Every student will be more or less engaged with certain stories. It is so important to efficiently lesson plan in order to fit the children needs and find a way of engaging the students even if the topic of study is not as exciting. Putting the children in working partners or groups in order to share ideas can help with this.

it is important to use the social realities of children's lives in order to differentiate, facilitate and create a better and more efficient way of teaching.

I like the idea that students can relate what they are learning to their own lives. This personal connection can help them focus more and be more excited to learn. When readers learn to make personal connections once, they will continue to do so in their future reading.

I agree with this. I think students should have the opportunity to share and compare their findings with their peers. I have realized even as a college student I still learn a lot that way. When peers talk and share with each other about what they are learning, it is more likely it will stick with them and keep them better engaged.

I agree with this as I focused on these two stories when I was in elementary school. I think children should be opened to more stories that are not so common in the curriculum in order for better engagement.

When authors include real letters, dialogue, or opinions in a biography students become more engaged and want to continue reading on to get to those best parts. I remember when I was younger and I read a biography on the Titanic and my favorite parts were the real letters and dialogue because it brings the book to life.

This can often be a tough choice to make and affect the readers opinions.

I agree with this because children should be given the options of looking for other factors and references of real people in biographies, instead of just the basics like dates.This would give them the chance to do more independent research.

I can relate to this because when I was in elementary school, social studies was one of my weaker areas. I found myself knowing the names, events, and places but failed to recall the facts and details of each.

I think using such a famous character will have more readers explore and be able to compare and contrast. This will make more discussions between readers and hopefully make others more interested in becoming a better reader.

I agree that contrasting, and comparing different versions of a text will give a better glimpse of the characters, theme, and meaning of the story.

It is interesting to me that there is a popular fantasy novel that is found all over the world. I think this keeps us connected in literature.

I agree that this will allow students to get almost of a "mini lesson" before moving on to actual novel.

Evaluating the novel will help students focus on the meaning, theme and events in the story in a more detailed manner.

I like the idea of using picture book versions to help students get a better and more engaging understanding of what fantasy is about and be able to use illustrations to refer back to.

I think that this will help students grasp the basic story outline better, and be able to appreciate the genre in a more clear way.

I agree with this because at this age, fantasies were my favorite types of stories. I enjoyed getting to use my imagination at this age and use my own experiences to relate to the stories. I have noticed during fieldwork that my second graders would get very engaged when reading fantasy stories.

I agree with this statement. If we fail to teach students mythology, we fail to teach them the tales that embed culture. They also do not get the opportunity to have a well rounded education in literature without mythology. Giving them the tools to understand culture and how it was made, will teach them more about their own and about the world's culture and evolution in general.

I have experienced this in high school. We only focused on myths my freshman year then never learned about them again, which is upsetting because I think they are very interesting and educational, especially with learning different cultures/traditions.

I agree that modeling the unit to the class is a great technique in teaching. Students will be more engaged and knowledgable of a subject when trying on their own if it was first modeled to them. Having students then discuss will get them participating more.

I think each individual should learn more about the different cultures around them, so that we can learn more about our own. If you don't get the chance to travel the world and learn culturally, using myths can help educate you.

I like this definition of myth making. I agree that is a multicultural expression of different symbols and beliefs globally. I think a great technique with myth making is to use different tools like listed: films, songs, tv, and cultural icons.

I agree that the child can become too focused on trying to de code a word rather than enjoy and learn from the story. A teacher, parent, or other adult reading aloud to the student can solve this issue.

I agree as I said above. Reading aloud with the student will give children a better opportunity to take more from the story.

This definition of a picture book is great. Some may think that picture books only contain illustrations and few words. However, they do contain a text and illustrations that are as important and go along with the story for a better interpretation.

I agree that sharing out loud and focusing on the text and illustrations is one of the most important factor in the reading process. Although teachers and parents might think that encouragement is the selection process and giving activities after the reading are the most important, reading aloud with the children is too.

This stuck out to me because as I get older I start to appreciate a good book more and more. In middle school, I never enjoyed reading because I would only read for school and homework. Now, I go to the bookstore and pick out books that are appealing to me and read for entertainment. This encourages me to be a better and lifelong reader as everyone should become.

The idea that picture books can help teach math is very intriguing to me. Growing up, I have always been a weaker math student. When I come across a story that has pictures where children get the chance to use their hands & count is a great way to incorporate math in my eyes.

Many children don't get a chance to learn more about art history. Picture books are a great way to enhance their learning in area they may not be as familiar with and find a different passion.

I believe that illustrations help to show where the setting takes place and how you can use many different techniques to create a setting. Students who experience different techniques of illustrations have a better ability and motivation to try to create their own or think about the illustrations in a deeper manner.

This is a helpful tool that I will use in the future.

I agree, picture books get students more involved and engaged. As well as follow the story in a more understandable way. If a student can't foliow what the words are trying to say or what they mean, they can refer back to illustrations. This indeed goes along with the common core.

I agree with this. I am 20 years old and still love going to the children's section at the bookstores to look at all the new and old children's books and their illustrations. Children's books have the best illustrations and as a future teacher, I am so interested in them. Adults, like mothers to be, tend to go and enjoy what they will be able to pick out for their future baby as well. Any aged person who loves great illustrations and reading should be able to enjoy a great children's story. Age doesn't define good reading.

This is a great way to keep the students organized and teach them how to look up information, as that will be an important tool later on in their career.

I agree that a title is very important and sometimes can go unrecognized. This will demonstrate a good routine in thinking about titles each time they read a new book, or poem.

This is an interesting way to change the learning around and to keep students excited. I agree that illustrating a poem is a great way of getting the students to think deeper about the meaning.

This gives students the opportunity to practice and expand their learning and writing.

I enjoyed this because when I was a child, I always thought a good poem had to rhyme.

I believe selecting poems based on children's interests is the greatest way to get them more engaged and involved, also willing to learn.

I think this is a beneficial technique to improve children's vocabulary, and I will try this in the future.

I agree with this because when I was in elementary school we never focused greatly on poetry. However, when I was introduced to it, i truly enjoyed it and it opened my imagination as a writer.

I like this idea because it makes it more clear for the readers.

I think it is a good idea to connect the writing to the learning objective taught in the lesson. This will get the students to apply their knowledge and practice the skill.

I agree, this tool is different from anything I have seen. It is so beneficial in early education classrooms because it is exciting and educational. Once you learn how all the effects work, it becomes simple and you can add all the detail you want to make it stand out to the readers.

I think this helps readers become more engaged when reading. It also helps to make the text more memorable, making them think and reflect when they finish.

I like how you can select backgrounds and between characters. The editing makes it more realistic and entertaining.

The progression of whole-to-part helps students comprehend and enjoy reading better, as well as giving high phonic instruction. Students are able to apply the new skill they are learning, which will help in future reading and learning new skills.

Short a phonograms will help breakdown the letter in a simple and understandable way for the students.

I like how the teacher has the students reading aloud pronouncing the letter A with her. This is great practice of annunciating the letter and getting the students involved and engaged.

I believe that is is crucial to expand children's imagination with great literature. Students who read more memorable texts, will be more motivated to continue to do so. Also, letting their mind expand and becoming more aware of the world around them is beneficial for their learning.

I agree with this statement. It is important to start phonics at a young age so they develop reading skills earlier on and the pronunciation of words.

I agree that ensuring more time for teaching, reading, and writing that is meaningful to children will help them relate more and be more focused and engaged. They also will be more motivated to write if sharing is involved. Many students tend to leave blank pages waiting on a topic to come to them. This will improve time management skills.

I agree that having an assessment portfolio to observe the students progress is needed to to see their growth and support them where they are not improving in.

This is essential in getting the students excited to speak in front of the class and share their work. This will make good practice for their future. Also, the teacher gets one-on-one time with each child each week to make sure they are on the right track.

I like this idea. I think it will be effective in helping the students write more and remember what they want to add. This will also help them write more visual details.

I agree with this statement. Students can get ideas from their classmates to make their ideas more detailed and help them in the future.

Writer's craft is essential because it helps writers stay on topic. Often times, beginner writers will go off topic and the writing might be unorganized. This will help them make better choices and be more self aware.

I agree that this should be encouraged to help students with reading, spelling, and writing. Sending home worksheets to practice on their own could be a good technique in getting them more practice.

I agree that brainstorming possible topics for writing before the students go off on their own is very beneficial for them. This will give them better ideas, in a more detailed manner and also help spelling for some students who have a tougher time.

This second grade teacher does a good job in organizing her strategy by picking three stories that function during 2 or 3 days. This keeps the students more focused and the teacher better prepared for the 3 stories of those 3 days. I like how the group membership is constantly changing so that students get more excitement in their reading and its not the same boring routine for them.

This is very interesting to me because I think it is very beneficial for the teachers to see where his or her students are at with reading and to aid and guide the students in a better direction. Also if students need that extra support, this would be a good time for that.

I agree with the idea of giving pre reading activities to students. This will encourage students and get them on the right track to draw from previous learning and experiences.

I agree that students must learn how to manage their time wisely when reading as this well help them later in the future in school and in jobs. This will make them a more responsible reader. Teachers can observe and suggest strategies to improve their reading choices in the classroom.

I agree that students need to be using their little reading time in school more wisely because teachers and students get wrapped up in the worksheet they need to complete after the reading. They skim through the reading so they have enough time to get the work done. However, I think it's important to make reading less stressful on the students and give them the opportunity to enjoy the reading rather than rush it to do worksheets.

Parents get to choose which behavior is "gender appropriate" when children are born. However, as time goes on this can change and is out of control of the parents hands if the children are comfortable accepting themselves.

This is very true in my opinion. I have two younger brothers, 6 and 8 that have developed social norms especially in the use of technology. We are 100 percent portuguese and in school they never speak a word of it to others because "everyone speaks english." It is common for young students to pick up on other's norms and actions. We still do to this day.

I agree that children and adults should explore their own and other's gender and relationships to get a better view of the world and themselves in society.

I agree that there is this persistent belief that the world can only be divided into two, only two genders. If someone does not fit into one of those genders they are a "freak." I am against people judging other based on being different. It is society's norm to be either female or male, but some may be unknown still, and i believe that is okay because everyone is figuring themselves out as we live.

This is interesting because I have a family member who buys baby dolls for her little son, and lets him choose any kind of toy even if it its pink or a barbie doll. This gives children a more accepting lifestyle.

I agree that the classroom should be linked to student experiences, this will get them more engaged and determined to do their work and succeed.

I read this book and thought it was an inspiring. It focuses on a runaway slave who fulfills a dream. This is a great book for this reading topic.

This statement stood out to me because I think it is very essential to be a positive role model steering the students in the right direction for the future. This will help with motivation and self doubt.

I agree that enabling texts for African Americans moves beyond sole cognitive focus. Using social, cultural, political, spiritual, or economic focus can help them develop their skills more productively.

I agree that by selecting appropriate materials for reading, male African Americans can gain knowledge of a positive life. The four literacy needs, academic, cultural, emotional, and instructional practices are all very useful tools. They are getting a round-literaracy based education.

A first grade student must ask and answer questions about a text.

Ask and answer questions

A good story for this standard is Green Eggs and Ham so that students can ask questions of any confusion in the writing or answer any of the teachers to make sure they are following.

A fifth grade student must explain how the point of view of the story (the narration) influences how events are described.

Describe the importance of a point of a view through events.

A good story for this standard is Because Of Mr. Terupt because it is narrated by a point of view of one of seven of the fifth graders, who is a bully and very smart.

Fourth Grade students must choose the theme of the text and summarize it.

Summarize a text (poem,story, drama) and stating the theme.

A good story for this standard would be Our Differences because it has a good theme of not judging others.

A third grade student must describe different aspects of the characters in a story and explain their actions in the story.

Describe traits and explain character's actions.

A good story for this standard would be Being Frank because the story focuses on the character Frank and his different traits, feelings and actions through a sequence of events.

A first grade student must go back and pay attention to the illustrations in a story to describe details like its characters, settings, or events.

Use of illustrations

A good story would be Where The Wild Things Are for this standard because each illustration in that story is very detailed and shows what the setting and characters look like and how they feel through facial expressions and body language.

A second grade student must describe a character's feelings/emotions when a major event or challenge occurs.

Describe

I think the story The Case of Bad Stripes would be a good story for this standard because the main character goes through many challenges.