Textbook Assignment 1

K-W-L-S Chart for Textbook Assignment 1

K	W	L	S
What You Already Know About the Topic	What You Learned After You Completed the Assignment	What You Still Need to Learn	How You Will Share This Information With Others
The introduction of literature to children at an early age and its frequency aid in the develop of language. The introduction of literature at an early age will/should produce lifelong readers. The introduction of literature early in a child’s life broadens the imagination.	There is research behind early introduction to literature and language development. The literary elements and devices will help when creating my annotations and blog post. There are major awards in the field of children’s literature that are important to know as a school librarian.	I want to be more familiar with the literary elements and devices critical to basic evaluation of YA literature. I want to know more about what theme is and is not.	I will share this information through discussion boards with my peers online, through my blog and with my colleagues at school.

Cassandra Murdaugh

LSSL 5360

Outside Reading Annotated Bibliography Assignment 5

“Where the Wild Things Are”

Story and Pictures by

Maurice Sendak

Sendak Maurice. (1963). Where The Wild Things Are. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Where the Wild Things are is a classic for all ages!  With its brilliant text and expressive illustrations, Maurice Sendak has created a masterpiece!  One of the messages the author promotes in this story is that of unconditional love of a mother which most can relate to.  Even when we misbehave and are punished, mom will still have dinner waiting on the table.

Here we have a young and mischievous boy named Max.  One night Max is more rambunctious than ever and is sent to bed without his dinner.  While in his room, a forest begins to grow and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to a place where the wild things are.  Max tames all the wild things and makes himself their king. He gives them free reign to be as wild as can be.  But when Max has had enough, he sends the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet.  In the quietness, Max starts to feel lonely and realizes it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all. 

There are so many different interpretations of this book.  I say let your imagination run wild and “let the wild rumpus start!"

Outside Reading Annotated Bibliography Assignment 4

The Polar Express

Written and Illustrated by

Chris Van Allsburg

Allsburg Chirs Van. (1985). The Polar Express. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

The Polar Express is a must read for all ages.  This is the perfect book to share around a warm fire during the holidays.  The vibrant colors and realistic images will transform you into a magical world of wonder.  All of your senses will be utilized with the elegance of VanAllsburg’s words.

A young boy is told that Santa does not exist.  As he lies in his bed one Christmas Eve he hears sounds not of bells but something very different.  He piers through his window to discover a steam engine in front of his house.  He is invited aboard the Polar Express, headed to the North Pole filled with children.  He young boy is given the first gift when they arrive-a silver bell. Upon returning home, the boy realizes he has lost the silver bell.  On Christmas day, his sister discovers a box with his name on it.  It contained the silver bell.  When he rings the bell, he and his sister can hear it not their parents.

The Polar Express is a relevant piece of art that transcends all who have ever had a vivid imagination.  The adventures the young boy experiences will make you believer.  It will take the young at heart back to the innocent of their childhood.

“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as the years passed, it fell silent for all of them”.