Bridge to Terabithia
By Katherine Paterson
Newberry Medal
I never read Bridge to Terabithia as a child. So, reading it for the first time as an adult was an adventure - I laughed, and I cried. I found the beginning of the novel a slow start. But, once I was introduced to Leslie, I found myself staying up late, dying to turn the pages and discover Leslie's character. I laughed when Leslie became the fastest runner in 5th grade. Boy, how I would have enjoyed being a teacher on the playground that day watching her run circles around those "tough" boys. However, I was most impressed with Leslie's imagination! She truly created a new world for her and Jess to "rule." Although my imagination was not as powerful as Leslie's, I have a very vivid childhood memory of playing "archeologist" in my backyard. For hours, my brother and I would dig in the dirt under our swingset searching for dinosaur bones. We believed that we would one day discover dinosaur fossils, our house would become famous, and our lives rich from our discoveries. I am sure we all have similiar imaginative stories that helped us connect to Leslie. Knowing that Leslie's character was based on a true story only added power to the development of her character, and inevitably the tradegy.
Towards the end of the novel, I shared with my students that I was reading the book and preparing to go to the movies to watch Bridge to Terabithia. All of my students were really excited to hear that their teacher was reading a children's book, and going to watch the movie. Furthermore, my students continued to ask throughout last week if I completed the novel. (Perhaps I need to share the reading I will continue to do for our class so that my students so they can continue to see their teacher as a reader.) In sharing my reading of Bridge with my students, also discovered that one of my Math students had actually read the book herself. I was shocked, but also elated. As I read the final chapters, I began to wonder if the book was something I should have my 3rd graders read. I checked the Literacy room, and found several copies of the book, so I have the resources to use the book in a literature circle. We as educators read aloud and share literature with our students to promote a love of reading, right? I definitely think the book is quality literature and would motivate my students to read....but what about the last two chapters?
The chapter entitled "Stranded" really pulled at my heart strings. My heart went out to Jess for he felt guilt, worry, and alone that Leslie had created a world for him, but then left him in this world, stranded. Paterson did a wonderful job of creating the emotions someone goes through as they grieve over the death of a loved one. Since Bridge is based on a true story, I can't imagine how Paterson or her son dealt with the tradgey. I wondered if Paterson's son had a similiar experience as Jess did in the last chapter- did his younger sister join him as the queen of Terabithia? Did he come to realize as Jess did "how before Leslie came, he had been a nothing?" To look back at an experience, or at a person, and be thankful for the impact it, or he/ she provided on you, is a part of growing up. My mother has always told me "all good things come to an end, just like all bad things." Unfortunately, learning that life is not always fair, and is not always good is a tough lesson, but I think a lesson worthy of teaching our students. Perhaps a lesson that can safely be taught in the forum of literature.
I am anxious to see the movie, compare my mental images I created during the story, and then "report" back to my students about my thoughts on the movie versus the book. In the meantime, I am continuing to ponder about using the novel Bridge to Terabithia as a literature circle book in my classroom.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
All I See
All I See
Written By Cynthia Rylant
Pictures by Peter Catalanotto
WOW! The acrylic/ oil paintings in this picturebooks are terrific! I think Rylant's choice of a painter to illustrate her story was perfect! Catalanotto uses full bleed, unframed photos to allow the reader to fall in a state of tranqulity and mood for really enjoying Rylant's story. I know it may seem that painting pictures of a lake would in itself provide a mood of relaxation and contentment, but Catalanotto’s talent reaches beyond capturing the scenery of the lake. (Ah, a lake... is anyone else ready for Spring?) Catalanotto paints vivid, realistic pictures of Gregory, who is a painter himself in the story, as well as Charlie, a young child who is very curious and fond of Gregory and his paintings. Coupled with Rylant’s craft, the story tells how Charlie introduces himself to Gregory by sneaking up to his easel as Gregory floats along the lake in his daily canoe trip.
Like Charlie, I found myself intrigued about Gregory, particularly since he only paints blue whales. This would be a stellar read aloud choice in the classroom to model “I wonder” statements/ the thinking voice. Rylant skillfully moves her narrative story to allow a very natural fit of curiosity for her readers. Also, this text could also be used to introduce and discuss different character perspectives. I know it is developmentally appropriate for children to be egocentric, but I also think it is a valuable lesson to teach, and compare and contrast different viewpoints. Even though the artists (Gregory and Charlie) were standing side by side and “looking” at the same lake/ the same scenery, their paintings were vastly different. Of course my students could always benefit from discussing different perspectives, but I wonder if this text would be developmentally appropriate for my students. I wonder if I read this picture book aloud in my classroom what my 3rd graders discussion would consist of… I wonder what inferences they would create about Gregory. What would they think about a man who drew whales while “looking” at a lake? I am confident that every student in my class could connect to Gregory and recall a time when they saw something differently than friend, a parent, or a teacher; however, I don’t think that my students would make that text to self connection without prompting from me. Am I underestimating my third graders?
Written By Cynthia Rylant
Pictures by Peter Catalanotto
WOW! The acrylic/ oil paintings in this picturebooks are terrific! I think Rylant's choice of a painter to illustrate her story was perfect! Catalanotto uses full bleed, unframed photos to allow the reader to fall in a state of tranqulity and mood for really enjoying Rylant's story. I know it may seem that painting pictures of a lake would in itself provide a mood of relaxation and contentment, but Catalanotto’s talent reaches beyond capturing the scenery of the lake. (Ah, a lake... is anyone else ready for Spring?) Catalanotto paints vivid, realistic pictures of Gregory, who is a painter himself in the story, as well as Charlie, a young child who is very curious and fond of Gregory and his paintings. Coupled with Rylant’s craft, the story tells how Charlie introduces himself to Gregory by sneaking up to his easel as Gregory floats along the lake in his daily canoe trip.
Like Charlie, I found myself intrigued about Gregory, particularly since he only paints blue whales. This would be a stellar read aloud choice in the classroom to model “I wonder” statements/ the thinking voice. Rylant skillfully moves her narrative story to allow a very natural fit of curiosity for her readers. Also, this text could also be used to introduce and discuss different character perspectives. I know it is developmentally appropriate for children to be egocentric, but I also think it is a valuable lesson to teach, and compare and contrast different viewpoints. Even though the artists (Gregory and Charlie) were standing side by side and “looking” at the same lake/ the same scenery, their paintings were vastly different. Of course my students could always benefit from discussing different perspectives, but I wonder if this text would be developmentally appropriate for my students. I wonder if I read this picture book aloud in my classroom what my 3rd graders discussion would consist of… I wonder what inferences they would create about Gregory. What would they think about a man who drew whales while “looking” at a lake? I am confident that every student in my class could connect to Gregory and recall a time when they saw something differently than friend, a parent, or a teacher; however, I don’t think that my students would make that text to self connection without prompting from me. Am I underestimating my third graders?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
The Paperboy
The Paperboy
Story and Paintings by Dav Pilkey
1997 Caldecott Award
As a child, I always wondered who mysteriously delivered our newspaper to our front porch. I remember my Mother and Father explaining the organized process of newspaper routes, describing how early the delivery crew would wake to ensure that paper was delivered long before the first cup of coffee was poured in each house of our neighborhood. I never was much of a morning person, even as a child, so trying to understand how and why people wanted the job of delivering newspapers in the wee hours and chilly mornings was beyond my understanding.
The picture book, The Paperboy, provides a sincere appreciation for the early riser who fulfills this service we take for granted. I can easily see why these impressive pictures were awarded a Caldecott Award. The vividly painted setting and sympathetic feelings we have toward the Paperboy’s early schedule is captured in the book’s illustrations. The story is a perfect description of the responsibility one young boy and his dog undertake to deliver the newspaper on his route every morning, a story that my classroom students would surely cherish.
Whether the story would be used to discuss jobs that young children have, services in our community, or it will be used to emphasize the relationship between the boy and his dog, I will definitely use this story as a read aloud in my classroom. One of our Harcourt themes in third grade is “What a Team!” It features Balto, the Dog Who Saved Nome and Rosie, a visiting Dog’s story; I am always searching for narrative texts to reinforce the team of a helping dog and human. My students could use The Paperboy to make many text to text connections with the Harcourt stories. Whether you are a parent, a child, or a fellow educator, I highly recommend reading The Paperboy as it satisfies the wonder of newspaper delivery.
Story and Paintings by Dav Pilkey
1997 Caldecott Award
As a child, I always wondered who mysteriously delivered our newspaper to our front porch. I remember my Mother and Father explaining the organized process of newspaper routes, describing how early the delivery crew would wake to ensure that paper was delivered long before the first cup of coffee was poured in each house of our neighborhood. I never was much of a morning person, even as a child, so trying to understand how and why people wanted the job of delivering newspapers in the wee hours and chilly mornings was beyond my understanding.
The picture book, The Paperboy, provides a sincere appreciation for the early riser who fulfills this service we take for granted. I can easily see why these impressive pictures were awarded a Caldecott Award. The vividly painted setting and sympathetic feelings we have toward the Paperboy’s early schedule is captured in the book’s illustrations. The story is a perfect description of the responsibility one young boy and his dog undertake to deliver the newspaper on his route every morning, a story that my classroom students would surely cherish.
Whether the story would be used to discuss jobs that young children have, services in our community, or it will be used to emphasize the relationship between the boy and his dog, I will definitely use this story as a read aloud in my classroom. One of our Harcourt themes in third grade is “What a Team!” It features Balto, the Dog Who Saved Nome and Rosie, a visiting Dog’s story; I am always searching for narrative texts to reinforce the team of a helping dog and human. My students could use The Paperboy to make many text to text connections with the Harcourt stories. Whether you are a parent, a child, or a fellow educator, I highly recommend reading The Paperboy as it satisfies the wonder of newspaper delivery.
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