On Wednesday the 10th of October my third year lectures began with a module called 'Cybertexts'.
I chose this module specifically to improve my knowledge on teaching English in the primary classroom, as this module explores the use of technology to devise engaging, creative and enlightening lessons.
The adventure begins with a look into the postmodernistic pieces of children's literature that are popular today, with a view to gain understanding of how children begin to read and progress through reading high quality texts.
The concept of postmodernism is usually associated with relative values, an incredulity to beliefs and an elevation of what is usually considered to be ordinary. As well as this, Barthes (1970) noted the shift from a readerly style (where the reader is passive) to the writerly (where the reader is actively engaged). This means that texts became less rigid, therefore more fluid, and that the reader plays a part in determining the meaning of a text.
We began looking at the journey of reading with a book called Rosie's Walk, written by Pat Hutchins.
I chose this module specifically to improve my knowledge on teaching English in the primary classroom, as this module explores the use of technology to devise engaging, creative and enlightening lessons.
The adventure begins with a look into the postmodernistic pieces of children's literature that are popular today, with a view to gain understanding of how children begin to read and progress through reading high quality texts.
The concept of postmodernism is usually associated with relative values, an incredulity to beliefs and an elevation of what is usually considered to be ordinary. As well as this, Barthes (1970) noted the shift from a readerly style (where the reader is passive) to the writerly (where the reader is actively engaged). This means that texts became less rigid, therefore more fluid, and that the reader plays a part in determining the meaning of a text.
We began looking at the journey of reading with a book called Rosie's Walk, written by Pat Hutchins.
The story is based on a hen, Rosie, who takes a stroll around the farmyard, whilst unknown to her there is a sly fox sneaking around following her. The pictures play an important role in this book. As there are not many words to read, children will use the pictures to 'read' the book. This makes the book accessible to those children who are beginners in reading.
As the story goes along, the poor fox gets into mishaps, as Rosie walks on. In the lower page pictured above there is no writing at all, so the picture is conveying the story of the fox. Without the pictures, there would simply be a list of where Rosie walked to.
This was an important message that I had not previously thought about. Literacy is more than words on a page - it takes many forms.
This was an important message that I had not previously thought about. Literacy is more than words on a page - it takes many forms.
Another example of constructing meaning in a unique way came about the books based upon 'Dr Xargles', an alien teacher. He teaches his class about the ways of earthlets (or humans as we would say!).
Above are three examples of the wonderful Dr Xargle's series. I had to go out and buy 'Dr Xargle's Book of Earth Tiggers' because of my love for cats - which this book is of course based upon!
The books are unique in the way that they do not simple tell a story in the way we are used to.
Here is an example where Dr Xargles is teaching his class of alien children about earthlets:
The books are unique in the way that they do not simple tell a story in the way we are used to.
Here is an example where Dr Xargles is teaching his class of alien children about earthlets:
Of course, we know that 'hairdo of a sheep' is actually wool, but the important thing here is how we know that this means wool. As an adult, I sometimes find it difficult to imagine how a child may respond to a text such as this. I would use this throughout the primary school, from reception to year 6 without doubt, as it is a brilliant way to help children to infer from a text at any level.
With a reception class I might go through it slowly, asking the children to use the pictures to decide what Dr Xargles is talking about. With a year six class I may read the story and ask them to make up their own.
With a reception class I might go through it slowly, asking the children to use the pictures to decide what Dr Xargles is talking about. With a year six class I may read the story and ask them to make up their own.
Another great find was 'The Stinky Cheeseman and other Fairly Stupid Tales', which completely defies the nature of books.
This book is anything but normal, with upside down pages, unusual endings and statements such as 'title page' rather than an actual title page. It is considered postmodern because of the way it parodies the fairy tales that we know and are used to. This includes Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Gingerbread Man, and many other familiar stories. They are told with a twist - much like the Revolting Rhymes of Roald Dahl. |
The idea of adding a twist to a story has been explored in many ways, and one way in particular has appealed to me as a great idea for using in the KS2 classroom.
This style is that of the other persons view. Was Goldilocks really that bad? Were the Three Little Pigs really that innocent?
This style is that of the other persons view. Was Goldilocks really that bad? Were the Three Little Pigs really that innocent?
These books open up a number of classroom activities. Children could write their own stories from another point of view with a different fairytale or story. It could be incorporated into a PSHE lesson about how different people may interpret things. Links could also be made to the different cultures and traditions people have. These books can also remove stereotypes such as the damsel in distress who needs Prince Charming to rescue her.
One feature of postmodern publications that I have not looking into is the concept of intertextuality. This is the inclusion of references to other texts within a book. Two brilliant examples of this come in the form of 'The Jolly Postman' and 'Each Peach Pear Plum' by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. The Jolly Postman is a collection of letters from various characters that children will most likely have heard of. The postman is delivering these letters, and the book contains real pull outs that can be engaging and interactive. All different kinds of letters are explored, and linked to certain characters. There is a letter from Goldilocks saying sorry for ruining the chair and inviting baby bear to a birthday party, there is a stern letter to the Big Bad Wolf from his solicitor, a postcard from Jack to the Giant and many others. These letters show children a variety of writing styles as well as allowing them to think in depth about the characters personality, attitude and actions. |
This book would be great in KS1 for a role play area, or KS2 to look at letter styles. I would ask children to write their own letters using these letters as guidance, or for younger years set up a post system where they and I could send them messages or letters.
There are plenty of resources available online for this book which makes it very easy to use in schools. I have included some of my favourite ideas from Twinkl below, and a link to Pinterest with some good ideas for lessons and displays.
There are plenty of resources available online for this book which makes it very easy to use in schools. I have included some of my favourite ideas from Twinkl below, and a link to Pinterest with some good ideas for lessons and displays.
References:
Books mentioned:
- Barthes, R. (1970) S/Z, Seuil: Paris.
Books mentioned:
- Rosie's Walk - Pat Hutchins
- Dr Xargle's series - Jeanne Wills and Tony Ross
- The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales - Jon Scieszka
- The Jolly Postman - Janet and Allan Ahlberg
- Each Peach Pear Plum - Janet and Allan Ahlberg