A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

A Single Shard was written in 2001 and won the Newberry Award for that year. Written by Linda Sue Park, a Korean-American writer, the story takes place in 12th century Korea. The main character, Tree-Ear, is an orphan who lives with another homeless man named Crane-man. Dispite their many struggles the two form a sort of family that keeps them going. Tree-Ear becomes facinated with the art of pottery and starts to work for a talented old potter named Min. The real conflict comes when Tree-Ear must make a journey to the palace of Korea and show Min's pottery to the court. After being robbed, and all the pottery smashed to pieces, Tree-Ear continues on with a single shard of pottery to show for Min instead of accepting defeat. This shows what an honorable and trustworthy Tree-Ear really is. The story ends with Tree-Ear returning with news about the court, (which I won't tell because it will ruin the story) Tree-Ear's adoption by Min and his wife, and the unfortuante death of his friend, Crane-man. In the end, Tree-Ear has grown into a young man and learned about life and made something of himself. I think it sends a great message of determination to children and adults! I loved it!

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

This book is a Newberry Award winner and was written in 1976. It talks about the Logan family and this particular book is one of a series of books about this family. The background and family structure of the Logan's is loosely based on Taylor's own family. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is a work of historical fiction which is my family genre of children’s literature. I think the idea of writing a story based on historical events to teach children about a historical time period by writing it from the perspective of a child is wonderful. Children can relate much easier to another child. In the story, Cassie the only daughter of the family, is the narrator and we see everything through her eyes. The family is an African American family living in the south after reconstruction. They own their own land, which is very rare at that time, and causes them great strife with the white, racist people of the town. I felt a great deal of injustice and frustration throughout the novel because it is hard to imagine such things occurring in this country. My favorite part of the book was the children’s conflict with the bus. The white children of the town are allowed to ride a nice school bus to their school, while the black children must walk to their run down school. The children decide the dig a whole in the road and thus cause the bus to break down and all the white children to walk to school for a day. Although it is a brief victory, the children at least get some satisfaction from it! The Logan family is stable and steadfast and sticks together throughout the story and shows what family life should be like for children. Although their troubles are great, the parents still make it a priority to raise their children correctly and to be independent and honorable.

Peter Pan by James Matthew Barrie

Peter Pan was first written as a play and was widely popular during Barrie’s lifetime. It is a story that most people still know today. Young children find themselves in another world where children never have to grow up and are lead by an interesting figure named Peter Pan. The stories themes range from family life, jealousy, maturity, and the conflict between children and adults. I was especially drawn to the theme of the child vs. the adult. It is such a confusing question for children. They want to be like adults, hardly ever agree with adults, and are in a constant power struggle with them. Barrie wrote the story for the Llewelyn-Davis boys who we became very close to. I read somewhere that the character of the father in Peter Pan, Mr. Darling who is selfish, immature and in competition with his children for his wife’s attention, is based on the boys’ father. Because Barrie was so much a part of the boys’ life, and used his fame and fortune to provide trips, gifts, attention, etc to them that their hard working poor father could not, there was always severe tension between them, as can be expected! At the time that Barrie wrote Peter Pan, it had been many years since the boys were young and always wanted to be around him. They were grown, had families of their own and had little time for their old friend and benefactor. Barrie wrote Peter Pan as a reminder to them of all the good playful times they shared when they were younger. As the story started as a play and was adapted into somewhat of a novel, though still containing stage directions, these side notes offer the most commentary on this subject by Barrie himself. The introduction and stage directions are full of inside jokes that make no sense to us and self depreciating and pitiful tones that give us the sense that Barrie is feeling very sorry for himself at the loss of his beloved boys. I remember reading versions of this tale and watching the movie when I was young, but I have a new appreciation for the story of Peter Pan after reading it as an adult and learning about the background of the story!

The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola and Weather by Seymour Simon

The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola

In this book, dePaola gives descriptions, illustrations and even other slang names commonly used with all different kinds of clouds. In the beginning he starts with the three main types: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. Tomie dePaola explains then what makes a cloud one of these types and where they are in the sky. The illustrations are fun and interesting, and I think kids would be able to find in the sky the main three types of clouds after reading this! The second part of the book consists of many other varieties of clouds that stem from the three main types. He briefly talks about how clouds are regarded in a few other cultures and in the past. There are a variety of sayings and idioms that farmers, travelers, villagers, sailor, etc and ones that we still use today like, “she has her head in the clouds.” In the end there is a silly story about a cloud coming into a room to show how clouds expand in an area and then a helpful index of the cloud types and page numbers!
Kindergarten-First Grade Level reading it aloud.

Weather by Seymour Simon

This book goes into great detail about our atmosphere, what happens there, how we get different weather patterns and is at too high of a level for first grade, but I think I could still use this book because of its many amazing photographs of weather all over the world. I think that we could discuss, using simple language, what he is talking about in the text. He also includes some great new vocabulary that the children would not be very familiar with such as atmosphere, equator, South Pole, North Pole and continent that may help to learn in our unit on weather. There is also another book by the same author called Lightning that is much of the same kind of thing.
Fourth-Fifth Grade Reading Level

Classroom Management Poem

Here is a poem I wrote for another class about my experience with Classroom Management!!!!!

The important thing about rewards is to make them meaningful.
They are always positive.
Rewards come in many different sizes.
They can be as simple as a hug.
Of course, I must give them out occasionally.
Rewards should be given out spontaneously.
The important thing about rewards is to make them meaningful.


The important thing about personal conduct is to always be professional.
The way I dress is only part of it.
Actions always speak louder than words.
It is easy to forget after hours at the store.
Gossip or any form of it should not be in my vocabulary.
Personal conduct should be on my mind at all times.
The important thing about personal conduct is to always be professional.


The important thing about punishment is to be respectful.
It should never humiliate the student.
The punishment must fit the crime.
It must be meaningful for that individual child.
Punishment should be timely.
Praise in public, punish in private.
The important thing about punishment is to be respectful.


The important thing about the first day of class is to be prepared.
I will involve our community of learners in creating rules.
It is always necessary to clearly state expectations.
Show the respect that I expect for the year.
Organize the classroom in a student friendly way.
Use my enthusiasm to establish enthusiasm in my class.
The important thing about the first day of class is to be prepared.


The important thing about parent conferences is communication.
Make the relationship a partnership and joint effort.
Keep the conversation centered on their student.
Always have two positives for every negative.
Keep in mind that both parties have the child’s interest at heart.
Be respectful of differences in background and belief.
The important thing about parent conferences is communication.

My Belief/Action Statement

In one of my early childhood classes this sememster, we were prompted to write a belief statement and an action statement to guide what we want our mission to be as classroom teachers. I think that this was a very beneficial assignment for us because when you have an explicit goal in mind, it keeps you focused and on track. I have found that this is also true in life.

Here is my belief/action statement from class:

I believe that the ability to read will allow students to be successful in all other subject areas throughout their years in school.

Therefore, I will make it my top priority to make sure that my students make constant improvements in their reading skills.

Having enjoyed this assignment and seeing its obvious benefits for the creator, I decided today that I would write one for my own life:

I believe that I must first respect myself, love myself and care for myself before I can truly respect, love and care for others in my life.

Therefore, I will focus on my own ldaily life, business, and goals and look inward for answers.

Similarities Between the Stories

The similarities that these influential heroines share may be few, but important because of the lessons they teach to their audience. Neither of the characters appear timid in their situations, giving the sense that they will be capable of defeating their foes of the story. Ruby and Little Red also show an immense amount of cleverness, which permits them to solve their dilemmas and will continue to serve them well in future conflicts. Deciding on a course of action and following it through is an important characteristic, seen in both heroines, of a successful individual today, whether in be in the business world or in personal relationships. Both Ruby and Little Red Riding Hood are resourceful in using their wits to find a resolution in the end, which is essential for portraying the independent and accomplished characters, readers can admire and imitate. Having both of the heroines satisfied in the conclusion of their respected stories, gives a sense of hope to the audience. If the readers were to use Ruby and Little Red’s trials and triumphs as examples in their own lives, they would be victorious as well.

With so many different versions of the Little Red Riding Hood stories floating around today, it is important to choose versions that will have a positive effect on the young people of today. “Ruby” and “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf” are two versions that are noticeably different in some aspects but that both boast heroines that are essential in building valuable character traits in the young people of today.

"Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" by Roald Dahl

The character of Little Red Riding Hood in Dahl’s version “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf” is bold, independent, and seems to have learned all of her lessons, at least in dealing with wolves, already. Directly following the terrifying threat the wolf, who is about to make her dinner, “the small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.” Little Red is unaffected by the ferocious beast before her. This quote portrays a young girl who does not appear to be afraid of anything. Little Red is also one gigantic step ahead of the poor wolf, who thinks he knows how the story will end; his second meal and the satisfaction of his hunger at last. Little Red has another ending in mind and has prepared herself for such an end. Bringing with her a means of killing the wolf, she intentionally provides the resources she needs to successfully fix her problematic situation. Little Red Riding Hood “whips as pistol from her knickers. She aims it at the creatures head and bang bang bang, she shoots him dead.” Maybe she always carries a pistol with her, but regardless, she is prepared. Little Red seems almost arrogant at the end of the poem, when coming upon another person, immediately states, “Hello, and please note my lovely furry WOLFSKIN COAT.” Blatantly pointing her new coat out in such a way, Little Red is revealing her pride in her accomplishments that were all brought about with no one to help her.

"Ruby" by Michael Emberley

In the beginning of her story, Ruby, the main character of Emberley’s “Ruby,” presents herself as intelligent, naïve, and unprepared for the danger ahead of her. The audience can see the danger in store for Ruby, even before she realizes for herself, as the stranger who saves her smoothly says, “You know…a tender, er, pretty thing like you really shouldn’t be strolling the streets alone…allow me to escort you for the remainder of your journey today.” The audience, with the aid of the illustrations, immediately recognizes the stranger as a cat, the eternal enemy of mice everywhere. In the heart of the story, Ruby finally grasps the utter threat and remembers what she has been taught about strangers just in time. After cleverly making a call to the proper person, Mrs. Mastiff, she uses her resources to fix the situation, knowing she alone is helpless against the threat of the cat. Mrs. Mastiff commends her foreword thinking in phoning her when she says, “It was wise of you to call me instead of your granny.” Through the praise of Mrs. Mastiff, Ruby recognizes that she used her resources to solve the ominous predicament she had found herself in successfully.

My Discussion of Two Little Red Riding Hood Stories

There are numerous versions of the Little Red Riding Hood story circulating today; written anywhere from long ago into our century, but two have captured my attention. “Ruby” by Michael Emberley and “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf” by Roald Dahl are two versions that are strikingly different in plot, scene and time period. Despite their differences, these two stories boast important female characters who share respectable qualities and maintain their own traits that are desirable to young people today. In my next couple of blogs I with share my findings and opinions of these two remarkable tales.

My Thoughts on Writing Now

As a writer, I think that I struggle in formal settings taking out my voice. I tend to type exactly how I think and speak. In a situation when my language needs to be more professional and straight forward, it is difficult for me to create a serious tone because I am not by nature a very serious person. This affects research papers that I have done, and currently my resume writing abilities, which is lacking in this area.

I believe that it is important, as with reading, to make writing fun. If I ask my Kindergarten students to journal, then I will be writing as well to show them that it is a meaningful task that even grown ups write! Of course the earlier you instill this idea of reading and writing for enjoyment into their minds, the more successful they will be in school and the more likely they will continue to read and write and progress throughout their lives. I don’t think that writing is as important as it used to be in our society. Instead of corresponding with ink and beautiful stationary, we send off a quick email, message on Facebook, or send a brief and abbreviated text message to family and friends, which does not seem to have the same nostalgic effect on the recipient. I love receiving cards (the three times throughout the year that I do!) and they always brighten my day and find their way to the refrigerator door before long.

Learning to Write

My favorite time of the day in fourth grade was our journaling time. The classroom would get slightly darker; we would listen to soft music and could think about what to write without any pressure. Sometimes we would be given prompts and other times, were simply told to write about whatever we were thinking.

One frustrating experience I had with writing in school occurred in fifth grade when were learning about poetry. I love poetry and can write a poem if given ample time to do so. But this day we had to rush for some reason and I got so stressed that I was running out of time that I could not even think of a topic! I remember my teacher saying that it was not a big deal, but to me it was. I will make sure that if I want my students to write something meaningful, then I will allot appropriate time to do so!

Again, being an education major, I do a lot of reflecting. Papers like these are a great way for us, taking all of this information in, to slow down and process our thoughts and create our own ideas for the future. As cheesy as that sounds, I enjoy the typical outcome that reflecting causes. I typically feel more confident with the material and have formed my own opinions about the topic. I would love to keep a journal now so that I can remember what I was like in college, but I can’t seem to find the time!

A blurb about my experience of writing in school.

My earliest memories of learning to write in school involve the keeping of a personal journal. At first I began by simply drawing pictures to tell a story, and then I slowly began drawing wavy lines to represent my words. My teacher would give us a sentence starter, a topic to write about, a specific set of words we needed to use in a word bank that were probably spelling words of the week. I also remember this kind of activity being used after we had read a story as a class. In order to be successful at our retelling of the story, my teacher would create a word bank that had key words that would help jog my memory of what occurred in the story. Our spelling words of the week were also related to each other through the special sound of the week. Sometime around first or second grade, I remember a fun activity that used the materials macaroni and cheerios to help us learn! We glued macaroni onto sample sentences where commas needed to go and cheerios where periods belonged!

My earliest memories of writing outside of school take place at home with my oversized crayons and pencils and huge Big Chief Indian Tablet! I would pretend to write my mother’s grocery lists or send notes with my dad to work that said nothing legible! These materials were available for me at home and at school to encourage me to explore writing on paper and drawing. I think that all of this exposure and practice made it easier for me to quickly learn to write.

My reading habits now:

Presently, I read for school and do so at every waking moment I have! Because of the classes I am enrolled in currently, the reading load is intense and almost impossible to keep up with. Luckily, this semester and the last, I have had Children’s Literature courses which allow me to at least partly enjoy the reading that I do! I would love to pick up a book for fun, but I have no time. I would say I’d give up T.V. or Internet time in order to read, but I don’t even have time for those things! I will definitely read once I graduate and get settled into my career because I think it is important to take time to loose yourself in a story and relax. I love American historical fiction, especially around the Civil War, and there are plenty of adventures out there for me to choose from!
I would like to do better as a reader in staying focused on texts that may not be the most interesting, but I must know what it is saying. I find myself quite often at the bottom of a page that I have been reading but have no idea what the text said, although I have decided what to eat for dinner!
I think the most important thing that a teacher can convey to a Kindergartener is that reading is fun and can be accomplished with patience. Once a student feels discouraged, it is difficult to get them motivated to progress with their reading skills. Kindergarten seems to be a great age (the very beginning of their education) to clarify that school, learning, and reading are fun things to know how to do and that they are capable of being successful at all three things.