Go Ask Alice

Anonymous. (1971). Go ask Alice. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.

Age Range: Young adults in grades 9-12 would be able to connect with this story. Readers would, however, have to be on a mature level to grasp the overall text.

Summary: This book is written in a journal format. It is told in a first person point of view from a fifteen year old female who is part of a successful family. The main character who goes without a name throughout the text and is simply referred to as "Anonymous." Anonymous struggles with adolescence, family, friends, school, and growing up in a drug infused era. There are major changes in the character throughout the book that continues to keep readers on the edge of their seats. She basically starts out as a nice, friendly girl who only desires nice friends and to be accepted; however, it seems like in a matter of minutes she is a drug addicted, juvenile delinquent who cannot seem to overcome the growing obstacles that face her in her attempts to recovery.



Reflection: This book is widely known for its graphic storyline and believed truthfulness. It was a book I could not put down, because I was hoping until the end that everything would work out. She tries so hard to just become the person her family wants her to be and eventually who she wishes to be. The style of the book makes it an easy read for any reader. I would not, however, recommend it to any of my students because of its graphic nature. High school students could relate with the main character's struggle to be accepted by her peers and family. This book can even appeal to adults who would understand the difficulty with drugs during the 1960's and 1970's. Overall it clearly shows a main theme of how a desire to be accepted can lead down a dangerous road that can sometimes be difficult to leave. After reading this book, I just couldn't understand how I hadn't picked it up as a teen. I guess teachers were scared to recommend it to me, but I think it really shows how struggles with peer pressure can take a turn. I would have loved to read it as a teenager, because it is just so unbelievable!



Big Question: After reading this book, do you believe that the main character was at fault for her actions? Did she have the ability to change her life or was she stuck in a downward spiral? Did she make a mistake in the end or was someone else at fault? How did the main character's setting impact her life? Is she simply a victim of circumstance?
Answers to these questions would be very interesting, because they all require some sort of opinion, but with something to back them up.

Field Experience Reflection

1. How many hours did you complete?

I completed five hours with teachers from Jones Park Elementary.

2. In a short paragraph spend your time?

· Observation 1 – During this time, a sixth grade math teacher taught a writing lesson over  paragraphs. I was able to see multiple forms of instruction including whole groups and small groups. The teacher modeled the paragraph format. The students used an outline with this model. They wrote a paragraph as a class. Students then went on to write one paragraph as a group that the teacher checked. Students then had the opportunity to write an individual paragraph and complete a peer check over the required parts.  

· Observation 2 and 3 –

I spent time with the teachers on a professional development day while they developed a plan for raising student achievement. The teachers went over implementation of Accelerated Reader in the classroom. Reading and writing across the content areas. They shared plans with other teachers. They also went over a plan for writing in English classrooms. Common assessments were reviewed and modified when needed. I also worked with the Reading teacher and went over the instructional methods she uses to ensure mastery of every standard.

 

· Observation 4 - I spent one observation hour interviewing a sixth grade math teacher on classroom management and organization techniques. The teacher has over sixteen years of experience and high student achievement. So I focused on questions that asked how she did it. According to the teacher, she has a specific plan each day. The rules and procedures are clearly laid out. They use a point system and rewards to motivate students. Students are taught how to organize papers, their desk, and materials in the room. They know the routine for entering and exiting the classroom.  

· Observation 5 - I spent on observation hour interviewing a sixth grade reading teacher on techniques used to teach reading and writing and how to ensure mastery. The teacher stated that the students will focus on one text a week. They have specific targets to master and work on those daily. She emphasized that her students read on a daily basis.  

3. How did the experience help you to strengthen at least one Kentucky

Teacher Standard? (be sure to name the standard)

One standard that I felt stronger with after working with these teachers is

Standard 4:   The teacher implements and manages instruction. I enjoy hearing what other teachers are doing and learning from them. Both teachers are very experienced and have the results to back up their advice. They are both teachers that I go to for advice when I am struggling and I continue to use all of the help and strategies they have given me.

 

4. Talk a little about one thing you learned because of this field experience.

One thing I learned from this experience is to always have a specific plan in place. Both of these teachers did that and they were able to achieve their daily goal. Another thing is that reading should be a daily component of every lesson. This includes reading individually, reading aloud, and listening.

Reading Log

Reading Log for 30 books (to paste into your blog in at the end of the term)

• Instructions: List the titles and authors you read under each Genre, and use checklist below for Wiki posts. Then, highlight this material and paste it into a final blog post. I have already included (in the 30) the ones we read for discussion. Feel free to read more in each genre as you make t
  

 

Genre / Titles you read

             I.      Non-fiction/Informational (1 chapter book or photo essay book reflection required on blog)

1)       Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

2) Nickel and Dimed: On not getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich

 

          II.      Poetry (1 chapter or picture book reflection required on blog)

1)      Witness by Karen Hesse. (required for discussion)

2)       Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

 

       III.      Modern Fantasy (1 chapter book reflection required on blog)          

1)      The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. (required for discussion)

2)       The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

 

3) The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

 

4) Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

 

5) The Dead and Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

 

6) The Secret Circle: The Initiation by L.J. Smith

7) The Secret Circle: The Captive Part 1 by L.J. Smith

 

8)The Secret Circle: The Captive Part 2 by L.J. Smith

 

9) The Secret Circle: The Power by L.J. Smith

 

 

 

 

       IV.      Historical Fiction (1 reflection required on blog –can be a picture book)     

1)      A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. (required for discussion)

2)       The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spears

 

3) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

4) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

 

          V.      Multicultural/Traditional (2 reflections required on blog – one can be a picture book)         

1)      Monster by Walter Dean Myers

2)       The Skin I'm in by Sharon Flake

 

       VI.      Realistic Fiction (1 chapter book reflection required on blog)

1)      The Last Safe Place on Earth by Richard Peck. (required for discussion)

2)       Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

 

 

3) Listen by Rene Gutteridge

 

4) Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

 

5) Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

 

6) Holes by Louis Sachar

7) Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Batman Smells by Barbara Lynne Park

 

    VII.      Picture Books (5 reflections required on blog during the first two weeks of class. There should be a total here of at least six.)

1)      Flossie & the Fox by Patricia McKissack. (required for discussion)

2)      –The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

3)      – Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by Willaim Steig

4)      – The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

5)      – No, David by David Shannon

6)      -By the Light of the Halloween Moon by Caroline Stutson

 

 

Wiki Checklist

Instructions: Write the number of entries for each category you posted into on the Course Wiki (requirement is four total posts, in four different categories)

 

2 Social Studies

____ Science

1 Math

____ Music

1 Art

____ Reading/Language Arts

____ Physical Education

1 Other

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Spears, E. G. (1958). The witch of blackbird pond. Boston: Sandpiper.
Age Group: This book is appropriate for students age nine and up.

Summary: The Witch of Blackbird Pond is set in Connecticut in the late 1600s. She is forced to move from Barbados after her grandfather passes away. She joins her aunt's family whom she has never met. There is a lot culture shock in this book as Kit is placed in a primarily Puritan community. Things become worse for Kit as she befriends a lady referred to as the Witch of Blackbird Pond.

Reflection: This is a widely known book, because of its portrayal of the witch trials and Puritan history. I think it would be appropriate for children learning about history in the United States and great addition to both language arts and social studies classrooms. It provides parts of the history in a narrative format. As a child I loved historical fiction that had characters near my age, so this would be an appropriate text to both challenge students and help them actually have the experience of reading historical fiction. The book has on overall theme of judging others.

Big Questions: Will Kit ever adapt to the life of the Puritans? How would the situation with Prudence Cruff work out?  Would Uncle Matthew ever change? What may happen if the Puritans find out about Kit's friendship with a suspected witch?

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Paulsen, G. (2006). Hatchet. New York: Simon Pulse.

I was looking to this week's blog, because I chose to read a book that I never finished as a child. I read Brian's Winter over ten years ago and started on Hatchet, but never finished. It has been sitting on my book shelf since then. This is one of Paulsen's most well known books and part of a series that continues to excite readers of all ages. It interests both boys and girls, because of the author's unique realistic survival story.

The book is appropriate for readers twelve and up, according to Amazon. However, this is a text that is generally taught in fifth and sixth grade classrooms. I have seen children as young as ten enjoy this text as long as they have the maturity level to understand it.

The story is told from a third person omniscient point of view focusing on the main character Brian. He is a thirteen year old boy from New York City. The book centers around his struggle for survival alone in the wilderness. Throughout the novel Brian goes through a series of changes in developing into a strong minded survival "guru." In the beginning he is angry and frustrated with his surroundings, but changes into a sound minded individual that learns more than just survival skills. He sees life lesson in his experiences. The Brian in the beginning of the story would have been upset if his plans failed, but towards the end sees failures as a learning opportunity and actually learns from his mistakes. The character development throughout the novel is one of strongest aspects that readers can understand, because it shows the main character's journey into manhood.

 For example, "He did not know how long it took, but later he looked back on this time of crying in the corner of the dark cave and thought of it as when he learned the most important rule of survival, which was that feeling sorry for yourself didn't work. It wasn't just that it was wrong to do, or that it was considered incorrect. It was more than that—it didn't work." This quote from the text shows how Brian's overall thought process changed during his time in the wilderness.  He went from feeling sorry for himself to an individual that was ready to take action. Childlike qualities were fading in him and he was forced to mature quicker than most.

A main conflict in the text is man versus nature, which flows into the one of the major themes. In the text Brian struggles with survival in the wilderness. He is not the Katniss Everdeen we picture surviving in the woods today; however, he was a normal teenage boy from the city before he was forced to survive in the wilderness. He had no training or knowledge of survival before these events. That is what truly makes this story intriguing, because children can relate to embracing the unknown and thriving in it. In the text Brian soon realizes that nature is not intent on harming him and embraces its life and beauty. He comes to understanding with the animals and recognizes the dangers.

This theme also leads into what is truly the main setting of the book, which instead of being the forest like most would guess is Brian's own mind. Brian's overall growth in his ability to behave and think like adult are what truly saves him. Readers see this constant struggle between Brian's child self and his new forming adult mind. Eventually, he sees this importance of positive adult like thinking when he recalls a quote saying "You are all you have."

I believe this book should be a required reading for all students, because young adolescents can relate so closely to the Brian and the changes he undergoes. It can also encourage future reading being part of a series. I plan to read the third book Brian's Hunt soon.

Some major questions that I had after reading this book and questions that would be great for students are listed below.
1. What role does Brian's attitude play in his survival?
2. What influenced the author to write this book?
3. How does the main character change throughout the book?
4. How would you react if you were in Brian's situation?
5. What choices did Brian make that you agree with? What choices do you not agree with?
6. Do you think Brian would be the person he is at the end if he had never been in the plane crash?