Monday, October 15, 2012

Sasquatch and Reader's Choice Awards

AH! The excitement about the upcoming books. The students recieved a long term assignment this week for teh Reader's Choice Award books and the Sasquatch books. We are excited to share these titles with students and can't wait for the response and feedback!!

 Here are the details for the assignment:

Sasquatch Award

Young Reader’s Choice Award

Reading Assignment

 

You have the opportunity to make a difference in the world of literature.  This assignment enables you to become an official voter for either or both the Sasquatch Award or Young Reader’s Choice Award.  Between now and March 2013, you will read a minimum of two books off of one of these award lists. You may read more than two off of each list or a few from both lists if you want.  You will vote on your favorite book from each list in March.  In January, you will get more details for a project that you will complete to go along with your reading. However, please note, that each book you read will have a blog entry. Details to follow.

 

This is not an assignment to

wait to complete.

Start reading now!

 

A few notes on the books: Getting these books will also be your responsibility.

  • We have copies of each in the Rock Creek Library (although there is already a waiting list of some of these). 
  • King County Library Systems have many copies of the books.
  • Purchase these books at a bookstore or online. 
 
 
Young Readers Choice Nominee List
If using this list, select a minimum of two titles
 
13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
 
Big Nate: in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
 
Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton (not owned by SPL)
 
Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky
 
The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
 
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
 
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
 
Sasquatch Nominee List
If using this list- select a minimum of two titles
 
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
 
The PS Brothers by Maribeth Boelts
 
Crunch by Leslie Connor
 
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
 
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (available only as downloadable audio)
 
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
 
Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (The Popularity Papers, Book 1) by Amy Ignatow
 
Love, Aubrey by Suzanne M. LaFleur
 
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
 
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
 
Masters of Disasters by Gary Paulsen (not owned by SPL)
 
The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere, Book 1) by Jacqueline West
 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Maniac Magee


It has been such a great start to the school year in Reading and Writing. Our students have jumped on the Maniac Magee bandwagon. The story is rich with themes of love, homelessness, and family. Students have learned to look for the moral message, as well as the "heart" of the story. It is VERY rewarding to hear students talk about the book and have an eagerness to continue to read each portion of the book in our literature circle. 

Maniac Magee is a tall tale of sorts as we look through Jerry Spinelli's initial warning of not to let the facts get mixed up with the truth.... and the history of the kid is one part legend, two parts fact, and three parts snowball. 

Our adventure has included group discussions with Mr. Aaby and Ms. McDaniel combining the blocks to discuss characters, key points, themes, and vocabulary. It also includes KIDBLOGGER. Students have been addicted to writing their posts about theme. AND as always, we struggle to establish the scholarly responses to use it as a learning tool and not a social networking tool. Ah! The struggle to respond without using LOL or I think you are COOL in every line! 

This week, we will wrap up our discussions on Maniac Magee and begin our final project of book jackets and blurbs and transition to our Challenge Novel Workshop. 

We hope you will follow our Tale of Two Teachers Reading and Writing Blog to keep peeks at your students adventures in reading and writing. 

Mr. Aaby and Ms. McDaniel