Hi! I'm Brooke and I read the book called Maybe a Fox written by Kathi Appelt & Alison McGhee. I think this book was greatbecause it's kinda like a mystery and I like mystery.
My favorite part in the story is when Jules got the headband from the foxbecause it was a surprising part of the story.
The character that I liked best wasSylviebecause she was adventurous and I like to be. I think the author wrote this book because she wanted to show the importance of family and how to get through bad times. I would recommend this book to my friends because they love these kinds of books like I do. Reading to me is importantbecauseit helps me get better at a lot of things! *Brooke is a reader in my fourth grade class. *She read this book for our book club next Friday. *She commented that once she started she couldn't put it down. *I thought she had some pretty insightful thoughts here. *Thanks for sharing Brooke!
*It is Thursday and that means it is time for another "Life Lesson" video clip.
*I love this short, but powerful video clip.
*One intention I have is to show young people that "THEY" have the power to make the right decisions for themselves, make positive changes in their life, and be the best person they can!
*I'm always trying to find ways to help my students reach their full potential.
*Each Thursday I feature a different video with a "life lesson" in it.
*After viewing the video once or twice, we chat a bit about it as a group.
*I then have the writers record their thoughts in their writer's notebooks.
*They can write their thoughts, reactions, connections, wonderings, learnings, or whatever is on their mind regarding the video.
*Encouragement is also given to reflect on the "message" of the clip.
*After about 5-10 minutes of writing, we listen to a few of the students share what they wrote.
*It is my hope that through these "life lessons", my students can become the best young people they can be.
Life Lessons (2015-2016)...
Lesson #1 - Be Courageous
Lesson #2 - Be Kind
Lesson #3 - Be Courageous (part two)
Lesson #4 - Be Motivated
Lesson #5 - Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
Lesson #6 - Be Inspired
Lesson #7 - Be Spooky (Halloween Edition)
Lesson #8: Be Kind (Kindness Retreat)
Lesson #9: Be Shoutful
Lesson #10: Be Happy
Lesson #11: Be a Reader
Lesson #12: Be Powerful
Lesson #13: Be Merry
Lesson #14: Be a Team
Lesson #15: Be Giving
Lesson #16: Be Brave (part two)
Lesson #17: Be Positive
Lesson #18: Be Dance Like
Lesson #19: You Can Do It
Lesson #20: Be a Hero
Lesson #21: Be a Friend
Lesson #22: Be Kind (Part Three)
Lesson #23: Be Brave and Courageous
Lesson #24: Be Fearless
Lesson #25: Be a Sportsman/Sportswoman
Lesson #26: Be Different
Lesson #27: Thinking Outside the Box
Lesson #28: Live Your Dream and Share Your Passion
*Many of my professional changes have come from the Nerdy Book Club.
*I was lucky enough to participate in a panel presentation with members of the Nerdy Book Club last November during NCTE.
*Recently I saw that Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp co-wrote an article for the Horn Book.
*It was an excellent article and gave such wonderful background on how the blog came together.
*Because of this site, I've become an active member on Twitter, started my own blog, and have connected with the most amazing people that share the same passion as I do about books and reading.
*I've used this IMAGE in the past and have always had great results with the writing.
*This picture just "screams" kindness and there is such a story behind it.
*One of the favorite themes of my classroom is "kindness". There can never be enough kindness.
*Each Wednesday we write in our writer's notebooks about a particular image.
*They can record their thoughts, reactions, connections, likes/dislikes, reminders, noticings, or anything else they would like.
*Some of the writers choose to write a fiction story based on the picture.
*We write between five and ten minutes and then do a quick share at the end.
*The photos always lead to lots of conversation and the sharing of ideas. I try to get them to write first and then we can share what we wrote and what we were thinking.
*The writers are really enjoying writing and talking about these photographs.
*My co-worker across the hall has his students participate in "Tunes Tuesday."
*We are always sharing new (or old) pieces of music.
*Last week he came to me to share the "olympic" themed video with this song.
*I knew it was going to be our next selection!
*This was our 27th Monday where we featured a musical selection.
*Each Monday I highlight a piece of music to share with my writers.
*We begin with showing a video that goes along with the musical selection.
*The class will watch the video between 1-2 times.
*After the second viewing, the writers begin to record their thoughts in the notebooks.
*As they write, I play the music in the background (minus the video).
*My fourth graders can record their thoughts, ideas, connections, likes/dislikes, or reactions to the song. They can also write about the message of the song.
*I have my students write between 5-10 minutes. At the end of our writing time, I see if a few of the writers would like to share what they wrote.
Music Monday Selections (2015-2016)…
Week #1: What I Am by will.i.am Week #2: Proud by Heather Small Week #3: Dreamer by Chris Brown Week #4: Live Like a Warrior by Matisyahu Week #5: Sunshine by Matisyahu Week #6: Better When I'm Dancin' by Megan Trainor Week #7: Thriller by Michael Jackson Week #8: Hopeful by Bars and Melody Week #9: Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammar Week #10: The Rainbow Connection from The Muppets Week #11: What Does the Fox Say by Ylvis Week #12: Hall of Fame by The Script Week #13: Clouds by Zach Sobiech Week #14: Do They Know Its Christmas by Band Aid Week #15: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Week #16: Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz Week #17: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw Week #18: Today's the Day by Pink Week #19: Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne Week #20: Fireflies by Owl City Week #21: Superheroes by The Script Week #22: Happy by Pharrell Williams Week #23: Waka, Waka - This Time for Africa by Shakira Week #24: Candyman by Zedd and Aloe Blacc Week #25: Something New by Axwell/Ingrosso Week #26: Broken Arrows by Avicii
How I Heard About It: During my last visit to the local library I was looking for an audio book to accompany my wife and I as we road traveled during my spring break. I thought this would be the perfect story for the two of us to listen to while we hit the open road. What It Is About: Jacob is the central character of this novel and he has Aspergers Syndrome. Jacob lives with his mother and younger brother Theo. His father left many years earlier because he couldn't handle the diagnosis. Jacob goes to regular school, but has a "tutor" named Jess that helps him with school and learning about social cues and fitting into society. When Jess is discovered dead in her college housing, Jacob and his family become the focal point of the investigation. Both Jacob and Theo were at Jess' house the day of the murder. After all the evidence is gathered, and there is a lot, Jacob is arrested and put on trail for the crime. It doesn't help that he has a complete fascination with forensic science and his favorite television show is "Crime Busters." Jacob's mother and lawyer do everything possible to prove that Jacob didn't do it; or if he is guilty it is because of his Aspergers. What I Thought Of It: This took a long time to listen to. There were seventeen CD's in the set. We didn't finish it while on our road trips, but I did this last week during my commute. I enjoyed the story. I've read other Jodi Picoult novels and they are always entertaining and interesting. I like how she incorporates real life "issues" into a fiction story. Picoult did an amazing job describing Jacob and his Aspergers. The question as to whether he was responsible or not, kept me interested until the very end of the story. As in typical Picoult fashion, there is always a surprise or two waiting at the end of the story for you. Who Should Read It: This isn't the newest Jodi Picoult novel being published in 2010 I believe. If you are a fan of this author and haven't read it yet, then I strongly suggest that you do. The story telling is first rate. Adult readers that enjoy a gripping and fascinating fiction tale, will be quite happy with this story. Happy Reading!
How I Heard About It: This title first came to me via an Instagram that Oprah put out. Then my wife and I were watching Super Soul Sunday on OWN and she interviewed Shaka Senghor about this memoir and his life. The interview was riveting and his story was compelling. I knew I wanted to read his book. What It Is About: Shaka tells his story of growing up in middle-class Detroit with his parents and siblings. When his parents divorced and his mother's abuse grew worse, Shaka found himself out on the streets at a very young age. He began to hang out with the wrong people, began to do drugs, and then became a drug dealer himself. His life got very messy and he kept making the wrong choices. After an incredibly wrong decision, he was sent to prison for murder. He spent nineteen years behind bars. When he first entered the prison system, he was angry, mean, and was out to get everyone. The more time he was in prison, he began to really look at his life, the choices he made, and why he was where he was. Shaka also wanted to be the best dad he could be for his son on the outside. He decided to do everything in his power to turn his life around. The memoir alternates between the years before his incarceration and the years he spent in a cell. What I Thought Of It: I don't read a lot of memoirs, but when I do I always find myself enjoying them. This was a great and powerful read. It was fascinating to read about a boy that had everything going for him and the choices he made to change all of that. I find prison life to be intriguing and those chapters were spell binding. I loved how he was able to make a shift within himself and do everything in his power to change while behind bars. His writing is superb and he has so much to say and share. It would be awesome to hear him speak in person. Even though there were many down and depressing themes to his story, when I finished I felt uplifted and ready to make my own life better. Who Should Read It: I know that readers of memoir will find this a great read. If readers enjoy stories of difficult beginnings and coming back from those beginnings, then this is the story for them. I think this would make for a great read for high school readers and adult readers. Remember, the recommendation doesn't only come from me, but Oprah too. Happy Reading!
How I Heard About It: One of my favorite things to do at school is talk with our library assistant. We don't have a media specialist anymore because of budget cuts. Our assistant and I love to talk books. She knows I love to get my hands on new releases. This was a title she shared with me recently. I have read other Sarah Weeks books and was excite to give this one a try. What It Is About: Can two outcasts come together and make school a pleasant place to be? Ravi and Joe sure hope so. Joe has lived in the same town and attended the same school his whole life. During the start of fifth grade, school is different because Joe's two best friends have left him on his own. Ravi has just moved to America from India. He was a star student and athlete in India. Ravi finds things are not the same at his new school as they were back home. Both boys are on their own, and also "targets" of the class bully. At first Ravi thinks the bully is going to be his "friend", but Joe knows better because he has had a long history with him. Each boy must fend for themselves, but may come to learn that two are better than one. What I Thought Of It: As a reader, I can always tell if a novel is going to be a "hit" with me within the first few pages. That is exactly what happened with this story. I was drawn in on the very first page and really couldn't put it down until I was done. The plot was first-rate and quite different from other middle-grade stories on this same topic. Ravi and Joe were unique, strong, and likable characters. The authors did a wonderful job of describing what it is like for a new student from another country and for a student that doesn't fit in because of a disability. The book was set up by days of the week and what was being served during lunch at school. Everything about this novel is perfect for the middle-grade reader. Who Should Read It: I'm hoping that I have enough time this year to share this story with my fourth grade class. If not, I will for sure be using next fall either as a read aloud and/or a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection. The reading level and format are perfect for the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth grade reader. The chapters are short and the readability is awesome for the middle-grade readers. If you have read other works by Sarah Weeks, then you must experience her newest novel. Happy Reading!
Hi! I'm Hanh and I read the book called Amulut - The Stone Keeper's Curse written by Kazu Kibuishi I think this book was AMAZINGbecause it has great adventures and trying to defeat the elf king.
My favorite part in the story is when at the end their mom survivedbecause it was a happy moment and the mom was in a deep sleep. She needed an anecdote.
The character that I liked best wasTrellisbecause he helped the stone keeper when she was in trouble. I think the author wrote this book because he wanted to create a series that would entertain kids with a great adventure. These are awesome books to read. I would recommend this book to my friends because it has nice amazing adventures and it has long chapters which I like. Reading to me is greatbecauseI love graphic novels and chapter books. I would read all the time. *Hanh is one of those students that reads all the time. *She is also the student I have to ask to put away her books when we NEED to do other things. *Hanh loves the different graphic novel series I have in the room. *It has been fun to see her stretch and read from other genres. *When given the choice, she will always resort back to graphic novels!
*It is Thursday and that means it is time for another "Life Lesson" video clip.
*This is one of my favorite video clips of the year.
*Anything that has the message of living your dream and sharing that passion ranks right up there.
*I'm always trying to find ways to help my students reach their full potential.
*Each Thursday I feature a different video with a "life lesson" in it.
*After viewing the video once or twice, we chat a bit about it as a group.
*I then have the writers record their thoughts in their writer's notebooks.
*They can write their thoughts, reactions, connections, wonderings, learnings, or whatever is on their mind regarding the video.
*Encouragement is also given to reflect on the "message" of the clip.
*After about 5-10 minutes of writing, we listen to a few of the students share what they wrote.
*It is my hope that through these "life lessons", my students can become the best young people they can be.
Life Lessons (2015-2016)...
Lesson #1 - Be Courageous
Lesson #2 - Be Kind
Lesson #3 - Be Courageous (part two)
Lesson #4 - Be Motivated
Lesson #5 - Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
Lesson #6 - Be Inspired
Lesson #7 - Be Spooky (Halloween Edition)
Lesson #8: Be Kind (Kindness Retreat)
Lesson #9: Be Shoutful
Lesson #10: Be Happy
Lesson #11: Be a Reader
Lesson #12: Be Powerful
Lesson #13: Be Merry
Lesson #14: Be a Team
Lesson #15: Be Giving
Lesson #16: Be Brave (part two)
Lesson #17: Be Positive
Lesson #18: Be Dance Like
Lesson #19: You Can Do It
Lesson #20: Be a Hero
Lesson #21: Be a Friend
Lesson #22: Be Kind (Part Three)
Lesson #23: Be Brave and Courageous
Lesson #24: Be Fearless
Lesson #25: Be a Sportsman/Sportswoman
Lesson #26: Be Different
Lesson #27: Thinking Outside the Box
*A co-worker sent me an email with many images attached called "Last Shot".
*As I scrolled through them I thought this one was particularly interesting.
*In my opinion the image would lead to some interesting writing.
*Each Wednesday we write in our writer's notebooks about a particular image.
*They can record their thoughts, reactions, connections, likes/dislikes, reminders, noticings, or anything else they would like.
*Some of the writers choose to write a fiction story based on the picture.
*We write between five and ten minutes and then do a quick share at the end.
*The photos always lead to lots of conversation and the sharing of ideas. I try to get them to write first and then we can share what we wrote and what we were thinking.
*The writers are really enjoying writing and talking about these photographs.
Wonder Wednesday - Class Read Aloud Number Four *I heard Carrie and John speak last November at NCTE15.
*They talked all about their novel and after their session, I bought the book down in the exhibit hall.
*I shared the story with my class and we enjoyed it.
*It took quite awhile to get through the entire book, but we all enjoyed the adventure of the two main characters.
*Here are a few thoughts that my listeners had...
I thought this book was…
*A big adventure because two friends are trying to find the map to everywhere.
*Good because I liked all of the magical parts in the story.
*Adventurous because they had all these adventures and went to all of these crazy and weird places. I liked it when… *Fin was trying to get the key because it was a cool part of the story.
*Marrill went back to her parents because none of us should be without our parents. *Fin and Marrill swung into each other because it was funny.
My favorite character was… *Both Fin and Marrill because they were a team the the main characters. *Fin because of all the cool things he did in the story.
*Cornelius because it was a cool name for a cat and I love cats. My favorite part in the story was… *When Sirth feel into the pirate stream because the bad guy was gone and the Pirate will not end. *When there were talking trees because it was a funny part and usual. *When Sirth came alive at the end because it seemed like something bad was going to happen and it was so mysterious.
It was interesting when… *They got the wrong key because I thought it was the right key. *Everyone forgot Fin easily because it was a strange thing to happen. *Fin got lost because Marrill kept hearing echoes.
I was frustrated when…
*Serth got the key because then they had no way home. *Fin didn't find his parents because he really missed them.
*It took so long for Fin and Marrill to meet each other because it took so many chapters for that to happen.
I give this book _____ stars! 5 STARS = 6 Students 4 STARS = 7 Students 3 STARS = 5 Students 2 STARS = 3 Student 1 STAR = 0 Students
How I Heard About It: This book has been highly publicized in many different forums. The place I saw the title the most was on Twitter. I downloaded the novel via my 3M Cloud Library app and read it on my device. As I was reading the book, many of my Twitter friends were reading it at the same time. What It Is About: Quinn and his sister Annabeth are not your typical siblings. They get along really well and their work on screenplays together. It is their hope to make it big someday. After a terrible accident, Quinn retreats to his room and doesn't venture far from home for quite some time. This new life consists of himself and his mother. Geoff, Quinn's best friend, decides enough time has passed and it is time for Quinn to enter the land of the living. He convinces Quinn to leave the house with him and they end up at a college party that Geoff's sister is having. During the party Quinn meets an older "boy/man" and is completely "smitten." During the next week of his life, he enjoys this new friendship/relationship with all of its ups and downs that come with it. He isn't sure he can let go of the past and truly move forward, but he is sure going to try. What I Thought Of It: What a delight to read. I had read Federle's middle-grade books and was excited to see what he could do with a young-adult story. Well, he knocked it out of the park. This was such a great story and I found myself thinking about Quinn, his life, and the entire story on several occasions when I wasn't even reading the book. I looked forward to each night when I could crawl into bed and escape to Quinn and his friends world. The writing was outstanding and the story telling was top-notch. Who Should Read It: From what I can tell, many people are reading this book and that makes me very happy. This will definitely be a novel that I tell my friends about. I know both high school readers and adult readers will enjoy it alike. There are so many elements that readers will enjoy with this novel. If you haven't read it yet, get out there and grab a copy of the book. Happy Reading!
How I Heard About It: This title was found on the shelves of my local library. I was in the audio book section. The cover caught my attention and I was in need of a new young-adult story. I decided to give it a try. What It Is About: Dave and Julia are best friends. They are in their senior year.. Together they had created a list of things they would NEVER do during their high school experience. Dave and Julia didn't want their years of high school to be like everyone else. As they approach the end of their senior year the two of them decide to take their list of NEVERS and give some of them a try. As they work their way through the list, Dave realizes that he has feelings toward Julia, but isn't sure she has those same feelings towards him. They work their way through the list and experience some things they thought they never would. Some of these are positive and some they don't enjoy so much. As feelings are shared between these two friends, life becomes more difficult and complicated. What I Thought Of It: The audio book was very easy to listen to. The narrator had a great speaking voice. The plot started out extremely strong, but as the story unfolded, the events became a little weak for me. I enjoyed the premise of stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things, but I didn't think the story went anywhere. I have become a huge fan of young-adult novels, but this was felt really "teen-like". The characters of Dave and Julia were fun, interesting, and ever changing which was a strong point of the book. I'm glad I listened to it, but certainly isn't one of the best young-adult stories I've read. Who Should Read It: The Amazon site states this book is geared toward ninth grade and above. I would agree, but also think middle-school readers may enjoy the story as well. There are some mature scenes in the novel, but nothing too explicit for young-adult readers. I'm not sure if adult readers that typically read young-adult would enjoy the story. The depth just wasn't there for me. Happy Reading!
