I found this short discription about the history of children's literature and I thiought that it summed it up pretty well. I thought I would share....
Because of the difficulty in defining children's literature, it is also difficult to trace its history to a precise starting point. In 1658 Jan Ámos Komenský published the illustrated informational book Orbis Pictus; it's considered to be the first picture book published specifically for children. John Newbery's 1744 publication of A Little Pretty Pocket-Book, sold with a ball for boys or a pincushion for girls, is considered a landmark for the beginning of pleasure reading marketed specifically to children. As far as folktales are concerned the Brothers Grimm; Jakob and Wilhem of the early nineteenth century were responsible for the writing down and preserving of the oral tradition. Previous to Newbery, literature marketed for children was intended to instruct the young, though there was a rich oral tradition of storytelling for children and adults; and many tales later considered to be inappropriate for children, such as the fairy tales of Charles Perrault, may have been considered family fare. Additionally, some literature not written with children in mind was given to children by adults. Among the earliest examples found in English of this co-opted adult fiction are Thomas Malory's d'Authur and the Robin Hood tales.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Hobbit
We are about to begin reading teh book The Hobbit by JR Tolkien. I was searching for imformations about the book and found out that there is currently a movie being made about the book. It is scheduled to be released in 2010. I figured I would incllude the information about the movie so that if someone enjoyed th ebook that could be on the look out for the movie in a couple of years.
Overview:
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writer: J.R.R. Tolkien (novel)
Genre: Adventure / Fantasy more
Plot Outline: Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.
Synopsis: Based on JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, is the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is seen in Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The Hobbit follows Bilbo as he first encounters Gandalf. He is somewhat unwillingly swept off on an adventure to the lonely mountain to rid it of the dragon, Smaug. The dragon is guarding a treasure of enormous value that he had firstly taken from the dwarves who once lived there. A major battle shortly, ensues.
Overview:
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writer: J.R.R. Tolkien (novel)
Genre: Adventure / Fantasy more
Plot Outline: Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.
Synopsis: Based on JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, is the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is seen in Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The Hobbit follows Bilbo as he first encounters Gandalf. He is somewhat unwillingly swept off on an adventure to the lonely mountain to rid it of the dragon, Smaug. The dragon is guarding a treasure of enormous value that he had firstly taken from the dwarves who once lived there. A major battle shortly, ensues.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Books Online
When I was a child, the only way for children to be exposed to books was through hard copy. Times have definitly changed in the last twenty years!! I was looking online for children's books to try to get an idea of what to blog about and I found a great site that has illistrated books online. There are books that range from young children to yound adults. There are some very intresting books that are included. I think it is wonderfuls that that technology has given children the opportunity to learn in many more ways than the generation that perceded them. Here is the site for your enjoyment!!
http://www.magickeys.com/books/
http://www.magickeys.com/books/
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Visit from St Nicholos
I thought that I would take this opportunity to reflect on this peom for this blog. As a child, my family would read this poem every Christmas Eve. It is a tradition that I greatly miss as an adult and cant wait to share with my own children. I can remember sitting on the floor or in one of my parents lap and closing my eyers so that I would have just enough time to imagine every little detail of te story before it was time for m eto go to bed. I think it is great that this is a tradition that my family kept up for so many years. It is amazing that something as simple as a short poem can bring family close together and create lasting memories.
’T WAS the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that ST. NICHOLAS soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
’T WAS the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that ST. NICHOLAS soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
Monday, March 24, 2008
Children Literature in Different Languages
I think that I have always realized that many of the stories that we read as children in the United States are also read by children in foreign countries. I think it is amazing that something as simple a poem can link two completly udifferent nations together. I enjoyed the poem "Casey at the Bat" so I used a translator to convert that peom into Italian. I thought it was pretty neat!!
The English Version...
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.
The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that —
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat."
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped
—"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!""Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.
The Italian Version...
La prospettiva non era brillante per il Mudville nove quel giorno; Il punteggio ha stato in piedi quattro adue, con ma un inning più di giocare, E poi quando Cooney è morto dapprima, e le Carrette hanno fatto lostesso, UN silenzio di drappo funebre-come è caduto sui clienti del gioco.
Un trascinare poca si sono alzati andare nella disperazione profonda. Il riposo Ha Aderito a quella speranzache primavere eterne nel seno umano; hanno pensato, "se soltanto Casey potrebbe ma prende un batte a ciò —alzeremmo anche il denaro adesso, con Casey al pipistrello".
Ma Flynn ha preceduto Casey, ha fatto come anche Jimmy Blake, Ed il precedente era un hoodoo, mentre l'ultimoera una torta; Così su quella moltitudine affranta malinconia feroca ha seduto; Per la probabilitá lí sembratama Per piccola di prendere di Casey al pipistrello.
Ma Flynn ha lasciato la spinta un solo, al wonderment di tutto il, E Blake, il molto disprezzato, hastracciato il coperchio via dalla palla; E quando la polvere aveva sollevato, e gli uomini hanno visto ciò cheera accaduto, C'era la cassaforte di Jimmy al secondo e Flynn che l'un-abbracciando terzo.
Poi da cinque mila gole e più è sorto lí un urlo vigoroso; ha brontolato attraverso la valle, ha risuonatonella valletta; ha pestato sulla montagna e retrocesso sull'appartamento, Per Casey, Casey potentemente,avanzava al pipistrello.
C'era la facilità nel modo del Casey come ha camminato nel suo luogo; C'era l'orgoglio in portare del Casey ed una faccia del Casey di lit di sorriso. E quando, rispondendo agli evviva, eglileggermente il doffed il suo cappello, Nessuno straniero nella folla potrebbe dubitare 'Casey di twas al pipistrello.
Dieci mila occhi erano su lui come ha fregato le sue mani con la terra. Cinque mila lingue hanno applaudito quando loro ha puliti sulla sua camicia. Poi mentre il dibatte la brocca mettono a terra la palla nel suo fianco, la sua Sfida lampeggiata nell'occhio del Casey, un sogghigno haarricciato il labbro del Casey.
Ed adesso la sfera di pelle-coprire è venuta precipitare attraverso l'aria, E Casey ha stato in piedi l'un-osservazione esso nella grandiosità altezzosa lí. Chiuderedal battitore tarchiato la palla ignorata accelerata — "Quell'ain' t il mio stile," ha detto Casey. "Colpisce un"! l'arbitro ha detto.
Dalle panche, annerire con le persone, è salito lí un ruggito avvolto, Come la punizione delle tempesta-ondesu una Come riva severa e distante; "l'Uccide! Uccidere l'arbitro"! gridato alcuni un sulla posizione; Ed èprobabile che l'avrebbero ucciso ha avuto non Casey ha alzato la sua mano.
Con un sorriso di carità cristiana grande visage del Casey ha brillato; Egli lo stilled il che sorgendotumulto; ha fatto un'offerta il gioco continua; ha segnalato alla brocca, ed ancora una volta la sfera grigiaha volato; Ma Casey l'ha ignorato tuttavia, e l'arbitro detto "Colpisce due"!
"Frode"! ha pianto le migliaia impazzite, ed eco ha risposto "Frode"! Ma uno sguardo sprezzante da Casey ed il pubblico era awed. Hanno visto che la sua faccia cresce severo e freddo, hanno visto la sua tensione di muscoli, E hanno saputo che Casey non lascerebbe quella palla va ancora.
Il sogghigno è fuggito dal labbro del Casey, i denti sono serrati nell'odio; pesta con la violenza crudele il suo pipistrello sulla piastra. Ed adesso la brocca tiene lapalla, ed adesso lo lascia va, Ed adesso l'aria è frantumata dalla forza di colpo del Casey.
Oh, in qualche luogo in questa terra favorita che il sole brilla luminoso, La banda gioca dei in qualcheluogo, ed in qualche luogo cuori sono leggeri, Ed in qualche luogo gli uomini ridono, ed i piccoli bambinigridano; Ma non ci è gioia in Mudville — Casey potentemente ha progettato.
The English Version...
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.
The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that —
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat."
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped
—"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!""Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.
The Italian Version...
La prospettiva non era brillante per il Mudville nove quel giorno; Il punteggio ha stato in piedi quattro adue, con ma un inning più di giocare, E poi quando Cooney è morto dapprima, e le Carrette hanno fatto lostesso, UN silenzio di drappo funebre-come è caduto sui clienti del gioco.
Un trascinare poca si sono alzati andare nella disperazione profonda. Il riposo Ha Aderito a quella speranzache primavere eterne nel seno umano; hanno pensato, "se soltanto Casey potrebbe ma prende un batte a ciò —alzeremmo anche il denaro adesso, con Casey al pipistrello".
Ma Flynn ha preceduto Casey, ha fatto come anche Jimmy Blake, Ed il precedente era un hoodoo, mentre l'ultimoera una torta; Così su quella moltitudine affranta malinconia feroca ha seduto; Per la probabilitá lí sembratama Per piccola di prendere di Casey al pipistrello.
Ma Flynn ha lasciato la spinta un solo, al wonderment di tutto il, E Blake, il molto disprezzato, hastracciato il coperchio via dalla palla; E quando la polvere aveva sollevato, e gli uomini hanno visto ciò cheera accaduto, C'era la cassaforte di Jimmy al secondo e Flynn che l'un-abbracciando terzo.
Poi da cinque mila gole e più è sorto lí un urlo vigoroso; ha brontolato attraverso la valle, ha risuonatonella valletta; ha pestato sulla montagna e retrocesso sull'appartamento, Per Casey, Casey potentemente,avanzava al pipistrello.
C'era la facilità nel modo del Casey come ha camminato nel suo luogo; C'era l'orgoglio in portare del Casey ed una faccia del Casey di lit di sorriso. E quando, rispondendo agli evviva, eglileggermente il doffed il suo cappello, Nessuno straniero nella folla potrebbe dubitare 'Casey di twas al pipistrello.
Dieci mila occhi erano su lui come ha fregato le sue mani con la terra. Cinque mila lingue hanno applaudito quando loro ha puliti sulla sua camicia. Poi mentre il dibatte la brocca mettono a terra la palla nel suo fianco, la sua Sfida lampeggiata nell'occhio del Casey, un sogghigno haarricciato il labbro del Casey.
Ed adesso la sfera di pelle-coprire è venuta precipitare attraverso l'aria, E Casey ha stato in piedi l'un-osservazione esso nella grandiosità altezzosa lí. Chiuderedal battitore tarchiato la palla ignorata accelerata — "Quell'ain' t il mio stile," ha detto Casey. "Colpisce un"! l'arbitro ha detto.
Dalle panche, annerire con le persone, è salito lí un ruggito avvolto, Come la punizione delle tempesta-ondesu una Come riva severa e distante; "l'Uccide! Uccidere l'arbitro"! gridato alcuni un sulla posizione; Ed èprobabile che l'avrebbero ucciso ha avuto non Casey ha alzato la sua mano.
Con un sorriso di carità cristiana grande visage del Casey ha brillato; Egli lo stilled il che sorgendotumulto; ha fatto un'offerta il gioco continua; ha segnalato alla brocca, ed ancora una volta la sfera grigiaha volato; Ma Casey l'ha ignorato tuttavia, e l'arbitro detto "Colpisce due"!
"Frode"! ha pianto le migliaia impazzite, ed eco ha risposto "Frode"! Ma uno sguardo sprezzante da Casey ed il pubblico era awed. Hanno visto che la sua faccia cresce severo e freddo, hanno visto la sua tensione di muscoli, E hanno saputo che Casey non lascerebbe quella palla va ancora.
Il sogghigno è fuggito dal labbro del Casey, i denti sono serrati nell'odio; pesta con la violenza crudele il suo pipistrello sulla piastra. Ed adesso la brocca tiene lapalla, ed adesso lo lascia va, Ed adesso l'aria è frantumata dalla forza di colpo del Casey.
Oh, in qualche luogo in questa terra favorita che il sole brilla luminoso, La banda gioca dei in qualcheluogo, ed in qualche luogo cuori sono leggeri, Ed in qualche luogo gli uomini ridono, ed i piccoli bambinigridano; Ma non ci è gioia in Mudville — Casey potentemente ha progettato.
Friday, March 21, 2008
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Sunday is Easter!! This is one of my favorite holidaysbecause it a time where I get to come together with my famil and celebrate the life of my Lord Jesus Christ. I learned about the holiday as a kid through my parents, at church and through reading about it. I thought that it wuld be fun for me to share some Easter poems on my blog today. Enjoy the children's poems below and have a great Easter!!
Easter Carolby Ellen Robena Field
The world is filled with gladness;
The world is filled with gladness;
The bells of Easter ring;
Each pure white lily's waking,
To welcome infant spring.
Chorus.
Oh, dear little children, listen,
Oh, dear little children, listen,
And hear what the glad bells say!
The sweetest chime they ever rang
- "Our Lord is risen today!"
II.
Birds are flying across the sky;
Birds are flying across the sky;
Their songs ring through the air;
They carol of the Father's love
He shows us everywhere.
Chorus.
Oh, dear little children, listen,
Oh, dear little children, listen,
And hear what the birdlings say!
The sweetest song they ever sang
- "Our Lord is risen today!"
At Easter
by Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr.
As Easter breathes hope for a joyous tomorrow
As Easter breathes hope for a joyous tomorrow
E'en out of the depths of despair,
So may this day banish from you every sorrow
And make you feel free as the air.
While hearing grand anthems that swell to the sky,
While hearing grand anthems that swell to the sky,
And breathing sweet lilies' perfume,
May you feel assured that your soul will not die
As life does not end in the tomb.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Amelia Bedelia Helps Out
I love the Amelia Bedelia books. She is hilarious to me. Last semester in my sign language class we actually signed sections on one Amelia Bedelia book. It was really fun!! In this book Amelia is back to her old self. She takes every thing so literally. For example in this book, she is working for an older lady, helping with her garden chores. This book does not seem to have a lot of morals within it. It does however provide the humor that lacks in many people’s lives. I hope that children receive the laughs that I think were pat of the goal of this book. I don’t however hope that they act in an Amelia Bedelia manner. She is very clueless about how things actually work. She is will always be a classic.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Reading as a kid....
Do you remember how much you loved to read when you were little? I certainly do! I could sit down and read an entire book in one sitting just because I wanted to and enjoyed doing it. I remember finding me a really good book and sitting on a swing and attempting to read it. I guess after many tries, I found that it made me dizzy and I had to start reading on solid ground. I was kind of at a loss of what to write about so I thought I would brainstorm different ways that reading can be made enjoyable for kids...
1. Read in different settings.
2. Consider books outside of your norm.
3. Read with a friend.
4. Read a book and then illustrate it.
5. Act out the book.
6. Create a song about a book.
7. Read you favorites over and over...
8. Curl up wth a book on a rainy day.
9. Attend a reading session at the library.
10. Enjoy the act of reading!!
Feel free to add any idea that you may have...
1. Read in different settings.
2. Consider books outside of your norm.
3. Read with a friend.
4. Read a book and then illustrate it.
5. Act out the book.
6. Create a song about a book.
7. Read you favorites over and over...
8. Curl up wth a book on a rainy day.
9. Attend a reading session at the library.
10. Enjoy the act of reading!!
Feel free to add any idea that you may have...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Poetry Race
I really enjoy the funny poems that I remember reading as a child. I was looking for some of my old favorites and found this "silly" game for kids to plays with peotry. I thought it was relly cute...so I thought I would share.
Directions: Simply get a stopwatch, practice the poem a few times, then see who out of the group can say it correctly the fastest!
Betty Botter
Betty Botter bought some butter.
"But," she said,"the butter's bitter.
If I put it in my batter,
it will makemy batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter--
that would makemy batter better."
So she boughta bit of butter,
better than her bitter butter.
And she put itin her batter,
and the batter was not bitter.
So 'twas better Betty Botter
bought a bitof better butter!
--By Anonymous
(Poetry Race and Betty Botter poem © 1999 by Meadowbrook Press)
It is harder to say than it looks... Here are the results that it gives kids to compare their time to...
How good a tongue twister are you?
40 seconds and over: Too slow. Your grandparents could say the poem faster.
30 to 40 seconds: Not bad. You're probably a faster talker than the President.
20 to 30 seconds: Pretty good. You've been gifted with a fast pair of lips.
15 to 20 seconds: Excellent. You can out talk anyone around.
14 seconds or less: You are a tongue tying champion!
Here is another to try....
Betty Botter's Biting Beaver
Betty Botter bought a beaver.
But the beastly beaver bit her.
So she bought a biting badger.
And the badger bit the beaver.
Since the badger bit the beaver,
now the beaver will not bite her.
So 'twas better Betty Botterbought a beaver-biting badger.
Directions: Simply get a stopwatch, practice the poem a few times, then see who out of the group can say it correctly the fastest!
Betty Botter
Betty Botter bought some butter.
"But," she said,"the butter's bitter.
If I put it in my batter,
it will makemy batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter--
that would makemy batter better."
So she boughta bit of butter,
better than her bitter butter.
And she put itin her batter,
and the batter was not bitter.
So 'twas better Betty Botter
bought a bitof better butter!
--By Anonymous
(Poetry Race and Betty Botter poem © 1999 by Meadowbrook Press)
It is harder to say than it looks... Here are the results that it gives kids to compare their time to...
How good a tongue twister are you?
40 seconds and over: Too slow. Your grandparents could say the poem faster.
30 to 40 seconds: Not bad. You're probably a faster talker than the President.
20 to 30 seconds: Pretty good. You've been gifted with a fast pair of lips.
15 to 20 seconds: Excellent. You can out talk anyone around.
14 seconds or less: You are a tongue tying champion!
Here is another to try....
Betty Botter's Biting Beaver
Betty Botter bought a beaver.
But the beastly beaver bit her.
So she bought a biting badger.
And the badger bit the beaver.
Since the badger bit the beaver,
now the beaver will not bite her.
So 'twas better Betty Botterbought a beaver-biting badger.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Shel Silverstin
I really enjoyed re-reading the poem by Shel Silverstine. I remember reading it numerous times as a kid adn know that I always emnjoyed it then. I found his "official" website adn thought it was a really fun site. Iy has a place where you can download stuff for your classroom. I found out that April is National Poetry Month! You should check out this site...It is really fun!!
Some of the cool stuff:
Finish Shel's Poems
Write your Own Poems
Cryptograms
You can alos find our stuff about Shel Silverstin and what is new in the world of his writing....
Hope you have fun with the site like me!!
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/html/home.html
Some of the cool stuff:
Finish Shel's Poems
Write your Own Poems
Cryptograms
You can alos find our stuff about Shel Silverstin and what is new in the world of his writing....
Hope you have fun with the site like me!!
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/html/home.html
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Nursery Rhymes
I found this quiz that tested how well you know your nursery rhymes. It is actually pretty difficult... try it out!!
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/Quizzes/Literature/NurseryRhymes.html
Squigly's Nursery Rhyme Quiz
How well do you know your nursery rhymes. Try answering these questions.
1.Who called for his pipe and bowl?
2.Who kissed the girls and made them cry?
3.All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put him back together again. Who was he?
4.Where did the old lady with too many children live?
5.What animal jumped over the moon?
6.Who broke his crown?
7.Who was afraid of spiders?
8.What time was it when the mouse ran down the clock?
9.Who was in the tub with the baker and candlestick maker?
10.Who kept his wife in a pumpkin shell?
Answers:
1.Who called for his pipe and bowl?
King Cole
2.Who kissed the girls and made them cry?
Georgie Porgie
3.All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put him back together again. Who was he?
Humpty Dumpty
4.Where did the old lady with too many children live?
A shoe
5.What animal jumped over the moon?
Cow
6.Who broke his crown?
Jack
7.Who was afraid of spiders?
Little Miss Muffet
8.What time was it when the mouse ran down the clock?
One o'clock
9.Who was in the tub with the baker and candlestick maker?
Butcher
10.Who kept his wife in a pumpkin shell?
Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/Quizzes/Literature/NurseryRhymes.html
Squigly's Nursery Rhyme Quiz
How well do you know your nursery rhymes. Try answering these questions.
1.Who called for his pipe and bowl?
2.Who kissed the girls and made them cry?
3.All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put him back together again. Who was he?
4.Where did the old lady with too many children live?
5.What animal jumped over the moon?
6.Who broke his crown?
7.Who was afraid of spiders?
8.What time was it when the mouse ran down the clock?
9.Who was in the tub with the baker and candlestick maker?
10.Who kept his wife in a pumpkin shell?
Answers:
1.Who called for his pipe and bowl?
King Cole
2.Who kissed the girls and made them cry?
Georgie Porgie
3.All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put him back together again. Who was he?
Humpty Dumpty
4.Where did the old lady with too many children live?
A shoe
5.What animal jumped over the moon?
Cow
6.Who broke his crown?
Jack
7.Who was afraid of spiders?
Little Miss Muffet
8.What time was it when the mouse ran down the clock?
One o'clock
9.Who was in the tub with the baker and candlestick maker?
Butcher
10.Who kept his wife in a pumpkin shell?
Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Henry's Happy Birthday
This story has a great moral. It is Henry’s birthday and he is very excited, but it seemed that nothing is going as planned for him. The cake was not the flavor that he wanted. He did not get the wear the clothes that he had planned. He thought that his guest had gotten him bad gifts. He also did not win the games that they were playing. Henry is very sour about the way that his birthday is going. He even goes as far as wishing that it was not his birthday while blowing out his candles. As the party progresses things start to go better. The cake that his mom made was very delicious. His friend gave him great gift that he really enjoyed. He forgot about the clothes and games and began to enjoy the party. I think that this story is great in teaching children that things are not always as they seem. Henry was upset that his party was not as planned but in the end he had a great time. I think that this book could help adults as much as children. If he had been easier going, the entire day may have been just as great as the end.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Love of Curdie
I really enjoy the character Curdie in the book The Princess and the Goblin. He is such a free spirit to me. I like that he was willing to deny the fact that Irene had saved his life in the cave. He seemed like a little macho man... not wanting any one to know that a woman had saved his life. I am looking forward to reading the sequal to this book that Dr. Robinson has talked about in class. I love to see love stories that start out with kids falling in love and ending up getting married. At one point in the book Curdie made me so mad. I thought it was so rude of him to basically call Irene a liar when he couldn't see the grandmother. I mean seriously, the girl just saved your life...show her some respect! I really enjoyed the book and the liked exploring the lives of two very intestering characters.
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