Chira Husky

Option One List of Books Read as a Child 1. The Tale of Peter Rabbit This book was important to me because it was one of the first books I got as a child. I received the set of books for my first birthday and my grandma used to read them to me. When I got older and was able to read books on my own I would sit in my room and read each book from the set. I loved that the books were small and the stories each involved a different main character. 2. Guess How Much I Love You This book was important because it was a book that my grandfather would read to me every time I went to visit. I am very close with my grandfather and he was a major part of my childhood and contributed to a lot of my development. I remember this book because he would always say how much do you love me? And we would have to show him how much by holding out our arms. This always reminded me of that book. 3. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish This book was one of the first books I read on my own. We had a lot of Dr. Suess books and I always liked reading these on my own. I found that they were funny and had pictures that kept me intrigued and were also pretty easy to read. They also rhymed which I loved and they made me laugh. 4. The Very Hungary Caterpillar I loved this book when I was young because of the cutouts and all of the colors. I also liked the story and seeing what the caterpillar was going to eat next. It was easy to read, but I also loved when my parents read it to me as well. 5. Where The Wild Things Are I remember reading this book in school and really liking the story. I thought it was interesting and I always had a vivid imagination so it was easy for me to get into the story. I liked that there was a fantasy world that the boy visited and because of my imagination it was easy for me to believe the story. 6. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie I liked this book because I loved the little mouse. I always liked to see what he wanted next and really liked the friendship that the boy and mouse had. I related to the book because I wanted a pet and although it was only a little mouse, I was still jealous of the boy for having a little friend. 7. The Rainbow Fish I remember reading this book in school and loving the colors in the pictures. I loved the sparkle that was added to the fish gills. I liked that the story was a about a little fish and was always into stories about animals that lived like humans. When I was young I

imagined that fish really lived like that. 8. Courdoroy I loved this book because I found it interesting that the little bear was in a store after closing time. When I was younger it was always intriguing to wonder what happened in stores after they closed. I loved that this story gave me a chance to see what might go on. I was also very into dolls and bears so I loved when he got to go home with the little girl. 9. Are You There God, Its Me Margaret I remember reading this book as a teenager and loving it. I thought it was a very humorous book and I could relate to it. It explained a lot of the things that happened during puberty in a more immature way rather than having them explained maturely by a parent. I felt that I connected with the character in the book and imagined she was a real teenager like me. 10. The BFG I read this book when I was in middle school and it was my favorite for a long time. Again, because I always had a really good imagination it was easy for me to get into the book and imagine this other world that the character was in. I loved to imagine that the book really existed. 11. The Secret Langauge I read this book when I was a little older, but it is one book that I will never forget. I loved the idea of boarding schools and the mystery behind them. I liked that she found a best friend who made her feel like the boarding school that she hated was her home. I also loved that they had a secret language, it just made the book feel enchanted. 12. The Secret Garden I loved this book because it too, felt enchanted. It was a fantasy world and with my imagination it was very easy to put myself in the book. It was like a break from reality and the story teaches you a lot. It has a lot of hidden lessons and really helped me empathize with the character. 13. A Little Princess This story, like the Secret Garden, appealed to me because it was again, a fantasy world. I would think of princesses and princes and castles, which took me out of my reality and into another for a small amount of time. Also, like The Secret Garden, I really felt for the character and loved everything about the story. 14. Sideways Stories from Wayside School I remember reading this when I was young and really enjoying it because it was a very funny book. The book was composed of a lot of different stories with different main characters in each. Every story was funny and this was the main reason I loved the book. It was more relaxed than the books we were required to read in school.

 Literature in the English Curriculum 1. Children Today Studies have found that skills such as math have increased, but reading skills have dropped. Children are more interested in using technologies after school such as the computer or video games, than using that time for independent reading. Schools have cut a lot of creativity out of the classroom and technology and society have caused children to grow up way too fast. This has resulted in children not having the opportunities to develop a vivid imagination, which is a key element during childhood. 2. Studies About Children and Reading An article from 2011 in the New York Times explains that since the 1900s skills in reading have decreased. David Driscoll, the chairman of the governing board that oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, along with other officials came up with some hypotheses as to why. Some included the quality of reading instruction in the classroom, the amount that their parents read to them as a child, and how much time they spend reading outside of school. Many parents are illiterate and pass this to their children (Dillon 2011). In an article found on the American Association of School Librarians written in 2000, the author talks about the importance of independent reading not only for children but for adults as well. It was found in a study that children were not likely to read a book at free time, read outside of school, or read at all. It is important to be literate, as reading is important in every aspect of life. Students reading achievement directly correlates with the time they spend on independent reading (Cullinan, 2000). 3. Children and Creativity In many studies researchers have found that there is a positive correlation between creativity and school achievement. In one study, Academic Achievement of Groups Formed Based on Creativity and Intelligence, researchers found that students were not in the top 20% in IQ scores were able to achieve as well as the students who were in the top 20% in IQ score. They believed this was because of their elevated skills in creativity. Most studies have found that there is a correlation between creativity and intelligence and that therefore creativity has a direct affect on school achievement( Palaniappa, 2010). Unfortunately many schools have become very dependent on standardized tests, which have cut out a lot of time for creativity in the classroom. I believe that creativity is very important during childhood and that it can lead to enhanced school achievement. 4. The Curriculum: Grades 1 to 3 During this age I feel it is important for the child to develop a love of reading. I feel it should be a requirement to have time during school to read for pleasure, where they get the chance to choose a book that they are interested in. I also believe it is important to get the parents involved with reading outside of school, whether it is a time after school

Comment [1]: J

Comment [2]: J

where they sit and read or time where their parents read to them. It is during the early years where a child develops a real passion for reading and finds pleasure in doing so. This can be accomplished by making sure that they are reading at their age level and that any problems with reading are addressed immediately and a plan to improve the area the child is struggling in is implemented. It is important at this age that a child feels confident when it comes to reading. If they lose confidence it is likely that they will lose a lot of the enthusiasm and incentive they have for reading. It is also important at this age to get them reading books that encourage creativity and the use of imagination. Through creativity a student can release stress or built up frustration or anger. When this is released it allows the child to concentrate more on learning. I believe that all of this can be accomplished through reading as long as the right books are placed into the curriculum at the right time. 5. Literature for Grades 1 to 3 At this level of development it is important that they are allowed a choice, whether it is choosing their own book or choosing from a certain number of books. It is also important that their reading level improves during this time. Books for this age group should incorporate lessons and morals that the student can take away from their reading. Books for this age might be about racism, diversity, right and wrong, feelings, bullying, etc. The minds of these students are still very able to be influenced and manipulated. It is at this age group that the students should start learning life lessons and begin to get a sense of what the world around them is about. 6. Examples of Books: Grades 1 to 3 THIRD GRADE Amelias Notebook- about moving away and starting a new school The Ant Bully- about being bullied and learning a lesson from it Be Good To Eddie Lee- a book about a young girl who befriends a boy with Down syndrome Black, White, Just Right!- a book about a young girls parents and their differences SECOND GRADE Nims Island- encourages the use of imagination Painted Dreams- encourages creativity Clara and the Book wagon- a book that not only teaches them about the past, but also encourages a love of reading Get Ready for Second Grade- a book that will teach students about school and how to get

Comment [3]: Can this be accomplished through the way they encounter the book (as well as the content)? How?

through day by day FIRST GRADE Frog and Toad Are Friends- a book about the friendship of a frog and a toad The Boy Who Loved Words- encourages reading You Read to Me, Ill Read to You- a book of fairy tales, which I believe every child should hear at least once Miss Smiths Incredible Storybook- encourages the use of imagination Ramona the Pest- a book about a young girl and her days at school Is a Worry Worrying You?- a book that helps children discover their fears 7. The Curriculum: Grades 4 to 6 During this age, it is still important for students to have a choice when it comes to the books they are reading. By 6th grade though, I believe the curriculum should also start assigning books to read, as this will get them ready for their days in high school. At this age it is imperative that children who are struggling at their reading level get extra help and start to show improvement. It is so much more important to be sufficient at reading by this age, because fitting in is something that all students will have to deal with. It is also important that the students of these age groups do not lose their love of reading and the encouragement to be creative. This will allow them a means of getting away from the world for a while, but should also teach them rational approaches to help them deal with their world. 8. Literature for Grades 4 to 6 By this age, students are getting older and are getting a sense of who they are and where they belong in school and in their life outside of school. They find themselves in new situations where they are required to be more mature and use critical thinking and problem solving when figuring out how to handle them. I believe that by choosing the right books for this age, we as teachers can help them be as prepared as they possibly can be for these new and intimidating situations. Books for this age might be about diversity, bullying, fitting in, being different, puberty, boyfriends and girlfriends, family problems, etc. While it is important for students to read books that will teach them a specific lesson, it is also just as important for them to have the opportunity to read books that evoke a sense of imagination. Children at this age are growing up too fast and hardly have time to truly enjoy childhood before they are forced into mature situations by society, television, and their peers. As teachers I believe it is our duty to not only teach our students these important lessons, but to also make sure that they are developing in way that allows them to be children and to take on the more mature topics when it is appropriate. 9. Examples of Books: Grades 4 to 6

Comment [4]: Whats gained and lost by this?

SIXTH GRADE Are You There God, Its Me Margaret- a humorous way to prepare girls for the new and possibly frightening situations they will encounter. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas- a book that includes lessons about history, but also helps students realize the horrors of some of the things we did as a country. Evokes a sense of empathy. Weedflower- a story that also teaches students about a historical event, but also includes situations that many adolescents have to overcome. Novio Boy: A Play- a book that introduces students into the dating world of sixth graders. Star girl- a great book about the importance of individuality. FIFTH GRADE The Little Princess- a story that encourages imagination, but also teaches children many important life lessons. The Secret Language- a book about the struggles through school and how a friend can change everything. The Liberation of Gabriel King- a book about a young girl who helps an AfricanAmerican boy overcome bullying. Also Known As Harper- a book about a young girl with troubles at home who finds a getaway in writing. FOURTH GRADE Matilda- a classic that every child should have the chance to read. Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, & a Miracle- a book about the war in Iraq and a marine who found a lifelong friend in a dog. The BFG- a wonderful book about a girl who finds herself with a big, friendly giant in a fantasy land. The Hundred Dresses- a book about a young girl who is made fun of for wearing the same clothes every day.

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 WORKS CITED Cullinan, B. (2000). Independent reading and school achievement. American Association of School Librarians, Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/sl mrcontents/volume32000/independent Dillon, S. (2011, November 01). Since 1900's, U.S. students' math has sharpened, but reading lags. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/education/us-students-math-skills-sharpen-butreading-lags.html?_r=1 Palaniappa, A. (2010). Independent reading and school achievement. Linkoping University Electronic Press, Retrieved from http://www.ep.liu.se/ecp/021/vol1/020/exp2107020.pdf