This aarticle was full of information! It was a lot to read and take in. As discussed there are many teacher that do not have access to computers to use. I believe technology is getting more and more available for classroom teachers and students. In the time we live it is important for teachers and students to have access to all the technology that is readily available. I loved how the article gave details and examples for teachers to integrate technology into lessons. The unit starts off by using the internet in a useful and engaging way. Most students don’t know how to use the internet for research but only for recreational use. It is important to teach ways to help students do research online. Blogs are very helpful for students. It shows them that their work is important and that by publishing work is important therefore it needs to neat and grammatical correct. I think having studnets attend workshops help them to feel like the projects are importand and should be professional.

I haven’t been one for diagrams and charts but this article gives good ideas and ways to gather and sort information. I like the double entry diaries. I used this last semester in learners and diversity class. I found this to be more helpful than just note taking. I think this is a better way to take notes about a subject or story than taking your own notes. I see double entry diaries as a treasure map. A treasure map that helps students comprehend stories. Also, allowing students to research a pirate of their choice helps them to fully comprehend pirates but I think they need to share the information they found with others. The data retrieval chart is a great way to organize information without using a concept map (in which I hate). This is a great alternative to concept maps!

The twin text unit of study is something that I believe in. I like using literatrure books in all subjects fictional or non-fictional. It is important to be able to intergrate literature in all subject areas. As a teacher being able to multi-task is important. There may not be time to do a social studies lessons but if you can find literature books that incorporate social studies you can cover most subjects. The pirate diary is a great opportunity for students to learn new definitions. I would use the diary for different subjects but give them different names. For example in my unit of instruction for Dr. Marks’s class I am doing a unit on fractions. I would use the diary just as if it were the pirate diary but make it a fraction diary. I like the diary because it allows students to explore what they already know about a subject and what they want to learn about the subject. I like how the teachers in the article decorated the classroom with pirate books,maps, and memorable. I think this is a good way to get students thinking about hte subject.

What  a lovely book about Blackbeard. I loved how this book joined fictional and non fictional events. Also, it combined science fiction with the time travel.  The book seemed to be an easy read. This read would be a great way to help students who are low readers to be introduced to Blackbeard. Actually, it could be used for any level reader. I liked the book because it used humor to introduce Blackbeard the Pirate/pirates in general. I don’t remember pirates in school. I remember discussing pirates along the North Carolina coast but not in-depth. I like pirates and believe to be interesting. Plus, there are even pirates in today’s world. I would love to introduce this book and discuss the difference in pirates then and now.

I read this article and I remembered being in school and getting frustrated at the slow readers who could not keep up. I always wondered why the teacher asked them to read knowing very well that they could not. As I realize today teachers have options for those students. It is just a matter of taking time to find ways to help them. This article suggests many ways to help slow readers. First it is important to know on which level your slow readers are on. Then by taking the time to find appropriate texts for these students it will help them become more fluent readers with comprehension of the text. (Subject) To find these appropriate texts it is important to find “good books” for students to read. A good book is one that expands awareness, provides an enjoyable read that doesn’t overly teach or moralize, tells the truth, quality, integrity, and originality. Books are available for all levels of reader but it just takes time to find those books. 

I am a person who likes to integrate literature into other subjects. I never thought about the fact that I may one day choose a book that is not suitable for every student in my classroom. I must say that this article has opened my eyes. At the conclusion of the article there is a quote I found very interesting and helpful. “Teaching is the practical recognition of differences. Until differences among the pupils of a given class are recognized, instruction cannot be on a sound, effective, systematic basis. A significant part of the dilemma in modern education has been brought about by a failure to admit differences—by the treating of all children alike. A “class” or “grade” is an abstraction; it exists in the teacher’s mind or nervous system. . . . No one has ever seen a “first-grade class,” or a “fifth-grade class.” What a teacher should “see” is a group of individuals, unique unto themselves. Not until differences are “seen” is the teacher ready to teach, because learning the child must precede teaching him. . . . Differentiated instruction is a way of evaluating and living with a group of individuals in a classroom that results in a maximum of development of each individual in terms of his interests, needs, and capacities.” 

    Many people cringe at the word poetry. I would say that I am one of those people! But, as I have learned in the past week poetry is not as scary as I thought. Poetry is so much more than rhyming. As a young student in elementary school teachers always wanted me to write rhyming poetry. I can’t rhyme. As I read “Love That Dog” I began to realize that poetry is more about expression than anything else. Poetry can be whatever you want it to be. I have noticed that poetry comes in many shapes and forms just like people. Poetry should not be a chore or task it should be a want and a need. As teacher I believe that it is important not to turn your students off to poetry. Allow students to express themselves by using poetry. Free style poetry is so important for students. By introducing students to free style poetry you can break the poetry stigma.  

The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon

Upon my pillow, safe in bed
A thousand pictures fill my head
I cannot sleep, my mind’s a-flight
And yet my limbs seem made of lead

If there are noises in the night
A frightening shadow, flickering light
Then I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dream give second sight

What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep,
As I surrender unto sleep.

Love that dog what can I say? Not a very intresting read like the other 2 books I read this week. I just wish that I could write poetry like Jake did. He wrote poetry about everything. He could make the most humm drum thing sound so awesome. How do you do that? I have tried but it never has sounded like Jacks writings. I love this misconception that Jack has that only girls write poetry. Well, I am a girl and I cannot write poetry,well. This book has my favorite poem ever written; “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. I liked how Jacks teacher Miss. Stretchberry used a poem out of “Brown Angels.”

My sisters and I

I will be sharing this book the the  angels in my life. I loved this book of poems and pictures. I thought the poems to be powerful and beautiful. I especially love love “Prayer.” This poems will be awesome to use for childern that are multi raced. I know from experiences that I have had with my nieces they struggle with their idenity. Their mom tries to teach them both back grounds that they come from. So, I believe this book to be a book that will help impower my nieces.

My nieces!

What a lovely book of poems. I love to read poetry. Yet, I am not good at writing it. The poems in the book remind me of the ones I used to read in school. I like these poems because they are mostly about everyday oridnary objects.  There are a few in here that I really enjoyed. Such as; lawnmower. If someone had never seen a lawnmower before this would be a great poem to introduce to them. It describes a lawnmower and the job it does. The one I enjoyed the most reminded me of my grandpa, who passed away in July. Grandpa was stout and stiff, who stood no nonsense.  As he wilted away; not once did he complain. Only stout and stiff he stayed.

Zinnias

Zinnias, stout and stiff,

Stand no nonsense: their colors

Stare, their leaves

Grow straight out, their petals

Jut like clipped cardboard,

Round, in the neat flat rings.

Even cut and bunched,

Arranged to please us

In the house, in water, they

Will hardly wilt- I know

Someone like Zinnias; I wish I were like Zinnias.