Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry

Gooney Bird Greene (2002), written by two-time Newberry Award winning author Lois Lowry, was a very nice read. I would say it’s for children as young as 1st or 2nd grade. It’s a nice beginning chapter book.
I was going to return this to the library, but I liked it so much so I’m going to save it for Phillise. Read this excerpt from the book and you’ll see why I liked it:

There was a new student in the Watertower Elementary School. She arrived in October, after the first month of school had already passed. She opened the second grade classroom door at ten o’clock on a Wednesday morning and appeared there all alone, without even a mother to introduce her. She was wearing pajamas and cowboy boots and was holding a dictionary and a lunch box.
… “Who are you?” Mrs. Pidgeon asked politely.
“I’m your new student. My name is Gooney Bird Greene-that’s Greene with a silent “e’ at the end- and I just moved here from China. I want a desk right smack in the middle of the room, because I like to be right smack in the middle of everything.
The title is as unusual as the main character herself. Gooney Bird Greene is an unusual name for a little girl. It’s such a strange name that everyone wants to know its origin. Since she’s such a great storyteller, she obliges and tells them in her own melodramatic way. She has a knack for telling story, that according to her are “perfectly true”. Although they do not seem to be true, they are. When she tells a story everyone stops and listens. Even her teacher.
I really liked this book because it introduces young readers to the concepts and elements of storytelling as soon as Pg. 4. I cannot wait to get another classroom so I can read this to my students. This would work well with another book I reviewed, The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane & Herman Auch.
As usual, check it out @ your local library or bookstore.

The Road Map To Reading!

Here’s a little Road Map to Reading. Although the road to reading is a fairly complex process fraught with much tension and much work, there is hope. At my last site, I had an awesome Literacy Coach who gave me these steps to reading. So, without further ado, here they are:

**Phonemic Awareness- Simply put, phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds and words. One of my favorite p.a. activities is to use word families (i.e., -an). If you place a /b/ in front of it, the word is now ban. Place a /c/ in front of it, and it’s now can. Place a /d/ in front of it and it is now Dan, etc.

Concepts About Print- Does the child understand that print goes from left to right.

Explicit, Systematic Instruction in Phonics- Letter/sound correspondence, i.e., “A” makes the Long /a/ or ah sound. For each letter, there is a sound or corresponding sounds.

Decoding- While writing is described as encoding (Putting into the secret language), reading is described as decoding (deciphering & making sense of the secret language). Just think about it, learning to read is like deciphering a secret language. In essence, children are secret agents deciphering the code. So, if you put the short /i/ sound with the /f/ sound, it will make if.

Fluency/Automaticity- Again, simply put, does the child read in a human-like way (very naturally) or like a robot, taking time to sound out and pronounce every letters.

Explicit Instruction in Comprehension- This is where many students get “tripped” up on the CSTs. Since they take so much time Decoding, that barely leaves any time for comprehension. I had much success. I’m not sure how other teachers go about doing this, but, as always, I keep it very simple. Once you work on all of the above, their fluency/automaticity will increase. This will leave more time for comprehension.
I read to my students every day. Now, come very close and I’ll share a very simple secret with you. While reading, I asked them questions, we discussed the story & I had them sum it up in their own words. Okay, you can leave now. That’s it. That’s the secret to increasing comprehension. That’s my explicit instruction in comprehension.

** Taken from UC Davis, School of Education website**

I found a nice website for Phonemic Awareness

In The Top 10!

Dear Readers, I am listed as #8 of the top 50 Best Special Education Blogs. Even though I’m not currently in the classroom (until next week, that is) and don’t write as much as I used to, it’s nice to be recognized.
If you’d like to check it out, here’s the link: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2009/12/50-best-blogs-for-special-ed-teachers/

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

As the title states, Happy Earth Day. If you would like to know a little bit about it, here’s the Wikipedia link.

L.A. Times Festival Of Books ’10!

Yep, it’s that time of year again for the L.A. Times Festival of Books ’10.
Event: L.A. Times Festival of Books ’10
When: The fifteenth annual edition of the Festival of Books will be held on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2010
Where: U.C.L.A.

Wow, I cannot believe it’s been a whole year already. It seems like just a couple months ago that I went with Phillip & Phillise. I’m not sure if I’ll make it this year. I already made plans to go to the zoo with my mother & sisters. We’ll see how things go. I’ll play it by ear. If I have enough time, I’ll go.

Here’s a little information on the Festival:
The Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California’s major literary event. Last year over 130,000 people attended the Festival, which featured almost one hundred ticketed author events, childrens’ storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and nearly 500 exhibitor booths.
According to Examiner.com, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is the largest and most prestigious literary event in the U.S. Held annually, the festival promises entertaining and educational activities for children and adults who love books.
There will be 400 authors in attendance. Here’s the list.
One of my favorite new authors, Pseudonymous Bosch, will be there.

Finally!

Even though it took an incredibly long time, I am back to the grind. I had an interview today to sub for a neighboring district. The interviewer was nice & very friendly. She recommended me. It’s not my ideal job, but it’s work. My kids gotta’ eat. Besides, beggars cannot be choosers. It’ll do until something else comes along!

HERE’S TO 2010!

42nd Anniversary Of Martin Luther King’s Death

Upon the request of Lowell Dempsey, I am re-posting this.
This month of April marks the 42nd anniversary of the death of Dr. King and we are commemorating his life and work by creating a memorial in our nation’s capital. The Washington, DC, Martin Luther King, Jr., National Memorial will honor his life and contributions to the world through non violent social change.

Mr. Dempsey put together this micro-site to help get the message out – there are videos, photos, banners, and even a web toolbar that, when used, donates money to the creation of the memorial:

http://mlkmemorialnews.org

After many years of fund raising, the memorial is only $14 million away from its $120 million goal.

Lowell Dempsey,
BuildTheDream.org
Twitter @mlkmemorial
Facebook.com/MLKNationalMemorial

Teaching Math, Counting, Addition & Subtraction

If you would like to teach your child how to count the easy way, here it is. Get some paper money. Any kind. (I prefer Lakeshore.) Devise a pay chart. Pay your children to do odd jobs around the house. They can even be paid for doing their homework. However you want to do it. Here’s the trick- have them count it out loud, make change & save for a desired item. They won’t even know they’re learning. Or maybe they will and they won’t care. There you have it. That’s it. It’s that simple. Simple is usually the best.

Alphabetic Principle Activities

Here’s a follow up to my post from earlier. In my earlier post, I explained what the Alphabetic Principle was. In this post I offer up activities to coordinate with & enhance your child’s learning of the principle.

Alphabetic Principle Module
Reading Resource.net Part 1
Reading Resource.net Part 2
There are more available. This is just to get you started. Google Alphabetic Principle activities & you will find more.
I hope this helps!

Library Services @ LAPL

Due to budget cuts, the Los Angeles Public Library is cutting services. There a, however, still a wealth of services. They are really “into” the digital information age.
One of my favorite things available on the website (I’m not sure if this service is available in house) are the Audiobooks.
My husband has the Amazon Kindle (an e-reader). Since the Kindle is an e-reader, it’s virtually like a mini-computer. It’s great. It’s just like reading a book. The only thing is that I miss the feel & touch of a “real” book. If you don’t mind that or if you are more comfortable with a computer than a book, then you’ll really love the Kindle. Books are available for instant download. They can be purchased from Amazon for as cheap as .99 cents. No shipping & handling. Just downloading! That’s pretty cheap for a book. But I found an even better deal. At the library. They offer it for an even better price- FREE.
To check out the services available, go to Los Angeles Public Library’s (LAPL) homepage @ lapl.org. On the left hand side, there are a bunch of tabs. Click on Library Resources & check out everything there is to offer.

The Goal Of Reading!

The goal of reading is comprehension. When your child is able to sound out new words, has memorized sight words, reads fluently and understands what he read, he has learned how to read!

The Alphabetic Principle

What is the Alphabetic Principle? Good question. Basically the Alphabetic Principle is the understanding that letters are used to represent the speech sounds of our language.

Here are a couple of websites to fully explain it:
Reading Rocket
Reading Resource.net
Education.com
Glynn County School System
SEDL

NOTE: One of more of these sites have links to purchase books or other educational material. Even if you purchase them, I receive no commission. I do this purely for the love of disseminating information.

Reading Rockets Resources

I love the Reading Rockets site. They have a wealth of information. Yesterday I wrote a post about teaching your child to read. For you and your child’s enrichment, here’s another resource for teaching your child to read. Look to the middle right of the page. I particularly liked the articles under the headings BASICS & For Teachers.

http://www.readingrockets.org/atoz/about_reading

Teach A Child To Read

I found this fantastic website with great strategies. I was in the midst of finishing up my case study and needed some extra stuff when I stumbled upon this website. It offers many strategies on teaching your child to read. If you’d like to visit it, here’s the website: www.succeedtoread.com

Check it out!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate it!

STOP, DROP, & ROLL

The World According To ‘ L’

This directive was taught to us as children by our local firemen; however, I’m tasking you with it as adults. I see you over there; bored with life, and the monotony of it all, but afraid to make any real changes. God wants you to step outside of your comfort zone, and there is no better time than the present.

STOP procrastinating. It can be a thief, which robs you of walking in your destiny.  You’re the right one for the job. Believe it, and know that with each passing moment, there are several missed opportunities.

DROP all of the excuses. Real leaders and doers deal in results, not excuses. Shed the ‘victim’ role that many of you have been wearing like a garment for decades.  Own your decisions and choices, up to this point, and keep it moving.

ROLL through the obstacles and don’t be deterred by them. They are merely building blocks placed there to make you stronger and more appreciative of the journey.

Just know that you have what it takes; now walk it out; claim it; remain steadfast and by all means STOP, DROP and ROLL!

Reposted from Diva Zone’s Daily Dose: http://www.divazonemagazine.com.

Building Wings by Don Johnston

Building Wings (How I Made It Through School)  by Don Johnston (2006) was a treat to read. I was contacted by the publisher  and asked to review the book and materials. I pored over the materials and read the book and was impressed with what I read.

It’s an inspirational story about overcoming obstacles and learning how to read. I would recommend it to ages 7-100. I loved it because there are many people in this world who could benefit from this book. I know someone, who @ 38 years old, never learned to read. She is functionally illiterate because of her dyslexia. When we spoke about her dyslexia, she was happy to learn that she wasn’t alone. She says she always felt “stupid” because she could barely read and as a result, she could never “keep” up with the rest of the class. She knows how to shop for her children’s clothes, go grocery shopping & manages to keep money in her bank account, but desires to read. I would definitely recommend this book to her. Maybe reading Mr. Johnston’s story would spur her desire to read.

Now, on to the review. I will begin my review by asking this question- Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Well,  in order to answer that you need to know the context of which I’m speaking. I’m talking about behavior problems in special education students. Did the disability cause the misbehavior or did the misbehavior begin because the child is trying to cover it up?** Chicken or the Egg?.

Usually children receiving special education services are known for their behavior issues. So to answer the question, which came first, the chicken or the egg, I’d say the chicken. Don answers that question also. He chronicles his attempts to hide his learning disability by misbehaving or becoming the class clown.

I was so moved when I read this book. I was near tears more than once. Mr. Johnston’s story reminded me of my former students. They misbehaved so badly because they would rather have been thought of as “bad” than stupid. I am so glad I understood them. Every child isn’t so lucky though. There was a teacher of his that really disheartened me, Mrs. Arnus. Instead of trying to see past the surface, she treated him so badly. Having the wrong teacher can be very detrimental to a child’s social & academic well-being ** (The Wrong Seasoning (My Teacher Hates Me). I had to keep in mind that this was long before I.D.E.A.; before there was more sensitivity to the subject of Special Education. However, I have to admit that Special Education is still the red-headed step-child. We’ve come so far, but there’s still a long way to go.

Mr. Johnston endured through it all. A trait I really admire about Mr. Johnston was that he learned how to learn by learning his own learning style. He knew that he had a problem that needed to be fixed, so he fixed it. He took ownership of his own education. I’ve found that once someone, especially a child, takes ownership or their own education, things improve almost immediately. The same thing happened with Don. He took ownership of his education by finding something to motivate himself; something that he liked. That something turned out to be the Space Program. Once Don’s dad found out, he encouraged him. As a result, he continued to learn more and more since he knew something his father didn’t. This spurred his desire to learn more.

Because of his rough start, Don’s story could have turned out horribly wrong. There were many obstacles stacked against him. Thankfully, things in life seem to balance themselves out. In response to his bad experiences with Mrs. Arnus (His teacher who treated him badly), God blessed him with Mrs. Tedesco. There is something to be said for teachers who believe that every student can & will achieve if given the proper motivation. For Don, that balance came in the form of was Mrs. Tedesco. She complimented him instead of criticizing. She let him know that the skills he was developing were valuable. This inspired him. He didn’t even know he was developing his critical thinking skills. Because of Mrs. Tedesco and teachers like her, he was able to succeed.

If you would like to know how Mr. Johnston’s story ends, pick up his book for your child or student. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a very heartwarming story. As always, pick it up at your local library or bookstore, or here’s the website if you would like to order it directly from Don Johnston @ Building Wings.