LSCI405: Chapters 1-3:The Watsons Go To Birmingham

Friday, January 21, 2011

Chapters 1-3:The Watsons Go To Birmingham

The first three chapters of "The Watsons go to Birmingham" are pretty interesting because we see how the author is comfortable using "slang" to communicate with his readers, and this adds a comical side to the story. The books starts off with the author describing an unbearably cold winter day in Flint, Michigan, while Kenny and his entire family are curled up under a blanket struggling to keep warm. The multiple layers of clothes and close huddling does little to help them stay warm though. We notice the feeling of annoyance the mother is experiencing, but we notice how the father is doing everything he can possibly do to avoid setting the mother off on a tangent.

In chapter one the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, takes time to introduce the family in detail. We read about how Byron, the oldest of the brothers, got his lip stuck to a car mirror while he was kissing his own reflection. After this we realize the relationship the two brothers have with one another. Byron is seen as the stubborn, hard headed, bully. while the younger one, Kenny, is the more self concious and quiet.

Kenny thankfully finds a good friend in the following chapters, who in turn becomes the kid targeted for the bullying. Rufus and his brother, Cody, move from Arkansas. Kenny becomes selfish at one point and we witness how he hurts his good friend Rufus's feelings because he is so relieved to have the bullying transferred from him. Kenny regains his correct state of mind and recognizes how much more important it is to have Rufus as his friend than to not have him at all.

3 comments:

ValerieJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:19 PM
When I first checked the book out of the library to start reading,I was dreading the thought of having to read a book dealing with such a sensitive time in history.

I must say,once I started reading the book my thoughts changed. I did not think it would be as exciting because of the way things were back during that time.

I think it was great to see how the family huddles together with the exception of Byron like sardines in a can to keep warm.I can tell from the story thus far, the family have strong family values about how each other should treat one another. I really like Kenny's character in the story especially when he befriends Rufus although others are making fun of him. It takes the spotlight off of Kenny for now. Kenny knows how it makes one feel when you are being badgered by others. He finds himself laughing at Rufus while others are poking fun at him, and it hurts Rufus's feelings. Kenny realizes that is not the way to be toward a friend, and he must correct it right away. I find this book to be fantastic. There is a saying, you can't judge a book by it's cover.
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ArkaliJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Good observations :-) I'm kind of interested to see where the book goes. I've been rationing my reading so each bit is "fresh" in my mind, but... I'm going to miss Rufus when they Watsons move :-)
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gaynel bahamFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:54 AM
When Kenny falls into the same category as some of the other bullies, he realizes that good friends are hard to come by. Fortunate for him Rufus is a better friend than Kenny could imagine. It did not take me long to fall in love with this book. Its setting, plot and characteristics where awesome
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MARIA MONTESSORI

Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870, and died on May 6, 1952. She was an Italian educator of the early 20th century and is remembered as the founder of the Montessori Method of education. This approach emphasizes hands-on, individualized learning within varying age groups in a student-centered environment. Much of the "hands-on" approach now utilized in preschools and kindergartens today can be traced to the innovations of Maria Montessori. Montessori was best known as an educator; however, she was formally trained as a scientist and medical doctor, and is noted for having been Italy's first female M.D. She was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her committed efforts on behalf of children.

Through her work to rehabilitate society's discarded children (mentally retarded, behavioral problems, orphans, and poor), Montessori discovered some important principles about all children and the process of learning. One was that children have an innate desire to learn and on their own, they are capable of discovering an incredible amount of information about the world in which they live. This was contrary to what society thought at that time which was that children could only learn through direct instruction, specifically being lectured by an adult. She found that children's innate power of learning worked best when children were turned loose in a safe, hands-on learning environment, and that if children were put into groups with other children within a small age range (i.e., 3-6, 6-9, 9-11, etc.), they not only worked together but learned from each other.

Above all, Montessori felt that her most notable discovery was the awareness that the teacher must focus more on what the students are doing, not the other way around. By observing how the individual children responded to various prompts, she could easily ascertain what lessons and/or experiences to present next. By acknowledging each child as an individual, with individualized needs and abilities, she could apply this method to guide children to fultillment of their potential. Overall, Montessori felt that the most vital ingredient was learning to be a good observer of children, learning to deduce what children need, both in general and as unique individuals, which will then lead to development of their full potential.