"The study of literature is not like the study of math or science, or even history. While those disciplines are based largely upon fact, the study of literature is based upon interpretation and analysis.
There are no clear-cut answers in literature, outside of the factual information about an author's life and the basic information about setting and characterization in a piece of literature. The rest is a highly subjective reading of what an author has written; each person brings a different set of values and a different background to the reading. As a result, no two people see the piece of literature in exactly the same light, and few critics agree on everything about a book or an author.
In your course of literature study, you or your professor/teacher may come up with a different interpretation of the mood or the theme or the conflict. Your interpretation, if it can be logically supported with information contained within the piece of literature, is just as correct as [the one's you'll find here]. So is the interpretation of your teacher or professor. [...]
Literature is simply not a black or white situation; instead, there are many gray areas that are open to varying analyses. Your task is to come up with your own analysis that you can logically defend."
"-- But you make no remark?"
"I -- I didn't know I had to make one -- just then," Alice faltered out.
"You should have said, 'It's extremely kind of you to tell me all this' -- however, we'll suppose it said."
Blogging To Help Children Engage In Classic Literature, Inspiring Them To Put Down Their Electronic Gadgets & Pick Up A Book
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Favorite Chilled Tea Recipe!
Sweet Iced Black Tea with Cream
This tea has lots of cream and sugar so it is definitely an indulgence. It looks pretty served in a low, clear glass. I had lots of whipped cream from the tart recipe so this was a great companion.
4 cups boiling water
8 Irish Breakfast tea bags
1/2 cup sugar (this sounds like a lot, but the tea is really strong so it's actually okay)
Crushed ice for serving
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pour water over tea, and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove tea bags. Bring tea and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Let cool. To serve, pour 1/2 cup tea over crushed ice in 8 glasses, and then top each with 1 tablespoon cream.
This tea has lots of cream and sugar so it is definitely an indulgence. It looks pretty served in a low, clear glass. I had lots of whipped cream from the tart recipe so this was a great companion.
4 cups boiling water
8 Irish Breakfast tea bags
1/2 cup sugar (this sounds like a lot, but the tea is really strong so it's actually okay)
Crushed ice for serving
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pour water over tea, and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove tea bags. Bring tea and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Let cool. To serve, pour 1/2 cup tea over crushed ice in 8 glasses, and then top each with 1 tablespoon cream.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Healthy Activities To Do With Your Kids: Enjoy Life Together
Play “conversation in a jar" (or basket, or bin). Keep a container on the dinner table with blank slips of paper, and whenever you think of a cool question, write it down and toss it in. Some examples from Cox: “What’s something you can do better than your parents?” “If there were a holiday named after you, how would people celebrate it?” “Make up a nickname for everyone at the table -- nothing mean!” Once a week, use some of the questions in the basket to spark conversations at dinner.
Shake it up. Every so often, have a wacky family dinner night. “Sometimes we’ll eat with the big serving utensils, use serving platters instead of plates, and drink out of big pitchers instead of cups,” says Cohen. Or you can put food coloring in everything and make goofy food. Or just serve dinner as a picnic, on a blanket in the living room or playroom.
Have a “reading dinner.” Choose a book and read aloud while you eat. If your kids are old enough, they can take a turn. “I think the reason my kids ate all their vegetables when they were younger is that the rule was, you have to keep eating if I’m going to read!” says Cox.
Enjoy special food outings. Have a regular, simple ritual, like going for ice cream after dinner once a week, or walking to the farmer’s market on Saturday morning.
Cook together as a family. Even the youngest child can help in the kitchen by pouring or stirring. “Just remember, it’s about the process, not getting to the outcome,” says Cohen. “It’ll probably take you longer to make the cookies than if you made them yourself, and the kitchen will get a lot messier. But if you tell them to stop and let you do it because they’re making a mess, you’ve blown it. It’s about time together.”
Invite friends to a monthly “soup night.” This is about more than just your family -- it’s about connecting with a community of friends. On soup night -- maybe the first Saturday of every month? -- make a huge pot of chili or stew and let it be known that friends are welcome to drop by with a bottle of wine or a loaf of bread. “Having things like that, that sense of community, lets kids grow up in a place where they feel safe,” says Cox. “They know there are other adults who will look after them.”
Shake it up. Every so often, have a wacky family dinner night. “Sometimes we’ll eat with the big serving utensils, use serving platters instead of plates, and drink out of big pitchers instead of cups,” says Cohen. Or you can put food coloring in everything and make goofy food. Or just serve dinner as a picnic, on a blanket in the living room or playroom.
Have a “reading dinner.” Choose a book and read aloud while you eat. If your kids are old enough, they can take a turn. “I think the reason my kids ate all their vegetables when they were younger is that the rule was, you have to keep eating if I’m going to read!” says Cox.
Enjoy special food outings. Have a regular, simple ritual, like going for ice cream after dinner once a week, or walking to the farmer’s market on Saturday morning.
Cook together as a family. Even the youngest child can help in the kitchen by pouring or stirring. “Just remember, it’s about the process, not getting to the outcome,” says Cohen. “It’ll probably take you longer to make the cookies than if you made them yourself, and the kitchen will get a lot messier. But if you tell them to stop and let you do it because they’re making a mess, you’ve blown it. It’s about time together.”
Invite friends to a monthly “soup night.” This is about more than just your family -- it’s about connecting with a community of friends. On soup night -- maybe the first Saturday of every month? -- make a huge pot of chili or stew and let it be known that friends are welcome to drop by with a bottle of wine or a loaf of bread. “Having things like that, that sense of community, lets kids grow up in a place where they feel safe,” says Cox. “They know there are other adults who will look after them.”
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Suggested Reading
Wondering what children’s book to read next? These resources will help to point you in the right direction!
The Newbery Medal Homepage (find it on ipl2: Resources by Subject – Literary Awards)
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm
This is the homepage for the Newbery Medal, an annual award given by the American Library Association for distinguished contributions to children’s literature. The site features a list of nominees, past winners, information about children’s literature, and links to related websites.
National Education Association: Resources and Materials (find it on ipl2: Resources by Subject – Kidspace – Reading Zone – Book Lists)
http://www.nea.org/grants/13023.htm
Part of the Read Across America program, this resource features lists of recommended children’s literature. The program works to highlight America’s diversity through lists covering Asian-American authors, Spanish/English bilingual books, Native American authors, and African American authors. Other lists include Teacher’s Top 100 and Author’s Favorites. Users can also download posters for Read Across America and the Reader’s Oath.
http://www.nea.org/grants/13023.htm
Part of the Read Across America program, this resource features lists of recommended children’s literature. The program works to highlight America’s diversity through lists covering Asian-American authors, Spanish/English bilingual books, Native American authors, and African American authors. Other lists include Teacher’s Top 100 and Author’s Favorites. Users can also download posters for Read Across America and the Reader’s Oath.
International Reading Association: Children’s Choices (find it on ipl2: Resources by Subject – Kidspace – Reading Zone – Book Lists)
http://www.reading.org/Resources/Booklists/ChildrensChoices.aspx
For kids, by kids. In conjunction with the Children’s Book Council, the International Reading Association annually publishes a list of recommended children’s literature with titles selected by children themselves. This resource features annotated versions of the lists from 1998 to the present. The website also features fact sheets about Children’s Choices, information about the list and an application to become a Children’s Choice Team Leader, as well as pre-formatted bookmarks that can be downloaded and used to promote the resource.
http://www.reading.org/Resources/Booklists/ChildrensChoices.aspx
For kids, by kids. In conjunction with the Children’s Book Council, the International Reading Association annually publishes a list of recommended children’s literature with titles selected by children themselves. This resource features annotated versions of the lists from 1998 to the present. The website also features fact sheets about Children’s Choices, information about the list and an application to become a Children’s Choice Team Leader, as well as pre-formatted bookmarks that can be downloaded and used to promote the resource.
Half-Remembered Children’s Books (find it on ipl2: Pathfinders)
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/76690
This ipl2 pathfinder offers strategies and resources for finding half-remembered children’s books—those books you may have enjoyed in the past, but for which you cannot recall the author or title. Print and electronic resources are listed.
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/76690
This ipl2 pathfinder offers strategies and resources for finding half-remembered children’s books—those books you may have enjoyed in the past, but for which you cannot recall the author or title. Print and electronic resources are listed.
The Newbery Medal Homepage (find it on ipl2: Resources by Subject – Literary Awards)
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm
This is the homepage for the Newbery Medal, an annual award given by the American Library Association for distinguished contributions to children’s literature. The site features a list of nominees, past winners, information about children’s literature, and links to related websites.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
(Adult) Lessons From Children’s Books
By LISA BELKIN
In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama spoke of the responsibility of parents in educating their children. “That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities,” he said. “It’s family that first instills the love of learning in a child.”
Yes. And it works the other way around, too. Teaching our children educates us anew. Becoming a parent often feels like taking an out-of-town friend on a tour, allowing you to see familiar sights through a visitor’s eyes, and asking you to remember what it is you love (or don’t) about where you live.
Lee Skallerup Bessette feels this duality keenly when reading to her two young children. Yes, she reads aloud because of all those studies that show that children do better at everything in life if their parents read aloud. And she reads aloud because it’s cozy and fun. But there are other reasons, too. As she writes in a guest post today, her children are not the only one learning from the stories.
READING MAKES MY CHILDREN (AND ME) BETTER
When I was an undergrad, I took a course in children’s literature. One of our assignments was to revisit some of the books we remembered reading as children. I was a voracious reader, and I have no real memories of reading anything other than chapter books. As I wandered the children’s chapter-book shelves at the local library, books that I had long forgotten jumped out to me: “Tales of the Fourth-Grade Nothing,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Ramona the Brave.” I excitedly borrowed those books and more to read and write about.
There is a moment at the end of “Ramona the Brave” where Ramona is overwhelmed and frustrated by circumstances in her life. She declares that she will scream a very bad word, the only way she can think of to express the depths of her feelings to her parents. Stomping her feet, she yells: “Guts!” Her parents burst out laughing, and, rereading it as a college student, I was reduced to tears. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with the memory of feeling at a loss for words, like no one heard me or understood how I felt. And how dare they laugh at this poor girl’s very real attempt at releasing her frustrations?
Almost 15 years later I am now the mother of two young kids. My daughter is still too young for chapter books, but she recently discovered my old childhood copy of “Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” We read it and, like any good piece of literature, I can use the opportunity to talk about a bad day she may have had. But I am also reminded as a parent how completely overwhelming a bad day can seem to a child, as trivial as the events may seem to me as an adult. We have also repeatedly read the classics “I Was So Mad” and “All by Myself,” which I use as reminders as to not only how frustrating life can be to a child, but also how wondrous common events and milestones are to that same child.
Parents need to be reminded of the uncomfortable realities of a child’s perception of the world. One way that I try to empathize with my children is through the stories we read together. I might lose my patience with them, but I am reminded of their worldview through the books, reminded of my own childhood full of my own ups and downs. If I can remember what it felt like when I, like Ramona, was laughed at or seemingly dismissed by my parents, then maybe I can try to do better for my own kids.
But the stories also remind me (and hopefully my kids) that no parent is perfect, in fiction or reality. I think, in our quest to be the perfect parent, this is something we need to be reminded of more regularly. Ramona’s parents are loving people who are dealing with two demanding children with different temperaments the best they can. The Little Critter’s parents, in turn, set limits (no petting the fish or juggling eggs) which are not unreasonable, no matter how much he may want to transgress them. Alexander’s day is truly awful, and his mom’s day, to me, now, doesn’t seem to be going that much better, either. That being said, I can’t bring myself to read the line in “The Tale of Tom Kitten” where his mother “smacks” them for being naughty.
So now, when my son, who has yet to start talking, throws a tantrum because I can’t figure out what he wants, and I want to shout out of frustration myself, I’ll try to remember that, for him, it is his own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. And if I forget, I’ll remember Alexander’s mother’s advice: Some days are like that. For both parents and kids. We know, because we can read about it together.
What children’s books teach you parenting lessons? Suggestions are welcome. As you can see from my children’s reading list, our library tends towards the “classics”; updating would probably be a good idea.
In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama spoke of the responsibility of parents in educating their children. “That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities,” he said. “It’s family that first instills the love of learning in a child.”
Yes. And it works the other way around, too. Teaching our children educates us anew. Becoming a parent often feels like taking an out-of-town friend on a tour, allowing you to see familiar sights through a visitor’s eyes, and asking you to remember what it is you love (or don’t) about where you live.
Lee Skallerup Bessette feels this duality keenly when reading to her two young children. Yes, she reads aloud because of all those studies that show that children do better at everything in life if their parents read aloud. And she reads aloud because it’s cozy and fun. But there are other reasons, too. As she writes in a guest post today, her children are not the only one learning from the stories.
READING MAKES MY CHILDREN (AND ME) BETTER
When I was an undergrad, I took a course in children’s literature. One of our assignments was to revisit some of the books we remembered reading as children. I was a voracious reader, and I have no real memories of reading anything other than chapter books. As I wandered the children’s chapter-book shelves at the local library, books that I had long forgotten jumped out to me: “Tales of the Fourth-Grade Nothing,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Ramona the Brave.” I excitedly borrowed those books and more to read and write about.
There is a moment at the end of “Ramona the Brave” where Ramona is overwhelmed and frustrated by circumstances in her life. She declares that she will scream a very bad word, the only way she can think of to express the depths of her feelings to her parents. Stomping her feet, she yells: “Guts!” Her parents burst out laughing, and, rereading it as a college student, I was reduced to tears. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with the memory of feeling at a loss for words, like no one heard me or understood how I felt. And how dare they laugh at this poor girl’s very real attempt at releasing her frustrations?
Almost 15 years later I am now the mother of two young kids. My daughter is still too young for chapter books, but she recently discovered my old childhood copy of “Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” We read it and, like any good piece of literature, I can use the opportunity to talk about a bad day she may have had. But I am also reminded as a parent how completely overwhelming a bad day can seem to a child, as trivial as the events may seem to me as an adult. We have also repeatedly read the classics “I Was So Mad” and “All by Myself,” which I use as reminders as to not only how frustrating life can be to a child, but also how wondrous common events and milestones are to that same child.
Parents need to be reminded of the uncomfortable realities of a child’s perception of the world. One way that I try to empathize with my children is through the stories we read together. I might lose my patience with them, but I am reminded of their worldview through the books, reminded of my own childhood full of my own ups and downs. If I can remember what it felt like when I, like Ramona, was laughed at or seemingly dismissed by my parents, then maybe I can try to do better for my own kids.
But the stories also remind me (and hopefully my kids) that no parent is perfect, in fiction or reality. I think, in our quest to be the perfect parent, this is something we need to be reminded of more regularly. Ramona’s parents are loving people who are dealing with two demanding children with different temperaments the best they can. The Little Critter’s parents, in turn, set limits (no petting the fish or juggling eggs) which are not unreasonable, no matter how much he may want to transgress them. Alexander’s day is truly awful, and his mom’s day, to me, now, doesn’t seem to be going that much better, either. That being said, I can’t bring myself to read the line in “The Tale of Tom Kitten” where his mother “smacks” them for being naughty.
So now, when my son, who has yet to start talking, throws a tantrum because I can’t figure out what he wants, and I want to shout out of frustration myself, I’ll try to remember that, for him, it is his own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. And if I forget, I’ll remember Alexander’s mother’s advice: Some days are like that. For both parents and kids. We know, because we can read about it together.
What children’s books teach you parenting lessons? Suggestions are welcome. As you can see from my children’s reading list, our library tends towards the “classics”; updating would probably be a good idea.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Why parents should find alternative entertainment to TV for their children
Many children are obsessed with watching TV. It is the only thing they do in their free time, and this can lead to laziness and forgetfulness. When a child comes home from school and turns the television on, it is easy to lose track of time, and neglect responsibilities such as doing homework or chores. When this becomes a habit, it is often hard to break, and eventually a child will begin to suffer in school because of not doing their school work at home.
Finding alternative entertainment to TV for kids and encouraging them to express their creativity instead of stifling their abilities to be themselves without the influence of television will benefit them in life. It will help them to develop social skills and teach them to think for themselves. Watching too much television may lead kids to take on the opinions of the others, or act upon the characters in the shows that they watch, instead of interacting and forming their own opinions.
When children get accustomed to watching television day in and day out, it not only becomes a habit, some kids have a hard time trying to function without the TV. They find it hard to sleep without the noise, and they leave it on when doing their homework or chores. When watching TV while doing other jobs, it becomes a distraction. At the same time, it also makes it hard to focus on the task at hand.
-Kat Ballew
Children Studies
-Kat Ballew
Children Studies
Friday, June 17, 2011
Keeping the Party Going!
Alice In Wonderland is just one book amongst many others that takes you on an adventure. You know, one of those stories that is just a perfect fit for a tea party...
The website mentioned below is a children's book club resource. I hope this can be a good source for keeping the tea parties going!
stuartbrent.com
The website mentioned below is a children's book club resource. I hope this can be a good source for keeping the tea parties going!
stuartbrent.com
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Using Storytime As A Tool To Build Friendship Skills
Using children's literature for teaching friendship skills can be invaluable to students and to teachers. Children's literature is a resource for instruction that also incorporates other academic skills. The skills become meaningful to students through the stories, so that they are able to use the skills outside of classroom activities.
Reader response theory provides a framework for using literature in the classroom. Gunning (1996) defined reader response theory as "a view of reading in which the reader plays a central role in constructing the meaning of a text. The meaning is not found in the text or the reader, but is found in the relationship or transaction between the two" (p. 335). This theory can be applied to the use of children's literature as a tool for teaching friendship skills.
Reader response theory provides a framework for using literature in the classroom. Gunning (1996) defined reader response theory as "a view of reading in which the reader plays a central role in constructing the meaning of a text. The meaning is not found in the text or the reader, but is found in the relationship or transaction between the two" (p. 335). This theory can be applied to the use of children's literature as a tool for teaching friendship skills.
Strategy for teaching friendship skills
The strategy for teaching friendship skills using children's literature has four parts: (a) the use of children's literature, (b) direct instruction of steps to follow, (c) practice in the natural environment, and (d) evaluation of the lesson and skills.
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