Final Post

From this assignment, I learned that many of the genres can be combined or integrated to cover multiple genres at once. I also discovered some genres are difficult to find in elementary level books. Furthermore, I learned that genres are not so specific, I always thought of How-To books as sort of DIY books with steps and instructions. But at the elementary level there is so much more to it. That is what made me choose to study Nancy Carlson and I have really come to love books. I can not wait to fill my class library with them. The first book I learned about and loved thanks to my partner ( yes, you!) was How to Lose All Your Friends. It is a How-To book but more like a how-not-to-do... did that make sense? You get it I'm sure.
Anyway, I loved discovering more of her work and her blog! It's adorable!!.. Go look at it now.. there are cute little drawings she posts that I always check out.. go look now.. seriously. Stop reading this for a minute. http://nancycarlson.com/  .. just click it.
Clearly, I enjoyed the Author Study part of this assignment the most. It was easier to choose from the same author and see all the different books she writes. Especially because I have become such a big fan of her work. Finding science fiction books was not an easy ask for me, or the librarian I asked to help me! But it was great to learn about different genres and how they all work together, and how to use them in the classroom.. now there is an idea for a How-To book!
I enjoyed making texts on a blog instead of discussing it on BB or through emails. It is a much easier way to write and add pictures. It makes your text kind of personal to the writer instead of just having your name and your response in black and white. At first I was a little afraid to let loose and write freely because that is rare in graduate courses. But my partner really made it fun, I never felt like I was doing work when I was on your blog. It was always very entertaining and fun. It made me feel like I could get a sense of your personality through your blog. But not everyone can do that, that is one of the limits of this project. You have to have a certain personality and way with words to express your feelings through an online source. At first I had a different partner( I don't even remember who it was honestly) but I am glad we got partnered up because I feel that we made a good match and learned a lot from each other. I found it easy to communicate my ideas to you and as I already mentioned, I loved reading your posts. I was also excited about the author you chose because I also enjoyed the Andrew Lost series.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this project. I learned a lot on my own but also from my partner. I have expanded my ideas about what books I want in my classroom library and what books I would like to assign my students or to read aloud. Overall, it has made me even more excited to have my own class and get them excited about reading by showing them how fun it can be. Maybe even creating a class blog. Although, I would want the students to be a big part of it so perhaps this would be done with older students. But for the younger grades I think a teacher's blog would be a great way to communicate with parents and keep them updated about what the students are learning.

Loudmouth George Earns His Allowance- Nancy Carlson

This book was very cute and taught a good lesson, as all of Carlson's books do. The Loudmouth Collection caught my eye because I am often called a loudmouth from my own family! Ha! So this book is about the main character, George, not wanting to do any chores. It was his summer break and he wanted to relax, watch tv, play outside, etc.. Chores were not on his to-do list for the summer. Then when George wanted his allowance so he could go to the movies, his mother refused because he did not earn the money. What a concept!.. children actually earning the money their parents hand out to them??! Today some children are rewarded without doing anything to earn it. It is a good lesson for them to learn, that you have to work for the things you want. George tries to take the easy way out and get his younger siblings to do his chores.. but that quickly backfired when they did not the chores properly. This made me think of our six box assignment. I mentioned something about starting a project to help those less fortunate. This book relates to that lesson because it shows that some people can not afford to get an allowance, and some people don't deserve their allowance because they did not earn it. Maybe it will inspire some children to use part of their allowance to help someone.

A question I would like to address is:   What connections can I make between this author’s life and the characteristics of his/her writing?
I noticed in this book the dedication was to one of Nancy's children. She congratulates them on graduating and then jokes "Now could you please put your clothes away?" This made me connect her books to her own children. I read that her books come from her own childhood experiences, but maybe some also come from her experiences as a parent. This book could be written for parents as well as children. Or maybe this is book that could be read at home to the whole family! 

I have made a boo boo..

It seems as though I made a little mistake (AKA a boo boo) I thought Nancy Carlson wrote a book called Don't Call Me Special.. but now I can not find it anywhere.. not really sure where my brain was at the time.. not really sure where it is most of the time..

Anyway!! I was able to find another Nancy Carlson book easily because there are sooo many great ones!! .. The next one is from her Loudmouth George collection and it is called Loudmouth George Earns His Allowance.

Sit Still!- Nancy Carlson

This book was such a great way to talk about current issues children have with sitting still in school. The book says the doctor doesn't think something is wrong with him. Which I think is very important. Sometimes kids are bit more hyperactive than we would like.. but does that mean they have ADD? No, not always. I think we are so quick to judge a child and worry that something is wrong, go to tons of doctors, and even put our children on medications. I know that some children definitely need to be medicated to protect themselves and those around them and to focus in school if they have severe cases of ADD. My little cousin had a very bad case of ADD, she was not doing well in school and my aunt and uncle just could not keep up with her. The medication she is on has worked wonders for her in school, but it makes her have NO appetite. This is a very difficult issue children and parents face so I am so glad Nancy Carlson wrote a book about it and explained that some children are just hyper! She uses such simple words and explanations but it gets the message to the reader. The book is entertaining because it shows all the ways Patrick can sit on chairs but none of these ways is sitting still. He hears many adults and his sister yell at him to "sit still!" When you are an adult you can get very easily frustrated with a child that behaves like this.. But do we ever think about how that child feels? This book gives you the child's perspective. It is perfect to read to all classes, especially a class that has a hyperactive student.

Some questions I have for the author is:
Where do you get your inspiration for books? Did you ever deal with a hyperactive child? I read that some of your books come from your own experiences, is this one of them?

ABC I like me! - Nancy Carlson

I LOVED this book.. big shock, I know. I just love all of her books.. I love the pictures and the interesting way she takes on classic books. This book is perfect for preschool and kindergarten. It is not your average ABC book.. How many times can a person read "A is for apple.." I read books to my 5 month old twin niece and nephew and they happily sit in their swings and listen and look at the pictures .. until I tried a classic ABC book. I know they are only 5 months old and have no idea what I am saying but they were way more interested in the other books! Anyway, Nancy Carlson made her ABC book one that gives students self confidence. Each letter is something the characters like about themselves!! Every child should be able to say something they think is great about themselves! ( Adults too)

One question I would like to address is:
How would I share this author's work with an elementary school class?
I am picturing an awesome alphabet wall!! This is a GREAT first week of school activity, it is a simple lesson that goes over the alphabet. The students can each get a letter and the teacher can help them write the sentence for it that tells something they like about themselves using their letter. Then the teacher can hang them around the room!! How cute?? I am wayyy to excited for this!!