Minn and Jake

This was a great book about how two kids can become great friends. I especially loved the end of the book about how much they were going to miss each other. My favorite part was when Minn realized that Jake was a great friend and she did not want to lose him. To me Minn seemed like her friends were disposable, but the thought of Jake leaving upset her. She learned what true friendship is.

Chapter 18

I love chapter 18 and how it describes a trade book as an important part of learning. I remember when I was in school, I never felt that I had the freedom to be creative. Learning has always been structured and there was never any room to deviate from textbooks or lessons that the teacher was learning. After reading the chapter I have learned that trade books are as essential to learning as textbooks or references.

Chapter 6-8

I found interesting in chapter 8 how it describes the fragileness of teaching poetry. Poetry is not an easy form of literature to understand and if you rush kids into it, it may have negative effects on the kids. I also like that the text points out that children have a natural affinity for poetry because of nursery rhyme books. Another topic the books speaks about is haiku. Honestly I don't even remember writing haiku myself. If you asked me about that today, I couldn't even tell you how to write haiku.

Minn and Jake

This story has amazed me. This is the kind of book I would have read in my childhood. So far with Janet Wong she provides great meaning to stories and teaches children lessons in her stories. Specifically the concept of creating two different people and have them become friends is creative idea. I am also liking that the book is separated in chapters. This gives kids a feeling that they are reading a mature book like an adult, which encourages them to keep reading.

TEKS Used
(2) Listening/speaking/culture. The student listens and speaks to gain knowledge of his/her own culture, the culture of others, and the common elements of cultures. The student is expected to:
(A) connect experiences and ideas with those of others through speaking and listening (K-3); and
(B) compare language and oral traditions (family stories) that reflect customs, regions, and cultures (K-3).

Teaching Level 2nd Grade
Discussion
In the short story Apple Pie American Pie the main character is Chinese-American and is upset that her family does not celebrate Fourth of July like a normal American family. She goes on to describe all the activities her family does on the holiday. In this story there are cultural cues that distinguish her from other American families. For example her family owns a Chinese restaurant and her father said they invented fireworks. Many children do not know they are different in the foods they eat or traditions they celebrate. Children need to know that it is okay to be different and to embrace their culture in the school setting.

How To Teach It
First I would start by reading the book aloud and point out to the students that her family is Chinese and they have different cultural foods to eat, and I would also point out the fireworks comment. As I read the book I would ask the kids if they ever have eaten Chinese food or used fireworks. This would be to show that the kids have done activities inspired by the Chinese. After the read aloud I would ask the children to write a paragraph about what they did on Fourth of July. Then I would ask some of the children to orally share what they wrote. In the end the children will see differences in other kids cultures and the teacher will emphasize that it is okay to have different customs.

Chapters 1-5

Before starting this class I never really took notice of how important children's books are. I remember liking books as a child and I was read to many times, but there is depth to these books that I never imagined. What really impresses me is the illustrations inside these books. I believe they are as equally important as the text. Chapter made me realize just how important the illustration are.

Buzz

Buzz was a good book. The repetiveness of the word "Buzz" created a rhythm to story and can keep a child's interest. It also helps children to identify the word "Buzz". The story can also make children aware of their environment. They may start to notice things that they never noticed before.

American Pie Fourth of July

American Pie Fourth of July was a great book. I thought the book has a great meaning of being who you are. I think the book has a continual meaning that grows, depending on the maturity of the reader. As I read the book I got the message of appreciating hard work and keeping a part of you.