Here's the proof that you shouldn't stop reading a book just because you don't like the subject matter or because you think it's going to be something you don't like. It's clearly an early third grade book. Jake is the protagonist in several books. I've not read them because I thought he was going to get away with stuff. I'm really, really glad he didn't.
It is true that we are told not the smile until Christmas. It is true that we really try to focus on accomplishing the work these days and not get sidetracked. The trouble is, I guess, that there was no relationship there, and so the kids were honestly afraid. That spoke to me. I certainly don't want my students to be afraid, but I do want them to succeed and so sometimes we just work and work and work. On the other hand, Jake had no insights apparently as to what was the goal of his time. He just wanted to be funny to relax the tension I suspect. Fortunately, the regular teacher understood, did exactly the right thing and Jake responded well. The student teacher makes it and Jake learns about when to be appropriately funny. The characters and the setting were certainly realistic. I have seen the exact same kinds of senarios replayed many times. I think "the author treated the audience with respect and writes so the text is honest and interesting." (27 Tunnell & Jacobs) Once I got going, I did sail right along.
As a postscript, it is interesting to me to note that having chuckled over the last one of his I read, I could enjoy a class clown as well. Bully for him.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Funny you should say, bully for him. In the series, there is Jake Drake, Bully Buster. (LOL) Jake is like a lot of third grade boys, wanting to do the right thing, but not quite getting here.
Post a Comment