My Name is Yoon

My Name is Yoon

My students and I enjoyed glimpsing into Yoon's world. We journeyed with her into the unfamiliar American classroom absent of her language, friends, or favorite teacher. The illustrator transported us with playful imagery that Yoon used in order to escape the confusion and insecurity she felt in her new classroom. With a willful but gentle defiance, Yoon refuses to write her name as instructed by her teacher. Instead she writes the words of objects that signify her desire to escape her new and unfamiliar environment. Our favorite was when she imagines herself as a cupcake and floats above the classroom much to every one's delight and admiration. Ultimately, Yoon gains a comfort level. At one point reading the eyes of her teacher which say " I-like-this-girl-yoon."

When we finished the story, we learned to write Shining Wisdom in dancing Korean symbols. We all agreed that the figures did seem to dance just as Yoon described in the text. We agreed that somehow the "lines and circles " used to write Yoon in the english language didn't quite measure up. Students did admit however, that they might not like the language so much if they had to learn how to rewrite everything in this new Korean language. The children also mentioned that they would miss familiar faces and surroundings. They could relate to Yoon's confusion and desire to return to Korea. Yoon's story reminds us about how to overcome our fears, move beyond reluctance, and chart a new course. Is there a way for Yoon to write her name in both Korean and English? Can she share her language with the students?