward to hearing my buddy read. It was a good way to interact with the older kids as well as work on my skills. It also worked both ways because when I was in fifth grade I was so excited for it to be my turn to read to the kindergarten. Nothing made me happier to see their smiling faces when it came time to read. I think reading should always be a necessary part in the classroom.

Amazing Grace-Kozol

     Immediately I was shocked when reading this article and there were several issues that sadden me and made me sick, and some even warmed my heart. It takes places in New York which was the first thing that shocked me because it so close to here. iIt made me sick when Kozol says "in Humid summer weather roaches crawl on virtually every surface of the houses...rats emerge from holes in walls, and outside the restlessness and anger that are present in all seasons intinsify under the stress of the heat". I found this quite disturbing and sad to know this is how some people live and it also creeped me out the fact that rats crawl through holes in walls. When the little boy was interviewed I noticed a few things; he was very mature for his age, he was religious, and knew everyone.
     When Kozol talked about this little boy he met I felt like I just wanted to hug this child and take him out of the hell hole in lives in. This young child saw many things a kid should not see; for example, peopke dying and getting shot, people doing and selling drugs, and poverty. If you ask me no one should experience this let alone a young child. For this reason I feel as though he was very mature for his age because he had to grow up fast to deal with his hardships. Also, I noticed that even though he had so many hardships he was still very religious and giving; when a man on the streets was starving he generously gave him a slice of pizza even though it was his meal. When explaining why he gave this man food the young boy responded, "god tells us to share". I thought this was very noble and kind of this young boy.
     The last issue that sickened me was the fact that statesmen and everyone knows about the poverty in New York and everywhere and they really do not seem to do anything about it. One woman explains that they just make it worse by dumping things in their neighborhoods to make it worse. For example, the city added a garbage dump just down the street from her neighborhood. She then explains that people dump whatever they want here making the neighborhood more dumpy.
     Finally, the last line of this article gave me chills, it explains the herion drug dealers seem to laugh when they yell at "DOA" because they are "laughing at their lives and at yours". Also, I think the title represents the little boy because out of his miserable life he is like the "Saving Grace" that helps people and makes the best of situations. What is your interpretation of the title?

Elementary School all over Again

Last weeks class the VIPS people came in and what I learned blew my mind. I had to admit when they started showing us the powerpoint I thought "oh no this is going to be sooo boring", but as Whinnie started talking I was surprised it was very interesting. I liked how Whinnie told us her teaching methods of phonemes and things; i found it really helpful and could see how children would like that. When we had to say the sounds outloud I felt a little dumb because half of the letters I could not say. I also found it interesting to know that some Spanish people or Spanish speaking people have trouble determining the "sh" and "ch" sounds. By going over these sounds outloud I was able to relate to an Elemenatry child learning and it really helped. I also like when we got to play the games children play, and I have to admit the "snake rhyming game" was harder than it look (well atleast for me it was). When VIPS left I was excited to share what I had just learned but I am also nervous to go into the schools and teach children, well its a nervous exciting feeling. I hope I do a good job and I hope the children like me. =) Does anyone have the same feelings?