EDRG 3321 Literature for Public Schools/ Chapters 1&2

I like how chapter 1 explains the whole concept of "living literature". It will be our job as teachers to make sure that the student "lives literature" by surrounding and submersing them into literature. In doing this the children will gain many advantages. The student can learn so many things from literature but the book points out that it is very important that the student enjoys literature and doesn't just see it as a pesky school task. Literature will make them effective readers and writers which is so important in school no matter the grade level and also useful in the outside world like at work, at the store, the dentist's office, etc. We have to believe that the every child will learn in order to be effective teachers. Every child has a different method of learning so if we combine them all in the classroom then every child will learn. It is also important for us to give the child the oppurtunity to pick their own literature. This way they will actually be interested in reading because it will be on a subject of their interest. They will therefore want to read and not to it out of obigation. Exposure to all genres is another good thing for the students. This will make it fun for them instead of boring.

Chapter 2 is about culture, something that is personally very important to me. Every child that enters your classroom has their own culture. Culture can effect the child's learning in many ways. For example children that have parents that do not speak English will most likely not recieve help with their homework. We as teachers have to be aware of this. I think it's a good idea for the students to share their different cultures in the classroom with their peers. They will learn a lot with activities of this type and learn to respect each other.


AUTHOR PROFILE:


I am planning to teach the higher levels of elementary so I found an excellent author that wrote the book A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. This book is about a young girl spending her summers with her grandmother and it takes place during the Great Depression which can be useful for a history lesson. It's also an award winning Newberry Honor Book. This book has a sequel to it which will give the student the oportunity follow up on the story. I think many students will be able to relate to the characters and enjoy it as well as learn from it. I have listed another two books from this author below and you can find out all about Richard Peck and other interesting books he wrote at http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/rpeck.html.com/authors/rpeck.html

A Long Way from Chicago

The River Between Us