Saturday Songs: Allusions in Literature

A few weeks ago, two colleagues and I were discussing how to help our students recognize and understand allusions in literature.  I was lamenting the fact that students don't truly understand what an allusion is, as evidenced by the fact that many of them continually misuse the term allude.  For example, students will write, "William Shakespeare and Madeleine L'Engle allude to each other."  No.No.No.

One of the ladies said she used the song, "Someday We'll Know," by the New Radicals to teach this concept.  Right away, I thought of how many allusions Taylor Swift incorporates into her songs.  (If you've ever read my blog before, you know that I like to cite Taylor swift as an example of clear, concise writing.  In one line of her song, "Mine," we can make inferences about several different relationships.  "You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter."  We can make inferences about the father/daughter relationship, her relationship with herself, and her new relationship.)

Here are three videos of songs  that contain allusions.  I hope they will help students recognize allusions.  Now, getting students to dig deeper and understand why an author chose to allude to a particular work or event in history to make their point, is a different story. 

Happy reading,

Christine

March Madness Mystery

Someone left the mystery book, Last Shot in my classroom, which is in itself a mystery, as no one is claiming it.  Someone must be missing this timely title, though.  It is the story of an eighth grader who wins an essay contest for aspiring sports writers.  The prize - a press pass to the Final Four in New Orleans.  While at the Superdome, the protagonist uncovers a plot to throw the championship game.
Suspense and  basketball, what a great combination for young sports fans.  I'm thinking of ordering a copy for my own family.

Happy reading,
Christine

Happy Pi Day!

This is a Pi sweatshirt that I bought for my daughter when we visited a science museum.

Every year, teachers celebrate March 14th with their students as Pi (3.14) Day.  This year it is particularly special, because 3/14/15 contains the first five digits of Pi (3.1415)

To incorporate literacy into this math day you could read some of the following titles with your students, or challenge them to write a story about Pi that contains exactly 314 words.

And in honor of one of my favorite math whizzes, who always won the math-go-round in third grade, here is a Pi recipe:

Happy reading and eating,
Christine

My Article Out Now

I was thrilled and honored when Scholastic Parent and Child contacted me about reprinting my piece on Bedtime Stories for Big Kids.  This meant so much to me, because it is a piece that I truly believe in.  I cherish the moments reading aloud to my own "big kids," as well as my "big kid" students.
If you are at a Scholastic book fair, I hope you will pick up a free copy of this special edition, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy reading,
Christine

Personal Vocabulary

I have long clung to the belief that children need to be reading books at their own individual reading level and at their interest level.  For this reason, I have never given up on independent reading and one-on-one reading conferences.  And during these one-on-one reading conferences, I often assign "personal" vocabulary.  Personal vocabulary is a word that a child struggles with when reading and conferring with me.  If the child miscues, or even if they decode it perfectly, but can't explain it to me, I assign it.  The child becomes accountable for that word, for learning its meaning and being able to use it with me in future book talks.  Obviously, some children end up with more personal vocabulary words than their peers, but so what?  Isn't that our job, to meet the individual needs of our students, instead of forcing them to fit into some kind of  mold?

Happy reading,
Christine

Meatless Once A Week?

A few years ago, I was researching Lent for my Sunday School lesson plans.  While I found many ways to make this abstract concept relatable for the five and six year-olds I had volunteered to teach every Sunday morning, I also found this site of meatless meals.  If you are considering going meatless one day a week for religious or health/science reasons, (maybe you'd like to limit the number of antibiotics you ingest from traditionally-raised livestock), check it out.


Happy reading and eating,
Christine

Need Yet Another Cookbook?

My smart, beautiful and talented friend, Nicole taught me how to make chocolate-covered saltines.  Salty and sweet!  Yum!  This fast, easy recipe can be tweaked to add shredded coconut or sprinkles, (as one of her other friends did) or to make it allergy/vegan friendly (as I did).

The closest written recipe that I could find for this treat came from Trisha Yearwood, (As if we needed another reason to love her!)  And, as if I needed yet another cookbook on my kitchen shelf, I think I might order one of hers!

Happy reading and eating,

Christine

March Forth!

This is a re-run of a post I wrote for the Literacy Connections blog.  Enjoy!

March Forth!

posted Mar 4, 2012, 10:38 AM by Christine Brower-Cohen   [ updated Mar 4, 2012, 10:38 AM by Ryan Case ]

March 4, 2012 I normally don't blog on Sundays, but today is March 4th, a special day in our  family, and the only day of the year which is also an action.  And what an action it is!  I love the implied optimism of the date, "March Forth!"  March forth into the great unknown.  March forth in  the direction of your dreams, and if you've had a recent set-back or failure,  by all means march forth! Happy reading, Christine

Read Across America - Dr. Seuss's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!  Celebrate today,  Read Across America Day, with your family or students.

For your own listening pleasure, here is a clip of the Plain White T's "Giving Tree," a take on Dr. Seuss's classic book.  Enjoy!



Happy reading,
Christine

March Madness

Think the plot of Inherit the Wind is a thing of the past?  Think again.  This month's National Geographic features the science deniers of our time.

Happy reading,
Christine