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Altered Books and Journaling

We English teachers usually believe that the WORD, the combination of 
letters into meaning, is the most important tool in the box.


In an effort to document my belief that it may be time to consider that 
there are other tools that help students make meaning out of their lives, 
out of what they read, out of what they think... I offer this slide show.
Perhaps the literacy toolbox could be expanded.


I say this knowing that some kids, like my oldest son, might balk...
but also knowing that other kids, like my youngest son, would sing
arias of found comfort and joy.


Maybe next to the words and sentences, some kids could find color 
and shape and sticky-stuff... 
maybe cuttings and doodles and sketches...


This slide show exhibits a visual reading journal using a traditional 
text entry and a webbed entry.  It also shows some altered books.




Comments

  1. PamSeptember 14, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    Well, first of all, let me say welcome back-I had just about given up on ever hearing from you again. Kudos on the job, the life, the lessons learned and mastered! It will only get better from here...

    In my English class we did a similar project. We called it a reliquary (container for sacred objects). It was an altered book in which a "spread" was created for each of the 6 literary pieces we did as part of the curriculum with additional personal spreads. Many were museum worthy, some not so much...but a great deal can be learned about oneself when faced with an opportunity to be creative. I can only think how blessed those 9th graders are...

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