MGRP

I think this project is a really good opportunity to learn about a certain topic one finds interesting. I found the research part of this project to be similar to a regular research paper that I was assigned in high school. However, since i was able to choose the topic, I was more involved in the reading of my topic. Since i love to be creative, my favorite part of this project was the genres. I was able to use these genres to put myself in  another persons shoes. Overall, i really enjoyed this project and I am excited to see what everyone else has created.

MGRP Ch: 5 & 7

Ch: 5 What A Character:

            I think it is a good idea to read aloud experts from good writers. In doing this, students will get ideas from the writers and apply them in their own writing. The short excerpt from, Mama Makes Up Her Mind, catches my attention and helps me see how to successfully write about a character. In order for the teacher to teach this skill, they must know how to do it on their own. I will make sure to read the books suggested to get more of an idea on how to show the character through my writing. Once I read different writings that create characters, I will ask students to describe how the author revealed their personalities. I will be looking for answers that involve writing about characters actions and dialog.

            I love the activities that are given throughout the chapter. I think creating a class character would really get students engaged.  I think this activity would better with older students, and allow them to put in their own ideas. This way when they are creating the story about the character they will be using the ideas that interested them. I think it will also be entertaining to hear different stories about the same character and point out similarities and differences.

            The quick write and revise can be something that is done with partners in any type of character writing. Students could do quick write then swap and comment on what they would like to know more of, with each others characters.

Ch: 7 Explore The Arts:

 I love the idea of having children incorporate the arts into their MGRP. By doing this, it incorporated learning from the right side of the brain. Since children will be using the left side to create their papers, the right side will come as they partake in creativity.  Since some children are more right brain users, this gives them a time to shine.

            I think it will be important to keep copies of MGRP from years past. I love looking at past examples because it helps me to think of my own. Since I am going to encourage my students to be artistic, I will take pictures of the items they create. Also, I will videotape their presentations to have on file and show to the class. 

Van Sluys-Setting up Invitations:

In Van Sluys chapter, Setting up Invitations, I read about using invitations in the classroom. I think this project would allow children to have fun with learning and explore questions they are interested in. Although time may be an issue with this assignment, linking it to other subjects (social studies, science) would allow an overlap of learning. However, in doing this, would it be beneficial for the teacher to give a list of questions for students to choose from? Would choosing the questions take away from the children exploring topics that interest them?
It seems like the teacher may have to spend a lot of time bringing in resources for the children to use. Would there be a way for children to look for their own resources? Perhaps if the teacher created a broad list of topics (ex:animals) and allowed students to base their question off of the list. This way the teacher could find resources on the same topic and not have to look for each topic.
Formulating the groups for the invitation could be tricky. I wonder how many students should be in each invitation group. How should the groups be determined? If they are in groups will they be able to work on the project outside of class.
Van Sluys mentions how this project should be fun and not labeled as an assignment that you want to get over with. I am wondering how we make the project appealing to all students in the classroom. If they are exploring questions that they chose on their own without any regulations, perhaps the topics will be something appealing to them.
Overall, i think this project could be very beneficial in the classroom. It can be tied into different subjects, literature, writing, reflection, which are all important learning elements.

MGRP-Ch 4: Poetic Surprises

In chapter 4 of Allen’s, The Muiltigenre research paper, she brings up the topic of poetry. I can relate to what she says about not feeling confident with our own writing. It is only when we are free of self-conscious that people can freely write. I like the idea of using poetry in the classroom to share with one another and talk about certain aspect of writing we feel weak in.

I agree with her when she writes, “poetry and song evoke emotions”. Sometimes when I hear a certain song my mood totally changes, and it’s the same with certain works of poetry. In the classroom I will bring this topic up and show children how writing comes from the heart. Including poetry in a MGRP can bring out certain emotions one wishes to evoke.

I like the idea of having children write down everything they are thinking and feeling without worrying about writing mechanics. They can then use what they wrote to construct poetry. Sometimes figuring out how to start a poem and what to write about is the hardest part. With this activity they are not thinking about writing a poem and can just cross out whatever they do not want to add in. 

The Multigenre Research Paper ch: 1,2,3,6 and Powell, Davidson Article

Ch: 1 its contagious

I agree that research papers are tedious and my least favorite kind of paper. With multi-genre research papers are more entertaining and use a variety of skills. I think our students will benefit from this and see the overall assignment as something that can be enjoyed. They will also be practicing a variety of skills that will be important to function in society and when they get into the working world. Practicing these skills now will only help them to benefit. I definitely want to use this in my language arts teaching.

I really like how she showed the fifth grades student multigenre research paper. It helped me to see what an elementary paper may be like. Since I have only seen examples from college students in class I wasn’t sure how a younger Childs might appear.

I am questioning weather children will have trouble finding professional writings to use as references. Since they are choosing their own topics this might be hard. Not every child has parents that will assist them and take them to the library. How do I deal with this problem?

I also question how long to spend working on the paper? Should this go on throughout the whole year. It seems like it would take a big chuck of time to see everyone’s work. Would it be beneficial to continue it throughout the whole year?

Ch 2 Nuts & Bolts-Getting started on a Multigenre Project

This chapter seems to answer some of my questions I had from the previous one. I really like the idea of giving children a big chuck of time to choose their topic. This way they can do a little research and talk to others about their topic. The resource notebook is something I want to implement into my classroom. This will ensure everything is in one place and allows me the opportunity to look at it.

I hope that I am able to be flexible with the multigenre teaching each year as the needs of the students change.

I think the response journals are a great idea not only for the research papers but to use in class all of the time. This allows the teacher to be available to all of their students. It also reminds students of their accomplishments.

Ch:3 Care Enough To Really Search-Finding Ways into a Topic

I question if we should give our students some sort of guidance when they select their topic. In our class it related to literacy, should we do the same with our own students?

I like the idea of having students fill out a questionnaire. I think this will help guide them to something they are really interested in. I also think it is important to take them outside their school for resources. Letting them see a university could be very beneficial and inspire them to go one day.

I think a good way for note taking is for students to use different color highlighters. This way they can highlight information that applies to each subject.

Ch: 6 The Voice Of Nonfiction-valuing real, Everyday Writing:

I like how she writes the paper each year along with her students. I think this will allow teachers to remember what parts may be tricky for students to understand and allow them to connect with them.

I think the list of possible genres will really help children be creative. The can use the ideas past students have used and build off of them.

I think that by adding non-fiction students will be able to think about their subject on a different level. They will be able to relate to the subject on a personal aspect and have a better understanding.

All of the genres listed within the chapter seem like they would be really fun for create. I think students will really like this part of the project. Children will have a chance to use their strengths. For example, if a child is artistic they can use this to create some sort of picture. Similarly, if they are into drama they can create a short play. There are so many options to choose from allowing children to explore different options.

Article: The Donut House: Real World Literacy in an Urban Kindergarten Classroom

The authors Rebecca Powell and Nancy Davidson talk about incorporating literacy events in student’s lives. They point out that the texts in school are not likely to be read outside school for fun. This could be one reason that children don’t pay attention to the teaching. If they had more engaging material they may be more apt to pay attention.

I like the idea of implementing literacy activities into something that is important to the students. For example, writing letters. Brochures, and proposals on important topic.

I really like how the teacher used real-life experiences in the children’s life. She also put it with a creative tasks and acting aspects by pretending to be storeowners, neighbors, etc. The writing aspect of the project was important to the overall goal of the creation. This included writing out the special recipe for the donut house, or filling out the permit for the building. The teacher can them implement mini lessons that have to do with the project such as compound words (strawberry).

I really like this literacy instruction that is situated in students lives. I want to use this in my classroom with my students. I think there will be many benefits from this that range from students being more engaged to including people outside the classroom, within the community.