Building Fluency with Character Books

I'm completely fascinated by being a parent and having the amazing opportunity to watch these two little kiddos grow up right in front of me. I have learned so much about kids and how unique they are and about myself, too. One thing I have noticed about Little Bean compared to Peanut is that Little Bean will ask for a book over and over again. Peanut doesn't really do that but Little Bean definitely does. I'm not sure why they differ in this but they do. Peanut has always asked us to read the same book night after night, just not five times in one night. 

While we read all sorts of books in my house, there are a few that my kids go back to and ask us to read again and again and again and Donald Duck and the One Bear is one of them.

It's a cute story, a flipped sort of Goldilocks tale involving Donald Duck, his nephews, Daisy and a bear named, Pizza, on the loose. Towards the end of the book one of the nephews refers to Donald as "Unca Donald" and when my husband read that to my kids they cracked up. That's their favorite part and we're convinced they ask us to read it over and over just to get to that part. 

I actually learned something from reading Donald Duck and the One Bear. I know there are people who tend to lead kids away from books about television show characters or movies but in our house we let them read whatever they want to read. Of course, we pull out books and check books out of the library to supplement that reading, but when Little Bean marches into the library, finds the basket of Thomas the Train books all by himself and starts sorting through them, it makes me all kinds of happy. They boy knows what he likes and he has already made himself independent in being able to navigate the library...at least according to his age. 

Sometime earlier this year, we bought the Wreck-It Ralph Read-Along Storybook and CD. We own the DVD and it's a movie that we have fallen in love with as a family. We've watched it lots of times and quote it all the time. When we spotted this in the store, my kids had to have it and it was actually only about $7, which I thought was a great deal considering it's an audiobook. 

All summer we listened to Wreck-It Ralph any time we went somewhere with the kids. They would hold the book in the back seat and listen for the chime so they would know to turn the page. I listened to it so many times that I can probably recite it from heart at this point. When the kids would bring the book to me to read, I was able to read and sound like the characters when it was their turn to talk in the book. It makes it a lot more fun for me and I think for the kids as well.

Little Bean is also a huge fan of Thomas. Peanut was when he was three but now it's Little Bean's thing. We have watched all sorts of Thomas shows and I find myself doing character voices when I read any of the Thomas books. Again, it's so fun to try and imitate the voices and my kids love it. Because we watched Wreck-It Ralph the movie and listened to the audiobook and because we have watched so many Thomas shows, we totally know the voices. (I have to add here that we don't watch that much television...but, like books, when the kids pick a show to watch, they like to pick the same show again and again.)

I have listened to a lot of audiobooks in my life with all of the driving I do during my commute. What I love is that when you listen to an audiobook narration, the best narrators do a good job of changing their voices when different people are talking. It really brings the book to life. There is such an art to reading a book aloud to kids and listening to audiobooks is a great way to build our fluency for reading aloud.

I love recommending audiobooks to parents to support their children with reading. We do a mix of reading with our kids and reading audiobooks but it's definitely a different and fun experience to listen to an audiobook.

What prompted this post was actually reading Donald Duck and the One Bear last week. As I read, I was reminded of how frustrated I get when I read it because I just can't do the duck voices. I can't. I desperately want to read in Donald Duck's voice and it actually sounds weird to me as I read because I don't use Donald's voice. I never really realized just how much listening to books and knowing how a character sounds has helped me to be able to read and change my voice to represent different characters. It seems I've gotten to the point that reading and not changing my voice seems strange. This was a huge revelation for me! I think it has implications for thinking about students developing fluency. For them to hear adult readers who read fluently or audiobooks where the narrators do a great job of reading aloud will truly make a difference in the fluency that they develop.

Basically, I just wanted to say hooray for audiobooks! And also, let you kids read what they want to read and over and over again. As long as you recognize that love of books growing, it's okay for them to read books based on television shows. Just try to supplement and show them other books along the way.

Who out there loves audiobooks? Do you like it when narrators change their voices to represent different characters? What do you love about audiobooks?

Why Middle School?

I've made a realization recently. Although I thought that I didn't remember much of middle school, I began to realize how much of my current self was molded during that time- specifically 1994. I'll be honest, I don't remember most of my teacher's names* or many of my friends** or boyfriends***, but it obviously left an impact on me. I decided to write this post after a student asked me if everything happened in middle school because all of my stories start with, "When I was in middle school..." At first I told them it was just because I teach middle school, but after thinking I began to realize that it was more than that. 

First, let's see who we are talking about: 

My friend Joanie, Allison and myself on the first day of school

Halloween dance!

First Piece of Evidence- My Favorite Word

In Ms. Paulsen's 7th grade language arts class, we were assigned to learn vocabulary through Norman Lewis's Instant Word Power and suddenly in Session 6 we were introduced to words I will never forget- SESQUIPEDALIAN and SESQUIPEDALIANISM. I thought that they were awesome and hilarious words! If you don't know what they mean, sesquipedalian actually means 1 and 1/2 feet long. Starting in the 17th century it was changed to mean "a long word" or "a person who is known for using long words".  This word keeps on popping into my life and I love it every time (including when I used Tom Chapin's song Great Big Words to practice context clues with my students). Today, while prepping for this post, I found my Instant Word Power book and actually laughed out loud when I saw the practice sentence in my 7th grade textbook: "Attitudinal readjustment is a sesquipedalian term for the cocktail hour. (You can never say it after three drinks.)" Ha! Maybe that sentence is why I never forgot it. 

Second Piece of Evidence- My Favorite Book

I. Love. This. Book. It is almost hard for me to write about it because it is hard to vocalize how it impacted me when I read it. I think 11 years of age is such an influential age and that is when I read The Giver for the first time. I remember being shocked by the injustices within the book, specifically the lack of books, color, artwork and choices. As a middle schooler, I was so disgusted by Jonas's society and so impressed by the choices that Jonas makes within the book. It is because of this impression that it has always stuck with me. I frequently forget characters and books and plots, but this one has never left me and I have reread it many times now (which is a rare thing for me). On top of it all, I liked that Lois Lowry made the reader part of her story. The ending, though controversial, is what made me love it even more. It was my decision what happened to Jonas (though it has now been answered in the companions) and as a pre-teen that meant a lot to me. 

Third Piece of Evidence- My Favorite Type of Music

I remember April 9, 1994. It was a big day in the world of music and if you were in my middle school you would think that the messiah himself had passed away which to us was exactly how it felt. Sixth grade was about the time where I switched from listening to my parent's music and pop music to alternative music such as Silverchair, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and later Green Day and Nine Inch Nails. I think that although April 9, 1994 was definitely a tragedy, music lost a brilliant musician in Kurt Cobain that week, it was also one of the reasons why I immersed myself in that type of music. It was definitely an ingredient of who I've become. 

Fourth Piece of Evidence- Cello

When I lived in Iowa and in 3rd grade we were allowed to pick an instrument to begin playing in 4th grade. The middle school came to the elementary school and the band and orchestra played. I remember looking over the balcony and seeing the cello and I knew that it was the instrument that I was going to choose. Then we moved and it wasn't until 6th grade that I was able to get my hands on one and this choice changed the trajectory of my life sending me to a music school of choice which led me to playing cello for over 10 years. 

Fifth+ Piece of Evidence- Baseball, Girl Scouts, Working With Kids

 

 

You may be asking: "Why did Kellee put this reflection on the blog? It is supposed to be about books and teaching." Though this post may just seem like a way for me to reminisce about middle school, it is actually for a way for me to share how important these such touchy years are in the maturing of our students. I have often questioned why I love teaching middle school and I think that this post shows many of the reasons why. These years are molding years and although our students may not visit us often or thank us when they are adults, but we are a major part of their growth and have a larger impact than we even realize. 

*Except Ms. Spalding who was my 6th grade language arts teacher. I really disliked her class when I had her, but afterwards I found myself visiting her and helping her all of the time. I think she was the first teacher to show me tough love and I ended up appreciating it. I'll never forget reading A Wrinkle in Time in her class and detesting it as well as researching Nefertiti and doing a gallery walk presentation about her. Though I don't remember the name of all of the teachers, there are aspects of many classes I remember and I think that the amazing middle school I gave to
**I feel the worst about this. I had wonderful friends during middle school. I do remember Allison Gandy, my best friend who I will never forget spending time with who has since gotten married and contacted me once and now I can't find her :(, a boy named Trey because he tragically passed away, and a couple of other girls, but I know that I had a good amount of friends and I wish I could get in contact with them and see what they are up to.
***I will never forget my first real boyfriend, David Haney, and to be honest I thought he was my only boyfriend from middle school until I found a book from 7th grade that says "I <3 Justin" and "J.J. + K.S." so who knows how my memories have been changed.

My Love-Hate (Book) Relationship

If you follow me on Twitter you know that I've been ranting and raving about Jon Klassen's recently released book I Want My Hat Back. If you haven't read the book, I suggest you beg, borrow, or steal buy it from where ever you procure books.

If you follow me on Twitter, you might be surprised that I'm recommending this book, but thanks to my Twitter support group (mainly Colby Sharp - Hi Colby! *waves*), I have come to appreciate the brilliance that is I Want My Hat Back but not without discovering a few revelations along the way.

Rereading is a super power.

After all the buzz I had heard about this book, I was eager to finally get my hands on it. The first time I read it was in my own head and I got to the very unpredictable ending and thought, "Nuh-uh," as I shook my head and wrinkled my brow. Fail.

The second time I read it was that same night to my four-year-old. I got to the end of the book and Peanut didn't get it so there I was trying to explain what had happened and trying to gauge what he thought...but it was like trying to explain the punch line of a joke when you haven't even told the joke right in the first place...it was just a mess. I still wasn't a fan - I felt like there wasn't a positive message I could discuss with Peanut. Fail #2.

This is when I turned to Twitter and went back and forth discussing how I just couldn't come to grips with the ending. **See below: The Power of Peers**

The next time I read it I actually got to listen to my husband read it aloud to Peanut (that is, after I shoved it into his hands and demanded that he read it because I needed his perspective). This is where I got a glimpse of it's potential as an awesome book. He was cracking me up as he read the different voices for the different character's that the bear meets throughout the book. All of a sudden I was excited to see his reaction when he got to the end. When he realized what happened at the end he turned to Peanut and the looked at each other with faces of, "Ah!" before they cracked up. I think because Peanut knew what was coming, he was able to react in a different way himself.

I still wasn't quite convinced yet so I read it aloud with one of my fourth grade students on Monday. We have been practicing making inferences and I Want My Hat Back is an excellent book for looking closely at making inferences (besides also being great for predicting and examining dialogue). When we came to the climax of the book, the suspense in the room was awesome. And then we read the end and my student's eyes lit up when he realized what had happened. And that's when I realized it was a fun book. Because this student was older, I was able to read it without having to explain it and I wasn't caught up with worrying what it was teaching my little four-year-old babe - it was just about the silliness of the story.

If I had read the book once and never read it again (and again), I would not have realized how much fun this book is. It just goes to show you how our perspective can change from rereading. Rereading is truly a super power!

The Power of Peers

One of the things I have realized and read about is how social reading really is. Outside of school, we read to ourselves snuggled under blankets or curled up in armchairs. The act of reading seems to mainly occur in isolation. BUT, if you are a reader, I'm guessing you know the thrill of sharing your newest read with a friend, family member, or perfect stranger. You've most likely experienced the instant kindredship when you can gush over a favorite book with someone else.

Beyond sharing favorite books, I notice that talking to others about their interpretations or opinions about books helps me to grow as a reader. While I read a book and apply my own background knowledge and ideas to the book, I learn so much from how other's digest the same book.

Since reading I Want My Hat Back, I have talked to so many different people about what they think of the book. Most people can see my initial dislike of the book but pretty much everyone who has read it also cracked up before seeing my perspective.

This is where I have to thank Colby for listening to my reasons for not wholeheartedly embracing this book the first time I read it. Seriously, it has been Twitter therapy as we have gone back and forth discussing how I was probably the only person to ever read the book and have qualms about it.  **See below: Background Knowledge Works In Mysterious Ways** 

If I had read the book and not talked to anyone about it, had never shared my own feelings, and then listened to what others had to say, I would never have realized I was the only one worried about the ending (Anyone else out there on my side? Bueller?). It's amazing how peers can help us expand our thinking as we hold their perspectives up to ours.

Background Knowledge Works In Mysterious Ways

I'm sure you'll be hard-pressed to find one of my reviews where I don't recommend activating background knowledge before reading or where it doesn't behoove the reader to activate his or her background knowledge. Any good reader is going to read a book and figure out how it fits in to his or her schema but it's interesting to think of how truly powerful background knowledge really is.

Why didn't I initially love I Want My Hat Back? I have a few ideas. Remember how it has an unpredictable ending? I really mean unpredictable. I'm used to stories wrapped up in purty, little packages where the protagonist learns from dealing with the antagonist and everything is resolved, happily ever after. The end. This book doesn't fit into my schema. It does not match what my brain expects a book to be! My background knowledge got in the way of me "getting" this book.

Furthermore, I'm used to reading books and discussing them with my kiddo. When it came time to try and talk to him about this book I was kind of stumped. Initially, I just couldn't even process how this book expected me to be able to talk about conflict management when it just defied every idea I have about dealing with problems. Again, my background knowledge just didn't match up!

And finally, and possibly most influential, is the fact that I'm a vegan. It sounds silly but I've read so much about animals and the food industry and have totally redefined my eating habits because of it that I think all that background knowledge factored in when I read I Want My Hat Back. It goes back to my initial reaction of, "Nuh-uh." I was totally shocked by the end of the book and who I am as a person snuck in and told me I couldn't stand for this book. Background knowledge can be a sneaky little booger, but that's why we have our friends to help us expand our interpretation of a book and rereading to help us go back and work to make a book fit into our schema.

Craziness, right? I know. I realize it's hard to believe all the discussion that has stemmed from one book! The good thing is that, after all of this, I actually really enjoy this book! It took me a while and I do think we can have discussions about the rabbit's and the bear's actions with kiddos but in the end I can read the book and laugh at how it all plays out.

If you follow me on Twitter, I'm sorry for the craziness of my tweets surrounding this book! But wasn't it worth it? I hope getting to see my perspective has helped you reassess the book. Haven't we all learned a lot about readers and reading and rabbits and bears this week?

P.S. - Check back next week for a review of I Want My Hat Back and ideas for using it in the classroom.

 

This post is dedicated to my Twitter therapist, Colby Sharp 

and all the misunderstood rabbits of the world.