Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis is about 15 year old Luther T. Farell who lives in a town called Flint and has many hopes and dreams for his future. He helps his mom, the Sarge run her real estate business. But, he does not realize the unethical business the Sarge is running.

The theme of the story is people are very influential to our lives but, we cannot let them control our lives. In this book there are many examples of people controlling Luther’s life.

Bucking the Sarge is a great book for adolescents to read because it gives them a great life lesson about what could happen. It is a book that includes shockness, humor, and much more.

In our last session Mia and I finished the book, we discussed the overall ending of the book. It was amazing and good that Luther realized the wrong actions of his mom. It was shocking how the Sarge was able to kick him out of the house due to his science fair project. Instead of being proud of him she was angry at him for provoking an issue for her.

We discussed about the overall theme of the book being that those around us can influence us but, it is up to us to let them do so. Luther is controlled by many incuding the Sarge and Darnell. I think that sometimes those that are closest to us can be controlling of our lives. I experienced this and it is surprising how you don’t realize it as much until you had enough like Luther did.

Sometimes we have to be the bigger person, realize the bad influences, and stay away from it even if it can be family.

Mia and I discussed pages 64-164 during our second session we talked about the sarge and her idea of not believing in telling a black boy that life is unfair. Usually I hear about how families of color talked with their children about the inequality that they go through, therefore the Sarge saying that was surprising to me. We also discussed the relationship the Sarge and Luther have, he seems intimidated by her and she is very demanding. Luther shows more of what he thinks of himself, how he is very mature, manly, and good looking.

I found it silly how Luther states he “loves” Shayla yet he bickers with her and insults her. But, I guess this is his way of not letting Shayla know that he likes her.

Mr. X is straight forward with Luther, he explains how the Sarge is no good for him. How they should leave and go to Florida, they will have a better life over there. I thought this was kind of Mr. X to offer Luther that option and take care of him as if he were his guardian.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales is about what it is like to make a new home in a new location. It describes a migrante family’s experience migrating to a new home. The theme of the story portrays what migrantes bring wiith them when they decide to leave their homeland and how we are all dreamers. The book is filled with bright, detailed, and colorful illustrations that serve as symbols.

This is a wonderful book to include into the classroom if you are trying to incorporate culture and diversity. It is a great story that every child should listen to since it is a real world life experience that occurrs in many families.

Engaging Language Learners with Biography-Based Lessons, Units, and Courses

There are many ways to teach students biographies, but it is very important students know the different elements of a biography like the person, dates, and events. One way to teach biographies is as a whole class, the teacher can read a biography of a person and all together find the dates, events, and the importance of it. Another way can be to have students act out the person from the biography of their choice. This gives them the opportunity to research about their person and learn about them. Students need to understand the difference between biographies and any other book and the elements that make up a biography. I think it is important for students to know about biographies in general because they learn about a person and their life. Sometimes students can even connect with the biographies and the information that is told.

Picture Book Biographies for Young Children: A Way to Teach Multiple Perspectives

It is important to teach students multiple perspectives because this way they can understand that there are different viewpoints, thoughts, and opinions. This can help them develop a better understanding on different cultures that exist. Teachers can assist students with developing a better understanding of different cultures through the use of biographies. For example, selecting biographies of different people around the world not just from one specific place. In order for teachers to determine if a children’s biography book is culturally authentic they can preview the book before hand, research more information about the book or topic that is being discussed to make sure the information is accurate and not bias.

Fantasy is a genre for anyone to read, it is a great genre that everybody should be exposed to. Emerging students should be exposed to fantasy because it allows them to build their immagination and escape from the reality of their own lives. Also there can be stories that they can connect to, certain characters and plots they can relate to. Fantasy can impact emerging student in a positive way.

When I was younger I did not read much fantasy, well that I remember. I did enjoy the Twilight saga, I did read the first book and enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed the different characters, the issues they had, I would try to put myself in their perspectives. Other than that fantasy has not been my first choice. I like prefer more mystery and thrillers.

Fantasy should be taught to children because it builds their imagination and creativity. It lets children escape from the real world and be intrigued into a story that calls their attention. Our education system focus so much on the academics, testing, and making sure students are performing well in them. All of that can be overwhelming for students therefore, letting them read fantasy helps them escape from that and taken into a different world where they don’t have to worry about all of it. Fantasy books can involve real life events or issues that students read about and try to figure out solutions or find ways to controlling their emotions. It gives students the opportunity to think, connect, and discuss their thoughts and ideas which are key skills needed in the real-world.

Mia and I discussed in our first session the characters and the events that occurred throughout pages 1-63. We discussed about how Luther and Sparky do no appreciate the little good things they have in each of their lives. In the first chapter Sparky starts off saying that Luther should stop complaining about his life because he has so many privileges. Luther loves philosophy, he tries to think in a philosophical perspective even though at times he can be unrealistic. Reading the first 63 pages of the book I was very shocked, distrubed, and amazed at the descriptions. I was shocked a bit knowing about the illegal acts that the Sarge does like purchasing expensive clothing for the men in the group home just to get reinbursed that amount she spent but returning them right away after she receives the check.

Chapter 6 disturbed me because it is upsetting how the Sarge and Darnell can evict people from their home without any notice and lie about giving the tenants 60 day notice. Luther states that the most bad thing about people moving out is having to clean up their belongings they left behind because they are things that contain sadness and the image of it sticks with you longer.

Characters:

• Luther: very bright student, loves philosophy, comes from a privileged family, can be careless at times, and has many responsibilities.
• Sparky: Luther’s friend, his dad was shot, he has less responsibilities, gets to do what he wants, and does not fully think things through at times.
• Sarge: Luther’s mother, owner of half the “ghetto” and owns group homes, very strict, and demanding.
• Darnell: Sarge’s second hand guuy, Luther’s boss, very demanding and bossy.