Classics in the Classroom~Chapter 1

I just finished reading chapter 1 for Teaching Lit and I thought it was a very good chapter. I found myself agreeing with everything that Jago said. For example, "while projects like watching films and painting murals may help engage students in their reading, they must be used sparingly and should always be accompanied by a writing assignment." I agree with this statement. I think that markers and coloring are a great way for students to express their feelings on what they are reading, but if most of what is done in the classroom consists of these projects, then students are not working at Zone of Proximal Development.
I found it sad when Jago said, "researchers found that at integrated schools in middle-class neighborhoods the content of instruction, grade by grade, was for the most part consistent with the content of the test. yet this was not the case in predominately minority and African American or high poverty schools." I feel like lower class students and the teachers that teach them are not supplied with the proper resources and materials needed to make the content of the classroom consistent with the content of the test.
I especially loved Vygotsky's quote, "The only good kind of instruction is that which marches ahead of development and leads it." I feel this is a very insightful quote because we as teachers are going to be looked at as leaders and we will be expected to lead our students through the path of knowledge. Kind of cheesy I know, but it really makes sense to me!

multi genre autobiographies!

I haven't presented my autobiography yet, but I really enjoyed listening to and watching everyone that did present today! I did find myself looking at some of the slides and thinking I felt the same way and have some of the same things in my presentation. There were also a few that made me remember things about my past that I forgot about! It is a really fun project and I definitely think I will use it in my future classroom.

AFter finishing Little Brother

I have finished the book and I loved it! I think it is really cute and it portrays these students as very intelligent though in the beginning I felt we were supposed to get the idea that they were not since they were so into video gaming. I think it goes to show that no student should be underestimated! In fact, video games may help students to become better learners and also better at using technology, http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2004/05/63415
However, I do think that the sexual encounters are definitely risky for younger students. I think that an older high school student could be mature enough to handle it and this book, in my opinion, is definitely better suited for a junior or senior in high school.

Little Brother up to chap. 15

Just from chapter 10 to chapter 15 I have become so much more interested in the book. Marcus begins to date a girl, Ange, and the storyline that follows their relationship is really cute. Even though this girl seems to be really into Marcus I can't help but wonder if there is going to be a twist coming. It wouldn't be too far fetched if the author made her into a spy or something for DHS. I am probably way off, but it seems that something is going to have to happen soon. They are doing all of this "jamming" and interviews with the press and so far it just seems that they are getting away with all of this without being caught. I am anticipating what is coming up!

I also wonder if this is a book that can be read in Middle or High school? It is a good book and I think that students would be interested, but would it be appropriate with the way the author explains Marcus' and Ange's sexual encounters?

Little Brother

So far "Little Brother" has proven that students who play video games are not lazy and they do not posses poor time management skills. The main character in this book is so intelligent when it comes to technology that he outsmarts his teachers and the security systems at his school. He comes up with effective ways to overcome the obstacles that prevent him from mastering this game he loves so much, called, Harajuku Fun Madness. I am only on chapter 7 and so far I find it hard to put this book down. It has been full of action and witty remarks that keep me wanting to read more.
I think that the author of this book is not only making a statement about technology use in our country, but he is also saying that we greatly underestimate the students that know how to use it well.