April's Dinner Party.....

Welcome, You have been corduly invited to attend a dinner party at April's house.
Hope to see you there.
RSVP by May 11, 2009...(210) 123-9876

At my dinner party I invited six people. The two famous people I invited were Marilyn Monroe and Cher. I also invited two family members, Tommy James Soto (son) and Tom Soto Jr. (brother). I was also able to invite two classmates. The two classmates I invited were Jennifer and Mrs. Harris.

At my dinner party it is important for my son and my brother to sit next to each other. My son was born at the same time my brother died. I would like them to talk and get to know each other.
Conversation between Tommy and Tom:
Tom: Hi, so your Tommy!
Tommy: I recognize you form the pictures that mom has. Nana and Papa have your pictures in their house.
Tom: Well, I have been watching over them and you for a long time. I was with you when you were born and I played with you in your room when you were little.
Tommy: I knew that was you cause I saw you when I was little. When your in Heaven you can see everyone?
Tom: That's right, Jesus takes me to a special place where I can look down and see my family. I do that alot.
Tommy: Do you hang out with Jesus? Is he cool?
Tom: HaHaHa, yeah, I hang out with Jesus and he is like having a very best friend that knows everything about you and likes to spend all his time with you. He's very cool.
Tommy: I love you Tio Tom, and I miss you.
Tom: I love you too honey.

I also invited my favorite stars, Marilyn Monroe and Cher.
Conversation between Cher and me:
Me: Hey Cher, I am so glad you were able to make it!!!
Cher: Oh, honey, you know I wouldn't miss a chance to eat some of your delicious stuffed mushrooms. Those things are great.
Me: Your too sweet, remind me to give you the recipe before the night is over.
Cher: So, who else did you invite?
Me: I invited Marilyn Monroe, did you want me to introduce you?
Cher: No, Honey, I'm Cher, I will introduce myself.
Me: Girl, you know I forget, well shes right over there.
Cher: ok, I will be right back.

This is a conversation between Marilyn Monroe and Cher:
Cher: Excuse me, Marilyn honey, hi, I am Cher.
Marilyn: Hi, its so nice to meet you. You are beautiful, whats your secret?
Cher: oh, its, lots of money and a good doctor! LOL
MM: LOL well its yours if you paid for it! so, let me ask you something, does any one still remember me?
C: oh, yeah honey everyone remembers you and people are still in love with you!
MM: Wow, that's great, I would have never thought that I was so memorable.
C: Honey, your America's greatest sex symbol.

This is a conversation between Harris and Jennifer:
J: hey Harris, hows your leg?
H: oh, it's doing better but it still hurts like the dickens!
J: lol I bet that fall was pretty bad.
H: yeah, well you know even though I've had two feet all my life, I walk like their new. LOL
J: Harris, it happens to everyone at some point.
H: I know, but at least I got out of playing ball .LOL
J: ha ha, I'm kind of glad, not that you fell, but that I got to play ball for you.
H: I know, you been doing good.

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction....This is definitely a hard topic to write about. What exactly is the definition of Historical Fiction?
I would define Historical Fiction as a story that takes place during a real time with a real situation, but that has a fictional character's story.
Wheeeeew, that was a mouth full.
How would I use Historical Fiction in the classroom?
In the classroom I would use Historical Fiction as a way to discuss particular times in history.
An example of this would be to use the book Number the stars when talking about the Holocaust. The time in history that the book takes place is real but the characters are fictional.
This could also be used to help the students make connections between characters and the time in history an event happened.

Late....sorry

Ok, so it is obvious that I have not been taken care of buisness. I'm not sure if I have SeniorItis or if I'm just scared to officialy grow up. I want to do what I need to do, but I am not applying myself.
This is just a little something I wrote about my SeniorItis...

*What is this thing they call growing up?
I dont get it. Will I ever get it? Do I want it?
Who knows? Realy, who knows?
They tell me its time to grow up and enter the real world. Does this mean I cant be silly, irresponsible, or care free? If thats what happens when I grow up, then count me out.
Count me out.

modern fantasy

What is modern fantasy?
Well, to me modern fantasy is a story that involves a change in setting such as realistic to a new world. Or it could be a change in the characters such as animals with human characteristics. Modern fantasy is a strange world or strange characters. It is out of the ordinary.

Traditional Lit.

Mrs. Harris has asked our class to define traditional literature in one sentence. Let me just say, that is no easy task. Traditional literature is comprised of many components. I would define traditional literature as a type of literature that is passed on through a culture, and that is child based in story.

Using traditional based literature in the classroom would be a great opportunity to get to know the students and their culture. The students could pick a traditional literature book that reflects their culture. The teacher could also use this as a good opportunity to instill values and morals for the students.

I would definitely use traditional literature in my classroom because the traditional literature is useful to teach students values and life's lessons. The students would enjoy remaking the stories and changing them to fit their own culture. This would be fun for students to remake a story they like.

Picture book blog

I would like to start off this blog by appologizing to Dr. Harris. I want to appologize because I have not been keeping up with my obligations to your class. I dont know if I have senior-itis or if Im trying to hold back from growing up....what ever it is, Im sorry.

Now, let me start the assignment.
We are talking about picture books in class. By the way the presentation was GREAT!
What are picture books? Good Question.
Most people think that picture books are just books with pictures and without words. That only covers one categorie of picture books. There are other books that would fall under the picture book category. Books whos pictures go with the words and the words go with the pictures, would be considerd a picture book.

When can picture books be used? I like this queston.
Well, as a teacher I would definatly think out of the box on this one. I dont believe that picture books have an age limit. Wheather I am teaching elemntary school or high school, I would use picture books.

How can a picture book be used? Think out of the box on this one.
As a teacher of younger grades I can utilize picture books in my classroom to help me teach concepts such as math, science, and many others. If I was teaching in high school I would still use pictures books to help go further into detail regarding a concept. This can be achieved by having students analize and use critical thinking skills.

Are there limits when using picture books? I would say so.
I think, like any good thing, there are limits. There should be a limit because as a teacher you would not want to depend on picture books to teach your students.

How to evaluate or select picture books? Very important.
This is something that I was not aware of until I saw the presentation, the words need to go with the pictures and the pictures need to go with the words. Apparently this is important to the reader for understanding and comprehention.

Personal views on picture books.
I happen to like picture books. They are fun to look at and read. I do see the importantce of having the pictures match the words, they help to make the story come to life. I would use picture books to help enforce or introduce concepts.

Analyze those Books!!!

It is helpful to do a graphic organizer on the children's books you are selecting for your student's. This is important because it will help you to pick out books that will be useful to a lesson in your classroom.

Let's be honest....
How many of us really analyze what we read, or what we let our children read?
Some of us don't thoroughly analyze what our children read until it's too late or until our children are giving us funny looks. When your children come to you confused and ask "Mommy, what does this mean?", and you can't or don't want to answer it. .... that is when you know it's time to start analyzing those books.

As for me, I think it's good to look at the books your choosing for your student's or children; but lets face it, we all don't have enough time to sit a read each and every book for our students. That is when you turn to the school librarian, other teachers, and my all time favorite.....GOOGLE! Looking up book reviews on the Internet is a great way to get a taste of a book without all the hastle.

As a teacher it is part of our job and our responcibility to monitor what type of information our student's are recieving. So, this means that taking the time out to pick good, appropriate books for our students is important.

Tips: Just a few tips....

• look at the words in the book

Pay attention to the words and if they are on grade level with your students. A few "big words" are not going to hurt, and a simple read is also good. Make sure that the content is appropriate for the lesson your teaching, or appropriate for that student.

• look at the pictures in the book

The pictures in the book are the first thing your students will look at. Pictures are an important part of the context of the book. Who says you shouldn't let your students make inferences from the pictures? I say, "if it helps them to make connections to the story, and comprehend the story, then let them do it!" Look at the pictures, let your students look at the pictures.

Evaluate the Book!!!

Effectively Evaluating Children's Books


There are many things to consider when evaluating children's books such as language, visuals, and much more.

• Content
  

The content of the book is important because this will help you decide if the book is appropriate for your student's. You don't want to pick a book that student's are unable to read.

• Language

The language is important when choosing a book because of the grade level of your students. It is important to make sure the vocabulary in the book is appropriate for your students.

• Visuals

Visuals are important with the books you chose for your students. The pictures in the book should relate to the story, this will help student's understand the story.

A "Great" Teacher...

In all my years of schooling, I have had the privilege of being taught by about 5 "good" teachers. But who really wants to hear about a "good" teacher? I want to tell about a "great" teacher I had the honor of being taught by. Her name was Mrs. Reynolds, my 5th grade teacher.

I remember leaving 4th grade in shambles. I was not allowed to play at recess because I was unable to memorize my multiplication tables. I was seated with the group of kids who ate paste and drooled because I was part of the "special group". I knew what that meant and so did everyone else in the class. So, needless to say I left 4th grade feeling different, inadequate, and all together not good enough.

After a long summer that I hoped would never end, I entered 5th grade. I did not have high expectations for the new year or my new teacher. As I walked down the hall toward the classroom, there was a tall woman standing at the door. She was the tallest woman I had ever seen with her hair rolled in a bun on the top of her head. I remember watching Mrs. Reynolds hugging each student as they walked into the classroom. I could feel my belly tightening up as I got closer to the classroom. I thought, "there is no way shes going to hug me", I was wrong. As I approached the door, Mrs. Reynolds held out her arms and said "I'm so glad to have you in my class." I couldn't believe that she was happy to have me there, and not to mention, but her hug felt so genuine.

That was the type of teacher Mrs. Reynolds was. She always made me feel like i belonged and that I was smart. Mrs. Reynolds took her time with me and taught me strategies for figuring out my multiplication tables. She taught me how to tell time and to pronounce my words. Mrs. Reynolds ran her class with love and understanding.

At on point in the year Mrs. Reynolds was like a second mother to me. She always made sure I ate breakfast before class started. There was even a few times that she would fix my hair in the mornings.

Mrs. Reynolds treated her students like her children. Which meant that when we were good we got rewarded and when we misbehaved she sat us down and talked it out with us.

I want to be the teacher that makes a lasting impression on my students. I want to be a teacher like Mrs. Reynolds.



** For anyone who wants to meet her***

Her name is Margaret Reynolds and she works for NISD.

Get 2 Know Me...

Hey, so this is my first time doing this so...... here goes.
My name is April. I am a senior this year. I'm looking forward to graduating and all that fun stuff!

I have been doing this college thing for a LONGGGG time so, if there is anything I can help anyone with feel free to ask me... For Real !!!

So, hope this semester goes smooooth as butter!!