Welcome back to our blog and another exciting week at Mackenzie Middle. Hopefully you all got a little break on Monday due to our GOALS day. Hopefully your advisors also got to meet with your parents and guardians, too. It seems there is always something happening these days!
Just to recap, we've been talking about reading and how we feel about it. Some of your responses have been nothing shy of insightful and meaningful. I can tell you are really reflecting on the topics mentioned. That's a good thing! As learners, it is important that we take time to reflect on how/why read at a certain level and work toward improving in that area. Last week, I asked you to talk about some strategies you use when you read. This week, I am going to follow a similar path and ask some more reflective questions.
The initial question: Why do you like or dislike reading in general? To answer this question, consider the following sub-questions: 1) What types of books, stories, or poems do you prefer to read and what types do you dislike reading? Why? 2) When you read, is it easy or hard for you? Why? Possible reasons might be vocabulary, comprehending what is going on in the story, or even not being able to relate personally to the events or characters. 3) When and how often do you read for pleasure? For school? And, how does your purpose for reading influence whether or not you like a story, book, or poem?
Answer the initial question and the sub-questions in four complete, insightful, reflective sentences. Remember, I am trying to get you to take charge of and evaluate your own learning. By doing this, you will be more likely to have a successful academic career. Own your answers. Be honest and reflect.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Blog Post #4
Last week we discussed what makes a reader engaged or unengaged. I asked you to explain some things you can do that will help you be a better reader. This week, we are going to continue on the path of discussion about reading by answering another self-reflection question.
The initial question: What are some strategies good readers use to help them better understand a text? To answer this question, you must consider a few other sub-questions. Reflect on these: 1) When you read, are you asking questions, such as What's going to happen next? or How does that character feel at the moment? 2) When you read, do you make inferences, or predictions, about the text? 3) When you read, do you empathize or sympathize with the characters in the story? In other words, can you see things from their point of view? 4) When you read, do you choose something that is of personal interest to you? In other words, do you select books that you can relate to or that are about things you enjoy?
By answering the questions above, you are reflecting on how you read and why you understand certain texts better than others. These questions also help you understand why you may or may not like reading in general. I mentioned last week that I believe there is a book out there for everyone, so find that special book that you can relate to and enjoy.
Answer the initial question and sub-questions in 4 complete, thoughtful sentences. Once again, remember I am asking you to think deeply on this topic. I expect your responses to be true to you, insightful, and meaningful. Anything less than 4 sentences that fit those three requirements is not going to earn you a 4 when it comes to grades.
The initial question: What are some strategies good readers use to help them better understand a text? To answer this question, you must consider a few other sub-questions. Reflect on these: 1) When you read, are you asking questions, such as What's going to happen next? or How does that character feel at the moment? 2) When you read, do you make inferences, or predictions, about the text? 3) When you read, do you empathize or sympathize with the characters in the story? In other words, can you see things from their point of view? 4) When you read, do you choose something that is of personal interest to you? In other words, do you select books that you can relate to or that are about things you enjoy?
By answering the questions above, you are reflecting on how you read and why you understand certain texts better than others. These questions also help you understand why you may or may not like reading in general. I mentioned last week that I believe there is a book out there for everyone, so find that special book that you can relate to and enjoy.
Answer the initial question and sub-questions in 4 complete, thoughtful sentences. Once again, remember I am asking you to think deeply on this topic. I expect your responses to be true to you, insightful, and meaningful. Anything less than 4 sentences that fit those three requirements is not going to earn you a 4 when it comes to grades.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Blog Post #3
In my online classes at UNT, I was reading my textbook and started thinking about reading. When I was a student, I literally never left my house without a book. Books were my passion, and I read as many of them as I could. When it came to English class, though, I did not enjoy reading nearly as much. I always complained that the teachers dictated what we read, leaving me with little option to read the books I actually would have chosen on my own. My textbook states that there are 2 types of reading: engaged and not engaged. Engaged reading is what we do for pleasure. Engaged readers read because they want to, and they are so focused on what they read that they get to a point when they don't even really read words but are able to see the story in their minds instead. Readers who are not engaged are reading because they have to or were told to. They have more trouble picturing what's happening in their minds, and they tend not to enjoy the books as much. My personal philosophy is that everyone can enjoy reading if they are led to the right book. With that right book, magic can happen.
So here's my question. Would you consider yourself an engaged or not engaged reader? What do you think you can do to become a more engaged, better reader? Think about these two questions, and be honest. Write your response in a 4 sentence comment, or respond on notebook paper. Remember, be honest!
So here's my question. Would you consider yourself an engaged or not engaged reader? What do you think you can do to become a more engaged, better reader? Think about these two questions, and be honest. Write your response in a 4 sentence comment, or respond on notebook paper. Remember, be honest!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Blog Post #2
Welcome back from your long weekend! I hope you all got to enjoy yourselves and get a much deserved break. I spent some of my weekend sewing and reading. I also spent a lot of time with my two kids and husband. It was a very relaxing weekend overall.
This week's prompt is very simple. I want to know what you are reading! If it is a magazine, news article, comic book, novel, chapter book, even a picture book, tell me about it! For my online classes, I am going to have to read at least 78 books between now and the beginning of December. To kick our prompt off, I am going to tell you about one of the books I am currently reading.
You may have heard of the Cirque du Freak series. My husband and I made an agreement at the beginning of last year to read the whole series together. Unfortunately, we only read together when we're on roadtrips. This summer, we finished book 10 of the series and started on book 11. We're about halfway through, and we're at a lull right now until we go to visit my older sister in Weatherford, TX, in October.
So about the series . . .
We follow the character Darren Shan, who becomes a half-vampire in book 1, as he follows his "mentor" vampire, Larten Crepsley, on a series of dangerous adventures. From facing their cousins/enemies, a group called the Vampaneze, to a trek up Vampire Mountain to meeting the girl of his dreams to facing the Trials of Initiation to becoming a Vampire Prince, Darren does something that will appeal to pretty much any lover of the dark, dangerous, and macabre. Highly recommend this series to kids of your age because it is full of adventure.
Now, what are you reading? Tell me about it in a minimum of 4 sentences, but be sure you don't give away too much about the plot. Others may want to read what you are reading. Remember, you must write 4 sentences that are insightful, inspiring, and about your book. Don't short us!
This week's prompt is very simple. I want to know what you are reading! If it is a magazine, news article, comic book, novel, chapter book, even a picture book, tell me about it! For my online classes, I am going to have to read at least 78 books between now and the beginning of December. To kick our prompt off, I am going to tell you about one of the books I am currently reading.
You may have heard of the Cirque du Freak series. My husband and I made an agreement at the beginning of last year to read the whole series together. Unfortunately, we only read together when we're on roadtrips. This summer, we finished book 10 of the series and started on book 11. We're about halfway through, and we're at a lull right now until we go to visit my older sister in Weatherford, TX, in October.
So about the series . . .
We follow the character Darren Shan, who becomes a half-vampire in book 1, as he follows his "mentor" vampire, Larten Crepsley, on a series of dangerous adventures. From facing their cousins/enemies, a group called the Vampaneze, to a trek up Vampire Mountain to meeting the girl of his dreams to facing the Trials of Initiation to becoming a Vampire Prince, Darren does something that will appeal to pretty much any lover of the dark, dangerous, and macabre. Highly recommend this series to kids of your age because it is full of adventure.
Now, what are you reading? Tell me about it in a minimum of 4 sentences, but be sure you don't give away too much about the plot. Others may want to read what you are reading. Remember, you must write 4 sentences that are insightful, inspiring, and about your book. Don't short us!
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