After class today I was excited to have one class done. While it was a task to find time to read all the novels, I kind of miss them. I liked learning about the different cultures and how different everyone truly is. I did have my favorites books and there are still a few (boy meets boy) that I have careful place in the bottom row of my book shelf. I know one day I will use all of the books I have read during the course. But some many be harder to fit in then others.
The final project I was my favorite part. I liked choosing my own books and finding out for myself which books were good and why. I enjoyed the control in my read selections but wished I had the guidance needed to make good choices. I felt that it was harder to find the good books then the bad ones. I have a list of books I know are not usable, but a only a handful of ones that I could actually use. I worry that by the time I have my own classroom, I will not be able to find enough good books for my classroom library. As of right now, I have 9 picture books and only 10 novels. I only have one year left and then it is show time....
Overall, the class was good. Even though there was the silent moments, I still learned a lot. I feel the silent moments lead to great moments where I learned the most. Everyone does not have to talk all of the time all that was needed was one statement to make everyone think. Thinking is how we expand our minds...not just by talking. I need that extra time to decided what I really felt. I change my mind about books all the time. At first I hated Boy Meets Boy. I thought it could never be used and I did not understand how it fit. It was not until a week later that I realized that the reason why I did not understand was because I really did not understand the culture and the community. I knew was stereotypes. Love is a funny thing...you really cannot decided who to fall in love with man or woman.
For all those who take the course in future years...good luck. Read all the books and not only question the book but your opinion and view point. Small thoughts have the ability to grow in HUGE ones!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Final Post Part 6: My Reflection
Reflection:
Religion has always been a topic most are curious about. Some wonder what it would be like if they were a different religion or if they were not religious. I have always wondered what life would be like if I were another religion. When the class was able to choose topics for the final project I immediately jumped on the offer to learn more about Jewish literature.
After reviewing three picture books and one graphic novel, I found that the Jewish literature is more or less just like any other book. I did notice that more religious based books had vocabulary that needed to be looked up to understand, but this was only a small issue. Also, all of the books involved the religion at some point in the book. Whether the book encompassed the religion and had strong Jewish values, or referring to the synagogue all of the books involve the Jewish culture. I found this to be a strong theme through the text set.
Another theme I found in all of the books in a sense of family togetherness. All the books incorporated the family in some form. The three picture books all show the families in a positive light. Even in the Picture Book of Anne Frank show the family and the story in a way that the negative aspects did not seem to be so negative. While the events were not positive, the story does not make the reader feel pity for Anne Frank and what she went through. I feel this helps the reader to understand her situation in a clear mind.
One variation I found was in a picture book and the graphic novel. Both books talked about the Holocaust and what happened. However, both stories are told in different lights. The story from Anne Frank’s point of view is more positive but still sad. The story of Maus is sad and does not give a positive view. The story is from the point of a mouse as he enters the war. I understand that the event had no positive factors; however, I feel that it might be too depressing for students to want to read it completely. This is not the same for Anne Frank. The story shows Anne smiling and shows how she was remotely happy even though there was a war going on beneath her.
Overall, all the books in the text set connect through their use of Judaism and how the religion is different for everyone. However, the morals and values in the stories are the same for different pieces of diverse literature. There is something everyone could learn from each book. No one has to be Jewish to understand or read the books. But everyone will learn more of the culture surrounding Judaism. For example, in Mayer Aaron Levi and his Lemon Tree, the husband taught his wife how to share with those less fortunate. This shows students that values can be learned at any age and by anyone.
Religion has always been a topic most are curious about. Some wonder what it would be like if they were a different religion or if they were not religious. I have always wondered what life would be like if I were another religion. When the class was able to choose topics for the final project I immediately jumped on the offer to learn more about Jewish literature.
After reviewing three picture books and one graphic novel, I found that the Jewish literature is more or less just like any other book. I did notice that more religious based books had vocabulary that needed to be looked up to understand, but this was only a small issue. Also, all of the books involved the religion at some point in the book. Whether the book encompassed the religion and had strong Jewish values, or referring to the synagogue all of the books involve the Jewish culture. I found this to be a strong theme through the text set.
Another theme I found in all of the books in a sense of family togetherness. All the books incorporated the family in some form. The three picture books all show the families in a positive light. Even in the Picture Book of Anne Frank show the family and the story in a way that the negative aspects did not seem to be so negative. While the events were not positive, the story does not make the reader feel pity for Anne Frank and what she went through. I feel this helps the reader to understand her situation in a clear mind.
One variation I found was in a picture book and the graphic novel. Both books talked about the Holocaust and what happened. However, both stories are told in different lights. The story from Anne Frank’s point of view is more positive but still sad. The story of Maus is sad and does not give a positive view. The story is from the point of a mouse as he enters the war. I understand that the event had no positive factors; however, I feel that it might be too depressing for students to want to read it completely. This is not the same for Anne Frank. The story shows Anne smiling and shows how she was remotely happy even though there was a war going on beneath her.
Overall, all the books in the text set connect through their use of Judaism and how the religion is different for everyone. However, the morals and values in the stories are the same for different pieces of diverse literature. There is something everyone could learn from each book. No one has to be Jewish to understand or read the books. But everyone will learn more of the culture surrounding Judaism. For example, in Mayer Aaron Levi and his Lemon Tree, the husband taught his wife how to share with those less fortunate. This shows students that values can be learned at any age and by anyone.
Final Post Part 5: Review of Maus by Janet Reilly
Reilly, Janet. "Book Reviews: Maus: A Survivor's Tale." The Journal of Historical Review 7.4: 478-483. 21 Apr. 2008 .
After reading both Maus and the review by Janet Reilly I feel that I have read two different materials. After reading Reilly’s review, it is clear that she did not like the graphic novel nor does she agree with Art Spiegelman’s views. Throughout the test Reilly picks out parts of Spiegelman’s life that aid in how he represents his family in the test. Spiegelman explains that he only wants to “portray his father accurately.” Reilly finds this statement to be false. She continues on to included how the Jewish people are portrayed in the novel and how this is demeaning. She critiques the drawing of different characters for the novel. She refers to the cats as “poorly drawn”.
Reilly also refers to the way the novel is written. She states that the novel is basically hear-say and only Spiegelman’s father is the only one who can really tell his story of the camps. However, Reilly compares Spiegelman’s story to Elie Wiesel. She recalls the Wiesel’s story was completely from him and out of his head. But when she refers to Spiegelman’s story she recalls him constantly asking for more details and precise dates and times.
My review of the review by Reilly is that she was too harsh on Spiegelman. An insider author does not mean that it actually had to happen to him, although it does make the story stronger. An insider author means that they have done their research and have created a depiction of an event to the best of there knowledge. The Sydney Taylor award even states that books are awarded based on how the Jewish culture is portrayed. Spiegelman portrayed the event as accurately as possible. Whether he was there or not should not be held against him, since he did interview his father for the facts. One statement that Reilly did include did help explain her views a little. She stated the “’Holocaust’ never happened the way we learned in school”. I feel that this sheds light on her argument and helps the reader to understand her prior knowledge to the event and how this knowledge might have impacted her review.
After reading both Maus and the review by Janet Reilly I feel that I have read two different materials. After reading Reilly’s review, it is clear that she did not like the graphic novel nor does she agree with Art Spiegelman’s views. Throughout the test Reilly picks out parts of Spiegelman’s life that aid in how he represents his family in the test. Spiegelman explains that he only wants to “portray his father accurately.” Reilly finds this statement to be false. She continues on to included how the Jewish people are portrayed in the novel and how this is demeaning. She critiques the drawing of different characters for the novel. She refers to the cats as “poorly drawn”.
Reilly also refers to the way the novel is written. She states that the novel is basically hear-say and only Spiegelman’s father is the only one who can really tell his story of the camps. However, Reilly compares Spiegelman’s story to Elie Wiesel. She recalls the Wiesel’s story was completely from him and out of his head. But when she refers to Spiegelman’s story she recalls him constantly asking for more details and precise dates and times.
My review of the review by Reilly is that she was too harsh on Spiegelman. An insider author does not mean that it actually had to happen to him, although it does make the story stronger. An insider author means that they have done their research and have created a depiction of an event to the best of there knowledge. The Sydney Taylor award even states that books are awarded based on how the Jewish culture is portrayed. Spiegelman portrayed the event as accurately as possible. Whether he was there or not should not be held against him, since he did interview his father for the facts. One statement that Reilly did include did help explain her views a little. She stated the “’Holocaust’ never happened the way we learned in school”. I feel that this sheds light on her argument and helps the reader to understand her prior knowledge to the event and how this knowledge might have impacted her review.
Final Post Part 4: Maus by Art Spiegelman
Spiegelman, Art. Maus: A Survivor's Tale. New York: Pantheon Books, 1986.
Out of all the survivor’s tales, Maus may be one of the few graphic novels that is acceptable for younger audiences, and has not been watered down to near extinction. A tale using mice instead of people make the story understandable without having to imagine yourself there. Maus, the German word of mouse, is a tale of the Holocaust written in a series of recounts from Spiegelman’s father, who was in the Holocaust.
Instead of creating a run of the mill novel, Spiegelman created a graphic novel of the events. In this graphic novel, Speieglman explains the Holocaust using mice as people. This gives the novel a story like feel, but about true events. In the story, the mice go through very similar events that the Jewish people went through during the Holocaust. Spiegelman goes into detail about his Grandfather’s life before the war. After giving his characters some human qualities, Spiegelman adds in the war bit by bit.
While Spiegleman was not alive during the Holocaust, he is still a victim. Norn four years after, he suffered right along with the remaining members of his family. Since he is not an insider to the actual events of the Holocaust, he is still a Jewish man creating Jewish literature. This makes him an insider. Since the nature of the book is a little higher level, I feel that a strong fifth grade reader could read and enjoy this book. However, a sixth grade level would be best. The content of the book might not be fully understood by any younger aged students.
Out of all the survivor’s tales, Maus may be one of the few graphic novels that is acceptable for younger audiences, and has not been watered down to near extinction. A tale using mice instead of people make the story understandable without having to imagine yourself there. Maus, the German word of mouse, is a tale of the Holocaust written in a series of recounts from Spiegelman’s father, who was in the Holocaust.
Instead of creating a run of the mill novel, Spiegelman created a graphic novel of the events. In this graphic novel, Speieglman explains the Holocaust using mice as people. This gives the novel a story like feel, but about true events. In the story, the mice go through very similar events that the Jewish people went through during the Holocaust. Spiegelman goes into detail about his Grandfather’s life before the war. After giving his characters some human qualities, Spiegelman adds in the war bit by bit.
While Spiegleman was not alive during the Holocaust, he is still a victim. Norn four years after, he suffered right along with the remaining members of his family. Since he is not an insider to the actual events of the Holocaust, he is still a Jewish man creating Jewish literature. This makes him an insider. Since the nature of the book is a little higher level, I feel that a strong fifth grade reader could read and enjoy this book. However, a sixth grade level would be best. The content of the book might not be fully understood by any younger aged students.
Final Post Part 3: Mayer Aaron Levi and His Lemon Tree by Tami Lehman-Wilzig
Lehman-Wilzig, Tami. Mayer Aaron Levi and His Lemon Tree. New York:
Gefen Books, 2007.
While most Jewish stories recall the Holocaust, Lehman-Wilzig’s story is about charity. In the story a young boy explains how his Great Grandfather had a lemon tree and cared for it like it was one of his children. Year after year, the tree would produce lemons that the family would sell for extra money. One season the lemon tree was producing more lemons then ever. Mayer Aaron Levi, the owner of the tree, decided to hide the lemons outside instead of taking them into the house. He reassured his wife that the lemons would be fine. With each counting of the lemons the amount grew smaller and smaller. This upset the wife and she worried for her lemons. The lemons made a huge help in raising their four children. After two days of missing lemons, she sat outside the house, morning, noon, and night to send the thief a message. The next day was the beginning of the new moon, and Mayer Aaron Levi was away at the synagogue celebrating the new moon. When he returned home, he found his wife and their neighbors waiting for him. In the end, the neighbors wanted to thank him for letting them know about the free lemons to the needy. With the lemons they made him presents. His wife was not very happy with his idea, but he explained to her that they have plenty and it is important to share with those who are not as fortunate.
Overall, this book is a good depiction of not only Jewish literature but of morals and values, as well. The story gives the reader a sense of right and wrong and teaches how to help others in need. Coming from not only an insider author but Jerusalem as well makes this book a great find and something that came be used across topics. This book has a good sense of morals and values suitable for younger ages. However, it comes with a place at the end where students can create their own heritage story. This makes the book adaptable for all ages.
Gefen Books, 2007.
While most Jewish stories recall the Holocaust, Lehman-Wilzig’s story is about charity. In the story a young boy explains how his Great Grandfather had a lemon tree and cared for it like it was one of his children. Year after year, the tree would produce lemons that the family would sell for extra money. One season the lemon tree was producing more lemons then ever. Mayer Aaron Levi, the owner of the tree, decided to hide the lemons outside instead of taking them into the house. He reassured his wife that the lemons would be fine. With each counting of the lemons the amount grew smaller and smaller. This upset the wife and she worried for her lemons. The lemons made a huge help in raising their four children. After two days of missing lemons, she sat outside the house, morning, noon, and night to send the thief a message. The next day was the beginning of the new moon, and Mayer Aaron Levi was away at the synagogue celebrating the new moon. When he returned home, he found his wife and their neighbors waiting for him. In the end, the neighbors wanted to thank him for letting them know about the free lemons to the needy. With the lemons they made him presents. His wife was not very happy with his idea, but he explained to her that they have plenty and it is important to share with those who are not as fortunate.
Overall, this book is a good depiction of not only Jewish literature but of morals and values, as well. The story gives the reader a sense of right and wrong and teaches how to help others in need. Coming from not only an insider author but Jerusalem as well makes this book a great find and something that came be used across topics. This book has a good sense of morals and values suitable for younger ages. However, it comes with a place at the end where students can create their own heritage story. This makes the book adaptable for all ages.
Final Post Part 2:The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. New York: Aladdin, 2001.
Patricia Polacco is a very known for her stories of her family. Through her words, she writes about different aspects of her life. In The Keeping Quilt, Polacco writes about her family tree.
From her Great Gramma to her first daughter, Polacco creates a story that not only explains some aspects of the Jewish religion, but of her family heritage as well. The story begins with a younger version of Great Gramma and how she came to America. The story continues through Polacco’s Grandma and then her mother. With each story Polacco explains the wedding traditions and little bits about daily life for a young Jewish woman growing up in America. Once it finally is Polacco’s turn, she explains how in her wedding they had all of the same traditions but this time everyone celebrated together.
The Keeping Quilt has won the Sydney Taylor award. Not only does this book show a family in positive light, but is also is a very good book that shows the Jewish religion in a positive light, as well. It also a good choice of a piece of diverse literature. The book is also illustrated by Patricia Polacco which makes the entire book created by an insider author. Overall, a good book that can be used for all ages.
Patricia Polacco is a very known for her stories of her family. Through her words, she writes about different aspects of her life. In The Keeping Quilt, Polacco writes about her family tree.
From her Great Gramma to her first daughter, Polacco creates a story that not only explains some aspects of the Jewish religion, but of her family heritage as well. The story begins with a younger version of Great Gramma and how she came to America. The story continues through Polacco’s Grandma and then her mother. With each story Polacco explains the wedding traditions and little bits about daily life for a young Jewish woman growing up in America. Once it finally is Polacco’s turn, she explains how in her wedding they had all of the same traditions but this time everyone celebrated together.
The Keeping Quilt has won the Sydney Taylor award. Not only does this book show a family in positive light, but is also is a very good book that shows the Jewish religion in a positive light, as well. It also a good choice of a piece of diverse literature. The book is also illustrated by Patricia Polacco which makes the entire book created by an insider author. Overall, a good book that can be used for all ages.
Final Post Part 1: A Picture Book of Anne Frank
Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Anne Frank. New York: Holiday House, 1993.
Anne Frank has become a well known name among school children. Known for her interesting diary, she encompasses every feeling, issue, and problem she faced during her hiding into words. Her words have taught many children how it felt to be hated for your religion. While Anne entire dairy is a higher level, a picture book of her life is much easier to understand and follow.
After reading the picture book of Anne’s life, I learned more now, than I did when I was younger. The picture book is easier to read and understand. Many of the details are left out; however, the important ones are included. Such details like Anne falling in love and how she felt hiding for so long are included. But exactly what Anne said is not. Everything is told in narrative form, which gives the reader a story book feeling. This makes the story good for younger students. Since it is also a biography, it can be used in older classrooms as well.
At the end of the story, the author tells a little about himself. Alder is an insider to the Jewish religion and he expresses that his mother was in Holland just before the war started. However, she was able to escape. Along with Alder, the illustrator filled the pages with bright colors and drawings of family photos throughout the story. Altogether, the story is a good depiction of Jewish Literature.
Anne Frank has become a well known name among school children. Known for her interesting diary, she encompasses every feeling, issue, and problem she faced during her hiding into words. Her words have taught many children how it felt to be hated for your religion. While Anne entire dairy is a higher level, a picture book of her life is much easier to understand and follow.
After reading the picture book of Anne’s life, I learned more now, than I did when I was younger. The picture book is easier to read and understand. Many of the details are left out; however, the important ones are included. Such details like Anne falling in love and how she felt hiding for so long are included. But exactly what Anne said is not. Everything is told in narrative form, which gives the reader a story book feeling. This makes the story good for younger students. Since it is also a biography, it can be used in older classrooms as well.
At the end of the story, the author tells a little about himself. Alder is an insider to the Jewish religion and he expresses that his mother was in Holland just before the war started. However, she was able to escape. Along with Alder, the illustrator filled the pages with bright colors and drawings of family photos throughout the story. Altogether, the story is a good depiction of Jewish Literature.
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