Book Nook: Voices in the Park

I am excited to read Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne and anxious to see what conversations will be generated after our read-aloud. This story is about four different characters, a pretentious mother and her outgoing daughter, a blue-collar father and his lonely, shy son. Each voice tells about his/her experience at the park on the same day and Browne uses fonts similar to their personalities. The illustrations are wonderful and add so much more to the story. This story is a great introduction to different perspectives, and invites us to ponder socio-economic class, child-parent relationships, financial struggle, and the innocence of childhood. 

I have a feeling we will be coming back to this story time and time again. This time, I would urge you to think about a time when you may have judged someone without getting to know them. What did you base your judgements on? Race, socio-economic status, gender, or maybe the language they spoke? How did you feel afterwards?

So often we make quick judgements, often times without realizing why. It is important and valuable to question our perceptions and take time to find out why we have them. I look forward to reading your responses and growing together as we learn more about each other.  

Book Nook: Click Clack Moo Cows that Type

This week we are reading Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. She has written other books such as Thump, Quack, Moo, Duck for President, and Diary of a Worm. The students really like her stories. I decided to focus on this story to discuss social and political issues/change and how both are brought about. The students have been asking about strikes and who can put them on and how they work. 

Farmer Brown's cows have discovered a typewriter and begin writing letters demanding blankets to keep warm. When Farmer Brown refuses to give in, the cows go on strike... No MILK until they get the blankets. Pretty soon the typing begins again and this time the note tacked to the barn door asks for more electric blankets, the hens are cold too. When Farmer Brown ignores their demands, they go on strike with the cows. No MILK, No EGGS. Farmer Brown begins to panic, there is no way he can run a farm with the cows and chickens on strike. So he gets out his typewriter and writes a note, telling the cows and hens that he will give them blankets, if they turn over their typewriter. The note is delivered by a neutral party, the duck. An agreement is reached and Farmer Brown waits for the duck to bring him the cow's typewriter. Instead he begins to hear, Click Clack Quack, Click Clack Quack.

Ponder these questions and see if you can provide us any insight. We are anxious to learn more and find ways to take action towards issues that are important to us! If you would like to join us please let me know; we love visitors and great ideas! 

1. What social or political issues are important to your family?

2. How have you been involved in working for social change? 

Book Nook: Those Shoes

This week we will be reading aloud Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts. This story is about a young boy, Jeremy, who wants the pair of shoes that everyone at school seems to be wearing. Jeremy's grandam tells him they don't have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy's shoes fall apart at school, the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair and Jeremy is more determined to have those shoes. So much so, he buys a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. Sore feet are not fun and Jeremy comes to realize the things he has are worth more than the things he wants. 

We are tying this book into our discussion of wants and needs. I am sure this book will spark conversations about personal experiences and connections, fitting in, who we live with, and words such as wealthy and poor. This week I am going to pose the following questions and hope you can respond to one or two. 

1. How would the text be different if it were told in another time, place, and/or culture? 

2. What kinds of people are in this book? What types of people are left out?

3. How can we break the stereotype that money equals happiness?

4. Have you ever felt the need to fit in? What did you do to follow the crowd?

If you would like to join our class for our read-aloud and discussions on this story or any future story please let me know, we would love to have you and your insight. We typically start our read-aloud and discussion around 1:15 p.m. but can make arrangements if you would like to join. I look forward to reading your responses and having a conversation. 

Welcome to Engaging Families!

Welcome families, students, teachers, and friends! This is my first year teaching and I can't wait to see what adventures we will go on. I am so excited to get this blog started and am looking forward to our journeys through critical literacy, dialogue, and action. It is my hope that this will be a place where we can share and learn together. 

Look out for my weekly Monday update - I hope to share lots of exciting happenings in our classroom, additional information for assignments, field trips, and two featured sections. The first, "In the News," will highlight examples of family-school partnerships in action around the world. The second, "Book Nook," will provide a synopsis of our story of the week and pose a critical inquiry question that families will be encouraged to respond to. I am looking forward to bring families knowledge and home life into our space at school. 

I hope you will join us on these adventures and here's to a fantastic year!!