Reflection: Revisiting my statement of purpose

I geniunely feel so fortunate to have choosen a program that shares so many personal and professional beliefs and core values. Apart of my program's (reading/writing/literacy) requirement is the completion of a portfolio which includes the reflections of the entrance essay/statement of purpose. I smiled as I recently revisited my essay, in which I spoke about an interest and sincere belief in the importance of the correlation between language and literacy...and here I am...in a program where the professors, authors of the articles/readings, also strongly belief in the importance of language and literacy. I truly feel blessed to be in a program that helps fosters me (personally and professionally), taking my insights and knowledge to another level. I belief that act of reflection of such a piece alone, is vital for growth, in life...to see how one has grown by reading a personal piece...provides a more geniune self-reflection essential for understanding the steps and obstacles on the road one travels.

This weekend: A discovery

This weekend my friends at I went to one our favorite spots: Copabanana on 40th and Spruce, on the campus of University of Penn. Me and my girlfriends (who I’ve known since high school: Girls High 246ers!) love this place so much because of the good margaritas. They have so many flavors you can combine to create your favorite margarita. They BEST part is, they give you the metal container they make the drink out of, so that you actually get 3-4 margaritas out of it!!!! Even better, they have this appetizer called the, Copa Combo, which me and my friend Zenobia in particular are dedicated fanatics of. The Copa Combo consists of a few juicy and crispy chicken tenders, buffalo wings, and best of all, three lovely potato skins adorned with bacon and accompanied by sour cream. The potato skins are so good, that we refuse to go to the Copabanana on South Street, because that restaurant discontinued the potato skins! Crazy right! So anyways, this past weekend my friends and I went to Copa’s had our Copa Combo’s and this time instead of getting a margarita, I decided to get a Mojitio, hence my newest discovery. Many people have tried a Mojito before, my friend Geremi, absolutely loves Mojitos. I decided to give it a try, and have found a favorite new drink. I’m not sure exactly what goes in the drink, except for the mint leaves and sugar cane that give it this great minty limeade type of taste to me. It’s not overwhelming sweet or a super strong drink; however, it does have a beautiful effect.

As I Am, Alicia Keys new cd!

First of all...I clearly out of the loop because I wasn't even aware that she had a cd coming out. So when I heard it, my reaction was one of shock and embarassment, because I consider my self a serious Alicia Keys fan. Her music is always so authentic and soulful. Music you can feel. I have all of her cds and have always made a point to buy "the real thing" when it came to her cd's, as well as, some of my other favorite artists like Outkast. Newho... when I went to Target in hopes of catching her cd on sale for $1o-11, (right after black friday...what was I thinking.. I dont know), only to be heart broken as they were sold out. I went to Borders only to be disappointed again. Though as a fan though, I am happy and proud of her success, but I must admit I "feel some typa way" about not being able to purchase her cd at a discount. I have heard the cd is really good and can't wait to hear it. Thus, the thrifty person that I am, I decided to buy it off Amazon.com, where one is always guareenteed a good price for cds and dvds.
Amazon is the 'truth'. I have purchase many cd's from the site for amounts ranging from .99cent to 7.00$...sure the cd is "used" but they have always been in like-new conditions.
Amazon is work checking out. http://www.amazon.com/
And for more about the fabolous Ms. Key's visit http://www.aliciakeys.com/

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