One of Philly Premier Soul Food Resturants: Ms. Toostie's

Wednesday was my mom's birthday so I took her to one of my favorite spots: Ms. Toosties. Ms Tootsies is a soul food resturant located near Broad & South St. Me and my absolutely love this place and frequent there often, especially for birthdays and welcome homes. We love the place so much, that we traditionally take pictures of our plates when they arrive..lol. Its serious. My favorite meal is the huge fried chicken wings, irresitible cheesy macaroni and cheese and cabbage. (I know I sound like a paid critic) and one mustn't forget the infamous tropical ice tea, which is sweetly served with a pinapple or watermelon slice. The menu also includes, oven roasted turkey wings, catfish, barbq ribs, smothered pork chops, carmelized candied yams, and to top it off, one may want to try the 'Sock It To Me Lemon Pound Cake'. But most of all, I love the environment. The undeniably soulful music playing, the beatuiful artwork all over the walls, the chocolate-brown couches and fur accented rugs. This is a must visit resturant/lounge!
For more info visit:

http://www.kevenparker.net/

Poetry, Rap, Spoken Word infuse into curriculum = A form of literacy

This past week in two of my courses, we were discussing poetry, spoken words, and rap as a form of literacy. In my Adolescent literature class, we read a book entitled, Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, who is a famous African-American poet. The book is about a class in a school in the Bronx, who has "Open Mike", which is a forum where students are given the space to present their poems. Topics range from identity, teen pregnancy, domestic abuse, gender expectations, and more. In between the poems, are short vignettes spoken in the tense of the students themselves, that give an insight to the student. I absolutely LOVE the book, and would recommend it to everyone! For more information visit the website:http://www.nikkigrimes.com/tour.html
In another class, Teaching English/Literacy, a group of kids from a charter school, Young Scholars, located in Philadelphia, came to speak about their "Hip-Hop class" and the cd they had created, of which my classmate and I were given the previous week. The Hip Hop class was a club/after-school program in which students came to create poems and raps about things that were important to them. Five of the students, which came to visit our class, described their work as, "positive hip-hop". There work was, as one described, "poetry to beats..all rap is, is poetry". They revealed the fun the have "freestyling" and listening to the beats. These very articulate students were very conscious and serious about the issues discussed in their work, and mentioned how they wanted their words to be more than just "heard" but genuinely digested by the listeners, especially their peers. The issues they touch on ranged from, stereotypes of Black teens, awareness of African-American culture,violence in thier communities, but it also was a very comical and funny, creatively done cd. I truly was impressed and proud of the "young scholars" group. Visit the groups charter school website:http://www.phillyscholars.org/ and http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=15312

Self-Reflection for Teachers

On of my classes is surrounded by the theme of "Inquiry". In other words, questioning, and wondering. Our first assignment "Inquiry I" was a look into our experiences with reading/writing/literacy and how those experiences have shaped the way we define and see reading/writing and literacy. Often times, teachers and teacher education programs alike, do not attend to the fact that, teachers teach the way they were taught, hence, the way they perceieve is the 'right way' to teach. Many times there is a disconnection of thought, where teachers and programs, do not see the connection of personal beliefs and experiences and how they inform how one approaches curriculum and instruction. For example, if a teacher believes effective reading instruction starts or includes, the 'sounding out' of words, as that is the way her grandmother taught her, then she will likely prompt her students to do so. Furthermore, when self-reflection or inquiry of experiences does not happen, a person is less likely to be receptive to new or different viewpoints or instruction. Thus, self-reflection and inquiry into ones own belief systems andexperiences is crucial at how one approaches the classroom.
Inquiry, can be helpful not only to wonder about how beliefs and experiences with reading and writing influence teaching, but how views of race, culture and language inform teacher expectations of their students.
So I ask you, my dear reader, How has your past experiences and beliefs of reading influence, what you thing reading is? What is reading to you?

Child Response Paper

Never have I meet a person so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about children's literature, as my professor, Dr. Sipe. I'm positive there isn't a children's book or author/illustrator he isn't aware of. There has been many instances were someone brings up a particular book, and he'll immediate identify and/or comment on the plot or the character. Its amazing! It makes me feel bad, because my memory is not that good. Dr. Sipe is the professor of my Adolescent Literature's class, were we discuss all types of children's literature from young adult fiction and picturebooks, and the many genres such as, historical fiction and realistic fiction. We have explored topics and parts of children's books, that I previously overlooked or took for granted, such as the illustrations on the inside of the book's over (at the beginning at end). Many times the illustrations and colors used, give a insight on the mood or the plot of the story. It is a great way to ask kids for their predictions of the story. We have an assignment coming up called, the Child Response paper.We are to read a couple of books to one child, or the same book to several different children. We are to note children's verbal and non verbal responses to the book, their questions etc. I am excited about completing this assignment, as this class has provided me with a newly informed perspective on children's literature.
Take a look at Dr. Sipes website at: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/~lsipe