My mythological character that represents me is called Alketeleios and it is an elephant with butterfly wings. I named my character Alketeleios because “Alke” represents strength, I needed lots of it growing up as the oldest of many siblings. The “teleios” represents mature and I had to mature at a young age to take care of my family as well as be a role model for my sibilings. My character is an elephant with butterfly wings because my favorite animal is elphants and butterflies represent transformation and the ability to know.

My ability would be to provide strength and relaxation to those who need it. Many people go through a lot of stress which requires strength. I got my power by being born with it and it got stronger over the course of my life. I would be famous for helping others in need with strength.

During my school years I don’t recall learning about myths too much. I remember learning about them for a unit in 6th grade. In my language arts class we talked about the greek gods, the most common ones like Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, and much more. We talked about who they were and what they did. But, that was pretty much it. I find it upsetting that myths aren’t as enforced in curriculum like other genres because they are a great way to keep students entrigued into books.

I think that students should study myths more often to be able to have a better understanding of what it is and how to understand the world. Myths open students to a new perspective about stories, people who might seem different but did things that we can relate to. Students have to read many informational texts that can be overwhelming and lose their interest in all types of books. Giving students the opportunity to learn about myths can push them to want to read.

“Mango, Abuela & Me” by Meg Medina and illustrated by Angela Dominguez is a story about Mia and her abuela who comes to visit. Mia tries to spend time with her abuela when she arrives and shares her favorite book. But, Mia discovers that her abuela cannot read and they struggle to understand each other. Throughout the story Mia and her grandmother begin to learn from each other and how to communicate with one another.

This story mostly takes place at Mia’s home and also at other locations. The theme of this story is learning new things and having compassion for others. The word choices and illustrations help display the theme of the story. They help give a visual representation of what learning new things looks like and how to have compassion.

I recommend this book to be taught to students for any elementary grade because not only does it teach them about learning new things and compassion, it also teaches them about culture. It is a great book to use for teaching a multicultural lesson.

The fable I will be discussing is “The Lion and the Mouse”, this fable shows characteristics of culture like, kindness, forgiveness, and assistance. This fable is about A lion and a mouse, the mouse saw the lion one day and ran pass him but the lion placed him paw on top of the mouse to trap it. The mouse begged for freedom and stated that he would repay him one day. Surely the mouse did when the lion was trapped. The setting of this fable seems to be taken place in the wilderness or jungle. In both characters we see kindness and assistance. The lion was kind enough to let the mouse free and the mouse helped the lion when it was in danger.

Fables like this one teach us so much about human nature and human behavior like how our actions can impact the lives of others. For example, the Lion decided not to kill the mouse because the mouse had stated that he would help him in the future if he would let him live. Once the lion was in trouble the mouse helped him. This shows that even if the lion deciding to let the mouse live seems like a small action it had a postive impact on the mouse and his own live’s. This knowledge is very applicable today because people don’t seem to realize the huge impact our actions have on ourselves and on others. Simple acts of kindness can make a big difference.

If I were to teach this fable to my students I would connect it to how we as individuals can be kind. I would have the students brainstorm on the carpet as a whole group about characteristics that make up a kind individual before doing the read aloud. As a group we would write it on paper or the whiteboard. Then, I would continue with doing the read aloud and once I finish I would have students turn and talk to pinpoint the different characteristics we saw in the fable.

Through the article “Oh, The Places We’ll Go with Fables” I gained so much knowledge and realized how providing students with information about cultures does not have to be as difficult. In the article that state that students are given the chance to read different fables from different cultures. They also can compare the different fables to ones they might be familiar with.

I think this is a great technique to implement in the classroom and I think I would try to use it in my own future classroom. I believe teaching students about diversity and culture is the key to educating open minded and accepting students. Therefore, allowing my students to explore the different fables that exist in our diverse world is an excellent way to guide them in understanding culture.

A creative way to identify characteristics in “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is having students be able to turn and talk throughout the read aloud about the different actions that are happening. At the end of the story students can talk about what lying is and the importance of telling the truth.

“Handbook for Boys” by Walter Dean Myers is narrated by Jimmy Lynch who was sentenced to a youth facility due to an incident he had with another student. He is given a chance to make up for his mistakes by working at Duke’s barbershop. Throughout his time at the barbershop Jimmy learns a lot about life and how to get through it.

Jimmy is an interesting character, one can tell that he has much to learn. The other characters throughout the story help Jimmy learn more about getting though life.

I truly think this is a great book for middle schooled students to read because it teaches them about this boys bad decisions and the consequences but it can also help students maybe connect to Jimmy.

Chapters: “Lonnie G” to “Kevin Screws Up”

This week in our discussion Mia and I discussed about the chapters and reflected on the whole story’s meaning. We talked about due to one dumb mistake Kevin made caused him to be back in the same situation he was before Duke helped him.

Lonnie G

• Duke states that the problem with many young teens is that they really don’t know how to get their lives together. They don’t know what to do in order to continue on to have a successful life. I think many teens reach a point in their life where they question themselves and what they are supposed to do.
• Jimmy gets angry at Kevin and his comments but decides to walk away after he insults him but before he acted out. By him being able to walk away and thinks how a similar situation like that is wat got him into trouble shows that he is slowly growing from bad habbits.
• A great lesson from this chapter is how in life we need to make choices in order to move forward not let the days go by without making decisions to reach our goals.

Peter the Grape

• Peter was able to be successful because he saw an opportunity to do better and made the choice to do so. This is the main point of this chapter, people need to learn to make the choice to better themselves because it is not just handed to you.

Sister Smith on a God Tip

• Sister Smith has a long discussion with Jimmy and seems to critize what Duke talks about at the barbershop with him since it it doesn’t have much to do with God.
• But before she leaves she tells Jimmy that God is the one who wants him to be everything he can be and that he is blessed with health and strength.

Bobby Brown

• This chapter disturbed me a bit due to the comments the teacher said to Bobby like they only way he wouldn’t flunk school is if he would just quit. I truly think a teacher should not say this to a student.
• Reading more into the chapter I realized that if Bobby is not doing much to better himself and his grades in school then no one can really do much to help him. He can be given the extra help but he has to put some of his effort too. Duke states that your life is your responsibility.

Change

• Duke talks to Jimmy about Bert’s story and how people say they want to change but don’t really know what they want to change.
• At the end Jimmy states “Talk is easy and doing is hard” -184. I think its true, we can say we will do so many things to change and do better but it is so hard to actually make them happen.

Froggy Goes A-Courting

• Duke states that there are people like Froggy that see a better life but once they realize it requires extra work to be able to reach it they hold back. Sadly I think this is true in our world

Kevin Screws Up

• Being at the precinct, Jimmy notices that it only has to do with sadness and trouble. He realizes that Duke wanted/wants to keep them away from a place like that.
• Being in that situation seemed to be mind changing to Jimmy because for the first time he felt bad for Kevin and wanted to be there for him.
• Kevin crying about what happened shows the guilt he is feeling and the regret of his bad decision to be there and accept the drugs when they were handed to him.
• This last chapter makes you realize that our bad actions even the smallest ones can cause lots of damage.

“Oh, The Places We’ll Go with Fables”

• Explore fables from different cultures
• Even though we share different cultures than others we all can have similar virtues & values
• Classic Fable can be turned into poetry
• Translating Fables can be difficult but it is important to keep the original meaning.

Fables and Folklore: Stories That Teach Kids Lessons

• Fables usually involve animals and mythical creatures as protagonist
• Fables cultivate an appreciation of history that can guide students academically and personally

“The Boy Who Cried Wolf”

• The boy kept crying out “wolf” when there really was no wolf because he was bored. But once there was a real wolf and he cried for help no one helped him
• This fable helps teach students a great lesson about lying and why not to do it.

“Why Are Folktales Important?”

• Folktales help pass down and reinforce the cultural values or importances of traditions
• They help students learn the importance of making good decisions because challenging circumstances can be difficult.
• Students’ listening to different folktales helps broaden their view of the world and others. Also, helps them appreciate their family’s culture.

Chapters: Duke Talks About Success to S-E-X

Mia and I discussed about how Duke uses mostly every customer’s story/experience as a lesson to teach to the boys. We talked about how many young teens don’t realize the value of words and advise which is disappointing because other people’s experiences are like mirrors that one can reflect on.

Duke Talks About Success

• Duke stated that success can be subtle. Sometimes fear can get in the way of success
• Jimmy doesn’t seem to realize the value of listening and learning from other people’s experiences/mistakes.
• Mister M shares his life story with those at the shop. I thought it was great teaching experience for Jimmy because he got to hear how Mister M came from a family who did not have much but was able to get through life and have a business of his own.
• “The trick to the whole,” Duke said “is to pick your own road in life” -this was very powerful because I think that everyone has a choice and can decide what “road” they want to take and follow through in their life.

Cap Runs His Mouth About Reading

• Cap talks about how people who don’t read are needed to do jobs that don’t require much knowledge.
• I think Jimmy gets so annoyed with Cap’s opinion all the time because he knows he might have a point in what he is saying.

Tools

• Jimmy got nervous when he saw Duke at his house after he had not gone to the barbershop in a while. He got nervous because he knew he is obligated to go and he broke the deal.
• Duke still gave him a second chance and talks to him about his way of reacting to comments/actions. He uses the example of a box of tools and how he needs to use those tools to build his own life because no one will do so
• Jimmy notices at the end of the chapter that on T.V. you don’t really see the true consequences of drugs like the sickness or the poor situation it puts you through.

Taking Care of the Ball

• When Jimmy thought of him going with Duke to see a game as “embaressing” made me wonder why? But, then I thought to myself Jimmy might not realize the actual meaning which is Duke doing something nice for him.
• Duke explains to Jimmy the iportance of reading and “having a plan to succeed” -116 & I agree with because at their age kids don’t tend to realize the importance of an education and have some type of plan to keep them on track.

S-E-X

• Kevin thinks that Duke’s lesson about Tariq having many women and children means that they shouldn’t have sex. But, Duke tries to explain that if they are not capable to raise and maintain children and risk their health then they should rethink about their actions.
• At the end of the chapter Jimmy thinks about the conversation that took place at the barbershop and realizes that it is a hard conversation because usually when people think of doing it they do not think of the consequences that come afterwards. His realization is a good way to get him to rethink about his actions.

“Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa” by Anna Dewdney is about Llama Llama’s first night away from home and his mom. He goes to stay at his grandparents house but once he is getting ready for bed he realizes he forgot Fuzzy Llama. But his grandpa comes up with a great solution that comforts Llama Llama.

This book is a great way to demonstrate the emotions of a child when staying away from home. Throughout the book there are rhyming words and it is a great book to incorporate in a lesson about rhyming words in a story.