Archive of ‘Mrs. McGriff’ category
Yes, the public library wants you–your opinion that is. What would you like to see offered for teens at our local library? Do you want your own book club? more volunteer opportunities? scrapbooking sessions? computer/blogging lessons? Wii game time? All these and more have been offered in the past.
Let the library know what you want by filling out a survey. If you complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a Wal-Mart gift card. You can pick up a copy of the survey from the library’s circulation desk or right here at our school library. You must include your name and either your email or phone number to win the drawing.
If you want to know more about what the library can do for you, contact Kate Conklin at the library, 346-2091.
Yes, I waited until Sunday afternoon, but I did get to see the latest installment of the Harry Potter movies. I knew the directors/producers had decided to split the final book into two movies, so my question going in was, “Where in the world do you stop the action in the middle of the story?” I was pleased with the ending–dramatic and definitely leaves you panting for more, but it also providid a logical stopping point. At least it did for me, who had read the book. My friend, who saw the movie with me and had not read the book and did not know the book was split into two movies, was not as pleased with the ending. She does not want to wait till June to see how it goes from there.
Translating a story from printed word to images on the screen is never an exact science, but I thought this movie did better than most at remaining true to the sense of the book. The overwhelming mood of this movie is dark and sinister. Evil is no longer threatening; it has arrived.
What are my favorite parts? Here they are in no particular order:
- The stark, barren landscapes provide a chilling backdrop to Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s search for Horcruxes.
- To me, the most chilling scene was at the Malfoy’s long table. Voldemort is in search of another want with which to fight Harry, and the Death Eaters have two conflicting stories about when and how Harry Potter will leave the Dursley’s.
- The animated retelling of “The Tale of Three Brothers” tranforms it from a cautionary children’s story to a dire prediction of the horrors to come. It is beautifully and chillingly portrayed.
- Some things are more hinted at in the movie–all the wand lore, Dumbledore’s murky past–than they are explained. Since I know the rest of the story, I didn’t need to get bogged down in the details.
- The beginning sequences are truly frightening in how alone the three are–Hermione obliviates her parents’ memories and watches as her images disappear from all the family photos. Ron stands alone in the yard of the Burrow, waiting. Harry goes through the Dursley’s empty house, picking up pieces from his childhood.
As always, there are a few scenes I missed: where Dudley gets a glimmer and thanks Harry for saving his life; Kreacher’s transformation of Sirius’s home while Harry, Ron, and Hermione plan their raid on the Ministry of Magic.
If you’ve seen the movie, what do you think?
Miracles do happen every day at the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Kim Meeder retells story after story of the miracles that happen when love finds a way. Kim first found comfort and healing on the back of a horse as she dealt with the murder-suicide of her parents. Grown up now, Kim shares that healing power of horses with children of all ages for no charge.
The ranch is funded by love–the love of volunteers and donors who give of their time and money. Kim and the rest of the staff rescue neglected, abandoned, and abused horses from the surrounding area. They then match each horse with a child and leader. Then get out of the way. Often the horses are able to reach in to children who shut everyone and everything else out.
I first heard of this book from a student who was reading it. It’s been sitting on my TBR pile for way too long. I wish I had dived into it much sooner. If you love horses or inspiring stories of hope, you will want to rush to the bookshelf to grab this title. While you are waiting, you, too, can get involved with the healing power of horses. We have our very own therapetuic riding center, Reins to Recovery. Check out the volunteer opportunities available, from grooming and tacking horses to taking pictures. I volunteer once a week with their program, and it is the highlight of my week. Something about brushing a horse’s mane and coat melts the stress away.
Do you know who really “discovered” the New World of America? I thought I did, but Imight be wrong. Russell Freedman starts with Christopher Columbus, the first European given credit for discovering America for the King and Queen of Spain. It turns out Columbus was a little late to the New World party. I had heard the theories of Leif Erikson and the Viking voyages to the New World. I had no idea, though, that Chinese sailors may have been here even earlier. Much of those voyages are still debated by historians, but the evidence so far is enough to get me wondering.
Of course, how can someone “discover” a new land that already has millions of people living in it? Did the very first “Americans” cross over from Siberia on a land bridge across the Bering Straight during an Ice Age? I thought so, but the latest discoveries say probably not. The very earliest settlers probably arrived by boat from a variety of locations–Asia, certainly, but also possibly Europe, Australia, and Africa.
Rather than being something old and never-changing, history–or rather or undertstanding of it–changes with each new discovery.
Monday and Tuesday
Book talks! Today you will be presenting your book talks to the class. Use the rubric I gave you in class to prepare your talk. I will grade your presentation as you give it. While you are listening to your classmates, have your binder open to the Someday Books page. Be sure to write down any titles that sound interesting to you.
There are special presentations brought to you by the Guidance Office on Monday for 8th grade girls during third period and 8th grade boys during 6th period. That means boys will be presenting on Monday during third period and girls during 6th period. Be ready!
Wednesday
Periods 2 – 4 will get to practice reading and following directions to make a Thanksgiving treat. During 5th, 6th, and 7th periods, all Pioneers will be in the auditorium to watch a movie.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
No Word Study or Reading Log due this week. If you missed a week for your reading log, I have a deal for you. If you read during Thanksgiving week, I will replace your grade for a missing reading log with whatever you read this week.
I have finally finished reading and grading all you memoirs. Now I can dive into all those books stacked on the corner of my desk. It’s a good thing Thanksgiving break is coming up!
I am impressed with how much all of you are reading. Here are the totals from your reading reflections.
- Third period (with 24 students) has finished 74 books. Megan M and Adam Do tie for most books read with 10 a piece. Click on their names to see which titles they’ve read.
- Fifth period (with 23 students) is close behind. They’ve finished 67 books. These guys spread out the reading work. Everybody (everybody who posted this blog assignment anyway) read at least two books. Kayli P tops the list with 6 books.
- Next comes 2nd period (with 21 students) with a total of 64 books. (Do you notice there are fewer students, here?) Charity A has read 13 books, and Zach T has devoured 11.
- Sixth period (with just 19 students) has read 56 books. Kayla M (10 books) and Ariel G (8 books) lead the way for this class.
- Fourth period (with 26 students) has read 53 books. Trinaty H gets top honors for completing 7 books.
That means we have read a total of….(drumroll, please–just not on your desks)…314 books! Way to go Pioneers! That means we need to read 866 more books to reach our goal of 1200 for Scholastic’s Classroom Cares. Can we do it? YES, WE CAN!
I can’t wait to hear about the books you will book talk next week. If you’re still looking for a good book to read, browse the titles on your classmates’ blogs. There are some excellent suggestions. Pay attention to the book talks to see what else sounds good.
I’ve heard of so many good books coming out soon that I want to read. Here’s a science fiction one you don’t want to miss. You can check out the first chapter of Across the Universe by Beth Revis on her blog. Seventeen-year-old Amy agrees to follow her parents and be frozen for a 300 year journey in a spaceship to a new planet. After reading the description of the freezing process in Chapter 1, I can’t believe Amy didn’t just walk away. OUCH! Anyway, she wakes up 50 years too soon only to discover that someone on the spaceship is trying to kill her. If she can’t figure out who, her parents are next. Who wants to buy me this for Christmas?
So what book are you eager to pick up next? Keep on reading!
Monday
BLOG: Finish the Summary-Questions-Response blog you started on Friday. Give a brief SUMMARYof the first half of the book you are reading. (You have read half of it by now, right?) Ask two or three QUESTIONS about the book. These can be questions about things that confuse you or discussion questions that have more than one right answer. Write a RESPONSE that tells what you are thinking while you read. You might make a prediction, give your opinion of the character or his/her choices, or explore your reaction to the book.
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes–memoir first. Choose five words for Weekly Word Study.
Tuesday
Sentence Errors: Finding and fixing sentence fragments. Working with a partner, come up with your own definition of a sentence fragment. Come up with five examples of sentence fragments. You may look for them in your own writing or write them from scratch. Trade fragments with another group. Can you fix the fragments?
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes
Wednesday
Sentence Errors: Correcting run-on sentences. Now that you have figured out how to fix sentence fragments, make sure you don’t run more than one sentence together. You can fix a run-on sentence by inserting a period and capitalizing the first word in the next sentence; by adding a comman and coordinating conjunction (and, but, or); or by inserting a semi-colon. Fix the fragments and run-ons on the practice handout. Turn it it at the end of class!
Homework: Read 30 minutes. Word Study due tomorrow.
Thursday
Next week you will present a book talk to the class over your book. Your book talk should last 30 – 60 seconds and follow the guidelines on the Book Talk Handout I give you.
HOMEWORK: Word Study due today. Three-five pages of writing due today! Read 30 minutes. Get your reading log signed.
Friday
READ! If you have finished your book for the project already, you may work on your book talk for next week. HOMEWORK: Reading Log due TODAY. Read over the weekend.
Wow! Thank you to everybody who contributed to yesterday’s Veterans Day program. The Student Council provided excellent leadership throughout. I guess that makes up for all those homeroom classes you missed getting ready for it. The bands, choir, and orchestra performed admirably. I enjoyed hearing from SSG McBride and Mrs. McBride. It certainly makes me thankful for what we enjoy in this country and for the men and women who promise to defend us.
Mrs. McBride shared this link for a video of the SSG McBride’s unit coming home.
SSG McBride also shared an opportunity to support wounded soldiers. Check out the website for the Wounded Warrior Project.
What would you say to thank a veteran today?
Summary: Give a summary of what you have read so far. Be specific (use character names) and focus on the main conflicts)
The outlaw who led Ro to Robin Hood’s camp was Robin Hood himself! Robin Hood and his band feed Ro and entertain her with contests and fights. Ro decides she can’t reveal herself to Robin Hood and decides to leave the band of outlaws with Tykell. The next day she watches for Robin to see what kind of person he really is. Instead of finding Robin, she instead rescues and princess, Ettarde, who is running away from a forced marriage. Lionel, the singing giant she met earlier, helps her rescue Ettarde by knocking down and horse and a knight. Ro leads them to a rowan grove with a spring when she feels the water calling to her as it did her mother. Robin finds them and sends his men to stand guard over them. Many soldiers are hunting for Ettarde, including the Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy of Gisborn. Robin goes to Nottingham to pull a prank and is recognized and captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Ro decides to try to rescue him. Lionel and Ettarde agree to go with her after she tells them that he is her father.
Questions: As questions about things that confuse you or things that have more than one right answer.
- Why is Ro now able to hear the call of sweet water when she couldn’t before? Is it part of the gifts the aelfe gave her?
- How do you think Robin Hood would react if he knew Ro was his daughter?
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Why do Lionel and Ettarde agree to help Ro when they don’t know her and it could risk their lives?
Response: Give your thoughts about what you have read so far, or answer one of your questions.
The middle section of this book is full of surprises. After struggling so hard to find Robin Hood, Ro leaves before the first evening is over. I think it is because of the rough nature of the outlaws. She seemed very uncomfortable when she watched the outlaws fight each other for her entertainment. She was horrified when one the biggest outlaws knocked over a boy who missed all three of his shots at the target. She also refused to promise to obey Robin Hood. She still has that streak of independence that won’t let her give in to any one. Even if she could best Robin at some feat, I don’t think she would stay. I was also surprised when she felt the call of the sweet water. She does have some of her mother’s gifts. In addition to following the call of the sweet water, she also works to help and heal other people. Her first instinct is to heal and comfort the injured at Robin’s camp. She jumps in to save Ettarde and then heals her and Lionel. Was she not able to feel the call of her mother’s sweet water because it was not hers? This sweet water led her to the center of a rowan grove—the tree she named herself after. I think she needs to find her own place that is not either her father’s or her mother’s, but her very own.
Monday
Enter the Twilight Zone. One technique writers use to create rhythm in their writing is to use repetition. We’ve talked about literal repetition in writing poetry. Now it’s time to learn about grammatical repetition or parallel structure. Rod Sterling (who created The Twilight Zone) is a master of parallel structure. We will study examples. Then you will write your own “Zone” writing. Today choose a school appropriate topic to write about. Then brainstorm words and phrases that describe that topic.
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes–memoir first. Choose five words for Weekly Word Study.
Tuesday
Twilight Zone, continued: Take the words and phrases you came up with yesterday. Use them to fill in the blanks of the introduction to the Twilight Zone. Once your rough draft has been approved by me, you can type your zone. Fit it onto one page, but use as large as type as you can. Feel free to add a picture behind it, too.
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes
Wednesday
We will finish up your Twilight Zone writings. If you are done, bring your book to read. We will go to the Scholastic Book Fair the second half of class. Bring your money and support our school library. Of course, you can always buy your favorite 8th grade Language Arts teacher a book for Christmas!
Homework: Read 30 minutes. Word Study due tomorrow.
Thursday
The Veteran’s Day program is this morning at 9:00 am. The remainder of my classes will have a reading day. Bring the novel you are reading to complete your project and READ!
HOMEWORK: Word Study due today. Three-five pages of writing due today! Read 30 minutes. Get your reading log signed.
Friday
Give me and your classmates a reading update on your novel. You’ve had it over a week now and should be halfway through. Begin with a short summary of what you have read so far. Then ask 2-4 questions. End with a response that gives your thoughts about what you are reading. Click here for an example. Who is the story about? What do you think of this character? Why? When and were does the story take place? How does the setting influence the story? What are the main problems the character faces? How are they dealing with it so far? What do you think will happen next? Post your thoughts on what you are reading in a new blog post on your blog. The title of the post should be the title and author of the book you are reading.
HOMEWORK: Reading Log due TODAY. Read over the weekend.