Text Set Conclusion

This set of books really connects back to the scholarly article that I reviewed. This is because all four books are included in the 75% that are about students with dyslexia and are all stories of triumph. This text set is very important because it allows readers to understand what it feels like to be dyslexic for some people. The books also define dyslexia for people to understand. It also allows people with dyslexia to feel that they are not alone in the world and they to can overcome the issue if they work hard and spend time trying to become better readers. It’s not an over night fix, every one struggles but it is possible.

I can not believe that such a group is so under represented. I feel that more and more students each year are being diagnosed with dyslexia or other learning disorders. Any reader of these books can learn a number of things. One thing that can be learned is acceptance, patience and responsibility to diverse learners. People who posses the listed qualities are able to help other who need help with learning disabilities and all other aspects of life. Another thing that can be learned is the feeling and emotions people with learning disabilities have on a day to day basis. Acceptance is key in our World and once we can learn to accept people for who they are we can learn from one another and become better people.

Scholarly Article: Learning Disabilities in Children’s and Adolescent literature: How are character Portrayed?

Prater, Mary Anne. "Learning Disabilites in Children's and adolescent Literature: How are Characters Portrayed." Learing Disability Quarterly 26(2003): 47-62.

This article is about a study held about books printed before 2001 that are considered to have learning disabilities content. Before 2001 only 90 books were found to thoroughly portray learning disabled characters. Out of these 90 books about 75% were stories of growth and also 75% were about students with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia. The article also goes into detail about how they categorized the books and provides a list of the 90 books accepted for the study.

This article really shows that there are not enough books that portray learning disabled characters. This fact is very interesting because more and more children today are being diagnosed with learning disabilities. This article is very helpful for teachers to realize and classify good pieces of literature about learning disabled. The article is a good read for educators and parents/guardians alike. This is because people need to realize that groups are still being under represented in literature and someone needs to do something about this so that students do not feel discriminated against nor feel like an outcast in our growing melting pot of a society.

Book #4: The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Rob

Robb, Diane Burton. The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia. New York: Albert Whitman & Company , 2004.

“The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia” by Diane Burton Robb is a very informative and simplistically written story book, which makes it easy to read for all ages. The book puts the reader in the shoes of a person with dyslexia because of its very descriptive content, such as when Adam was being tested, “he felt like a bug under an microscope”. It really paints a picture for students as well as parents, adults and educators by providing enough information but not being too over baring. It also allows readers to understand and comprehend the difficulties that students with dyslexia face on a day to day basis. These difficulties include reading, being watched over, and easily forgetting words that were just learned. People with dyslexia are not lazy, dumb, or stupid; they are just unable to see the letters on the page the same way as you and I. This book shows that with a little help and the right diagnosis the battle with dyslexia can be won. The learning disability does not go away it can gradually be over came through lots of practice and motivation to learn.

The books use of words that children encounter day to day allows children to also grasp the concept and struggles of dyslexia. It is a very descriptive text that causes the reader to feel the emotional battle that Adam, the main character of the story, is going through. The illustrations with in the book are very detailed and intricate. This adds to the story because they really paint the picture and allow the reader to feel as if Adam is a person that they know and love. The pictures describe the text to create an all around enjoyable and educational story.

Book #3: Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls or Does it?

Winkler, Henry. Hank Zipzer, The Mostly True Confessions of the World's Best
Underachiever: Niagara Falls, or Does it?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 2003.

It’s a celebrity book……..and it’s GOOD!!!!!

This story is written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. It is the first book in the Hank Zipzer series, and is just over all a fun and exciting read. Hank strives to have a great start to his forth grade year but of course life is just not that simple. The first assignment Hanks nasty teacher assigns is a five, I repeat five, paragraph paper about what he had done over summer vacation. Hank has so many difficulties writing he can’t imagine writing one good paragraph let alone five. It’s not that he is lazy and does not try its that he just can’t seem to write down what he wants to when it comes time. Since this problem was driving Hank insane he decided to build his essay rather then write one. Bad idea, hank ended up getting detention and grounded for two weeks, and almost had to miss the magic show him and his friends had planned to put on.
The story is full of great humor such as a lizard that eats at the table with the family and a crazy dog named cheerio because he never stops chasing his tail. The humor adds something for all readers and makes the topic of learning disabled less prominent and less heavy. Any learning disabled student can understand how Hank feels about school and that nothing can ever go his way. The quick witted dialog and humor will also attract all sorts of readers, including the most reluctant.
Henry Winkler is considered an insider of this genre because he has been known to be the slacker student due to his undiagnosed dyslexia.

Book #2: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Philbrick, Rodman. Freak the Mighty. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2001.

Max is not your typical adolescent. He is large and “retarded”. But, neither is Freak, a.k.a. Kevin, is very intelligent but is physically disabled. Kevin is very short but his lack of height is defiantly fulfilled by his excess brain capacity. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. Max became freaks protector from the crude and rude world. Freak taught Max how to escape from reality in order to not feel like such an outcast. In their minds they turned houses to castles and swimming pools to motes and together the World becomes their very own fairy tale.

This is a great story of triumph. Both main characters try to tackle their biggest issues by helping one another. Max overcomes his inability to read and write and is able to leave his special education courses to join in with Kevin’s classes. Kevin is carried around by Max who made him feel taller than the rest and gain self confidence. This book is a great, exciting and suspenseful read. It allows readers to realize that it is ok to be different and that people should not be judgmental of one another. It also shows readers that there is a will and a way to overcome everything in life. With the help of a great friend Max over came his reading disability.

Rodman Philbrick is considered an informed writer. The book is loosely based off of a boy who lived a few blocks away from Philbrick. He became inspired by this boy and decided to write the amazing novel that has become a hit around the world and turned into a movie.

Book #1 : Thank you, Mr Falker by Patricia Polacco

Polacco, Patricia. Thank you, Mr. Falker. New York: Philomel, 1998.

Patricia Polacco does a wonderful job describing the frustrations a learning disabled child can have. Tricia, the main character, is excited to attend school and learn how to read and write. Her family has always made learning sound fun. Before the first day of school her grandpa explained to her that knowledge is sweet, “but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it thought the pages of a book.” This excited Tricia and she is ready and willing to chase the knowledge. The problem is, the chase seemed like it was going to last forever, for as soon as Tricia tried to read the letters and numbers began to mix around and never stay where they began.

This story follows Tricia through her struggles of reading and portrays a lot of realistic feelings that a child with a learning disability would encounter. For example, Tricia is embarrassed because all of the other students begin to call her stupid and dumb because she can not read. Everyone has a way to escape their problems, as does Tricia in “Thank you, Mr. Falker”. Tricia’s means of escape is drawing. This is very relatable for all readers, because even if the reader does not have difficulties reading there is always something that they need to take their mind off of. The book gives hope, hope to strugglers and hope to society. There are always things to overcome, but the important thing is that the reader tries there best to overcome the issue. It took one amazing and patient teacher, Mr. Falker, to help her realize she is not dumb she just sees letters differently then the rest. This created hope in Tricia, hope that she had given up on so many years ago. The hope flows right off the pages into any of the readers. The book gives readers and listeners that have issues with reading, or know someone who has difficulties hope that one day they to will be able to read.

The story is autobiographical and touches the reader because it portrays a real struggle. Most of all it creates a sigh of relief because it allows readers to realize that they are not alone in this world. Over all this is another great story by Patricia Polacco that is powerful and touching.

And the winner is....

So while thinking of stereotypes I began to think of one that was the most alive and well stereotype in the World today:

LGBT!

It is insane how often people use a reference to the LGBT community. How many times a day do you here and maybe even say "That is so gay"? I bet often! I feel the #1 reason for this is the media and the way that LGBTs are portrayed! For instance the movie Mean Girls pokes fun at Lesbians. The most recent and and even more disturbing reference to the gay stereotype is Katy Perry's song "Your so Gay". It in the title.....so yes do judge this book by its cover and realize how HORRIBLE the song is just by reading the title. Don't think it is a big deal? Youtube the video and just see how far she really takes it! UNBELIEVABLE that people are aloud to produce such music.

Now don't get me wrong! The media is finally coming around and creating characters that are gay or lesbian! Shows such as "Brothers and Sisters" are helping to get rid of this stereotype. Hopefully some day there will be progress to get rid of the stereotype and the world will realize that we are all people no matter what!

The Joys of YouTube

I was searching around YouTube and I decided to explore more videos such as the "A Place Called Paradise" one that we watched in class! (which I have revisited numerous times!) I found a website called Youth For Human Rights International and fell in LOVE! On the web site they have Public Service Announcements for The 30 Human Rights!

While watching a lot of the videos all I could think about was how much they connect to not only our TE 448 class but my TE 401 class as well. They would be a great way to introduce rights into the classroom. A lot of the ads are even from the point of view from a child!! It is just another way to have children look at the world around them and how they view the world themselves!

The web address is:
http://youthforhumanrights.org/watchads/index.html

I think that rights #1, #2 and #11 really relate back to the topics of TE 448!

ENJOY!!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Awards for Children's Books

Wow!! There are a ton of awards for children's books. It is amazing to me not just how many books awards there are, but the criteria for the books. I am on the fence still after our classroom discussion! On one hand I feel that good books do need to be recognized and awarded! But on the other, I believe that the criteria to get some of the awards is inappropriate!
I believe a good book, is a good book, is a good book! With this said, I do not agree with the criteria of some of the awards. Specifically the ones that ask for the author to be of the race they are writing about. It just blows my mind that GREAT authors are denied the ability to compete for these awards because of the color of their skin, their background, anything else. Discrimination has no place when it comes to children's books. After all aren't we trying to teach the children of this world to be accepting.
Don't get me wrong here! I do understand that people the feel under represented deserve a chance too! But wouldn't they rather compete against the best of the best to take that title, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Therefore, I believe that the awards are wonderful but the criteria for some is not!

A look at the Lambda Literary Award...

Lambda Award

Official Website:
www.lambdalitereary.org/award

Purpose:
The award was created in 1988. It is used to celebrate, advocate and educate about the GLBT community.

Selection Criteria:
To be considered books must:
• Have LGBT content
• Be published and distributed in the U.S.A. during the nominated year
• Be published in English
• Not be a reprint

There are 3 categories with subcategories that the books can be nominated for:
1. Lesbian and Gay
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Betty Berzon for Debut Fiction
• Erotica
• General Fiction
• Memoir/Biography
• Mystery
• Poetry
• Romance
2. Additional
• Bisexual
• Transgender
3. LGBT
• Anthology
• Young Adult/Children
• Drama
• Nonfiction
• Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
• LGBT studies
Sponsor:
The sponsor of the award is the Lambda Literary Foundation.

Selection Committee:
The Lambda Foundation board of trustees is responsible for selecting the award winners. The Board of Trustees consists of Christopher Rice, Linda Hill, Teresa DeCrescenzo, Judith Markowitz, Holly Bemiss, Charles Foster and Katherine Forrest.

Past Winners List:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_Literary_Award

Arab Literature

The things you learn from just a few short articles! I did not grow up in a very multicultural atmosphere so i have not really questioned the stereotypes about Arabic people. I believe my down fall is not that I believe the stereotypes but that I am undereducated about the culture. What better way to be immersed in the culture then in a class that is meant to make me aware and learn to challenge the stereotypes of the cultures.

With that said, a few things that I did not know but am glad i know now

1. Many people use the words Arabic and Muslim interchangeably. Actually only 20% of Muslims are Arabic.
2. Arabs are divided into 3 distinct regions; North Africa, Mediterranean, and the Saudi Peninsula

I love that the articles pointed out that Arabs are just like you and me. They have different believes, education levels, stereotypes against them, and come from all different places. Finally I am glad that Al-Hazza and Lucking give a list of books as a start for multicultural education. It is only a start but everything has to start somewhere!

Must Writers of Multicultural Literature be Insiders?

“You can do anything you set you mind to”

From early childhood far on into my college career, my life has been surrounded by people using this quote. It’s inspirational for all ages and I can almost guarantee that you have heard it at least once in your life. People, mostly the adults in your life, which you look up to, wanted you to believe in yourself!

Do writers have to be “insiders” to write about a culture?

As I have always been told, anything you set your mind to can be done. I feel that any writer can write about a culture if they set their mind to it. If this is not the case then I have been mislead my entire life.

Although I believe this is true, there are restrictions to the rule. When one sets their mind to something they should strive to do the best they can do. In the case of writing about people of another culture, an “outsider” should fully research what they are writing about. A well equip mind has the ability to write a well equip story. Also, I believe that it is very important to make sure that what they are writing is accurate and not offensive to the culture. If you don’t know ask and if your afraid to ask don’t both to attempt to represent a culture in the story.

As for the readings this week

I never knew that there were so many definitions of multicultural literature. As Harris and Shannon say, it is obviously more then just the issue of race. There is just so much involved in deciding what is considered multicultural.

I have never thought of the issue that came up in the Cai article about the definition of “multiple + culture = multiculturalism” (313) before this reading. On one hand I believe that all books are multicultural because each one is about a group of people from a different culture. On the other hand including “the mainstream” as part of multicultural defeats the purpose of the creation of the category. Multicultural literature is to help each other understand one another, in the simplest of terms. If people see “the mainstream” everyday, even if they are not part of ‘the mainstream” they still have learned a lot about the culture. Therefore, I would have to say that since multicultural literature is to get to know, accept, and understand a culture then the mainstream should not be included.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself....

Hello! My name is Teresa Thompson. I am in my Senior year here at Michigan State University and I am an Elementary Education major. My teaching minors are English and Mathematics. I have wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. Growing up my favorite "game" to play was always school and of course I was always the teacher, even though I was the youngest. I also have known that I was going to attend classes at Michigan State since third grade due to the fact that almost all of my teachers growing up attended State or were huge fans!
I am looking forward to creating this blog as part of TE 448. I enjoyed TE 348 more than I ever expected to and hope to enjoy this class just as much. I am excited to learn more about literature and the importance of variety in the classroom.

"Education has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading."
- G. M. Trevelyan

TE 448 is a start to proving the above quote wrong. I as a future educator would like to produce a population that can see that everything is worth reading to some extent. Finally, I just hope that this class can further educate me on how to educate others using literature.