ETL402 Pleasure in literature

As a child I loved being read to but hated reading, I was in reading recovery and it was a traumatic and agonising experience. Then one day late in primary school something clicked inside of me and reading became awesome. I went to the library most weekends to get new books, or visit the library at lunch times to find the next book to devour.  

I have many motives for reading, vicarious experience or escapism is one. My reading goes through genre cycles. I enjoy fantasy/ sci-fi novels such as Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, and A Song of Ice and Fire. I love reading dystopian fiction such as Brave New World and 1984. I also enjoy learning more about history through biographies and stories set in the past. Once I find a topic of interest I tend to go for months reading similar novels on that theme- I remember year nine was Chinese history and culture started off with Chinese Cinderella. I think often my passion for reading is from a desire to learn more.

I find beautifully illustrated picture books hard to walk past, one of my favourite writer/ illustrators is Shaun Tan; his works are amazing.

I love that books when written well can be so remarkable moving that it can make evoke a physical reaction, crying in public for example. Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables had me blubbering on the train to work. 

http://www.shauntan.net/

ETL402 Introduction

Hi All, 

This trimester marks my half way point in the Masters of Education(TL) and I am really excited about this one. My background is in teaching senior school science so I have not had the chance to consider children's literature much in my teaching. I have always loved children's books and have been slowly compiling a range that I want to share with my future children. My earliest book I can remember loving: Katy's Curls (Cocky's Circle Little Books - early reader style book) Those curls 'would't stay straight and they would't lie down.' Did anyone else come across this book?
I still have mine it is over 20 years old, a bit tattered and drawn on in places. 

EER500 Introduction

Hello everyone,

This subject is my halfway point in the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) program.

I initially trained as a chemistry teacher, but have had many roles across the education system over the last couple of years – laboratory technician, teacher aide, boarding house supervisor just to name a few. I am currently teaching science and VCE geography at a small rural school. I have found in small schools you may be called on to be a teacher of nearly any subject even if you have no background in it. I have taught history, geography, business management and science from grade 6 up. I have even made it into the kindergarten classroom for a day or two, wow I admire those teachers out there who can hang out with 4-5 year olds every day. I have seen the need for a professionally trained teacher librarian in our school, which is one of my reasons for taking on this course.

I am currently in the middle of an exam marking and report writing time at school, so aside from the usual teaching load the addition of studying makes for one very busy life. But I love the challenge.