Response to Weedflower

Weedflower made me think of how people have to overcome stereotypes. I can't even begin to imagine what people like Sumiko had to go through during World War II. I hadn't ever really thought about all of the troubles that Japanese Americans went through during this time. I could see myself in Sumiko's shoes as just trying to live out a normal life as a child. This book is great to use when teaching kids about the war. I myself had forgotten until I read the book that Japanese Americans were put in concentration camps. This is a book that children can really get interested in. I think The Bracelet would be great to use right before reading this book. I'm just glad that we read this book in class because it just reminded me how careful we need to be to not make quick judgements about other people. Also, it is a great way to teach kids about friendship. She became great friends with a young Mohave boy even though many people might not have thought such a friendship to be possible. I really enjoyed getting a better understanding of what being a Japanese-American was like during the war.

Censorship

I don't believe that Harry Potter should be taken out of the classroom. I know that many kids enjoy reading the series and this gets them hooked on reading. I agreed with the author when he said that he is all for parents involvement in what their children read. However, he is not for them getting involved in what other children read. I believe every parent has the right to choose to not let their child read a book because they find it offensive. However, they should not keep other children from being able to read the book if their parents are fine with it. We could all come up with some complaint about almost any book. If children enjoy reading books like Harry Potter then we should not stop them. I do think though some books should be set aside for only certain grades. Some books are not age appropriate for the younger grades. But, they should not be totally banned from being in the schools. I would use this book in my classroom if I had one of the older grades to teach my students about fantasy books. If a parent had a problem with the book then their child could read another fantasy book that the parent approved of them reading.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham.
Leader, Intelligent, Busy, and Popular.
Father of Tad.
Lover of America, Tad, and Freedom.
Who feels sad, worried, and tired.
Who finds happiness in unity.
Who needs everyone to come together.
Who gives everything he has for what he believes in.
Who fears loss, separation, and disappointment.
Who would like to see America to become one.
Who enjoys time with his son.
Who likes to wear his stovepipe hat when addressing the people.
Lincoln.

India Opal

I am caring and curious.
I wonder from where Winn Dixie came?
I hear the dog saying, "Of course I'm a mess."
I see the pain and hurt of Winn-Dixie.
I want to keep Winn Dixie.
I am caring and curious.

I pretend to be an adult in the adult trailer park.
I feel Gloria Dump listening with all of her heart.
I touch everyone I meet in a special way.
I worry that I will not be able to recognize my mama.
I cry when I think about my mama leaving me.
I am caring and curious.

I understand how it feels to lose and miss someone.
I say everyone deserves a chance.
I dream about meeting my mama again one day.
I try to learn as much about my mama as I can.
I hope to one day be reunited with my mama.
I am caring and curious.

Moses

I mean for you to be free.
So tomorrow you will flee.
She sings a song.
A farewell to all that she loves.

The Lord sends here a sign.
The hour has finally come.
Saints saved her before.
Now the mortals will be there for her.

Men ride by her in the night.
However, God is always with her.
She must find someone that she can trust.
This objective is a must.

The broom becomes a staff.
She is startled when it becomes a rifle.
She hides under blankets in a wagon.
She sings, swing low, sweet chariot.

She tells the Lord she misses her folks.
The Lord says to use the lessons learned.
She can't outrun the people after her.
So she sheds her shoes to trick the dogs.

She remembers dreams where she flew as a bird.
The Lord says fly your faith now has wings.
She had to hide inside a potato pit.
Seven days pass and then she marches onward.

A wagon ride takes her to freedom.
Now in the Promised Land, Philadelphia.
She asks, is this heaven Lord?
No, Harriet, free soil.

Now she faces a new danger.
She is now a complete stranger.
Risking her own life,
She goes back to the dreaded south.

She hears thier groans, and sees their tears.
Harriet, be the MOSES of your people.
And when free souls sing her praises,
She gives glory where it is due.

Assignment.2- Dixon Hord

The book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig is a "good book" for children's literature. In the story Sylvester (a donkey) collects rocks and one day was out and found a red pebble. It was raining and he wished that it would stop raining and it did. One day he ran into a lion and wished he was a rock so that the lion couldn't get him. However, he didn't realize he couldn't turn back into a donkey. One day his parents went on a picnic and found the stone Sylvester had turned into. They picked it up because the knew that Sylvester would like it. They put the pebble on top of him and he wished he was a donkey again and he turned back into a donkey. The book fits many of the qualities to be a "good" children's book. It helps to show the parent's perspective of what it is like to lose someone important. There is a moral to the story,but children can figure it out without stating it. It tells the truth when it shows to be careful what you wish for. It embodies good quality because it provides good imagery by having Sylvester live on acorn road in oatsdale. Also, he turned into a rock on strawberry hill. The fable has integrity because the illustrations help the story to come to life for the children. As the story goes on the parents become sadder and sadder because they can't find Sylvester. At the end they have a happy picture after he has turned back into a donkey. He won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations in the book. It shows a unique and believable set of characters which helps with originality.

Assignment.1- Dixon Hord

I can remember as a child my mom reading books to me almost every night. She is a first grade teacher so many times she would read books to me that she had been using in her classroom. My mom would always read a book to me before I would go to sleep at night. The Dr. Seuss books were the main books that she read to me when I was little. I always enjoyed the Dr. Seuss books when I was little. My mom would make the story "come to life." I always loved to read books when I was a child. In elementary school we were required to read many different types of books. Also, we had to have a certain amount of accelerated reader points. My elementary school teachers would usually read the books to the class. However, when I got into fifth grade we had to read many chapter books on our own at home. I didn't have a favorite book when I was a kid. I just enjoyed reading the Dr. Seuss series. I enjoyed reading books a lot more when I was younger. As time has gone on I don't read books for fun as much as I used to. However, if someone suggests a book that I might enjoy then I will try to make some time to read it.