EDRG 3321 Author Profile

When it cames to a good funny book I never thought this book called "Chato's Kitchen" by. Gary Soto was so funny and cute. This book is about a cool low-riding cat named Chato who one day finds out that his new neighbors a family of five mice have just moved to the neighborhood. Therefore, he decided to throw a dinner and invites them to his house to have dinner. But Chatos intentions were not good because he planned to eat the whole family that night. So, he started making the dinner cooking tortillas, enchiladas, some tamarindo drink and other great Latin foods with his friend Novio Boy. But to Chatos surprise the mice were going to bring a friend along named Chorizo who was a dog. So that night came and when Chato opened the door he saw Chorizo and got scared. But then the mice explained to Chato that Chorizo was a nice dog. And for that night the mice family and the two cats and dog ate happy without anyone being eaten. Its a book that can be read probably to 1st through fifth graders and its also a book that talks about culture. I recommend it and in this website you will find great infromation of the author and other works of his like his poetry, short stories and other picture stories.
Website: http://www.garysoto.com/picture_books.html

EDRG 3321 Chapter 13 & 14 Literature Circles and Students as Authors

In these two chapters we learn about literature circles and students as authors. Both of the subjects are very important in a classroom I believe. Now, having literature circles in a classroom is great especially if the students are in small groups. Because in smaller groups the students feel more comfortable asking questions and reading aloud then in a big group. So, I recommend lit circles in a classroom because it helps the student interact and learn from each other. However, when a student does or writes something and the teacher displays it or publishes it. It makes the student motivation increase. Like I remember that in elementary school it was Christmas time and we had to make a Christmas tree of our family and presents. And I actually went all out on it putting pictures and ornaments and even little boxes as presents. Therefore, the teacher liked it so much that she displayed it outside the classroom, and to me it was wonderful because it motivated me to be more creative. And that way if a teacher published or displays or even show off a students work the student feels good about themselves and their work.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

This week I read a very interesting book on culture that I think would be excellent for students in 2nd though 5th grade. This book is about culture but it explains culture using the alphabet. The book I read is called " P is for Pinata: A Mexican Alphabet" by. Tony Johnston its a great book that would help in a classroom because it goes through each letter and explains a certain symbol that goes with that subject. Besides Mexico there is the American alphabet book, the African American, the Native American and so on theirs a whole collection of these book that are great to have in a classroom. Here is a great website that has a very nice lesson plan a teacher can use if they read the book to the class and it gives great ideas on culture activities one can do with the students.
Website:http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/MexicoAlphabetGuide.pdf

EDRG 3344 Persuasive Writing

For my persuasive piece of writing I plan to make a flyer or brochure. And since it is intended for 1st grade I'm probably going to keep it simple. I would like to make it on the pyramids of Mexico. And would like to talk about the things and places they can visit by the pyramids. and for an extra fact I would like to included a map of the other surrounding pyramids around Mexico. So, hopefully I can persuade the 1st graders to one day take a visit to Mexico and see and explore the beauties it has to offer like the pyramids and other great places.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 12 Independent Reading

In this chapter we learn about independent reading. And when a student has the time to read a book by themselves they may feel more secure and more comfortable. I think that a child sometimes does better when they read by themselves because they are reading what interested them. Like I remember enjoying reading by myself because even today when I read I feel I can read at my own paste and learn new things without asking for it. Now, independent reading will be an important part in a classroom because at times a student will need the time to read what they like and enjoy reading. And as a teacher one should keep different kinds of level books to fit each of the students straights and weaknesses. And after their independent reading the teacher should have the students write their thoughts or feelings of what they read in a folder or a journal. That way the teacher knows how the students are understanding what they read.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

AS a mexican American I have grown with the traditions of making tamales for the holidays so this time I decided to read the book called "Growing Up with Tamales:Los Tamales de Ana" by. Gwendolyn Zepeda. Now I think this book is a great book to teach about traditions and about tamales and it would be great for children from 1st to 5th grade especially because its bilingual so its written in both english and spanish and it teaches about the steps in making tamales and its just a very nice family book that makes you hungry once you finish reading it. I recommend this book because of the bilingualism and messege it sends and here is a great website on the author here she introduces other of her books she has done.

Website:http://www.gwendolynzepeda.com/books.html

EDRG 3344 Descriptive Writing

For my descriptive writing I'm going to be doing a poem. I think I want to do a poem on something that symboliyces the mexican american culture,plus add some of the traditions it has. And even though I'm not very good at poems I'll try to make one. So far I only have some of it and it go like this:
As I sit on the porch a sweet smell filled my nose
It made me happy as the smell of tortillas came making
me hungry. I closed my eyes as memories came to take
me away. Bright dresses, mariachi music, navidad
filled with posadas. I wont get tired of this, for
this is me.
Therefore, this is what I have for now and I'll keep adding things to it to make it a descrptive writing.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 11 Shared & Guided Reading

In this chapter we learn about shared and guided reading. I think this is a great chapter because it gives good advice to use and help students understand and read better. In shared reading the children can reread a story they like and read together. And in guided reading the student and teacher read together, which I think is a big help. Because that way if a student needs help they can ask or learn different vocabulary that will help them along the way. And today teachers should expand their guided and shared reading in the classroom so the students get a chance to learn new things and expand their reading and listening skills.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 10 Reading Aloud

In this chapter we learn about read aloud. And I agree a read aloud book does engage the student to pay more attention to the teacher. I remember loving to hear my teacher read to us those big books, and even the little books were interesting. Because when the teacher read to use she made each character come alive with different voices and expressions in her face. And I believe that if a teacher gets in character and acts silly does different emotions and plays with the story the students love it and they will remember the story as well. However, read alouds are an excellent way of engaging students to read and enjoy reading. And after reading the teachers should discuss the story and ask questions on what they though the story met to them.

EDRG 3344 Expository Writing

Since my MGP's topic is culture I decided that for my expository writing I will do a game using all of the Latin American countries flags and countries symbol's. I have researched and have found a total of twenty countries, each with their flags and symbols. This game is going to be like a matching game. Which the students are going to have to match the countries flag with the symbol and the countries name. However, the students playing the game will gain knowledge of the different Latin countries and their cultures using the different flags and symbols.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 9 Non- Fiction

Yesterday in class we went over what a non-fiction book is really about. And in my own opinion I like non-fiction books, especially the ones that involve ancient history, artifacts, mummies and great stuff that today still calls my attention. However, I do agree that sometimes these kinds of books are overwhelmed with info that one gets bored reading them. Yet, in a classroom, books like these are an important part of a teachers library because non-fiction books always are going to help the students know better and understand the things that today exist in this world. I remember that in my fifth grade class my teacher had all kinds of non-fiction books, and I would always love to read facts about the things being talked about in the book. Like there was one book on the planets, one on dog's and so many other books. But as a future teacher I will also love to have non-fiction books in my class library so my students have that opportunities to explore their surroundings.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

This week I decided to do Lucinda McQueen she illustrated this great book that I remembered reading when I was in first grade which was called The Little Red Hen. Its a cute story about a hen that works hard to plant her wheat and asks for help from her Friends. But her Friends were lazy and didn't want to help her. But one day when she baked a bread loaf all her friends wanted a piece. Yet, the hen said no that she was not going to give her bread to friends that didn't help her. However, I think this book is great to teach children in Kindergarten through Second grade the value of helping others and being kind I recommend this book if you have not read it. Also there is a great website were theirs a great lesson plan to do in a classroom using this book.


Website: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/fairytales/redhen.htm

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

This week I decided to do Michael Rex he is a great author it seems so far. However, I have never read his book in till I read the book called The Runaway Mummy: A Petrifying Parody which is about a little boy acting like a mummy and going though different situations. This book I think is great for children in First thorugh third grade and its a great book for the halloween holiday coming up. Also Mr. Rex has other great books and different situatuins and subjects that one as a future teacher can us. I recommend his website it great and also has a list of other books he has done.
Website: http://www.michaelrex.com/

EDRG 3321 Chapter 8 Elements of Fiction

When it comes to fiction I can think of A lot of great movies I have seen. And some are even based on books. The one fiction that is great and fun I think is the fantasy fiction. Because it sometimes goes beyond imagination, and if your reading a fantasy book or story it makes the reader imagine the scenes their reading and just creates an excitement.I believe that fiction in a classroom is important because that way the students gain a better view and they create imagination which I think is a good thing for young children to have imagination. And also because it helps them think more out side the box ideas and hopefully helps them along the way in their lives. Yet, the types of books I love to read are like fairy tales and true story readings. Some of my favorite books are:
The Chicken Soup Books for pet lovers
A Spanish book called "Cuando el Monstro Despierta" by. Maria Antonieta Collins
All the fairy tale books like Cinderella, Snow white, and so on.
However, ther are other great books, but these are my favorite types to read.

EDRG 3344 What is a narrative ?

Today in class we discussed what a narrative was so, What is a Narrative?
A narrative is a kind of writing that has a beginning, middle and end.
And it tells a story which has to have different aspects like a setting,character, theme,climax and so on. An example of a narrative writing is a children's book called The Giving Tree by. Shel Silverstein, it is a book that starts with a little boy that passes through different stages of his life with the tree witnessing how he grows older through the years. First his child years, then his adolescences years, then his adult years till he become an elderly man. Yet, this book has the components of a narrative which are the beginning, middle and end of a story. However, another great narrative is when you write about yourself which is called an autobiography and in this writhing you can talk about your self by writing a story on the beginning, middle and end of your life or about what ever topic your going to write about for your narrative piece of writing.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

This week for my author profile I decided to read a book by Jan Brett, her books are very interesting and great for I believe for 1st to third grade. Her book are always surrounded with animals and holidays, seasons and so on. I think her books are a good way of teaching the students about seasons and their outcomes. I also found a great website of hers were she shows her books and also great activities for the teacher and students to do and enjoy.

website: http://www.janbrett.com/

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

How can we forget the biggest red dog on earth right! Well yea this week I decided to do my author profile on the author of the wounderful stories about Cliffor the big red dog Mr. Norman Bridwell wrote. I remember reading the books at school and of course watching the T.V shows which are great till this day. I totally recommend hhis books there great and fun for kids of elementry school. I also found a cool website were theirs great activities one can do and even the kids can play so check it out. Plus Im going to paste one of my favorite Clifford books.

Website: http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/

EDRG 3321 Chapter 7 Picture Books

In this chapter I learned a lot about picture books and why they may be important. I believe that it is a good way of helping young students especially like in kindergarten expand their imagination.Because those books are filled with a lot of color and shape and eye catching designs that will keep a child entertained. I remember when I was like in first grade we did a project which was as a class we were going to make a picture book. So we all did a page about our favorite thing to do, but we could only draw, color or cut things out like from construction paper and so on. I remember it being fun and entertaining. So I do recommend a picture book exercises because it just makes a class environment much funner. So, hopefully this chapter helps with ideas and methods like it did to me. Also, if the teacher let's the students work in partners they may create something unique and wonderful. And what may help students is if the teacher talks about art and asks questions like for ex: "What does this picture mean to you". I believe that would also help the students expand their mind and thinking.

EDRG 3344 Narrative Story

It was a beautiful Friday morning on September 7, when Anna opened her eyes and realized it was her birthday and she was going to turn fourteen at last. Now turning fourteen in the family was a big deal. Because usually when a girl in Anna’s family turns fourteen it is time to start planning for the big family event in a year, which is when they turn fifteen they throw a big birthday party called a Quinceanera. Now, Anna remembers when her two older sisters turn fourteen and for the whole year they were exited planning their Quinceanera. Each one of them had the chance to choose every little detail of their party, the color, the cake, decorations, the theme, the food, and so on. But the one thing that was most important she remembered was when they were going to choose their dress. It was a magical moment for any little girl Anna thought. Because the dress symbolizes the girls style and character.
So, with a big smile on her face, that morning Anna went to school knowing that she soon was going to plan her Quinceanera which was a big part of her culture and traditions as a Mexican American. But as she sat down on her seat her friend Kimberly looks at her and said “Hey Anna why are you so happy about today”. With no hesitation Anna explains to her that it was her birthday and that she couldn’t wait to start planning her Quinceanera. Then Kimberly asked Anna about the things involved in a Quinceanera and Anna explained every detail without missing any. “Wow, a Quinceanera is really nice” Kimberly said, but it is like a sweet sixteen. Because when you turn sixteen the girl also gets to choose all the details for her party. Therefore, Anna told Kimberly that yea a Quinceanera was like a sweet sixteen, but that in her culture when a girl turns fifteen she is turning into a women and that’s why they celebrate with a big party, and that she would never trade it for nothing.
Therefore, with Anna proud of her culture and traditions the months went by. She and her parents planned her special day. She choose the color yellow, also sunflowers in a vase as her table center pieces, and her magic moment her dress. This was all yellow with white flower all over the bottom. It was strapless, very puffy and had a white big bow on the back. Finally, the day arrived everyone was happy to be by Anna’s side celebrating her fifteen birthday party, even Kimberly was there. So, by the end of the night Anna realized how lucky she was to have a Quinceanera and being part of the Mexican American Culture.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

I remember reading the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you see, when I was like in first or second grade. And I remember it being a great book that all my class mates enjoyed reading. However, the author Eric Carle has other great books like the Hungry Caterpillar which also is a cute and educational book and a favorite in a classroom. I think Mr. Carle has all kinds of books that would help out in a classroom especially kindergarden through second grade so I recommenrd his book because there full of fun and imagination. And also this web site is a good recourse to look at becaue it has a list of Mr. Carles books and also other great ideas one can use in a classroom.

http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

EDRG 3321 Chapter 6 Traditional Literature

In this chapter which was a very interesting one for me, I gained more knowledge then what I had already known. And I do agree that traditional literature should be in a classroom because those books always send a message to the reader and explain different situations. Like I love to read books on fairy tales and culture. And if the teacher after reading a traditional book or a story, does something to support it. It makes the student more interested in the book. For example if they read a book on a certain culture they could do a play or a diagram of the story and expresses what they saw from it. However, traditional lit should also be respetful and always up for discussion.

EDRG 3344 Chapter 7/ Memory

The day that we went over chapter seven which talked about listening. I really enjoyed it, because I like the game we did and it is actually a good game to play in a classroom with students. Because its a good way to entertain and engage the student to think about the details and of course pay very close attention to what is being described. However, when we did the memory assignment it was also a great way of letting out ones memories. I for example one memory that I would call my precious as gold would be when I graduated Palo Alto this passed May. It's precious to me because I'm the first child in my family to go to college and finish a part of it. And I can just remember my parents happy faces when they saw me walking the stage it was like a magic moment for them seeing their daughter walking the stage with her first degree. And till this day I remember my parents faces and that makes me want to go to school to keep achieving my goals of becoming a bilingual teacher one day. And just to present my parents with the degree of teaching from Texas A&M to my parents when I walk the stage in about a year and a half. So I believe I have lots of good and bad memories, but no matter what sometimes memories help us become a better person in life.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 5 Poetry

Today in class we went over chapter five which talked about poems and how we as teachers should never put down our future students because we never know if they could become something big in the future. I do agree that their are some teachers who still say that when writing a poem, it has to rhyme. And to me I remember that when I was like in seventh or eight grade My teacher assign us a poem assignment. And I honestly have never been a big poem fan, so when I was doing the assignment it was just so hard and difficult for me because I always tried to rhyme my words, which I would spend like more then an hour just thinking of what I was going to make a poem on. But now that I'm older I realize that a poem is just something that come from a feeling inside you or something that is in your heart. Yet this chapter is very helpful and it was a good eye opener on what is a poem and how to engage your students to be a poem readers and writers. And also a poem can be a way of letteing the student express their feelings with any word they like, and sometimes the poem does not have to rhyme, because at time the poems that don't rhyme are the ones that sometimes one remembers or understands the most.

EDRG 3321 Author Profile

When I finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory I was like, "this book is really good" and I looked for some more books on Roald Dahl who also is the author of another great book called James and The Giant Peach, Personally I like this types of book especially if they end up becoming movies. I have watched both movies and read both the stories. I believe Mr. Dahl is a great writer. But I recommend both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach because there both great books especially for children in fourth or fifth grade.

This website is great it has a lot of info on other great boks and also some activities to have fun with : www.roalddahl.com

EDRG 3321 Chapter 4 Responding to Literature

This week we read chapter 4 and in this chapter we talked about how a child can gain a better intrest in books if they just get the chance to read what they want to read. Because as future teachers we should be good and positive motivators so that children don't lose thier spark for reading. I remember when I was in elememtary schoool and I had problems reading some books and my teahcer Mrs. Smith would take her time to sit with me and help me understand better the book I was reading. So, I believe that if one motivates a child to read and help them when they need it, they will grow to love books and hopefully pass it on to their kids. However, chapter four was intresting and hopefully the ideas and knowledge I gained from it will help me along the way. And yea, I also believe that when a child also gets the chance to think about the book they enjoy it more, and it will even help them when they have a chance to write, retell, or discuss the book or story they read to other peers or to themselves.

EDRG 3344 Personal Writing

When we were in class and we listed all the different kinds of personal writings there are today, I was like "wow I didn't know their where all those writing methods" but after class I realized that personal writing is more then just writing a dairy,or a journal. Its actually around me when I'm in school or my home. Therefore, my typical personal writing is mostly to do lists, text, or emails. Which till this day if I don't have a to do list for the day i go nuts because I write everything down that I'm going to do for the day and I follow it as I have plan it. I also have a planner where all my homework assignments are written down so I don't miss my due dates.

For the all about me activity we did in class I did mine on shopping so therefore I'm going to write a note to my friend on why i love to shop.

Hey Karina,

I always get that look in your face when i tell you "lets go shopping". But I know that deep down in you, You love to go shopping with me. Not only do we always have fun but we always get great deals and we shop for what we like the most which are shoes, clothes, purses, cds, movies and so on. So today I'm inviting you to go shopping with me. So hopefully you can make it and remember shopping is fun, but with a friend by the side its even better :)

Your Amiga Yolanda

EDRG 3344 The Writing Process

When it comes to writing, the number one thing we should remember is that writing is a PROCESS, that has five steps which are Pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and the last step publishing. In the pre- writing step the writer can organize their thoughts and purposes of the topic they want to talk about by creating web maps or graphic organizers, also it’s the step were the writer decides what kind of writing their going to make like for example a story, poem and so on. Yet, in the drafting step the writer puts down his or her ideas, thoughts and purposes on paper which basically, they start writing down the story or poem they’re going to write about. In the revising step the writer can go back to the piece of writing and get help by another writer or reader to revise their piece of writing, that way changes can be made towards ideas, word choices and even add or change sentences. In the editing step the piece of writing is checked for spelling, capitalization, punctuation and grammar, it’s also the step when the writer proofreads it and makes the corrections necessary to make it a final paper. In the Publishing stage that’s when the writing pieces is done and it is ready to become a book, poem or whatever the piece was meant to be. Therefore, these five steps are the pieces needed to make writing a process.
Now if I won the prize for the best party/event planner in San Antonio, I would totally go crazy. I mean I love to organize parties especially birthday parties, I just like the whole idea of choosing a theme, the colors, the food, the games, the decorations, invitations and the number one thing the cake which sometimes is the most important piece of the party. Yet, for some people planning a party is so stressful but to me it’s a piece of cake. Because when it comes to parties I just create all kinds of ideas that could come out nice. However, I know that in the future I would like to have some kind of business that involves organizing parties. I would like to have all kinds of stuff in it like candy, piñatas, toys, balloons and everything one needs for a party. But I believe that no matter what one wins it should always be for ones talent and hardwork.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 3 Living Literature

In class going over chapter three about comprehension yesterday was very interesting and exiting, especially when we got in groups of two and we had to do the book summary. At first my partner and I were thinking of how we were going to start the summarizing. But then we figured it out and our summarization came out pretty good. And I think that by doing these kinds of activities with the students it helps them understand what their reading and it also lets the teacher know if the students got and comprehended the story they read. However, it also can help the students express their thought and creativity when it comes to summarize a story. Yet, I really think the temples of summarization we got in class because they can be very helpful to the students and the teacher when it comes to summarizing a story or they may even give us a new idea that would be just as nice.
I also was reading some more of my chosen author’s books Tomie DePaola and one that got my attention was a very nice book called “Pascual and the Kitchen Angels” which is about a young boy who wants to be a friars, and wants to help feed the poor but the other friars want him to cook and since he doesn’t know how to cook he starts praying and angels do all the cooking for him. It is a really good story one can read to kids.

EDRG 3321 Chapter 1 and 2 blog and Author

In chapter one what interested me was how childrens literature was described. After I read the chapter I now could say how interesting and fun childrens literature really is, not that I never thought it wasn't but I didn't know how important it was. But now I agree that by reading childrens literature as a child it those help us gain more knowledge about use and the places around us. I also liked the idea of having books of all kinds in a class room, because if a teacher has more of a variety of books in the classroom the children will have more subjects and ideas to learn about. Yet, in this chapter I gained a lot of helpful tips and ideas that hopefully one day I can use in my classroom.
In chapter two I learned a lot on culture in a classroom, I also belive that in a classroom a teacher should have all kinds of different culture ideas not just go by one. I remember that when I was in middle school in Albuquerque, New Mexico I had a lot of Native American friends in my classes. Also other cultures and religions but even though we were all from different places our teachers would always try to do something that everyone could enjoy. However, this chapter can give a lot of good ideas on how to manage a classroom with different cultures and can help the teachers understand ways culture impacts children in a classroom.
For my author I belive that Tomie DePaola has great childrens books. I was reading one book of his called The Night of Las Posadas which is great its about celebrating christmas eve in Santa Fe along with a Posada. I like his books because some talk about culture, traditions and lots of more things but i would recommend his books for First or Second graders. And when reading his or any book I would bring along items that go with the story.

One of the authors addresses: http://www.tomie.com/books/index.html

Two of his books:

EDRG 3344 Motivation Blog

Well when it comes to motivation I could think of a lot of things that motivate me. But today in class I learned two kinds of motivations which were the extrinsic and Intrinsic, which both are very different. In my case i believe and know that I'm probably the Intrinsic motivation, why well maybe because I'm a shy person but and i like things quit, but there are sometimes were I think Extrinsic fits me because sometimes it just feels good getting motivated with loudness and excitement. Now for my Multiple Intelligence survey I came out to be pertty balanced, because for some reason all the odd sections were my lowes and all the even sections were my highs. I had a good score in Musical, Existencial, Kinesthetic and Intrapersonal. Yet, i have gain some knowledge of my strength and weaknesses.