(I usually try to keep my big mouth shut about controversial topics, so I
will probably live to regret this posting! Here goes, anyway!)
When I read the initial posting about the Skippy Jon Jones books, I thought
the book sounded really cute, and my immediate thought was to go out and buy
it for my 4-year-old granddaughter. Then I read your comment, Stacy, about
the child who was sensitive to the laughter of the other children and
perceived it to be an insult to his culture, which is obviously important to
him. I thought your discussion with the children was a nice way to handle
it; as teachers we all have to adjust to the age and personalities in the
class.
You also mentioned other books and other accents that characters might have
in a story. Do we completely stay away from reading any kind of book that
has a character with a particular accent? My family is French Cajun from
south Louisiana. I have read several books with characters speaking in
Cajun accents. I actually grew up in southeast Texas; I have also read some
picture books with characters who speak in a very country sort of "redneck"
accent. And during Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo last year, I read books
featuring cowboys, all of whom spoke in the accent I guess I would call a
Western drawl. (Of course, being from East Texas, I can "do" those accents
really well! )
Maybe the age group of the kids makes a difference. I think with 2nd grade
up, I could have probably had a nice discussion with the kids about how
people speak differently depending on what country they are from, or what
region of a country they are from. And that sometimes it can be amusing to
us to hear someone who speaks differently, and that there is a difference
between laughing at someone and laughing with someone. And when we're
reading a book aloud, maybe ask the students if we are just laughing because
the character sounds funny to us, or more because what he is doing or
talking about is funny.
As I said, Stacy, I'm sure you did exactly the right thing for your students
and the age group they are. We all have to make judgment calls regarding
that.
Debbie Dougharty
dougharty1@hotmail.com
Debbie.Dougharty@fortbend.k12.tx.us
"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of
an ignorant nation." Walter Cronkite
>From: Stacy Hunter <shunter@POLYPREP.ORG>
>Reply-To: Stacy Hunter <shunter@POLYPREP.ORG>
>To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>Subject: Re: Skippy Jon Jones
>Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 12:32:17 -0400
>
>I read one to my Pre-K class last year - it was recommended to me by a
>coworker who is of Mexican descent herself - and one of my students was
>able to articulate that he didn't like that the other children were
>laughing at what he perceived to be his culture. So we mutually decided if
>that if it made any one person uncomfortable it was enough of a reason not
>to read it in class. We also discussed if it had been a french poodle with
>a french accent or a schnauzer with a german accent and that people have
>regional accents that may sound funny to us. I myself, have chosen not to
>read it aloud with the concern that it may make any one child feel that
>others might be laughing at him/her.
>
>Stacy Hunter
>Librarian
>Poly Prep Lower School
>50 Prospect Park West
>Brooklyn NY 11215
>718.768.1103
>
>________________________________
>
>From: School Library Media & Network Communications on behalf of Monica A.
>Gardner
>Sent: Tue 10/3/2006 12:07 PM
>To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>Subject: Skippy Jon Jones
>
>
>
> I too loved these books however, I am concerned about stereotyping. Does
>anyone else feel this way? I would love to read them aloud as I know the
>children would absolutley love them but I am hesitant.
>
>Thanks,
>Monica Gardner
>Eastbury Library
>mgbg0489@aol.com
>________________________________________________________________________
>Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security
>tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web,
>free AOL Mail and more.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
>To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
>In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
>3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
>To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
>In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
>3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home