Comments for Rachel's Weblog

Comment on Mirror of Erised by fryeem

fryeem — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:48:37 +0000

This touches my heart I love the depth of your responses Rachel…they mirror your person! I cannot wait to see you in a classroom with the “other” little people we call children. Thank you again for your heart-felt response.

Comment on I imagine what’s inside and take away what I don’t need – Becoming Naomi Leon by fryeem

fryeem — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:45:16 +0000

Once again, I enjoyed reading your blog! You are so honest in your writing, when I read your comments, I feel like you are right beside me telling me what you have written Most importantly, I am pleased that the books we have read this semester have MOVED you…the emotional responses this book evokes are unparalleled. We love to love Naomi and Owen and Gram and we love to hate Skyla. But again, as you mentioned, transformation is such a part of this story. We see Naomi grow into the character we love and know; we see Skyla remain horrid…These are real-life issues that surface in this book; similar to Because of Winn Dixie and if students wish to discuss them, we go for it, but we do so with care and caution and without judgment…So many similarities to Opal…remember the lists:)Thanks for your words.

Comment on The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by fryeem

fryeem — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:36:20 +0000

Thanks for sharing Rachel. You should go back and include Philipe’s name as the famous trapeze artist. Also, I would love for you to expand on the illustrations…this is a Caldecott There is a beautiful 4 page spread-horizontal and vertical that you should comment on. I appreciate your comments about 9/11. Thank you.

Comment on The Rough Faced Girl by fryeem

fryeem — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:32:16 +0000

Rachel, research this more carefully. Are you sure about the Cherokee? And yes, I love the theme of this story too! I love that this Cinderella story goes beyond outward beauty!

Comment on Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave by fryeem

fryeem — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:29:41 +0000

There are stark contrasts here with the more popular Cinderella story. Would you address those? Also, did you research the Russian culture? This was part of the assignment, so that should have informed your reading of the story. And the illustrations? I would like to see you address the above elements. Thanks Rachel.

Comment on Kate and the Beanstalk by Jeannasq

Jeannasq — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:34:49 +0000

i am gonna show this to my friend, brother

Comment on Venn Diagram by fryeem

fryeem — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:40:50 +0000

This looks great Rachel! I love the interactive quality of the traits! The BEANS and the vines really add the symbolic touch! Thanks for your efforts!

Comment on The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by fryeem

fryeem — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:28:35 +0000

Rachel, Be sure to check out Mo Willems web site; you may want to link to some of his lesson plans for these books.
http://www.mowillems.com

Comment on One Green Apple by fryeem

fryeem — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:27:03 +0000

I am pleased that you enjoyed this book Rachel; I love how it honors our differences and focuses on the positive attributes, we all have! It is also important to have books like these in your classroom that highlight people from different ethnicities/religions that continue to assimilate into the mainstream. Thanks for your words.

Comment on Where I’m From… by fryeem

fryeem — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:01:58 +0000

Thank you for sharing your words and a bit of you, Rachel! I hoped this writing helped you get in touch with you and “your people” so that you better understood those you were reading about.
From “don’t let the bed bugs bite” and “don’t ever ever give up” is my favorite line.
Thank you!