By: Mari-Carmen Rivera

1. Silly Journals: The Use of
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”
in the ESL Classroom
by Mari-Carmen Rivera-Marrero

2. All About Me
 Ramey School, Ramey Base, Aguadilla (1987-1999)
 Bachelor's degree in Teaching Physical Education,
Secondary level, University of Puerto Rico,
Mayagüez (2003)
 Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching
Physical Education, Pontific Catholic University of
Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (2007)
 Certification as English teacher in progress! 

3. Professional Background
 I have been a teacher at the
Academia Pentecostal Bethel
for six years
Second to Fourth grade
Fifth to Ninth grade
Kindergarten
 I was an English tutor at La
Casa de la Juventud
 I haven’t taught Physical
Education but have been
assistant coach to the
school’s volleyball teams

4. APB

5. Academia Pentecostal Bethel
 Located between two public schools and different shops
 Students from different social levels attend the school
 Elementary and middle school grades are taught
 There are four sports’ teams
 Last year approximately 185 students were enrolled
 Parents participation is visible in the elementary level

6. Academia Pentecostal Bethel
Physical structure

Three buildings
Lunchroom/cafeteria
Computer laboratory
Science laboratory
Title I trailer

Playground area


7. My Classroom
Technology

Facilities

Infrastructure


8. Personal Philosophy
“…relationship of students to teacher is,
without question, dialogical, each
having something to contribute and
receive” (Critical Pedagogy: An
Introduction, pg 15)

9. Personal Philosophy
“Conscientizaçao or conscientization is defined as the
process by which students, as empowered subjects,
achieve a deepening awareness of the social realities
that shape their lives and discover their own
capacities to re-create them. “ (Critical Pedagogy:
An Introduction, pg 15)

10. A Typical Day in the Classroom
 “One of the most important legacies of public
education has been to provide students with critical
capacities, the knowledge, and the values to become
active citizens striving to realize a vibrant
democratic society. Within this tradition, Americans
have defined schooling as a public good and a
fundamental right (Dewey, 1916; Giroux, 1988).

11. How I “Normally” Teach
Writing
 Using vocabulary to write stories
“…a journal is a powerful tool of creative expression
and self-healing…” (Schiwy, Marlene A. 1986)
“the journal is the place to experiment with writing, to
be as silly or as serious as you want.” (In Our Own
Words: Student Writers at Work, pg 15)

12. Objectives (Wimpy Kid)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
 Audience
Seventh Grade
 Why teach it?
They needed something to channel
their energy, their problems, into
 What I expect to happen (achieve).
Relief, funny comments, for them to
realize that they don’t have to grow
up so soon and that they’re not the
only one with problems at school
and at home (conscientization)

13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid

14. Procedure
Step by Step
 Read and complete the handouts given
carefully, being as truthful as you can
 Choose your favorite handout and write
a journal entry based on how it relates to
you and why you chose it as your
favorite
 If it has to do with a past experience,
don’t be afraid to narrate what happened
and how you felt after it
 If it has to do with something you’d like
to happen, or you had never realized,
also feel happy to write it down

15. The End!