Presentation Day

Well my final day with Josiah was last Wednesday and I couldn't have imagined it going any better. Josiah had the confidence to introduce us and displayed our books pictures like a PRO! But he did forget my name in front of 20 or so people... but I forgave him for it and we moved on real quick.

I'm very proud of Josiah for getting up in front of others and speaking even though it was only a few phrases. I didn't think he'd be able to mutter a single word but he proved me wrong and I'm glad he did.

Reading Buddies was a grand ol' time and I recommend it to anyone who likes fun. Which is everyone. So I recommend it to everyone.

-Eric Silberstein

Goodbye LING 1900! :(

Well tomorrow is the final day of reading buddies and I'm anxious to see how it goes. Last wednesday Josiah left the library in tears which was not how I visioned our 2nd to last meeting ending. He was upset because the reality of speaking in front of people settled in. My plan was for him to introduce us and thats all and when we practiced the introduction he did a very good job. But when his mom was picking him up and we talked one last time about the introduction I encouraged him to practice his lines and that's when he started to cry. So tomorrow should be interesting. I really hope he decides to introduce us and has the courage too or else it'll be a one man show and I'll be center stage.

Besides that final issue I think our final project together has been a very fun time. Josiah finally expressed a reading preference and it was for Star Wars material so I tried to play off this strength so he'd have some encouragement and would be excited for the project. Because before he really seemed to dread the idea of writing his own story. But my strategy worked and we wrote the story together and it was fun for him and I.

I'm sad that tomorrow will be our last meeting. I've had such a fun time hangin' with the little bugger every Wednesday that it's been a highlight of my week every week. So with a gap in my schedule my Wednesdays are gonna feel empty.

I'm very glad I participated in Reading Buddies and think that it's an activity every student could benefit from. I know it's cliché but reading buddies probably taught me more than I taught Josiah. I've become a better story teller (a personal goal of mine), improved my personal skills, and revisited my youth. I think I enjoyed most of the stories more than Josiah did to be honest. This is Eric signing off. Over and out!

What's Up LING 1900?!

I'm going to try to make this entry interesting, you know, spice it up, but I'm having some issues uploading photos. SO we'll see.

Reading Buddies is winding down and I don't like it!!! I really love seeing Josiah every Wednesday. It's always so fun just goofing around with the little guy. I like to hide from him behind all the books but that kid finds me every time! It's like he does some crazy inception thing on me and makes me think my hiding spot is an original spot but really he planted that thought... I wonder what dream level he's penetrated...

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ANYWAYS!.. Josiah and I finished his book "Jar Jar Binks and C-3PO" last Wednesday and.... it's good. REAL GOOD. It's got a good fusion of humor and moral lessons as seen on PG 7 when JAR JAR BINKS brings C-3PO a life jacket in hopes it would help the poor rust bot out of quick sand and C-3PO yells "Life jackets are for the water! Not quick sand!". So quick life lesson there and I mean.. it's funnier when you see the illustration I guess.... I'm going to go get the book binded tomorrow and we're expecting Scholastic to publish real soon. It's only a matter of time.

I'm really hoping with my encouragement and help Josiah will have the courage and ability to read a page or two when we present the book. He's really shy though and I don't think he'll be able to get over it. He won't even read for just me.. But no biggie I was really excited for reading buddies because I thought it'd make me a better story teller and it's done that and more!

Bad News, I don't know how to upload photos... no 'bleeding cat bleeding cat' for you!

Reading Buddies First Blog

I was a little nervous for reading buddies before the first meeting and information session. It didn't help when I was the only one to show up 20 minutes late either. But, once I got my buddies information my anxiety turned to excitement. I've never held a job that doesn't involve working with youth. And I've learned a lot about myself during the years and hours I've spent with kids like the fact that 5-7 year old boys are my favorite age group to work with. So when I saw that Josiah, my buddy, is a 5 year old boy I knew we were going to have a good time.

When Josiah and I first met I could tell a lot about him by the way he hugged his mommy's leg to hide from me and was slow to respond when I asked him questions about his self. But I broke his nervous shell when I made a horrible joke about him owning 3... BILLION cats (He really only has 3 cats). After that incident I just became the silly 5 year old me so we could relate and get comfortable. Since that first day Josiah and I have had a ball every wednesday.

Our reading sessions usually begins with some silly name tag antics followed by us fighting over the big yellow rocking chair. Once its time to read Josiah heads straight for the next "Fly Guy" book in the series that we've been reading through. In one day we read 5 "Fly Guy" Books and every time I asked Josiah which one was his favorite he'd just stare me in the eyes with a wide grin and say "All of them!" and we'd keep on reading. I've started to notice Josiah's literature taste and I think he is too. Which is a big step for him and I because the very first day he had no idea what books he liked. I think this will really help us plan his own book.

My favorite part of my time with Josiah is the last 15 minutes. Because during that time we put our books away and break out the markers. Its my favorite time because I get to see the creativity Josiah puts on paper. He has made 2 masterpieces of scrap paper art. The first one titled "bleeding cat bleeding cat" and the second one is called "dog". All titles were his idea.

Overall I look forward to reading buddies every week and it's definitely a highlight of my week. I can't wait to go tomorrow!