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.