“How does knowing about the literacy elements impact the understanding of a story?”

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            Being that there are eight literacy elements, I thought I would go through each one of them and their importance to the understanding of a story. The literacy elements are as followed: Character, Point of View, Time, Place, Plot, Mood, Theme and Symbols and Extended Metaphors. Each one helps to make the story explode with complexity and life. 

            “Characters are all-important to stories. Whether human, animal, or preternatural, they are the guides who bring the story world to life and teach us to see the rich potential human beings have for goodness, love, faith, hope, fear, and evil” (Peterson & Eeds).

            Point of View is an element that seems to carry consequences with it. Whatever way the author chooses to tell the story, will inevitably leave some possibilities behind. For instance, in the first person point of view, the story is told in a manner of “I did this, I went there…etc. This point of view, allows for the knowing of the main character, but not of a higher power or enlightened understanding. Likewise, the third person point of view allows for the all knowing character and the oversight of everything involved, leaving out the mystery of truth and reality. Point of view helps to aid in the story by offering additional elements of surprise, and understanding.

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            Time is very important to the understanding of the story, because of course, there is no story without time passing. However, the amount of time passing could be a monumental element to the storyline. For instance, if the whole story takes place over a span of twenty years, you, as the reader, know that there is a lot being left out. Likewise, if the whole story develops within a couple of days, then it is likely that you as the reader are getting almost every detail. This choice is left to the author, and can help to evolve the storyline. Time, also links to central tension, the more time that passes, the easier it is for the suspense to build, and the excitement to explode. Time, if used correctly, can be a huge motivator and hook.  

            Place helps to contribute to the story’s illusion. It can be used to predict the story’s movement and to guide the reader along. However, place is not of equal importance in all stories. In some stories, place can be used to help identify the period of time being discussed, or to better inform the reader of the background to the story. Place also helps to identify the character’s interests and values, by showing their response to different places.

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            “Plot, the narrative sequence, is surely the most overworked element of literature in a textbook reading program…it sticks to the surface level and requires a minimum of interpretation.” (Peterson & Eeds).  Plot responds to the narrative sequence by interpreting how incidents are related. Through the order of incidents the author evokes the feelings that the reader experiences. Plot, which seems to be the most basic, fundamental element of story writing, does carry with it the responsibility to arouse feelings in the reader as it develops the story.

            Mood helps to establish the story’s limits, while stimulating the imagination and emotions of the audience. The mood calls the readers to make personal connections with the text they are reading and it helps to intensify the initial reactions and perceptions.

            Theme is more than just a topic. A theme is what the author has to say about a certain topic. In each story, the author presents a better understanding, or take, on a topic, a way of viewing, that they hope to instill in the reader. Their theme is the message they are trying to get across, the message they are trying to leave behind.

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            Symbols and Extended Metaphors: “Symbols in the world of story function to put the reader in touch with meaning that cannot be stated directly –the extended metaphor of the work. In standing for feelings, forces, or concepts present in a story, symbols function to synthesize feelings and contribute to developing story tension and resolution. Symbols can influence story characters and actions, as well as intensify mood.” (Peterson & Eeds). Symbols and metaphors ultimately help to make the story more interesting and dynamic. 

            Each element adds a piece of excitement and complexity to the puzzle, they help to evolve the story and identify the intricacies that make it more interesting. The intelligent use of each element will help turn average stories into great works of literature.



Citations

Peterson, R. & Eeds, M. (2007). Grand Conversations NY: Scholastic. (Ch. 4, p.31-60).

 

"How Much is a Million?" -David M. Schwartz

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Book Title:

How Much is a Million?

Author:

David M. Schwartz

Illustrator:

Steven Kellogg

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

6-9

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• This book makes the connections of everyday things such as, people, goldfish and stars into millions, billions and trillions to show size in relation.

 

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 My Thoughts

• Although this book is short in text, the illustrations could be worth millions, and trillions of words. This book is awesome. It puts into perspective how big a million is, a billion is, and a trillion is. It is such a great book to get you thinking. This book will help make math more interesting to ponder. Also, something really neat about this book is that, at the end of the book, the author shows his calculations, and the steps he took to get his results. I love this book, and I am so glad it exists.

How to Use in the Classroom

• This book would be perfect for a math opening. There are not many books I have come across that I would use in math, but this book would be great, especially in a unit of learning about higher numbers. This book could even be used in high schools to challenge the students to see if they could come up with his calculations, or if they could make some of their very own.  What a great math-based picture book!

Resources

1. To learn more about David M. Schwartz click here.

"Cinderella" -Marcia Brown

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Book Title:

Cinderella

Author:

Charles Perrault

Illustrator:

Marcia Brown

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• Cinderella, the good girl in rags, served her awful stepmother and two stepsisters. She was the servant of the household, never thought of highly until her fairy godmother came to turn her into the magnificent princess she was.

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My Thoughts

• Growing up with Disney movies, I thought I knew this story in its entirety. However, after reading this book, I was introduced to some new components. For instance, Cinderella attended two balls, the second of which she left her glass slipper. Also, in this book, there was nothing said about her having animal friends, the animals used for her carriage ride were animals caught in traps. The main plot of the story was the same, but I was surprised to see the few differences. I loved it none-the-less, I always love a good fairytale!

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How to Use in the Classroom

• Well, this book being a Caldecott winner, suggests that the illustrations are worth studying and admiring. So, perhaps this book would be a good book to bring into an art lesson. Marcia Brown seems to have used watercolor and sketching to create these illustrations. (Both of which are easily incorporated into the classrooms).  She also seems to follow a surrealism style in creating her pieces for this book. "Cinderella" would be perfect in teaching about watercolor, sketching and styles of Marcia Brown’s illustrations.

Resources

• For more about the Marcia Brown click here.

"The Frog Prince Continued" -Jon Scieszka

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Book Title:

The Frog Prince Continued

Author:

Jon Scieszka

Illustrator:

Steve Johnson

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

5 and up

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• The Frog Prince and his Princess were supposed to live happily ever after, but things didn’t turn out as they planned. The Frog Prince, unhappy with his life after the famous kiss, goes off to find something else, but through his journey, he realizes what happily ever after really means.

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My Thoughts

• Jon Scieszka, is so talented in revisiting old stories, and expanding upon them. This story is so creative in the plot, while also carrying a very important message. This book subtly tells the message of learning to be grateful for what you have. Through the text and illustrations, the Frog Prince is reminded of what he had with his dear Princess, and chooses to return to what once was. I loved this story. I always find it fun to revisit these childhood classics and to see them in a different light, with a different focus. Also, the paintings of Steve Johnson are gorgeous. His beautiful cartoon art helps to show the eerie wonders of the magical world spoken about in the text. This is super fun book.

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How to Use in the Classroom

• This book could be used in a continuation-writing piece. The class could be prompted to pick a book and write a continuation of it, as sequel of sorts. First the teacher could read the original “Frog Prince” and then “The Frog Prince Continued”, to set an example. The class could then be either allowed pick their own books to write about, or, the teacher could pick one book for the class to write about, which would show the diversity in imaginations across the students.

Resources 

1. For more about the author click here.
2. To see more works by the illustrator click here.

"The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" -Jon Scieszka

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Book Title:

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Author:

Jon Scieszka

Illustrator:

Lane Smith

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

3-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• In this book, the Big Bad Wolf tells his side of the story. He tells the truth of what really happened… he was framed.

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My Thoughts

• What a funny story! This book cracked me up. I loved it. Jon Scieszka, retold the story of the three little pigs from the Big Bad Wolf’s perspective, and really brought to life the old story. I was thrilled with the creativity of this book. The illustrations done by Lane Smith are delightful. They look to be a mix of paint and sketching, following a cartoon styled art. What a clever satire of an old classic.

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How to Use in the Classroom

• I think this book would be a great tool in having the students write their own stories of opposite perspectives. Have each student pick a book with a villain of some sort, then ask them to re-write the story from the villain’s perspective. Encourage them to get creative and to surprise the class with their alternate story line. Or you could have the whole class re-write the same book of your choice, and see how many different angles the class can come up with. Then share them aloud as the students wish. 

Resources

1. To learn more about the author click here.
2. To learn more about the illustrator click here.

"Where the Wild Things Are" -Maurice Sendak

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Book Title:

Where the Wild Things Are

Author/Illustrator:

Maurice Sendak

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• Max, an adventurous boy who only wanted to play in his imagination, would not cooperate with his mother’s orders. After a huge expedition to a foreign land where the “wild things” lived, he began to miss the luxuries of home, so he left his wild friends to eat the dinner his mom had left him. 

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My Thoughts

• I thought this book was great! What an exciting world of make believe. I never had read this book as a child, so when the movie came out, I was confused as to why all my friends were so eager to see it. They all had loved the book as kids, and were excited to see it retold on the big screen. I, who had never read the book, didn’t get it. However, now after reading the book, I am in awe of the marvelous movie that was created, all inspired by the fantastic book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak!

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How to Use in the Classroom

• There are many options for this book! “Where the Wild Things are”  could be a gateway book to start off a story-writing unit. It could show kids how to use their imaginations to tell their own exciting stories. This book could also be used for older grades in explaining how illustrations can fill in missing information that the text leaves out. All the while, this text could be read aloud to the older classes, followed by the PG rated movie “Where the Wild Things Are”, made 2009. 

More Resources 

1. For more info about the author click here.
2. For more info about the movie click here.

AIP: Chris Van Allsburg

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Author/Illustrator:

Chris Van Allsburg

Wesbite:

http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com/home.html

Born:

June 18^th, 1949

Education:

Undergrad degree from the U of Michigan

& Graduates degree from R.I. School of Design.

Family:

His wife Lisa and two daughters Anna and Sophie.

Written and Illustrated:

15 books, while illustrating 3 more for Mark Helprin

Awards Won:

Over 34 awards total & 3 Caldecott awards.

Best known for:

“Jumanji” and “Polar express”

My Thoughts.

I have fallen in love with the work of Chris Van Allsburg! Going into this assignment, I was late to get the sign up sheet, so I just picked a name that sounded fun. Once I started researching him and his works, I realized that I was familiar with some of his pieces. I was so excited to see his name for the author/illustrator of “Jumanji” & “Polar Express”, two incredible books that I just adored. I then spent some more time getting to know some of his other picture books, and found that same deep appreciation for his other work. I have now read 6 of his 15 books, and I was thrilled about all of them. Two of my new favorites are “The Widow’s Broom” & “Just a Dream”. Both, very different, tell fantastic imaginary stories that captivated my full attention. Not only are his stories wonderful, but also looking through his illustrations just brings everything together! He is just so talented, and I am a huge fan!

How to use in classroom.

Well, since I was studying several of his books, I thought I would give an idea for each book I studied. 

• Jumanji: In class, we could talk about the fun of writing, and try to write our own adventure stories, or, we could watch the movie and discuss the similarities and differences between the two.

• Just a Dream: After reading this book aloud, as a class, the children could be prompted to think of their own ways to positively contribute to the environment. Perhaps, as a class, a group service project could be planned and performed, such as, picking up litter on the school grounds, or donating money to plant a class tree.

• Ben’s Dream: This book could be used to help start off a geography unit on the wonders of the world, or it could also be used in an art lesson.

• The Widow’s Broom:  If, in your classroom, you noticed bullying or outcasting, this book would be a great tool to start off the corrective conversation. By reading this book aloud to the class, you could then prompt the class with questions regarding the themes of judgment and acceptance.

• Zathura: This would be a great book to use when studying space. There is a lot of terminology used in the book that could aid in the study. What a fun, simple way to start off the space unit.

There are so many ways to incorporate these books in your classroom. Van Allsburg is just so easy to teach off of! I hope you enjoy the works of Chris Van Allsburg, I think he is marvelous!

"Sideways Stories from Wayside School" -Louis Sachar

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Book Title:

Sideways Stories From Wayside School

Author:

Louis Sachar

Illustrator:

Adam McCauley

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• At Wayside school, things are a bit out of the ordinary, for one thing, the school is 30 stories high with only one classroom per story. The school is also comprised of characters with unique habits and silly ways of doing normal things.

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  My Thoughts

• This is the first time I had ever read “Sideways Stories from Wayside School”, what a fun chapter book! I love how the chapters are short, each, telling different stories about the students and faculty of Wayside. With the silly characters and surprising events, this book is so fun and easy to get sucked into! For instance, some of my favorite characters include, Mrs. Gorf who turns kids into apples,  John, who can only read upside down, Joe, the boy who can’t count right, but always gets the correct answer, and finally, the boy with big hands and big feet, named Nancy. This novel, suggested for the ages 8-12, is a great book to use in getting the class excited about reading/showing the class how reading can be silly and a lot of fun.

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How to use in the Classroom?

• “Sideways Stories from Wayside School” could be a great tool in settling the class down after recess or lunch. Perhaps reading a chapter each day right after the busyness of lunch or recess would help to calm the kids down enough to start the more in depth reading or class conversations. This book would be a great read aloud, because it would ignite giggles and create a fun loving community of readers. This book could also be used in teaching about chapter books, students could read through this book to get the hang of Sachar’s writing, and then try to write a few short chapters of their own. Perhaps the class could even work together to compile a book about their own classroom adventures…(Ex: “Silly Stories from _______’s Classroom”) Each child would write a short chapter to be fit into the class book of silliness. This would allow for the writing process to be taught and used, as well as, a way to unite as a classroom in imagination and fun. There is also a DVD of Wayside Stories, this DVD could be shown in class, as an ending to a Wayside unit. 

More Resources 

1. For more information about the book/characters Click Here.
2. For more information about the author Click Here.
3. To see the "Wayside" Movie Trailer  Click Here.

"Zathura" -Chris Van Allsburg

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Book Title:

Zathura

Author/Illustrator:

Chris Van Allsburg

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

3-6

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• Danny and Walter Budwing will not get along with each other, until they find the Jumanji board game, which happens to be paired with a game known as “Zathura”. This game, like Jumanji, brings to life adventures and dangers, the boys find themselves working together to get out of outer space and back into reality.

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My Thoughts

• This book, an add on, or sequel, to his earlier book “Jumanji” is equally exciting. Instead of fighting wild animals from the jungle, this book allows for space travel, while also teaching the valuable lesson of working together. The penciled illustrations capture the style of surrealism by showing make believe and helping to paint a better idea of what it would be like to play Zathura/be thrust into outer space. I love the emotions Van Allsburg is able to create and the dramatic effects of shading that he uses to tell a story. This was a great sequel, very fun and creative.

 

How to use in the Classroom?

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• This would be a great book to use when studying space. There is a lot of terminology used in the book that could aid in the study of gravity and meteors. What a fun, simple way to start off the space unit. It could be used in teaching the lesson of working together to solve problems. While also, by following the reading aloud of “Jumanji”, since it starts where “Jumanji” ends.  This idea of reading both books, allows for discussion of sequels and further story development. This book, like "Jumanji", also has a movie that could be shown after the reading. Depending on age, this book could be used for a simple lesson, or a complex lesson. 

More Resources

1. For more information about the book/ideas for the classroom Click Here.
2. For more information about the movie Click Here.
3. For more information about the Author/Illustrator Click Here.

"The Widow's Broom" -Chris Van Allsburg

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Book Title:

The Widow’s Broom

Author/Illustrator:

Chris Van Allsburg

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating: 

***

Summary

• Minna Shaw, a nice, old widow, helped a witch who had been badly hurt, because of her good deed, Minna was blessed with a magical broom that helped her around her farm. Neighbors complained that the broom was evil, but by Minna’s whit, she was able to keep her broom and lose the neighbors.

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My Thoughts

• This is a very cute story. I love the message of being nice to people, and how often times, there are rewards for such kindness. I especially appreciate when stories promote being nice to people that society usually outcasts or isolates. What a great message. This book has incredible themes running throughout, such as, judgment, acceptance, whit and humor. Not to mention, the subtle intelligence of the incredible illustrations of penciled shading. The surrealism style helps to show an eerie mystical world where witches do exist, and magic is a reality. This book captures the reader’s attention and teaches a very valuable concept of kindness. 

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How to use in the Classroom?

• If perhaps in your classroom, you noticed bullying or outcasting, this book would be a great tool to start off the corrective conversation. By reading this book aloud to the class, you could then prompt the class with questions regarding the themes of judgment and acceptance. This prompting could lead into a full discussion of the respect and kindness you expect to see in your classroom, and the ill effects of singling each other out. For older grades, it could also be a fun opening into the study of the Salem Witch Trials; aiding in the witch theme, but starting off the serious subject with some light humor. Kids of all ages should be read aloud to, says Author Mem Fox, so why not use a picture book to entice the older grades as well?

More Resources 

1. More information about the book/ideas for the classroom Click Here.
2. More information about the Author/Illustrator Click Here.

"Ben's Dream" -Chris Van Allsburg

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Book Title:
Ben’s Dream
Author/Illustrator:
Chris Van Allsburg
Type of Book:
Picture Book
Age Level:
6-9
My Star Rating:
***


Summary

• Ben was studying for his geography test, when the sound rain put him to sleep. In his dream he traveled to the world monuments he would be tested on.

Chris Van Allsburg
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My Thoughts

• What a creative idea. This book allures the audience with new thoughts about the world. As Ben falls asleep, his dreams carry out, and give a broader perspective and exposure to the worldly wonders he was supposed to be studying. Most of the story is told by the illustrations, due to the fact that there are plenty of text-less pages. We follow his journey to the different wonders by interpreting the illustrations, and developing the plot on our own. The line drawings are fantastic and captivating, Van Allsburg really out does himself. 

 

How to use in the classroom?

• This book could be used to help start off a geography unit on the wonders of the world, or it could also be used in an art lesson. The illustrations are made of pastel line drawings. As an art lesson, this book could be a model for the children’s own line drawings. The book is very well designed to show how light and dark mix to illustrate emotion, and establish moods, kids could be prompted to try and show emotion and mood by shading and creating their own illustrations. The class could even form a line drawing book complied of all their artwork.

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More Resources

1. For more teaching ideas Click Here.
2. For more about the Wonders of the World Click Here.
3. For more about the Author/Illustrator Click Here.

"Just a Dream" -Chris Van Allsburg

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Book Title: 

Just a Dream

Author/Illustrator: 

Chris Van Allsburg

Type of Book: 

Picture Book

Age Level: 

4-8

My Star Rating:

 *****

Summary

• Young boy Walter has no understanding of the environment, and fails to see the problem with trashing it. Through a dream, Walter is shown a future time, when the world is no longer beautiful and exciting.

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My Thoughts

• I absolutely love when books are able to develop appreciation and awareness in their readers, and that is exactly what this book does. In the form of a dream, this book teaches the importance of taking care of the environment. I was thrilled to see how well the narrative art reinforced the text. The illustrations are stunning and the storyline is remarkable. I thought this book taught the very important lesson of conservation. By showing the negative affects caused by littering and waste, this book is a great tool in teaching children how to be conscious and aware of their surroundings, and how better to prepare for the future.

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 How to use in the Classroom?

• This book would be a great read aloud for Earth Day. What an incredible book to use as a tool in teaching children how to respect and take care of the Earth. After reading this book aloud, as a class, the children could be prompted to think of their own ways to positively contribute to the environment. Perhaps, as a class, a group service project could be planned and performed, such as, picking up litter on the school grounds, or donating money to plant a class tree. The involvement of a classroom would be a great way to model environmental appreciation, while also allowing the children to feel like they made a difference in their community. This book could also be used as a tool to have the children dream up what they would like their future to look like, and maybe write a futuristic story of their own, helping them to go through the writing process, while also aiding in their futuristic awareness. 

More Resources

1. For more information about the book and teaching ideas, Click Here!
2. For more about the Author/Illustrator, Click Here. 
3. For more information about Earth Day, Click Here or Click Here. 

"Jumanji" -Chris Van Allsburg

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Book Title:
Jumanji
Author/Illustrator:
Chris Van Allsburg
Type of Book:
Picture Book
Age Level:
4-8
My Star Rating:
*****



Summary

• Two bored children are left home alone as their parents go out, they are told to keep the house clean, so they decide to go outside to play, when they find a wooden board game against a tree. The children take the game back home to play, and discover a whole world of adventure, and the importance of reading the instructions carefully.

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My Thoughts

• This book is just outstanding. The adventure of the text paired with the illustrations is just phenomenal. This Caldecott winner, is rewarded for the incredible artistic ability of Author/Illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg. The illustrations seem to be made of grayscale pastel drawings, which capture the life of the board game “Jumanji”. The shading and lighting of each piece, works in unison to help the illustrations delight the readers with further understanding of the plot and danger involved with this new bizarre game. One of my favorite illustrations is when the volcano erupts and the molten lava is mixing with the water to create a room filled with steam. This picture is so mysterious and eye-catching. I also love his depiction of childhood attitudes. I feel as if this book could have been a real-life interaction of children. I remember being bored with my siblings and needing to find something to do. We argued with, and underestimated each other, but in the end we united in the face of fun. This book is simply fantastic.

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How to use in a Classroom?

• What to say, oh, what to say. This book has so many possibilities for the classroom. We could incorporate art, by having each of the students try to draw out a wild adventure of their own. We could make a class board game that we play in our free time. We could even stress the importance of reading the directions by giving a pop quiz, where the instructions say “Write your name, put down your pencil and leave all answer fields blank”, to test their instruction reading. More then that, we could talk about the fun of writing, and try to write our own adventure stories, or we could even watch the movie afterwards and discuss the similarities and differences between the two. Finally, craziest of all, if allowed, we could bring in our own objects to help the story come alive while reading it aloud. For instance, we could have already made a board game, and recorded the reading, so that as the text was read, we could actively participate in the game. With the recording, we could have audio tracks that accompany the text, such as, roaring lions, screeching monkeys, raindrops, a stampede, a snake, the hiss of steam, and the sudden quiet of the game is ended. Perhaps even a fog machine would be cool if it was approved. These added effects could really bring the story to life, and I predict that the experience would fall into the “unforgettable” category; an experience that is always remembered and cherished by children as they age.

More Resources

1. For more information about the book Click Here.
2. For more classroom ideas Click Here.
3. For more information about the movie Click Here.
4. For more information about the Author/Illustrator Click Here.