Two Folklore Books

Hope all of you are having a great week so far! Today, I want to share with you some interesting information on two folklore books, that I have recently read. Folklore stories are known to include people's beliefs, traditions, and cultural stories. 

The first book that I read is called: The Mitten, adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett. It is a Ukrainian folktale. A grandmother knits white mittens for her grandson. As soon as the grandson leaves the house to explore, he loses one of his mittens. Several animals, one by one, decide to take refuge inside of the mitten to stay warm. At the end, the largest animal sneezes, and all the animals are no longer inside of the mitten. The grandson Nicki, finds his stretched mitten, and goes back home safely. I absolutely loved the story line and illustrations! The illustrations are life like, and the organic hues, help give life to the forest featured animals. Texture in the illustrations are evident, throughout several naturalistic focal points. Without a doubt, the illustrations give meaning to the text. Obviously, I am a tiny bit biased, because I have an inclination for the Slavic language, and a love for my Eastern European lineage. This book is a fabulous read aloud for multicultural month!

The second book that I read is called: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, retold by Verna Aardema, and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. This book has received a Caldecott Medal. In addition, it is a West African folktale/fable. Shout out to my West African friends and family! The story line contains cause and effect features. In other words, one event affects another. These features easily make a way for teachable moments. It all begins when a mosquito spreads a silly rumor. Several animals end up in several chaotic situations. All the animals decide to meet, and a lion figures out the root cause. Therefore, the animals decide to punish him. At the end, the mosquito decides to buzz a question near a human's ear, and ends up getting splatted! The illustrations in this book are culturally fabulous and colorful. The animal expressions give human like feelings, and they are vividly demonstrated throughout each picturesque stroke. I absolutely enjoyed the humor in this story, although it does contain some tragedy. This is a great read for students. It helps give children an understanding, that lies can bring forth bad consequences. Food for thought, make sure you splat all false rumors.

Both books include animals that behave somewhat like humans. The first book, demonstrates a series of events, and the second book exhibits events that affect each other. Also, the second book gives a moral lesson at the end of the story. In conclusion, these are excellent reads!


Being Mindful,

Evelyn Portillo 


P.S. I spy with my little eye, a matryoshka doll! See if you can spot it.

Thoughts on Three Picture Books

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! Today, I would like to share some thoughts about three picture books, which I have recently read.

The first book is: "Hello Light House," by Sophie Blackall. This book is a 2019 Caldecott medal winner. Wow! This book is a must read! This book transports you into the different seasons of a lighthouse keeper, and demonstrates the events that a real lighthouse keeper possibly underwent, before the 1920's. The illustrations of this book were created with Chinese ink and watercolor on hot pressed paper. The blue, and natural hues of the sea are exquisite. Texture is evident in all of its beautiful art. As a reader, you can imagine the wind of the sea waves swaying from one place to another. You can feel the wind blowing on your face, and grasp the smell of saltwater. Every single illustration in this book contains a realistic type of design, yet each drawing depicts an ancient folklore modern twist. The text in this book is poetic, and the words were chosen wisely. In addition, the text stimulates all of your senses, and the art work helps give meaning to the text. This book contains, romance, nostalgia, danger, and new beginnings. Although, this book is definitely considered a picture book, it can also fall under realistic fiction. It is palpable, that the author has done a huge amount of research on past living light house keepers. 

The second book is: "They All Saw a Cat," by Brendan Wenzel. This book is a 2017 Caldecott medal and honor book. In the classroom, this book can help students see how things are perceived through different lenses. It is really neat how an illustrator can demonstrate different points of view, and perspectives through the eyes of other beings. The colors in this book are lively, and are used to give more meaning to the text. Different textures, sizes, shapes and dimensions are used to show the different ways that a cat is observed. The text has a rhythmic beat to it, and this definitely hypnotizes the eyes of a reader. I definitely enjoyed contemplating the surrealist illustrations of this picture book. This is another book that I will definitely be adding to my classroom library, very soon.

The third book is: "Du Iz Tak?," by Carson Ellis. This book is a 2017 Caldecott honor book. Curiously, this book has a made up quirky language, yet the illustrations give meaning to the text. Illustrations in this book have a comic like design, where characters are having a conversation about different new curiosities, that are evolving before their eyes. A message of insect lifecycles, metamorphosis, changes, seasons, the plant lifecycle, animal food chains, and animal basic needs, are portrayed throughout the book. This picture book can be integrated in specific science lessons, which include these scientific themes. The illustrator made sure to humanize these characters in their appearance, and the writer did the same, by giving them a language that only they can understand. There is few text in the book, yet the illustrations definitely amplify expression, and make the storyline more comprehensible. The hues in this book are those containing browns, and greens. These tints and shades can be naturally seen in your own backyard. Therefore, making the illustrations more believable. I am a Circus Soleil lover, and for some peculiar reason, this book reminds me of certain Circus Soleil oddities. I was amused by this book tremendously!

In conclusion, I recommend all of these three fabulous picture books, because they all have unique and intriguing visual qualities!

Being Mindful,

Evelyn Portillo

The "Art" of Reading

Hello beautiful people! Today I would like to share with you some features, of a certain Caldecott Honor Book Winner. The name of the book is called: Leave Me Alone!, by writer and illustrator, Vera Brosgol.

I have always had a fascination for Russia and its culture. This book has an "Eastern European" folktale vibe. I absolutely enjoyed reading this story through all of its illustrations. This book is about a grandmother that is trying to knit, but is constantly interrupted by several people and things. Therefore, she feels irritated, and migrates from one place to another, in order to "try" to get some knitting done. The colors in this book have an amplitude of intensity. The colors evoke a sense of energy, vibrancy, and excitement. The facial expressions of all the characters look as though they are living beings, and will soon jump out of the book's pages. The illustrations demonstrate various geometric shapes, as the grandmother wanders from setting to setting, in deep frustration. There is definitely a form of balance in the design of the illustrations. The artist draws attention to specific objects, in order to emphasize the specific placement of the main character. This element forces the viewer's eyes, to focus on a specific place within the illustration. Without a doubt, the illustrations convey and give meaning to the story. They help give completion to the words in the story. The style of Russian folk art is evident throughout the illustrations. Russian culture oozes out of these drawings, and I love it! I totally recommend this book, and it is a potential candidate for a read aloud in my classroom!

About the illustrator:

Vera Brosgol was born in Moscow, Russia in 1984 and moved to the United States when she was five. She received a diploma in Classical Animation from Sheridan College, and spent many years working in feature animation but now she is writing and drawing books full-time. She likes that very much.

She has storyboarded for Laika on the feature films Coraline, Paranorman, The Boxtrolls, and Kubo and the Two Strings, as well as for Cartoon Network, Frederator and various commercial projects.

Her first graphic novel, Anya's Ghost, was published in 2011 by First Second Books and won an Eisner Award. Her first picture book, Leave Me Alone, was published in 2016 by Roaring Brook Press and won a Caldecott Honor.

https://www.verabee.com/about


Being Mindful,

Evelyn Portillo

"Crown and Ode to the Fresh Cut"

"Crown and Ode to the Fresh Cut"

By: Derrick Barnes

Illustrated by: Gordon C. James

• Newbery Honor Book
• Caldecott Honor Book
• Coretta Scott King Honor Award
• Ezra Jack Keats Book Award

Hope all of you are well! Today I would like to share with you some interesting comments about this fabulous book!

In the Book

• What's this about? This book is about building self-esteem, self-pride, confidence, and cause readers to have an overall elevated view of who they are.
• Who is telling the story? The author shares various experiences that some children and people go through when they get a new haircut transformation.
• What does the author want me to know? The author wants to share with the reader the importance of feeling secure in your own skin, and to be proud of who you are.

In my Head

• What did I notice? I noticed that the illustrations help give the text more meaning, and relevance. You can tell that the characters in the text have a confident posture, and assurance in themselves.
• What surprised me? To some people eccentric hair do's, and hair design might seem vain. On the contrary, when you feel and look amazing, you are extremely motivated in getting things done with excellence in the real world.
• What does this remind me of? This reminds me of my hair appointments. To some it might not seem necessary, but it is important for you to take care of yourself, because when you take care of yourself, you can then tend to others.

In my Heart

• What changed in my heart? Looking good, doesn't necessarily have to be perceived as a form of vanity.
• How will this help me be better? It is important as an educator to speak into the lives of your students. Give the students words of encouragement, let them know that they are noticed, that they are beautiful. Always seek to find a positive quality in your students.

This book is a great read aloud, and contains wonderful illustrations that appeal to the eyes. Without a doubt it is a book that your students can relate to in your classroom, and they will also be moved into seeing themselves from another enlightening perspective. I hope that you guys enjoy this book as much as I have, and decide to read this book to your students in the near future!

Being Mindful,

Evelyn Portillo

Hello everyone,

I hope that all of you have been enjoying this fabulous new year! I know that it has been quite a while, since I last posted something. That being said, today I thought I would share with you, some of my favorite childhood books.

I can think of a variety of childhood books, those that have forever remained in my long term memory. They include several genres within both fiction, and non-fiction. The book that has been lovingly tattooed in my brain, is that of the "Ugly Duckling," translated in a castellan version from Spain. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen. My mom would read it to me every night, before I would go to sleep. I remember reading several chapter books. For example: "The Boxcar Children," written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, and "Ramona Quimby," written by Beverly Cleary. I absolutely love mysteries, and without a doubt, the characters of the Boxcar Children's books, sparked the art of deduction within me. This later lead me to reading "Sherlock Holmes" books, by Arthur Conan Doyle. Books written by Beverly Cleary caught my eye, because Ramona was simply human, entertaining, and stimulating to my adventurous imagination. I started reading and writing in both English and in Spanish, at the age of 3. I would read all sorts of literature. It was especially delightful to read traditional literature, which a number of those books originated from other countries. My repertoire included fantasy, folktales, and fables. I was always enamored by the moral lesson of each story. I remember going through a Shakespearean phase, during my wonder years of elementary school. I was fascinated by all the poetic romantic nuances, found in his Book of Sonnets. There was also a time where I picked up the "Webster's Dictionary," and read it for months, just for fun. In addition, I was completely hooked on informational books, especially those that included an ample amount of facts, and simultaneously fed my curiosity. At one point, I felt that those informational books did not have enough substance in them. Therefore my parents bought me two whole sets of encyclopedias.  These sets being: The Children's Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia Britannica. I was constantly doing research projects, for my own personal pleasure. Lastly, the book that I enjoyed the most in my childhood, and till this day, is the Bible. It never gets old, or out of style. There is always something enlightening to learn from the Bible.

Keeping you in mind,

Evelyn Portillo

Teaching Diverse Types of Notebook Entries

Hey guys!  I hope all is well!  I have some thoughts that I would like to share with you today. I recently read Chapter 11, from the book: Building Adolescent Literacy in Today's Classroom, and found some fascinating information.

Bomer shares different ways in which notebook entries can be implemented in the classroom. The entries that I found interesting are as follows:  

Writing Toward What is Significant
This entry takes students to another level of writing.  Students in schools usually have to write about past narratives, memories, or even events that happen daily in their lives.  Yet, some narratives demonstrate no substance or meaning behind the words that are written. When students have the opportunity to write beyond the "what is obvious phase," they not only become thinkers, but writers of importance.  Yes, writing comes in various forms, shapes, and sizes, but student writing should have some impactful value. Valuable writing contains morals, values, hope, advice, justice, respect, forgiveness, love, etc. This type of writing can only come to fruition in the classroom, when educators convince students that their thoughts, their culture, their past, and family values are essential.  I am really considering including this kind of entry in my classroom, because it will motivate students to take their writing further.  When writing has a purpose, it involves those who read it.  In my classroom it can be incorporated not only in expository writing, but also in imaginary writing too.  My students can become the future writers of moral stories.

Writing from Multiple Perspectives
Adolescents usually see things from only their perspective.  Seeing things from the (me, myself, and I) perspective limits students to write superficially.  This mindset can be transformed, when students have a mental note of the different viewpoints that characters have, in their own stories.  Students should be exposed to literature that models multiple perspectives.  These entries, would not only add details to a story, but expand the mental state of thinking.  I would definitely like to try these kind of entries in the classroom, and integrate reading about past, or current events. Multiple perspectives would be emphasized, by demonstrating the many ways people are affected by these events.

Bomer mentions that in the classroom there should be "Intentional Strategies vs. Assignments."  This means that the writing comes solely from the intentions of the writer. Notebook entries shouldn't become an assignment, but a safe haven of expression for the students.  Although, these entries can be used to write further about a certain topic of interest.  Once a topic is chosen, a writing piece can be created, with the help of the writing process.

Thank you for reading! Let me know what your thoughts are.

Seeking Fruitfulness,

Evelyn Portillo-Recinos

BHH Reading (Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz)

Hello lovely people,

I have recently finished reading an amazing book called: "The Inquisitor's Tale," by Adam Gidwitz.  The setting takes place in the dark ages of France (although the author doesn't believe this era was dark, but fascinating).  If you love books that have historical fiction, fantasy, and are full of adventure, then you will absolutely love this book!  I will explain what this book is about by using the BHH model (Book, Head, Heart).  This strategy can be used when reading to help you or your students go more in depth about a book.  BHH helps people move beyond the summarizing phase.  Also, the BHH model will help make connections with the reading.  

B (Book)

What's this about?  This book is about three kids and a dog, whose lives are connected.  They learn to accept one another, and have to conquer all sorts of barriers that come their way.  Their lives become intertwined and connected in the story.  William is an oblate on a mission from his monastery.  He has to deliver some books.  William has a massive amount of strength.  He is the muscle in the story and is usually killing people.  William is half Spanish and half North African.  Jacob is a Jewish boy who uses plants and prayer to heal people.  Jacob had to run away from his village because it was burned down by a group of evil people, claiming to be Christians.  Jeanne, is a peasant girl who gets seizures, and has prophetic visions.  Jeanne's childhood dog named Gwenforte, resurrected after being killed by her parents.  Her parents thought that Gwenforte was trying to harm her.  On the contrary, Gwenforte was trying to protect her from a snake.  After the dog was killed, her parents later realized that the dog was protecting Jeanne.  The dog later became a Saint, which was the problem that lit the whole chaos in the story. Jeanne, William, Jacob, and Gwenforte, had to constantly be on the run, because people were sent to kill them.  People thought them to be witches, due to their supernatural abilities.  Another character named Michelangelo Di Bologna, plays a major role in the story too.  I later found out in the story that he is not an evil character sent to kill the kids (only rumors), but actually an angel sent to help them.  Michelangelo already met Gwenforte in heaven.  All of these characters, had all sorts of adventures, from healing a dragon, saving a burning man from dying, helping the King of France, killing off knights, trying to save books from being burned, to saving books written in Hebrew.  It is a book with a happy ending.  Families are made, and families are reunited.  Characters that I thought were dead, ended up not dying after all.  This book made me laugh, cry, infuriated, gasp, and I encountered all sorts of emotions.

Who's telling the story?  The main person telling the story is a man sent to kill the main characters. This man was later converted to protecting them after hearing other people's views about the children and the dog.  Other characters who had encounters with the children and the dog, became narrators.  Some examples are:  the pub owner, a nun, a knight, a scribe, and many more.

What does the author think I already know?  The author knows that I am familiar with the background history of the dark ages, and the hierarchical pyramid that existed during that era.  He knows that I was informed about the injustices, and gruesome acts that were committed during that age. He also knows that I am familiar with the English Canterbury Tales, and Joan of Arc.

What changed, challenged, or confirmed my thinking?  This book confirmed my thinking by demonstrating the disgusting, and terrible acts that kings, lords, and peasants committed in the past.  For example:  sending people to prison for no reason, burning down villages, prejudices, burning of books, burning and killing of innocent people etc.  The author also confirmed that the character called Jeanne in this story, is similar to the real person of Joan of Arc.  The author also confirmed that other characters like William, and Gwenforte were based on real characters of the past too.

H (Heart)

What did I learn about me?  My family has survived and lived freely due to the endurance, and preservation of my ancestors.  If it was not for my ancestors, I would not exist today.  I love my Jewish side even more after reading this story.

How will this help me to be better?  This story has motivated me to be more conscious and to be aware of what people are going through.  We need to be more open to see other people's points of view, before making conclusions.  The Bible, Talmud, and Torah have lasted through the ages.  Many people have sacrificed their lives in order for these to still prevail.  I have always appreciated written works, but I am going to value them even more now.

The connections that I made with the help of the BHH strategy are:  books can go beyond the simple act of summarization.  You can learn so much from answering these questions and making connections with your own personal thoughts.  This strategy will definitely help me dive in with other books that I read.  It will help my students make connections with what they read.  It is a strategy that helps us be more profound in our thinking.  I will definitely be implementing this strategy in my own classroom, very soon.

Aiming for fruitfulness, 

Evelyn Portillo

Questions for Interviews and Written Reflections

Good morning lovely people, hope all is well!

I would like to share with you some questions for interviews and written reflections, that can be answered by educators, but simultaneously used to model to students in the classroom.  These questions can be used to assess a students literate life.  The following are my answers to some of these questions...

• How would you describe the best reading experience you could possibly have?  The best reading experience that I could possibly have would be: to be in my bedroom relaxed without worry of having to do other tasks.
• How would you describe your best writing experiences?  My best writing experiences would be: when I am connected emotionally to the writing piece or topic.  I mainly reach this profound involvement, when my writing causes me to reflect over and over again.
• How do you set up these things for the best reading or writing time you could possibly have?  To have my absolute best reading or writing time, I need to be in a relaxed and calm physical place.  The lighting can be dim or bright.  I can have music, or complete silence, when reading or writing.  My body position needs to be relaxed, whether it is sitting or lying down.  I can be surrounded by people and noise (tuning out is not a problem for me), but I would prefer not to be spoken to.
• What is the best place for you to get lost in reading?  The best place for me to get lost in my reading would be: in my bedroom, close to the lit fireplace.
• What is the best place for you to get lots of concentrated writing done?  The best place for me to get lots of concentrated writing done would be: at my writing desk (crafted in the 1800's), which is located close to a window, and facing my garden.

I have learned that by answering these questions myself, it can help me model to students, to seek value for literacy (Bomer pg. 37).  Without a doubt, some students might find it difficult to answer some of these questions.  Therefore, I as an educator can guide them to resolve these questions, and help them find solutions.  Outside of the classroom, these questions help me see where I am in  my personal reading and writing endeavors.


Seeking Fruitfulness,

Evelyn Portillo

Slice of Life (Last Day of January)

It is now thirty one days of 2019, and so far this month has been quite the undertaking.
I have a constant industry of demanding obligations in my education line of work.
I am pursuing my masters.
My father is newly retired, and my mom is not working due to health reasons.
They also recently decided to take in two of my teenage cousins.
I am told not to worry, but as an only child, that is unavoidable.
Also, my husband and I are still working on finishing remodeling our house, during the evenings. 
I have been overwhelmed for a while now but...

TODAY, I was reminded that I am loved and not alone. 
It is in the small details that I feel cared for by God.
Many times when I am feeling down, God shows me His love through flowers.

This morning one of my students placed a note on my desk.  It contains a flower drawing, with the graded score of 100.  She is a student that rarely expresses herself verbally, has a hard time reading and writing, but is always driven to improve on these things.  This artful and sweet interpretation, has moved me.  My day has been brightened.  Acts like these are the perpetual reminders of why I do, what I do.


Aiming for Fruitfulness,

Evelyn Portillo

Literacy Experience of the Past

Good morning, and hope you are having a fabulous day so far!  

Today, I would like to share with you my literacy experiences of the past.  I can honestly say that, I had only one unsavory moment during sixth grade.  For the most part, I lived wonderful experiences from seventh through twelfth grade!  I  will commence with the negative, so that I can later end on a good note. I started reading and writing both English and Spanish, at the age of 3.  Other cultures have consistently fascinated me, foreign books, traditions, foods, etc.  Without a doubt, I have always been proud of my roots, my culture, and my family.  Looking back I have always fancied sitting close to the front of the class, because there are less distractions, and it prevents me from missing important information.  I remember this one occasion (sitting at the very front of class) in sixth grade, when my teacher was reading a certain research article.  It included certain key terms in Spanish.  The teacher started to read the article to us and she was having difficulty reading a certain Spanish term.  I then decided to help her pronounce it.  Keep in mind I did not blurt out the word rudely or loudly.  I was simply helping her with the pronunciation.  She lashed out in front of the whole class and said: "If you are sooo smart, then why aren't you rich?"  I was in such shock by that statement, that I did not understand what she meant?  That was the very first time, I had experienced this kind of remark.  As a child, I was thinking over and over again, what does being literate have to do with being rich?  Keep in mind, I was zoned to a school that was a nice area at the time, I was in a honors program, which meant I had to take honors classes during middle school, and my parents owned four businesses during that time.  That day, I was determined that when I became a teacher, I would never ever lash out on my students like that.  I was not going to let this unfortunate experience make me think otherwise.  I prayed for her and moved on.  

From seventh to twelfth grade I noticed a pattern in the majority of my English/LA teachers.  The majority of these teachers, had some background in the arts, journalism, media, philosophy, psychology, and of course they wore black.  Many of these teachers helped me see literature from all these different view points. I had the opportunity to devour all sorts of literature throughout the years, and most importantly I was free to be me.  I enjoyed every bit of theater, drama, writing school newspapers, being the editor for our high school year book, reading and writing poetry, research British literature, research historical literature, dipped my feet in philosophy, wrote diaries, read literature on sociology and so much more.  This impacted me for life, because these experiences coached me for life.  Therefore, I understood that we did not live in a cookie cutter world, and that everyone's point of view is valuable in the classroom.  For the past eight years of teaching in a bilingual classroom, students have the opportunity to immerse in a plethora of literature, and are free to express themselves, through the diverse genres, and works. Exposing students to a variety of literature will give them the freedom of choice to find literature that they will love.

Blessings,

Evelyn Portillo

P.S. This is our year of fruition!

Hello!  My name is Evelyn Portillo and this is my very first blog post!  Through the next few months I will be posting about my thoughts on particular issues, ideas, thoughts about certain literature, and even connections to all of the above.

My word for 2019 is fruition.  The definition of fruition is: the point at which a plan or project is realized. I believe that projects, plans and aspirations in my marriage, family, ministry, and education will be accomplished. Just as the Lord wants us to be fruitful, my hearts desire is to be fruitful in every area of my life.  This word relates to my literacy journey because, when I read I learn, and what I learn, will be put into action in the classroom.  I will keep the word fruition in my mind for the next months by keeping myself accountable in all that I do.  I too hope that this is your year of fruition.

I would love to know your thoughts! :)

Blessings,

Evelyn Portillo