Blog Partner Discussion #3: Multicultural Book
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Please discuss:
1. Your personal response to the book
2. Evaluate it in terms of its genre
3. ( Read Check out descriptions of genres at:
http://www.edu.uleth.ca/currlab/handouts/genres.html
4. Evaluate its literary quality
5. Evaluate its illustrations
6. Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
7. Discuss for whom the book is intended and the ways in which it might be used in the classroom
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Hey Connie:
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved 'the Whispering Cloth' too. As I examined the cover and the other illustrations, I found myself carressing the pages! The weavings looked so real like they were inviting touches from the readers. Did you fell the same way?
By the way, do you also realize that the author and illustrator are both from Connecticut? Isn't that totally cool? Perhaps we've passed them in the mall and not know it!!!
That's so true Andrea.
ReplyDeleteI so wanted to touch it, only to realize it was just paper. The story is really deep. The plot flows and the resolution is not expected. To think this story has some amount of truth in it. The life of a refugee is filled with so much hope and yet disappointments.
Mai's story really touches me and the acceptance that the old women have of their situation is also quite touching. Pegi Deitz Shea Author and Anita Riggio Illustrator have used text and pictures to bring across a magnificent story of hope defferred for a young Thailandian girl called Mia.
Oh by the way the 'stitched picture' by You Yang is extremely creative.....I just wanted to touch it again and again.
As I read this book, it became evident to me that the author, illustrator and stitcher must have had some direct contact with pesons from Thailand. I say this because of how well they were able to capture Mai's story of hope in such a troubled country at the time through words, pictures and stitches.
ReplyDeleteThough this story is suitable for persons of all ages, I'd prefer to focus on the benefits for my 6th graders in particular. In Social Studies, we usually have to do case studies of countries in the different climatic zones. After doing this they usually have to select a country of their own or one prescribed by me to study. I would use the story of 'The Whispering Cloth'to pique their intersts in Thailand as an introductory activity. They would then go off and complete their research about Thailand. This would, undoubtedly, help my students to be more appreciative of another culture.
Andrea
ReplyDeleteOnce again I agree with you. As a multicultural text The Whispering Cloth is truly a well written book. I agree that this text can be used with several grade levels. I see where I can use it at the pre-service teacher training level as well. I am certain that I could get my students to do several teaching/learning activities with this story.
Students could use this narrative as the basis for doing expository writing for class activity. The writer tells the story using excellent word choice and well organized sentences to tell Mia's story, the characters are authentic and the plot is well organized.
Overall the story is well written and all readers will enjoy interfacing with this wonderful story of hope and disappointment defferred.
A really good read.