International Children’s Digital Library
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/
Review the online Jamaican book you read with your partner and engage in a blog discussion
Blog Partner Discussion #1:
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Please discuss:
1. Your personal response to the book
2. Evaluate it in terms of its genre
3. Evaluate its literary quality
4. Discuss for whom the book is intended and the ways in which it might be used in the classroom
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Mary is my discusion partner
ReplyDeleteyes I am
ReplyDeleteMary, we read the book Miss Tiny. I found it so interesting and straightforward.The characters are easy to identify with and the setting is so real. I can easily identify with Miss Tiny and Beenybud.I believe that this is a short short story that our Jmaican children in grades 4 - 6 possibly can identify with.
ReplyDeleteLinda I too find that Marlene Lewis- Weinberger was quite easy in her approach to giving an authentetic flavour in her story on Miss Tiny.It replicates a small aspect of the rural folk experience in Jamaica in a realistic yet fictitious form.It was serious yet entertaining as it gave a inside gimpse of the challenges of Miss Tiny who was quite misunderstood.Isn't it amazing that it took a child to unearth the true Miss Tiny?
ReplyDeleteThe plot of the story has a nice build up, I think. These elements were pretty easy to follow. The problem was pretty clear and the climax came through and the resolution was obvious. I like the realism of this Jamaican story. What are your ideas on the literary quality of this story?
ReplyDeleteFrom the opening scene of the story Miss Tiny's obvious sadness initiates the next event. It is done in an easy regcognizable sequence. The setting and character at the beginning were all intertwined in the plot. Miss Tiny crying was naturally followed by the concern shown by Beenybud.Although Miss Tiny was dismissive to Beeenybud she left without anger and tried to get some help for her. Now that was thoughtful. At that point I wondered what Miss Tiny would do when Beenybud gave her the gift.I believe the writer was gentle in his approach even though miss Tiny seemed mean. The pictures used to depict the scenes were typical of the Jamaican setting.
ReplyDeleteThe Story Miss Tiny is one that can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. It is so rich and full of possibilities. The tone is one that is youthful and easy going since it is written from the perspective of a child. The use of language is easy going, quite straightforward yet engaging and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThis story makes for a good reader response activity that focuses on much discussion about the elements and quality of the story. Based on how the characters are depicted, this can be a good medium to convene descriptive writing focusing on describing personalities.
As I read through the story and met upon some possibly unfamiliar words for the students like discombobulated/prospectus, among others, a vocabulary lesson could arise from this story as well.
As we discussed earlier, I know you liked the letter that Miss Tiny wrote to Beenybud and this could really be a creative writing lesson for the students to write friendly letters responding to Miss Tiny. This same letter could also be used as a grammatical exercise where we could have the students correct the errors in Miss Tiny's letter or even rewrite to show the corrections.
Finally, this is an excellent read aloud activity that could also be utilised for reading comprehension engaging students in critical thinking skills. This story is also engaging enough for reading for appreciation.
There two themes which emerged from the story. The kindness shown by Beenybud to Miss Tiny Was transformative although it was done in innocence. It's amazing how that gave the community a different perspective of her. No one knew that Miss tiny could be kind until she gave Beenybud a goat kid along with the letter which expressed her thanks. This led to the other theme of how assumptions about someone or a situation can misguide their judgement and treatment of them.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that it provides so many possibilities in a language arts class.I agree with all the notes you made. Students could really reflect on this in their school experiences. Many times they have been misunderstood by peer, parents, and teachers.
A good addition to my literature list.