The first website I chose is the English section of the website BrainPop. This website is a great interactive resource to be used in the English classroom. With it's user friendly interface, attractive layout, and comprehensive material this website has a lot to offer. The English section is comprised of five segments. With everything from books and grammar to fun movies this site is an extremely attractive supplement to any English lesson.
A possible way to utilize this site is in conjunction with a lesson on Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. After clicking on the authors and books tab a large selection of authors and novels appears. Clicking on Mark Twain tab will bring up his section. This content is a fun and educational introduction to Twain. A five minute video educates students on Twain's life and some of his works. While the video is not a complete look at Twain's works it would be a great introductory video to familiarize students with the content. Another tab consists of various activities to do regarding Twain and the novels and stories he composed.
The next website I chose was Language Arts-Go Grammar. This website is comprised completely of grammar games for elementary and middle school students. Everything grammar point seems to be accounted for here from punctuation to conjunctions all presented in a fun and simplified manner. Some of the quizzes are basic and uninspired but a majority of the content is appealing and informative. While the layout of the games leaves some to be desired the games themselves are a great resource.
In the classroom I would obviously use this to supplement a grammar lesson. One game I found appealing was the Grammar Gorilla. This game has the student identify various parts of speech using a quiz and matching like format. The game is colorful and fun. This would obviously be used i an elementary classroom as a way to familiarize students with the basics of grammar. The site would have to be reviewed by a teacher first to find the best fitting game for a lesson but there is an abundance of material so that should not be an issue.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Inquiry Question #2
Should young adult literature used in an English curriculum have some inherent educational value or should it just be purely entertaining?
This seems like a tough question to answer as it contains several parts. I believe that the novel should, first and foremost, be entertaining. The average student seems to have a hard time appreciating literature, especially in a classroom setting. The more entertaining a novel is the more a student will enjoy and accept it. That being said, I also believe that a novel should hold some type of educational value. There are many young adult novels that have historical, philosophical, scientific, and psychological elements. These novels will only enhance the students worldview and provide them with not only higher reading levels but also insight on whatever topic the novel is on.
An example of this can be seen by comparing of two completely different novels in the young adult literature genre. The American Library Association released the results for the Teens' Top Ten, which is the top ten young adult literature books as voted on by teens. The number one book on this list was Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. This novel is a fantasy sci-fi novel set in an alternate universe with very few ties to our own reality. While I am not saying there is no value in reading this book I do not believe that this book is suitable for any sort of English curriculum regardless of grade. Compare this book to the novel Fallen Angels, which is a gritty account of soldiers in Vietnam. While this book is not only entertaining, it provides the student with insight to an important time in our nations history. While this book does contain subversive content I believe this only enhances the reading experience for the student reader. War, unfortunately, seems to be a constant in our lives and this book exposes the reader to the horrors of it. Unlike the other novel, the reader can draw ties between this novel and his or her own life.
Also Beth Colon sent me a link for this great video.
This seems like a tough question to answer as it contains several parts. I believe that the novel should, first and foremost, be entertaining. The average student seems to have a hard time appreciating literature, especially in a classroom setting. The more entertaining a novel is the more a student will enjoy and accept it. That being said, I also believe that a novel should hold some type of educational value. There are many young adult novels that have historical, philosophical, scientific, and psychological elements. These novels will only enhance the students worldview and provide them with not only higher reading levels but also insight on whatever topic the novel is on.
An example of this can be seen by comparing of two completely different novels in the young adult literature genre. The American Library Association released the results for the Teens' Top Ten, which is the top ten young adult literature books as voted on by teens. The number one book on this list was Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. This novel is a fantasy sci-fi novel set in an alternate universe with very few ties to our own reality. While I am not saying there is no value in reading this book I do not believe that this book is suitable for any sort of English curriculum regardless of grade. Compare this book to the novel Fallen Angels, which is a gritty account of soldiers in Vietnam. While this book is not only entertaining, it provides the student with insight to an important time in our nations history. While this book does contain subversive content I believe this only enhances the reading experience for the student reader. War, unfortunately, seems to be a constant in our lives and this book exposes the reader to the horrors of it. Unlike the other novel, the reader can draw ties between this novel and his or her own life.
Also Beth Colon sent me a link for this great video.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Website Post #2
For my first website I found the site Vandergrift's Young Adult Literature Page. This page is an excellent source for books that are appropriate for the young adult reader. This site features not only books for young adults but also author biographies so students can become informed on the authors they are reading. it also contains selected topics and genres of various young adult books as well as criticism on selected books.
The second website I chose was 11th Grade English Grammar. This site is an excellent source for lessons on grammar specifically designed for 11th graders. It not only contains grammar instruction but also fun games and activities that can lighten up a grammar unit. It also contains interactive software for 11th graders to enhance any grammar unit.
The second website I chose was 11th Grade English Grammar. This site is an excellent source for lessons on grammar specifically designed for 11th graders. It not only contains grammar instruction but also fun games and activities that can lighten up a grammar unit. It also contains interactive software for 11th graders to enhance any grammar unit.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Inquiry Post: Discussion Topics
Matt: Young Adult Literature inside an English or Lang. Arts curriculum.
Beth: Young Adult Literature outside an English curriculum i.e. Math, Science
Katie: Effects of social media on Young Adult Literature
Beth: Young Adult Literature outside an English curriculum i.e. Math, Science
Katie: Effects of social media on Young Adult Literature
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)