Journal Entry 6

A teacher should at first identify what kind of readers the students are. As introduced in Brown, four scenarios are presented that demonstrate the Reader Involvement Model in action. The first scenario is with a capable reader; the second, an at-risk reader; the third, a bilingual reader; and the fourth is a dialogue between two teachers. Well I thnk that young adult literature (YAL) can help a teacher to meet the students needs in terms of reading. In the first scenario which we have a capable reader where this is a student who does not often read nor does he enjoy reading. So how does a teacher initiate interest for this student to start reading? The teacher can ask about his or her interest or hobbies so that the teacher can recommend a book which caters to the hobby of the student. The teacher would set discussion groups or pair work and journal entries so to make sure that the student keeps on reading. He might read because it was a compulsory thing to do and later the interest may develop later.
While for an at-risk reader, the teacher might have a student who does not show any interest in reading but later after much persuasion he or she might choose a book because of the title. This student can relate to the title because it is a reflection of his or her own self. So the teacher should have a postive view on the student and although he or she might have some setbacks about reading but in the end his or her involvement in reading might be fruitful.
In the third scenario the teacher involves the billingual reader by choosing a book with ethnic connection and similar experiences to the student. The foreign student might not know what to choose so it is better to choose a title which is familiar to the reader. The student can make connections to his or her own heritage and experience of moving into a new place. In the end the student realizes that books can provide vicarious experiences.
Lastly, is the dialogue between two teachers. Teachers who want to use literature to teach should discuss the selections with other teachers who are more experienced. Teachers can do their homework and be more prepared. Teachers can ask their students' opinion about what they want to read.
In my opinion YAL can help a teacher to create a reading environment for the students. By recognizing different types of readers and always sharing ideas with other teachers would help a lot. The work might be difficult at first but what is most important is that a teacher gets students to be involved in their reading process and learn that all the interactions are meaningful in the end. Hopefully in the end even if we don't get a whole class to really have the passion in reading but at least we have planted in them the seeds of reading.

Journal Entry 11

Many works of young adults that I have read like Chocolate War, Ganesh, Beethoven's Paradise, Hero, If You Come Softly, Chinese Handcuffs have differences and similarities. They all come under Young Adult Literature (YAL) genre. The interesting thing about these books is that they talk about young adults in a modern setting. They deal with a lot of conflicts such as conflict within themselves, conflict with other people, conflict with nature even. When we read the books we learn and identify how they resolve their conflicts or problems. One similarity which can be found would be that the character of the parents are not really in the picture because the central characters would be the young adults themselves and how they deal with their conflicts in life. If you compare to more classical or traditional works like Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Treasure Island etc, these stories do talk about young adults but the issues discussed might be slightly different. Well I think the issues discussed in modern young adults are more towards social issues and teenage angst. Teenagers nowadays are more exposed to so many things like crimes, drugs, sex and all sorts of negative things. Unlike teenagers in the past they might not have the same exposure to all these things. When it comes to connecting the students with this genre, the approaches are the same. Teachers need to iniate interest in students by using strategies like reaction and reflection statements,reading roulette, paired squared etc.
Characteristics of YAL would be in terms of theme and issues discussed, plot, setting, characterization etc. These are items which have similarities with traditonal works. Young adults talk about rebbelling against everything that are adults. They want to be treated like adults and yet they are still young at age. Only after a conflict then they would grow up and become mature. Whatever social issues that they encounter they would try to solve them on their own but in the end they still need guidance from adults. By doing comparison and contrast diagrams and maps for the items like theme, plot, conflict , characters make the students understand better of literary works either modern or traditional.

Journal Entry 7

I remembered my English teacher when I was in form 1 to 3 who always encouraged her students to read books. It doesn’t matter what kind of books as long as we were reading something even if it is a dictionary. I had the same teacher for three years but I didn’t mind because she was fun as an English teacher. My English class had this box of books which we were required to read every week. We had to write entries regarding the books we read. The books were of different titles and genres from classics to modern. I guess, in that sense, the environment created by the teacher had an impact in my reading. We also made visits to the library for one period and we could borrow books. We also had video sessions where we got to see movis but not all the time. Well not much of literature class there. Anyway even though there was not much literature discussed in class I considered my English teacher as an eye opener for me to discover more of reading. She gave opportunities to widen my reading and sharing with my fellow classmates.

Journal entry no 5

I see things that others don’t see. Other people see things I don’t see. When I have the opportunity to share what I have read I feel good because I want the others to know what I have learnt and to share the experience and feelings while reading the book. We can discuss our thoughts and exchange opinions about what we have read. I learn from others and others learn from me. We get to share our knowledge. Before I recommend someone something to read I have to read first so I would be able to tell them that yes, it’s a good book to read. I would be able to share with them my enjoyment of reading. I even can help someone who has a problem and he or she might find solutions to his or her problem in the book. By sharing what we are reading we are indirectly retelling the story, identifying memorable images in the book. We try to explore new things. I have always liked to read romance novels and it’s probably high time for me to read other genres for I will always be living in the world of romance instead the real world. I also like to watch movies and I always recommend the good movies that were based on novels to my students. However movies do not always portray what goes inside the books they adapted. So I guess after this I have to make a point to read the novels first before seeing the movies. That would be one way of sharing that I enjoy, reading and watching movies. The difference of reading and watching movies is that when you read a book, you are mentally visualizing what the plot is like, the characters look like, etc but in watching movies of course you are evoke by the sound and visual effects in the movie.

We can gain benefits when we share with our students the love for literature. We inculcate in them the love for reading, the appreciation towards literary works. According to Brown's Model of Young Adult Reader Involvement where sharing holds the key to inculcate reading where by sharing the teacher initiates, connects and internalizes the reading in students.

Whatever the ways I would gladly encouraged my students to read more so they can share the things I like.

Journal Entry 8

There are so many factors that influence whether or not you will read a book. The titles given might be a recommendation from friends. You might find a book at a bookstore that you find to be interesting just by reading the title, the cover page and the back cover. You might also be interested in a book just because there were rave reviews in the newspaper or in magazines. Sometimes it might also be because you have to read the recommended books because they are in the syllabus and it is compulsory for you to read them as requirements. Whatever the reasons the end goal would be that you get to read a book.
So in deciding whether or not to read a book might come from these factors such as recommendations from friends, parents, siblings, teachers, librarians; by reading written book reports, oral book reports, by choosing particular authors, movies, bestseller list, titles of the book, cover of the book and others. Brown has given a sample checklist so teachers can do a checklist before recommending YAL books to be used. The checklist looks at literary quality, appropriateness of the subject matter, curricular considerations, recommendations for use and comments. The checklist can be used, adapted and changed to meet individual needs.
In the end these factors can influence one to read or not read a book. Whatever the reasons, the love for reading should be inculcated and I think that I would recommend the books used in the YAL class to my students.

What is Young Adult Literature? The corrected version

Dear journal,

I was introduced to young adult literature by my lecturer, Dr Edwin. It was a very interesting class because I learnt literature when I did my degree but none were on young adult literature. So the term was quite new to me. I studied James Joyce's "Portrait of A Young Artist" but in Brown's book that novel comes under apprenticeship novels category. Unfortunately I have forgotten what that novel was about. If I were to read it again the things I've learnt in class might resurface. So I don't think I have truly read literature books related with young adults. I may have encountered some titles but I can't remember them. Anyway in my opinion young adult literature would involve young adults as the main characters. The problems that they encounter in life while growing up might be a crucial thing in the plot of young adult literature. It is a journey into adulthood. It is where young adults learn about life. There are so many negative things talked about as young adults are equal to rebellious beings. It is good that young adult literature has been recognised as a genre and I guess teenagers would relate better to life for there are written materials that express their positivity and negativity in life.I think I am eager to try to read young adult literature books after this so that I can share the experience with my students about the things that are discussed in the books.

Journal Entry 9

Literature can be complex sometimes. If you think your life is complex then you might see literature in that sense. Anyway the best way to understand and appreciate literature together with your classmates would be by working in pairs or in small groups. Sometimes you will find that working together helps you understand better because life is about working together with people. We live in a society. We are not alone. As the saying goes “No man is an island”. The society makes us and shapes us. We have to follow the flow if not we would be so cooped up with our own world we would be outcasts within our society. We are somewhat contributing to what’s happening in society.
In terms of understanding and showing our appreciation towards literature we should be gearing our teaching and learning by inventing strategies so that the teachers and students would benefit from it. For example working in pairs or in small groups should be allowed and encouraged when it comes to learning literature. We could share our thoughts and feelings for the readings we are doing in class. We should have a lot sharing either in group work or in pairs and of course at the end of the day we would be working individually. Whatever the strategies are the objective or goal is the same that is to have better understanding and appreciation towards literature.