JennD720's Blog

My blogging experience

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:22 +0000

Throughout my blogging experience I tried to come up with catchy ways to get readers excited about a book I read. This is a very difficult thing to do when you have read a book that didn’t force you to crack a smile or visualize what was happening. I began to write some blogs but it was like pulling teeth. I decided that if I read a book that I was bored with I wouldn’t blog about it. Therefore, I probably ended up reading about 35 books in total but only blogged about 25 of them. Each book I selected to write about I enjoyed reading. It’s hard for others to show excitement about a book when you aren’t excited about it either.

The format of my blog was basically set up with the idea in mind that I wanted to leave cliff hangers for anyone who decides to read this. I didn’t want to give a summary of the book which could probably be found anywhere. I wanted people to wonder about the book. Hopefully that wonder would encourage a parent or teacher to read this book to their students someday.

This was a great experience for me as I am about to enter the world of teaching. I need to make sure that I am interested in the books I am encouraging my students to read. If I’m not excited about reading how can I expect my students to be?

Overall, I really think this was a great assignment that I will actually try to use in my classroom someday. Students now have access to computers and the internet. How fun would it be to create a classroom book blog? This will also be a great way to assess what books students are reading and what interests and excites them. This would be a great tool to drive literacy instruction. I have some time before I actually get into the classroom to focus on how to perfect my book blogs. I personally think they should be succinct, catchy, and exciting. Working on this strategy will help me teach my students how to personify excitement when they write about a book they really want to share with others.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake, by: Laura Numeroff

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:20:10 +0000

This is a lighthearted story about a slighty demanding pig who starts her day off with pancakes and maple syrup. When the maple syrup gets the pig all sticky she wants to take a bath. Her bath eventually reminds her of home and she begins the page turning sequence of events that might actually get her right back where she started. To find out where this pig and her accommodating friend are headed next you’ll have to pick up this page turning book by Laura Numeroff

No, David! by: David Shannon

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:08:51 +0000

David is a young child who always seems to be doing the wrong thing. Whether he is writing on the wall or playing with his food his mother always says the same thing to him, “No, David!” Eventually, David gets a big embrace from his mother along with an “I Love You.” This beautifully illustrated book is a great way to open conversation between adults and children because the pictures clearly show whats happening in the text. Also, the text is repetitive so children can read along with you. This book is a great start for readers who are beginning to work independently.

The Lost Tooth Club, by: Arden Johnson

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:49:55 +0000

Olivia wanted to be a member of The Lost Tooth Club more than anything else in the world. Unfortunately her tooth was only loose and it had to be gone to become a member. She wiggled and pulled her tooth with no success. With some careful thought Olivia now had a few tricks up her sleeve. Will Olivia outsmart the president of The Lost Tooth Club and become a member? Check out this book by Arden Johnson to find out.

A Silly Snowy Day, by: Michael Coleman

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:35:22 +0000

Can you imagine sleeping for the whole entire winter? Shelly the tortoise decided she didn’t want to miss winter this year. She told her parents of her idea and they said “all tortoises go to sleep for the winter.” Shelly wasn’t going to have it this time so as soon as her parents began to snore she ventured out into the snowy world, only to meet some characters along the way who reminded her how ridiculous a tortoise out in the winter is. Will she prove them all wrong? You’ll have to read A Silly Snowy Day to find out.

The Pig in a Wig, by: Alan MacDonald

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:19:46 +0000

Pegotty the pig was born pink, plump, and bald. At first she thinks she is the prettiest, pinkest, most perfect pig in the world. When some of her farm neighbors begin to tease her about her bald head Pegotty second guesses how beautiful she is. She visits some of her friends to ask why she is bald and if that is what makes her ugly. When they all reply yes she thinks up a silly idea to solve her problem. Will Pegotty learn that she is just a pretty even thought she might be different?

Tessa’s Tip-Tapping Toes, by: Carolyn Crimi

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:01:31 +0000

Tessa is no ordinary mouse. She loves to bop, shimmy, twirl, and whirl. Her mother warns her that this dancing behavior can get her in a lot of trouble with Mrs. Timboni’s new cat Oscar. However, Oscar is no ordinary Cat either. Oscar loves to Doo-Whappa and Doo-Lang from every area in the house. His singing is getting him in a lot of trouble with the neighbors. Tessa and Oscar are forced to stop their dancing and singing but one spring rain shower is going to change all of that.

Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder, by: Barbara Park

Jennifer D'Auria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:39:35 +0000

Junie B. Jones is a first grader who happens to be the first person in her class with a loose front tooth. After all the excitement she realizes that she could possibly look really silly and she is eventually going to get a visit from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, a classmate told her the tooth fairy is actually a witch who pinches your cheeks and eats your teeth. Junie doesn’t want anything to do with this so he avoids putting her tooth under her pillow. Junie is convinced to get to the bottom of this tooth fairy or tooth witch mystery. Will she get some money from the tooth fairy or a cheek pinch from the tooth witch?

Duck on a Bike, by: David Shannon

Jennifer D'Auria — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:41:28 +0000

“One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. “I bet I could ride a bike!” That is just what he did. At first he starts out a little wobbly but eventually he is riding with no hands around the farm. Some of his friends are impressed with his riding skills. As soon as the opportunity arises many of the animals on the farm try to be just like duck. To find out what they do you’ll have to pick up this book about a silly duck with a silly idea.

Rooster’s Off to See the World, by: Eric Carle

Jennifer D'Auria — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:31:58 +0000

Eric Carle’s Rooster’s off to see the world was created with the children who struggle with math in mind. As the Rooster sets off on his journey he bumps into a number of friends along the way who appear in sets. At first he is adding friends to his journey, then the sky turns dark and everyone begins to get homesick. Now set by set the Rooster begins to lose his friends. Will the Rooster continue on his journey or have a change of heart? To find out Rooster’s decision you will have to pick up this book by Eric Carle.