Last week of the term

Thanks to all of you for your final reflections.  I'm glad that my first attempts with a blog worked for you.  I think we made it.  And from your comments, you learned something.  That's the whole idea, right?  I'm very impressed with your text sets.  I'm so glad that you found this to be a useful assignment.

All I can say is thanks for the wonderful excitement for YAL.  It's a whole new world for many of you.

I have most of your final papers graded so I'll be posting grades by the end of the week.  Also, I"ll be emailing all of you with comments about your text sets.  So keep an eye out.  Hopefully it will be tomorrow, once I teach my last undergraduate class for WOU.

After summer session, I'm retiring.  So now I'll get to read more books.  But I'll be thinking of you and how your test sets are going to provide more excitement next school year.  Have a terrific summer, relax and keep reading!!

Sue

Week 8/9/10/11

I'm really here, I didn't drop off the face of the earth.  Just a lot of eye trouble that makes it very hard to work on the computer.  Well the end of the term is upon all of us.  I have been up to my eyeballs with reading theses and attending oral defenses in addition to all of the other responsibilities.

What I would like you to do is to :
1. finish your blogs to each other , and
2.  your text set, which is to be emailed to me for a grade, and
3.  blog to each other about your text set.
(ex.  you topic, how your are going to use this, and what interesting new materials you have found.)

4.  And I would also like you to complete the final which is to answer the following question:

Tell me what you learned about YAL , what will "stick" with you next year , and how have your grown as a teacher through this experience by taking READ 591.  That is due to me by June 4.  Please just email your final to me at dauers@wou.edu

I think we all made it!!  The weather is finally getting a bit warmer.  You have been a great group to work with and I hope that this has been a good experience.  Thanks to all of you for becoming bloggers!  This was new to me as well but I think it worked.  You'll hear from me again before the end of the term.

Happy Reading!

Sue

Week 8.Hi!

Well, late again.  What a week .  I've been trying to get all my grad student observations in plus reading theses and attending oral defenses.  That's in addition to everything else that goes on around here.

This week we are going back to Ch.8, Science Fiction and Fantasy. To be honest, these are two genre that are not my favorites but they certainly are with YA's.  Just look at the Twilight Series and how that has taken off.

I'd like each of you to talk in your book group about why this genre is so popular with adolescents.  I would also like to see your blogs about visualizing:  Do you already do this in your class and if so how?  Or can you design a visualizing activity to include in your text set?  This is a powerful but sometimes difficult strategy for students because in this day and age, most of the visualizing is already done for them through TV, video games, games, etc.  How can we help YA's return to using their imaginations?  And why is that important?

Will this rain ever stop?  I do see blue sky as I write this.  Maybe I'm just optimistic enough.  In any case, have a great week.  The term is really coming to an end quickly.


Happy reading!
Sue

Week 7

 Hi gang,
Well, we are heading into the final stretch of this course.  From all of those I've heard from, I just want you to know that you are doing great on your blogs.  And it seems that you are enjoying your books groups.  Remember that your grade will be on what you are learning through the process of this class, not necessarily on one particular assignment.

This week you are going to read Ch. 10 : Nonfiction, autobiographies, biographies, diaries, and memoirs.  The is a lot to lump together I know, but so important in the reading agenda for young adults/adolescent readers.

How many of you found some terrific non-fiction, bios, etc. in the picture books you were exploring?  There are many and these are a good way to get struggling readers into the social studies, language arts, sports, math and science curriculum.  The texts are not too challenging, there are illustrations to enhance the text and they are short.  Remember most topics you teach can be found in picture books.  They are a great way to a reluctant readers's heart.

I would hope that you all read Freedom Writers Diary found on p. 480.  What a powerful story of one young teacher and how she changed the lives of her students.  Well actually, they changed their own lives with her facilitation.  This may be a book that your book group may want to read this week.  But there are many other listed in the text.  So . . . to the book groups, find a common non-fiction that you're whole group would like to read.  Your assignment for the next two weeks will then be to blog each other about the book, oh, and also work on your text set.

And at the end of the chapter, please read the part on text structure.  This is how you can make learning relevant in the content areas.

Happy reading!
Sue
I'm getting spring fever, how about you?  Don't forget to stop and smell the aromas of spring, unless you are bothered by allergies.  Have a great week!

Wednesday afternoon

Crazy day at WOU.  I won't get the new assignments up until later tonight so please be patient.  Thanks for understanding . . .
Sue

Week 6

Well this week it is Historical Fiction, one of my favorite genres.  Your assignment this week is to find and read a historical fiction book and talk with your book group about it.  Even though you may not teach social studies, how could you incorporate it into your curriculum?

I also want to recommend that you read the last part of this chapter (6) which explains how to monitor and clarify reading with great strategies.  I know that we don't use "think alouds" enough in the classroom.  Try it and see what happens.  Let us all know on your blog.

How are your text set coming?   I'm still waiting to hear from some of you about your topic.

And the last question is about your book groups.  Have you found or heard from eveyone yet?  If not, please let me know.

It's only 3:50 pm, the sky is dark with blustery clouds and it's hailing.  Yikes, just heard a big clap of thunder,  like I used to hear in Nebraska.  I thought this was spring!  I'm ready for warm weather and sunshine.  How about you?

Happy reading!
Sue

Week 5 (where has this term gone?)

My apologies for not having this up last night.  I had class till 7 pm and got home and crashed.  Ever have those days?  In addition, I"m having problems with my left eye and because of the swelling, my vision is distorted.  Just think, and I'm driving on the same roads as you are . . .yikes!  And trying to read everything on a computer!

Anyhow, it gets worse as I get tired.  Going to the opthomologist (SP?) tomorrow and hopefully "get fixed".

I am sending you all information and a bibliography about YAL picture books, as promised.  Please include some YA picture books in your text set.  How are you all coming on this?  I don't believe that I've received all of your topics yet.  Please email those to me.

I'l also going to put your into books groups for the rest of the term so you can respond to a smaller group about your YAL readings.  Now you all can read whatever group you want but you at least need to read those of your group and respond to each other in your blogs.

Group Y - Kristina Alverez, Kim Daniels,Lauren Hall, Sarah Lehman, Rebecca Kuluris

Group A - Autumn Appletoft, Kristen Goulding, Jamie Hill, Laurie Major, Amanda Wheeler

Group L - Courtney Brown, Katie Guile, Marci Kempf, RJ Rich

Did I miss anyone?  I sure hope not!

So this week, find some YAL picture books and talk through your blogs to your book group.  That's you only assignment, oh except working on your text set and reading Ch. 5, it's a big one!
Happy reading!
Sue

Week 4 April 21-27

Hi all,
It's getting harder to find time at the computer with the sun out and the weather getting warmer.  HAng in there with me, OK?

A few notes:
•  Although I read most of your posts, I won't always respond to each of them.  Just as in your lives, "life happens".  I hope that you will afford me the same leeway that I give you in getting things done right on time.  For example, today, this post is late.  Too many things happening at the beginning of this week.  But I'll get them done eventually.

•  Please, please, please put you name on assignments that you send through email.  I had to go back through them all this last week and identify them.  Thanks!

•  I also hope that you will read the teaching ideas at the end of each chapter.  These are great incentives to do assignments differently.  Remember, variety is the spice of life!!!

•  Just a reminder to not forget your final project, explained in the syllabus. Please email me your topic of focus for the text set as soon as possible.  This should be something that you will use in your classroom next year.  This is a way to enhance something you already have to teach, so you'll get a head start.

Assignment for Week 4:
1.  I believe that you are to read Ch. 4 - Realistic Fiction.  This is one of my favorite genres.  I'd be interested to know how many of the best YAL of all time books you have already read (p. 103).  Would you agree with their list?   Adolescents are struggling with the issues brought up in realistic fiction: perfection in an imperfect world, sexuality, making and maintaining friends, adolescent cruelty, family problems, and mid, body , and spirit.  Remember those days?Why not try some of the reader response questions (p.150) with your students this week?

2.  I would also like you to find a picture book for YA's and talk on your post as to why you chose this particular book.  We'll get into this more next week, which is the middle of the term already.

Have a great week . . . happy reading!
Sue

Week 3 assignments April 14-20

Hi, I'm back from my out-of-state trip and am so far behind it's scary.  Had to teach or go to meetings most of yesterday and then had a rehearsal in the evening.  Out in the schools this am to observe a graduate practicum student.  Now to Ed 591.

A few housekeeping notes:

You all need to become follower of each person in the class and respond to their posts.  I notice that some only have a few followers on their blog.  This is how we become a community. 

I'm not sure that all of you have finished the movie assignment.  I know that I confused some of you by saying that the movie was for this week.  Please post that so we can keep up-to-date.  It's hard to go back and catch up on all of you.

Assignments:

1.  This week you have the reading assignment from the syllabus, Chapter 3 - Trends, Issues and Censorship.  Please let us all know if you have dealt with a censorship issue in your district.  How was it dealt with, what book, how was it resolved.  I did post on one of the first days about an incident in the Salem-Keizer district.  Be sure to read the article.

I also want you to design a survey to give to your students.  Find out their favorite magazines, books, video games, movie, TV programs, etc.  Please give your survey to at least 20-40 middle or high school students.  Tally your findings.  Email me a copy of your survey but  talk about your tops five hits from each category on your post for April 27th. Then talk about some of these questions as more: Did you find out anything that surprised you?  Shocked you?  How well do you know your students?  

2.  Read a challenged book and talk about it on your blog.

Happy Reading!  Spring is here!

Sue

  

Week 2 Assignments

Hi again.  

After I write this I'll be sending the syllabus by email.  If you don't receive it, please let me know.  The syllabus will give you a general overview of the course.  The weekly assignments will be more specific.  So . . . you're going to have fun this week, by not only reading the specified chapter but also by "going to the movies" .  Yes, that's correct.  Here's how it works

Either through Netflix, video store or movie theatre, watch a film that would appeal to the adolescent audience.  Make a night of it with soda or beer, popcorn or gooey candy, get comfy and enjoy.  Then, on your blog post a reflection as to 1. why you think this would appeal to adolescents and 2.your take on the movie.  I hope we can find out more about how the adolescent mind works through this assignment.  Be sure to include your name and the name of the movie you watched so we can all comment to each other.

Have fun!!

Sue

ps: be careful of spring fever, the weather is getting nicer.

pps:  oh, and I forgot to let you know that I'll not be online from today until Sunday as I'll be our of town.  If you get stuck on your posts, holler at Denvy.

Week 2 (already)

Hi, 
I believe that I have responded to all of you on a post.  If not, please let me know.  Do you all have your texts?  There is a reading assignment and a blog about your literacy memories as a child.  Oh, and a few questions to mull over, then respond to through your blog.  Be sure you get to know each other through your blogs.  We all need to be followers of each other.


I haven't heard yet from Rebecca or Kristen (no blogs on Dauer's Dialogue), I still don't know who bridezilla is, and I don't see anything on Sarah's blog.  I have a Laurie enrolled as (last name) Major.  Is that any of you?  


More business.  I am going to send the syllabus through email to you all.  It's much too cumbersome to put on the blog.  All for now . . more to come.
Sue

From Sue

After you all ( and I've only heard from five of you by name) get your blog started, send your blog address to me and I"ll post them all on my blog so we can all be in touch with each other.  Good work Amanda, Marci, Sarah, Rebecca and Kim!  Please identify yourselves "bridezilla" and "mumbie"!  Also, it would be great if you all have a picture you could post.  Just download from a camera . . . and smile!

Sue

Confusion reigns! It will improve I learn more. Please read.

The order of listing and assignments are rather confusing.  I suggest that you read through them all at first.  Disregard the dates as some I posted during the early part of March.

This is the time agenda for turning in assignments through your blogs:
I will post the next weeks assignments each Wednesday by 5.  Those assignments will be due in your blog on each Tuesday by 5.

ATTENTION! Read this first!

These directions from Denvy Saxowsky will help those who have not blogged before.  Follow his directions to  my blog .  THANK  YOU!!
Getting Started with BloggingAs the usefulness of blogging becomes more apparent, it is necessary to support people develop their own blogs. There are many blog providers. I will walk through the steps using the google sites.

First we will setup an gmail account if you don't all ready have one.

With your browser go to Google.com.
Click on Gmail.
Click on Create an Account, and follow the prompts. Remember your gmail email address and your password. Write it on a sheet of paper and store it in your sock drawer. Some suggest in your mother's undie drawer because no one goes there.

Secondly we'll setup the blog.

Go to blogger.com
If you need to, sign in with your gmail account information.
Follow the prompts. About names: the first one requested is a general name that the public will see. Another is the title of your blog, always on the top of your blog page (think carefully about this one; it's like your brand, your sales pitch). Lastly you will enter a name for the URL address of your blogspot (simple is good).
You're ready to blog or post an entry. Do it.

Thirdly, find blogs that you would like to read on a regular basis, like that of your professor. Try "readmoreyal.blogspot.com". Click on "Follow" in the right column and follow the prompts.
Blogging is all about getting readers and interconnecting so follow blogs that interest you and follow blogs that are followed by those you follow.
Have fun but beware that blogging can be addictive. Questions: email me at saxowsky@gmail.com.

Getting familiar with Young Adult Literature (YAL)

Assignment 1
Read Chapters 1 & 2 that talks about the adolescent. Answer for yourself, 

"Were your readings as an adolescent part of that perspective?"
Assignment 2
I would like you to sum up your definition of an adolescent in one sentence (it can be a long sentence . Did the first two chapters change your mind as to what an adolescent really is? 

Post your response to this in the Week 2 forum "What is an adolescent anyway?" in the CLASS DISCUSSIONS block. Let's all help lend to easy online communication. Please use proper forum posting protocol.

Assignment 3
Write a literacy autobiography. This paper should be typed using APA style and should describe what you remember about learning to read and write. You may want to call a parent or sibling to help you with the details. You may want to share struggles as well as joys in learning to read and write. Some questions to ask yourself as you travel back to your preschool years are: 

• Who read to me the most? When and where?
• What was my favorite book as a child?
• Were my friends readers too?
• What were my first writing experiences? Do I have any of those early papers?
• What were my experiences as a reader and writer when I was in elementary school? middle school? high school? college?
• What kind of assignments did I have to do as a reader and writer during each level of schooling?

I never require a number of pages in assignments. I know that you will write enough to explain your situation in learning to read and write. Be sure to be descriptive so I can picture you as a young learner and tell me about one experience that you have as an adolescent reader and writer.

Upload your assignment file to the Literacy Autobiography link under Week 2 in the DROP BOX block.
Assignment 4
Read one of the newer winner or honor books list from the more recent Newbery list (see American Library Association link – ALA).
Just pick one of the Winner or Honor List/Newbery books from 1999 - 2009. As you are reading, I’d like you to jot down or on sticky notes what you’re thinking as you are reading. Here are some examples of questions you may ask yourself: 

• Why is that character acting like that?
• Where is the author going with this?
• Has something similar happened to me? (text to self, T-S)
• Have I read a book that deals with some of the same issues? (text to text, T-T)
• Is there something on a more global scale happening like this? (text to world, T-W)
• Perhaps there is language in the book that is particularly descriptive or interesting.
• Maybe there is a literary device that the author used that helped you to better understand the books.
• You may want to even make a list of vocabulary words that you found interesting.

Write all of this down.

Assignment 5

I will be dividing the class into Groups for small group discussions. In the GROUPS block of this course you will find your group forum, where you can discuss what you have read with your small group. 

Assignments for Week 1

Assignment for Week 1 (3/28-4/1)

This week's assignment will ask many of you to stretch yourselves technologically.  Since much of what we will do this term is sharing information with each other it is important that we feel comfortable in this electronic environment.  This is the week to experiment! Browse around and find out where everything is located.  Make sure you check out all sections of the course. 

You each will be setting up a blog so first go to Google and set up a gmail account.  Next go to blogger.com to set up your blog.  Follow the directions there.  Then, before you do anything else, email me your new blog address.  Of course, if you already have a blog, just send me the blog address.  Thanks!

Thanks to my friend, Denvy Saxwosky, a technology guru we have a link to a blog tutorial that will help you .  

Text:

 Cole, Pam B.  2009  Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century.  McGraw Hill.

 

 

Important information

- When choosing books to read for this class, look for books that have original publishing dates from 2000 to the present.  With hundreds of new books published each year, you will have no trouble finding good ones from the past ten years.  YAL has changed as times change so you always have to keep current.  This may mean stretching a bit by having to go to the library rather than talking about an older book you have read or one that is a favorite of your kids.  This, however, is one of the goals of the course.  You need to become aware of what is out there for your students to read.  

Remember, NEVER read a book to your class, as in shared reading, or ask them to read a particular book, unless you have read that book from cover to cover.  This is where censorship issues occur.  You must know what is in that book!  More later on censorship.  Please read the link from the Statesman Journal from 3/4/10 about a controversial book at Auburn Elementary School, Salem Oregon.

- A quick note – the Table of Literacy Appreciation is on p. 36.  It's rather confusing in this book.  Be sure to read and understand this table.  I'm sure that you will have memories of these stages and of what books you were reading at the time.  This table might also help you with your literacy autobiography by jogging your mind about early reading and writing experiences.

A note from Sue

I realize that for some of you this is the first online course you have taken.  That is why we are devoting some of the first week of the course to learn how to get around.  Please take advantage of this opportunity.  I encourage you to read each others postings and generally get to know your way around the course environment.  The first couple of weeks you may experience technological frustrations – many of us do when encountering a new technological environment.  However, these can be solved.  You can always reach me by email and I will try to find help for you.  I will try to solve the academic problems, if there are any.  I do not penalize anyone's grade for computer problems that are out of their control.

 

Blogs are a bit different but I will be learning along with you.  It is a less formal atmosphere so we can have fun with it, I hope. 

For those of you who have taken online courses before, please don't ignore that activities associated with this week's computer challenges. I encourage you to offer to mentor those participants who are new to the online environment.  As you know from previous classes, sometimes you each know how to solve a problem much better that the instructor does.   I appreciate your help in creating a fun and interesting online learning community.  In addition, please feel free to respond to each other's questions and comments. 

By the end of this term, you will be amazed at how much we have learned and shared with each other.  It is my hope that we are able to form a caring community within this online environment that assists one another and that is responsible to one another.  I look forward to an exciting and stimulating course.  I hope you are as well.

I found this interesting article in the Statesman Journal.  

Welcome

Welcome to READ 581!  It's so great to have you in this class.  We're going to get to know each other and YAL (Young Adult Literature) through a blog so  . . . take a deep breath and here we go!