My series is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I have honestly never read any of the books and I thought they would be a nice light read.  I’m reading cabin fever which is the 6th book and I read it whenever.  It is easy to pick up read and then put it down. There are pictures on every page and most have two so it’s a really fast read and I can knock out ten pages here and there like nothing.  I also read it to my son at night and he enjoys the story, but mostly the pictures. I really like how simple it is, but also relatable.  It’s been a long time since I was in jr. high, but many of the things in this book bring back memories of my own experiences in jr. high and even elementary.  I think because of the simplicity of the book it would be good for 4th graders.  I think that his views and his relationships are easy to grasp.  This is just a nice quick read.  As I mentioned above this book brought back memories of my own experiences and because of that I believe this book would be a good tool for children to relate to their own experiences.  It is a good example of a diary/journal and how kids can incorporate drawings with their words, especially if you have artistic students that don’t enjoy writing, but love to draw.  I think I will start reading the first book next, but I love that you don’t have to have read the previous books to get the gist of what is going on.

“Reading is a big deal to us because we know that reading well unlocks academic, professional, and social opportunities, but for readers themselves, reading is a part of who they are” (Miller 3).  This caught my attention because just after I got done reading the first few pages I came across an article on action news that half of California students failed in math and reading on the new common core standards.  I still don’t understand why children are being tested in the way that they are.  Just because you changed the name on the test doesn’t mean the results are going to exceed your expectations.  I think that most adults and educators do not believe in the validity of these tests yet they are still administered in schools across the country.  These tests are the opposite of what educators and child development experts would recommend.  For the kids who score these low numbers the results can be very real and very discouraging.

I did read some of the comments and one person said Chico State has an admittance rate of 66% in comparison to harvard that has 4% admittance rate, this in return is pumping out dumb educators.  Another person who I am assuming was a parent said that common core is not the way parents were taught and in turn parents can’t help their children with their own homework.  I have seen a number of complaints on my own facebook from parents who have children in elementary school.  The parents don’t understand and are frustrated just as much or even more than the kids.

I think that tests like common core and star are not indicators of how much potential a child has.  I think these tests make our education system look like it is failing.  I also think that in a way it is, but it is the testing and standards that are keeping us behind.  The system needs to be redone.  Big changes need to be made, but until that happens we will keep failing a number of children.

http://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/less-than-half-of-students-meet-new-reading-math-standards/

Mallory Duncan

My name is Mallory Anne and I am 24.  I was born and raised in Chico.  I have two children, both boys.  My oldest is turning 4 on sept 12 and my baby will be 1 in Nov.  When I’m not at school I’m being a mom and wife.  I want to be a teacher and maybe move out of Chico, but I would be comfortable staying here and getting a job.  I consider myself a chico state baby because I was literally raised on campus.  My mom worked here my whole life up until 2 years ago.  It has always been my dream to attend Chico and I am making it happen.  I would like to teach 4th grade or even work in an alternative school with at risk teens.

 

This is not a tale of incest love, or a pair of crazy doves

There is no magic bones of a fish that will grant your every wish

There are no awful dresses made of skin nor a fathers love devoted from sin

Yes this tale has no glass shoe & no beautiful dress, this story is not even about a princess

The cow in this story is not yellow, but it is humble and mellow