“Wow!” – The first word that comes to mind while reflecting on my spring semester. Not only did it seem to fly by ridiculously fast, but it also served to be one of the most influential and impactful semester on the road to teaching. This class in particular truly inspired me to be a great teacher mainly because of the way the presentation of materials and method of teaching. Kim was able to “re-kindle” my love for reading while providing excellent resources to reflect the same to my future students. At the start of class, while reading through the syllabus, I thought, “how the hell does she expect us to read all these damn books? I’m screwed, Sparknotes here I come”! Yet quite the opposite happened. I found myself enveloped in the variety of fairytales and making sure I was prepared to share my opinions with my group. I was able to use my passion for music to incorporate poetry with our author gallery walk, construct a board game around a children’s book series, and most importantly develop close relationships with my peers.

I learned the importance of choice when it comes to literature. Kim did an excellent job letting the class choose a reading path while utilizing open communication between groups and the class. I also learned the importance of forming lifelong reading habits as I expand my “personal formative literacy” in and out of the classroom. I am excited to continue my education and to continue the education of others from the valuable information and resources gained from this class. I cannot express how much this class has changed me.

1. Overall, the two scholars pinpoint the overall goal of teaching English, and more specifically literacy. Using a genre of comic books, both scholars were able to energize the classroom experience and change the attitude of approaching the concepts of literacy. It enables students to expand critical thinking and analytical skills by questioning the judgments of who tells them what literacy merit is. Teachers have a specific role in literacy identity. The introduction of comics utilize cultural literacy concepts that can also “address mature subject matter…autobiographical, fiction and nonfiction.” They can “literally put a human face on a given subject” making it more relatable and exciting for middle and highschool English, often sparking a drive to expand their interest in reading.

2. Reading the graphic novel series was defiantly more strange, but I found it vary useful to open my mind to what literacy really stands for. I know when I was in elementary school going into middle school, graphic novels and comics were my favorite things to read, even though my parents weren’t always supportive. I understand how critically important it is for the use of variety when it comes to diversifying the range of literature in the classroom. I will most defiantly be using graphic novels, dramas, and comics in my classroom to promote the educational outcome of my students.

1. I believe that Counting by Seven’s wants its readers to talk about being an individual and being true to yourself, even if that means going against the grain. I feel that it makes the reader ask “what would I do if I was in her (the main character) shoes? How would I feel if both my parents died while in starting middle school?” I think the text initiates discussion about life and death, finding your identity, and establishing relationships.
2. I was able to connect with the text personally through experiencing my own identity crisis through middle school. I could understand how she feels when she wants to speak out and say what she’s thinking but can’t find the courage to do so. This helped me understand the book better because I wasn’t reading the book saying, “just say it then!” when she expresses her feelings. I understood what it meant to be reserved.
3. The book seems to assume that every child is secretly hiding his/her feelings, or does not know how to express them in a “normal” way. Where really, there is no “normal” way of expression. How one chooses to express themselves should be acceptable to all, even though sadly it is not. The book also touches on diversity, and an underlying assumption that children should be “bracketed” or put into groups based on assumptions of adults. I do not share these assumptions.
4. The books characters very much mirror the hardships of reality with an obvious portrayal of death, adoption, bullying, and problems children face in school. The reality of the characters does resonate with me not because I experienced the harsher aspects of reality that this book depicts, but because of the small, self-conscious thought process of middle schooler undergoing constant transitions. The portrayal of the characters seems very believable, making it a book I would recommend to a student in a similar position that could easily connect with the characters.
5. Several books relate to Counting by Seven’s. Children series books like The Series of Unfortunate Events depicts a similar situation of character that experiences parental death, dramatic transitions, personal identity, and the ability for young people to have the power of knowledge. It is a very good example of how the power of knowledge and family (even if they aren’t blood related) can get you through any situation.
6. I think that the author wanted its readers to be able to pull out tools and lessons to be able to help cope with real life. The author wants the reader to directly relate to the characters and want to read deeper into their lives. I think that this book would fall under realistic fiction, and telling a story using both narration in third person and first person.

William uses this form of unstructured poetry to describe and image and a feeling. Many times when we experience one of our senses (sight, smell, sound, and touch), a feeling from a memory of that sense often accompanies that experience. Everyone has different experiences that relates to each sense, giving each person a different feeling. When I read Williams’ poem I imagine being on a chicken farm. The smell of chicken manure, the ground covered in mud from a recent rain, and the wheel barrow full of chicken feed preparing to be dumped. I believe Williams is trying to describe what the chickens depend upon: feed.

So much depends upon

orange brushstrokes

 

smearing

across blue skies

 

sparkling whitewash waves

crash

 

on golden sandy

beaches

–Robert Hopkins