Khristina's Book Blog

  I really enjoyed reading the section from Stafford and his honest view and experience of his writing process. His comparison to fishing was eye opening. Sometimes, all you need is a nibble when you're starting to write and then you just go from there. I how he said, "If I put down something, that thing will help the next thing come, and I'm off" (Stafford 1978, 18). One type of notebook entry that caught my attention was the section titled, "Starting with Little, Nearby Things." This connected with the quote by Stafford that Bomer included a little prior in the textbook. I'm a visual learner and how I see things has a big impact on my thoughts. So, to be able to just look around the room or space with my thoughts wide open, I can create a story from a door, dart board, or a sticky note (current things that are in the room with me). But, just like the book mentioned it might not just be a narrative that is written based on what is seen, but maybe writin...

"Okay, everyone have their hula hoops ready?" I ask. Heads adorned in hijabs and 6 small, masked faces look back at me with pure excitement. "Remember, you want to try and be the last one to let your hula hoop touch the ground!" I explain. Hands tightly grip the hula hoop and sparkling, dark brown eyes look at me eagerly to begin the countdown. "3, 2, 1, Go!" I exclaim. All the hula hoops start spinning, little bodies moving inside them keeping the colorful hoops from stopping. "Y'all are doing so great! Keep it up, Usman!" I encourage. I smile as the sound of giggles escapes from the lips of each kid inside their hula hoop. "Just sit inside your hula hoop once it falls!" I instruct. Riyaz. Saifullah. Nasrina. 3 looks of disappointment glance my way. "Y'all gave it your best! Let's cheer on our friends!" I encourage. Hands clap and shouts of "you can do it" fill the air. Usman. Roya. Zahara leaps with joy...

  Some of my book connections were that this story is about a boy named Jordan who is starting at a new Private School, even though he'd rather be starting Art School. In this book we see Jordan's journey as he faces challenges such as fitting in, racism, and typical, every day middle school struggles. When it comes to my "head" connections, my thinking was changed while I was reading because, at first, I was reading it as all  white people being displayed as Andy. However, as I kept reading, I realized the author was trying to display hardships through Jordan's experiences. My "heart" connection is tied to my "head" connection because I was definitely flustered at first with white people being represented by Andy because I know that I, personally, try my best to treat everyone like they are important and valuable. However, as I continued to read my heart changed because I saw myself reflected in Liam. So, even though there are definitely peopl...

  My mom has always told me, "reading is like a movie in your mind." Last we talked about how for some people reading isn't like a movie and a lot of people agreed that they don't experience that when they're reading. However, for me, I really do see a movie in my head as I'm reading, and the more I read of a book the more detail is added to the movie I see in my head, or my mind's eye. Obviously, fiction and books with characters and a plot make richer pictures in my mind compared to non-fiction texts. I do feel like if it's a shorter text like a short story then the picture is more like a painting. However, when I read novels my mental picture as I'm reading is very similar to a movie. When I read novels, not only are the visuals compared to that of a movie, but so is how I hear it. The characters have voices that match their gender, but the narrator voice is my own inner voice. I picture characters as they're described by the author and then...

  How does your current book travel around with you? What exact part of your backpack, pocket, purse, or whatever is involved? I'm currently listening to an audiobook, so my book travels around with me in my pocket since it's on my phone. When I'm walking around my phone is in my back pocket, but when I sit down I put my phone somewhere near where I'm sitting.  What are the regular sections of your day? What little reading appointments might be possible in there? Most of my days consist of my job at HFBC from 7am to 3:30pm. However, a couple "reading appointments" I have put in my day are my 20min drive to and from work. I look forward to those drives, even in traffic, because I'm able to get further along in my audiobook which gets better every minute. Another reading appointment that I sometimes include in my day is that little bit of time in my evening before I go to sleep. What are some possible places for reading? How might different places go with di...

  A little slice of my life I'd like to share would actually be an experience I had today! I had a volunteer interview today at Prestige Learning Institute (PLI) and it was a great experience. PLI is an organization that works with immigrant and refugee families by providing ESL courses for parents and providing childcare and an after school program for children. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I pulled into the parking lot of PLI. I walked in the door and the first thing that caught my eye was a beautiful metal map on the wall and then "Welcome" written around the room in more than twenty languages! Then, I was greeted by Kelsie who showed me around their facility. I saw their classrooms, meeting areas, and offices. It was great to see behind the scenes of how their ESL programming is ran. However, the highlight of the tour was the childcare area! They said they only recently added the new childcare area, but it was painted in bright colors and was the perf...

  When I reflect on my literacy experiences from 6th through 12th grade, I can pinpoint a negative shift from middle school to high school. The time when I loved reading the most was definitely 7th grade. It started with having the summer assignment of reading "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. It was the first book in a while that had actually hooked  me. I'm not usually someone who re-reads books, but I definitely read "Hunger Games" a handful of times! Then, my positive literacy experience in 7th grade only grew once school started. Ms. Matthews was my 7th grade English teacher, and she actually helped me to enjoy  reading and writing! In elementary school, I always loved math and science so much more, and reading was just a "have to" instead of a "want to." In elementary school, I read books solely for the purpose of gaining more AR points, but I didn't find joy in reading. That was, until 7th grade, Ms. Matthews overflowed with a lov...

  My One Word: Renew      This word popped into my head almost instantly when I was thinking about what my One Word would be. I think this word fits well because in the midst of the chaos and changes over the past year, I have felt beaten down and broken. However, at the start of this new year I have been striving to take actions the help renew my heart, spirit, and emotions. My daily, ultimate reminder is that I am made new through Jesus. My brokenness is restored, my burdens are lightened, and my joy is found in him. I know this all to be true, but life still throws curveballs and I constantly need the reminder that I am and can be renewed.      All of us, including our students, can get  overwhelmed and feel beaten down. They can feel these things because of situations at home or even from the stress of school. As teachers, it's important for us to build relationships with our students so that we're able to tell when they are fe...