Tuesday 25 February 2014

Reading via Skype

Reading to the grade 3 class via Skype was a great experience. The looks on their faces were heart warming. I loved how they all joined along in the "thump thump thump." I felt like the book Mortimer was a great choice to read to the children because of all the sound effects and the song in it. They all seemed to really enjoy it and our class looked like they enjoying it aswell. 

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Quick write- cliff jump

This photo has so much in it even though it looks empty. The view he has while falling. Before he jumped his adrenaline was probably increasing but his nerves were at an all time high. Looking down from the cliff he probably felt fear, maybe nausea. All these signs telling him not to do it but at the same time to do it. When he jumps the adrenaline is going crazy. Is he thinking what if something goes wrong or is he not thinking just soaring through the sky taking everything in. The wind all around him pushing him different ways. When he lands is he going to want to do it again, or to never do it again? So many different ways to interperate this photo.http://wetravelandblog.com/category/about-us/

Quick write- what colour are you?

In my life I hope to be orchid and tangerine. Orchid (wisdom) is such a great trait to have. Being able to have the knowledge to help someone through their struggle would be neat. It would fulfill you. Tangerine (strength) is also something I would like to have, but mentally and physically. The strength to not give into peer pressure (in the work area aswell). Physically strong so I can lift things on my own when I'm older and don't need to depend on friends or relatives. I would like to be orange (joy) aswell because I would not like to be an old bitter lady I would like to look back at my long life and be good with how I lived and the things that happened. 

Quick write- which door?

I would chose the Monsters Inc door because it is the only door I recognize. Stepping through the door can lead to many different rooms in many different parts of the world. The adventure in it is you never know what you're going to get. The door seems like it would lead to a girls room, it is probably pink and flowered. The door usually gives a little clue about the child who lives in the room but sometimes it is off. That one door could take you to any part of the world that is sleeping at that very moment. 

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Reading Survey

In elementary school I had a very positive view on reading.  It was new and exciting.  The books were simple and the teachers would give out prizes to the student who read the most books in school, and at home.  The words were short, and easy to understand with a lot of pictures to form visuals in your mind.  Once I got into middle school my view on reading changed.  The teachers would make us do reading logs and we could only read books that were long with microscopic print.  We had to read a certain amount of hours during the week and our parents had to sign off on them.  The teachers believed comic books were not considered reading books and that is what most middle year child would want to read so nobody truthfully read the novels.  We also had to all read the teachers choice of book in class, it was never entertaining or a good read.  I learned about a website that gives you a summary of novels and comments from people who actually read the novel so I never had to suffer through the small font and difficult vocabulary.  Middle school teachers did not care much to help you find books about your interests they just followed the curriculum.  When I got into high school I thought the teachers were going to be the same as the ones I had in middle school but I was wrong.  They helped me find books that interested me.  I soon realized I really do like reading if it is the right novel.

When I think of reading the first word that pops into my head is interesting.  I think reading is interesting because of all the knowledge you can pick up throughout books.  There are so many genres of novels and so many different ways to write them.  You can have fantasy novels mixed with a little science; there are endless amounts of mixtures.  Reading is so interesting because everyone can do it.  You start off young with small books and by the time you're an adult your choices and tastes have matured.  Reading is interesting because it can impact individuals differently.  A certain book can change your whole perspective on life.

My favourite type of books to read are books with life stuggles in them.  I find those types of books so real to how everyday people live and it makes me aware on the issues tons of people in this world face.  Sometimes I like to read classic love stories but I find they get boring half way through because they are all the same.  I like books with a twist in them, but not vampires or creatures like that.  If a book can make me really think and wonder, or cry I will pick it up and will not put it down until I am completed.

Since you have last taught me I have read a few books on my own.  I still have not found a series I'm addicted to but I know what types of books I like now.  I enjoy reading now instead of reading just to get it done.  I use to always skip over words I did not understand or know but now I take the time to figure out what they mean giving me a better understanding on what is happening in the novel.  I read slower now so I can remember the details in the novel I am reading instead of just getting the main point of the book.

My goal as a reader this semester is to hopefully find a book series I enjoy and can continue reading once I am done high school.  Another goal I have is to try and read a book I would usually never read and see if I enjoy it.  After this semester I hope to complete at least 2 books that make an impact on my life.

I have an I-phone 4 that is extremely cracked but is still working and able to access the internet.  I do not have access to an everyday computer or tablet because I am clumsy and do not trust myself bringing my computer to school.  I do not have an e-reader because I do not read very much so I think it would be a waste of money to but and be used every so often.  I have a twitter feed where I follow all my friends, and the fake funny accounts that make ridiculous tweets.  I do not have a blog because I do not know how to use them, and I would not use it a lot.  I would probably forget the password and I would not know what to do or say on it.  I would however like to learn about them and see what other people put on them.  I would like to see the different types of blogs and how they make them look so fancy and creative.