The book I am reading on my own is titled Hope Was Here. Hope is a 16 year old travelling all over the country with her Aunt Addie. So far I am not very far in my book but it seems like it is going to be a GREAT one. I am excited to see her journey and see how she grows. Right now she hate Milhoney, the new city and diner they moved to, but I think that all will change shortly.
Here is a beginning bookmark for the book. I am thinking at the end I will make another one to compare and contrast them.
This is my beginning bookmark:

Over the past two classes we have discussed a strategy called Talking Drawing. A talking drawing is a drawing you draw before you read a section in a book or an article and after. In Wonder  August is really into Star Wars, and I know pretty much nothing about Star Wars. My before drawing reflects on what I knew about Star Wars at the time; Luke, Laya, light sabers, a robot thing, and a Wookie?. See I still don't know.
In Wonder it was Halloween time and the students were aloud to dress up for school. August's favorite holiday was Halloween, so he could put on a mask and hide his face from the world :(. He felt comfortable on Halloween because no one knew who he was and no one could judge his looks.
Throughout the chapter there were so many reference to Star Wars, I cant even think of them all. In class we read about 5-7 chapters that included a lot of different characters. Once we were done reading the chapters our professor asked us to draw an after picture to show what we have learned from reading those chapters. To be honest I didn't learn much more except a couple more character; the Clone Troopers and Darth Sidious. Not sure what role they played but they were in it!
The talking drawing gives you different ways to look at one thing. Before reading an article you have a pre- notion on what you are about to read. But then when you read it your thoughts may have changed or you might have learned more! Talking drawing really help to see your process in learning.


P.S. Please don't mind my drawing. I can assure you I am not an artist.  

In class today we read that August had his first day of public school. This was a big step for August to do, due to his insecurities. August already knew three kids that he would go to school because of his school tour before. On his first day August rushed to homeroom with his head down, so no one could see his face. When he got to class he sat in the very back of the class. The classroom desks were set up in a half circle facing toward the chalkboard. Not to long after August sat down another boy sat down next to him, Jack Will. Jack helped tour August around the school before the school year started. I predict Jack Will and August will become very good friends throughout the book.
While in class we were suppose to try and visualize a scene from the book. I could visualize this scene the best. Being a future teacher I always think of a good way to organize the classroom. For homeroom I thought organization was great. This way the teacher could see each student very well.

Not exactly what I had in mind, but close enough. Also it looks like a fun room!

I'm new at this blogging stuff and usually do not put my stuff out there on the internet for everyone to read, so please all bare with me. This semester in my Literacy Strategies class our professor Dr. Poehner is reading a middle level book to us titled Wonder. The book is about a boy named August, Augy as his mother and sister call him, who has a physical disability and was not suppose to make it past the first 24 hours of his life. So far we do not know the full extent of his disability. August is aware of how he looks and knows he is different but his sister, Via, does not except when people look at him differently. This school year August is going into 5th grade and his mother, Isabella, is thinking about sending him to a private school instead of being home schooled. His father, Nate, is not excepting of the idea but nearing school time he begins to warm up to it. By reading the first three chapter August still seems unsettled about it himself.

While reading in class today Dr. Poehner asked us to think of a song or some kind of media to fit the description from the text. This was kind of hard for me to do because I had another song stuck in my head that didn't apply to the book. This shows how easily distracted I can get.
As Dr. Poehner was reading to us today I could sense all of August insecurities about his appearances. I can relate to Auggie in that way. Growing up I have always struggled with my self confidence, mostly due to my looks and weight. People would always try to reassure me that I shouldn't feel this way because I'm beautiful, caring, have a great personality, and that I was smart. But hearing these encouraging words have never helped me think better of myself. Although I do not have a physically deformity like the book describes August to have I still can feel his pain in being uncomfortable.
I wonder as the book goes on if August will gain confidence in himself or if he will get new friends at his new school. On the first day of Class Management class Professor Richards said "You have to love yourself before you love your career of students." That really hit home with me because honestly I don't love myself, I always find something I could change. Because I want to be a educator so bad I know I have to learn to love myself and I will do this for myself and my future students. As I begin to find my way to loving myself I hope August does too my the end of the book.
I know in the future I will have to help my students with their own security problems. I believe I when I find out who I am I will be able to help my students a lot better. Knowing the pain and the struggles of not loving yourself will let them know i was there once too. This may help my students feel more comfortable to come to me with their problems. I would be honored if they would feel that comfortable to come to me. I hope maybe August will find he can connect with at his new Middle School.
By sitting here and thinking, all people are made different so why shouldn't anyone not be able to love themselves?