Reading Notes: Saint Kentigern and the Robin

Saint Kentigern and the Robin was a terrific story. I think a good story for my blog may be to talk from the bird’s perspective, or another boy in the house. The bird could be kind of like a pet from Harry Potter. (Scabbers, anyone?) I think it can think like a human and almost keeps a big brother kind of watch over the boys. Of course, when the boys try to kill him, he will be defenseless. The boys tears will be able to heal anyone, which will become a huge part of the second end of the story. Saint Kentigern will go on to help people for many years to come.

Another point of view could be from another boy. This boy is not jealous of Saint Kentigern, he actually looks up to him quite a bit.  He doesn’t want to hurt Saint Kentigern, so he keeps a watch full eye. This boy, Harrison, will become a close ally to Saint Kentigern. They will become best friends and help each other through trials and tribulations.

Bibliography: The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown. Link to Saint Kentigern and the Robin. 

Image: Red Breasted Robin from Wikipedia. 

Feedback Thoughts

Overcoming the Fear of Feedback was something I immediately clicked on. For some reason, criticism is something I do not handle well. Actually, I know for a fact that most people don't handle it well! There are a couple of ways that we can kick this fear out. I think first, you have to start with yourself. I am going to aim at being extremely positive with all of my feedback. People thrive on compliments and do very well when given praise. There is definitely a right and wrong way to be critical. I think if you do 70% positive, 30% feedback, people will be very please. And do not forget to end on a positive! Your last (and first) sentences are definitely the most important. I am excited to see if I can help other students, and hopefully other students can help me!


Image: Stay Positive from GettingEasy.com

Story: The Higgledy-Piggledy Palace

Long ago, there was a girl who simply went by Kay. Kay lost both of her parents at a young age, and it changed her life forever.  At only seven years old, she was forced to life in an orphanage full of girls who had never had two parents. This orphanage was notorious for signing orphans up for cruel jobs that other Egyptians simply did not want. Kay first worked as a baker, which she loved.  Each morning she would wake up earlier than all of the other orphans and happily run down the street to work. Making the fresh bread every day became a wonderful routine for Kay. Until one morning, the bakery wasn't there anymore. The doors were locked and the sign was gone. Kay was devastated. She swallowed back her tears and began slowly walking back home. Hesitantly, she knocked on the orphanages owner’s bedroom door. The owner listened and quickly thought of a new job. She explained to Kay that the Pharaoh was in need of new servants, and she would be perfect for the job. Kay reluctantly agreed since she had heard such awful things about the Pharaoh.

The next morning, she silently walked to the kingdom to start her new position. Other girls from the orphanage greeted her and they kept repeating that she would love it.  Kay was in charge of wardrobe and cleaning. She observed everything and soon became very good at her job.

A few weeks after starting, there was a commotion in the kingdom. “The queen! The Pharaoh has finally found a queen!” Kay was so excited. She was told to go fetch the royal garments. Shortly after, Kay was officially named one of the queen’s attendants. When Sarah, the new queen, walked in, Kay squealed with excitement. Sarah was the kindest and the prettiest woman that Kay had ever met. Sarah kindly asked Kay many questions about her life, within 20 minutes, they were the best of friends. The Pharaoh walked in and kicked Kay out so he could talk to Sarah. Kay patiently walked outside, nervous of what the cruel Pharaoh may do.

Kay pressed her ear on the door and heard shrieking, but not from Sarah. The Pharaoh walked out looking like someone just punched him. Later that night, as Kay prepared the Pharaoh’s bed, she saw a figure. It was a bright figure that had a calming presence. Kay quietly left the room, as the Pharaoh was ready for bed. Suddenly, there was a very loud boom. The Pharaoh had fallen out of his bed. Kay snickered and hurried to Sarah’s room. Sarah and Kay talked the whole night. “I want you to come live with me,” Sarah expressed to Kay. Kay was baffled. “Are you not going to live here forever?” Kay questioned. Sarah explained that her husband Abraham was planning an escape for tomorrow, and they wanted Kay to come with them.

The next day, Kay made her way to a new country with her new parents, Sarah and Abraham. After four years of being an orphan, she finally had a loving family.

Author's Note: After reading the original Jewish Fairy Tale, The Higgledy-Piggledy Palace, I was fascinated. Like any young girl, I love palaces, kings, queens... Really all of the fun stuff. I wanted to focus this story on the help that the palace was receiving. Thinking up the character of Kay was so fun. I wanted to use an Aladdin theme, but with a Pharaoh instead of a sultan. The Higgledy-Piggledy Palace talked about how Sarah and Abraham made the Pharaoh release them.  I immediately knew that Sarah was a very strong female lead, so I wanted Kay to really love her as much as I did. 

Bibliography: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa, link to The Higgledy-Piggledy Palace. 

Image: Pyramids in Egypt from Aemes. 

Reading Notes: Jewish Fairy Tales, The Giant of the Flood

When I began reading this, I assumed it was going to be about how unicorns did not make it onto Noah's Ark. Since the story was more focused on the giant (Og) I want to focus more on Unicorns and how we don't see them anymore.  I think it would be fun to name the unicorn (thinking something along the lines of Oscar, or something funny/old man name). Oscar will be the smallest unicorn of the pack, and he doesn't know how to survive on his own. Since he is the only unicorn left, he has not fallen in love with anyone. One day, Oscar meets a beautiful horse. From this: a rhino is created. I think it would be funny to tell the story of the first rhino and his parents.

Image: Cartoon Rhino from Nick Gowman. 

Bibliography: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa. Link to The Giant and the Flood. 

Reading Notes: Jewish Fairy Tales, The Higglegy-Piggledy Palace

Peasants take Sarah back to her own apartment and dress her in expensive clothing and jewelry. I think an awesome story could be to talk about the servants that helped her. My plan is to pinpoint a girl named Kay who helped Sarah get ready. I am going to show the Pharaoh and the Spirit from Kay's perspective. She despises the Pharaoh, but works because she is an orphan and has to provide for herself. She loves how kind Sarah is to everyone, but how Sarah also tests the Pharaoh.  Kay has never seen anyone disrespect the Pharaoh before, and she looks up to Sarah so much.

I could also talk about how the Spirit detests the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh is an evil man who the spirit has seen before. The spirit keeps an eye on Sarah and Abraham throughout their journey.  The spirit has seen Pharaoh in passing before, but has always kept his distance. This time, he needs to learn a lesson. This could be from the Spirits perspective and how he sees both the kind-hearted and the mean-spirited.

Last, I could talk about the story of the magic jewel Abraham wore around his neck. The jewel that healed the Pharaoh. It would be a riveting story (in my opinion) to write about where this stone has come from and where it has gone. How exactly it got the healing powers. How Abraham was given it and how he uses it for good.

Bibliography: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa. Link to The Higgledy-Piggledy Place. 

Image: Servant to a Pharaoh from Weiz Social Studies. 

Wikipedia Trail: From the 19th Amendment to English Americans

After reading Friday's course announcements, I was really interested in the 19th amendment. I had no idea that Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were no longer alive when it was ratified. This got me to thinking: "What else do I not know about the 19th amendment?" And that's where my Wikipedia Trail begins.

I read about these two incredible women and how they worked for future generations. Two women changed the world forever! Their names are so famous, but I still wanted to know more. I clicked on Elizabeth Cady Stanton because I feel like I know significantly more about Susan B. Anthony. Elizabeth Cady Stanton is incredible. She had seven children! She also had 11 brothers and sisters, so she's no stranger to a huge family. Her father was an attorney, so I think that is where she got her determination from. When she got married, she refused to go by "Mrs. Henry B. Stanton" because she was an individual person. (I love her.)

Elizabeth lived near Ralph Waldo Emerson while she lived in Boston, so he is our next step. Mr. Emerson is famous for being an author and poet. After reading a bit about his life, I laughed a little because he proposed to his wife over a letter. Extremely different from our world today. ;) I think it is perfect though since he is an author!

After reading about Ralph Waldo Emerson's ancestry, I clicked on English Americans. According to the 2010 census, almost 26 million people are English Americans! It also talked about how our Founding Fathers were all English Americans. I loved this Wiki page because it told you the top 10 states with the English American population and the last 10! So interesting. California is #1 if you were wondering! :)

Image: Elizabeth Cady Stanton from her Wikipedia page.

Growth Mindset

I had never heard of Carol Dweck before this assignment actually! However, I really do agree with what she stands for. I like the idea of rewarding students by saying "you are not yet ready" instead of "you failed." I think I can definitely improve how I study and work. By have a solid foundation, it is easy to increase your knowledge. That is actually one of my goals for this semester! I am trying to do every reading (plus more) in all of my classes, and take notes on those readings. Then I can study my readings, and really remember what I just learned. It is a lengthy process, but I think it will be worth it.

Image: Meme from MemeGenerator.net