Leviathan Due 4/22

Which side has the advantage in the war, the Clankers or the Beasties? Why or why not? Please include details from the text to support your theory.

Anne Frank due 4/22

How do you feel about the fact that Anne’s diary was published considering the numerous very personal passages and harsh criticisms of people who later died? Otto Frank originally edited the diary to remove such sensitive portions. Do you think these sections should be edited out or that the diary as a whole should be available? In addition, do you think the book would be as popular of Anne's life had ended differently?

Murder on the Orient Express Due 4/22

DO NOT READ THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED THE BOOK!!! Is the murder of Ratchett justified? Why or why not?

Chains Due 4/22

What does Isabel mean when she says," I was chained between two nations"? There are several references to chains throughout the novel. How is the word "chain" used as an antonym to the word "freedom"?

Leviathan due 4/15

Westerfeld describes the nature of steampunk as “blending future and past.” For example,"Leviathan" combines future technology with the history of 1914. So what are your thoughts on the steampunk genre? Why do you think it’s becoming so popular?

Anne Frank due 4/15

For what reasons do you think Anne kept a diary

while she was in hiding? How do you think her
diary helped Anne through this diffi cult time?
How is what Anne writes about herself in her diary
different from the way she acts around the other
occupants of the annex? Why do you think Anne
hides some of her true feelings from the others?

Chains due 4/15

The American Revolution was about freedom and liberty. Isabel has lived her entire life in bondage, but dreams of freedom. What does freedom look like in Isabel's mind?

Murder on the Orient Express due 4/15

How does the unusual setting of the story shape the structure of Poirot's investigation? What advantages does it give him? What challenges does it present? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Chains due 4/11

Mr. Robert collects Isabel and Ruth on the day of Miss Mary's funeral. Why aren't the girls allowed to take personal items with them? Explain the symbolism of the seeds that Isabel hides in her pockets.

Anne Frank Due 4/11

What was Anne's life like in the Attic? What are some ways that she tried to make her life "normal"? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Leviathan Due 4/11

How does the beginning of "Leviathan" parallel the true beginning of World War I? Was there really an Alek

Murder on the Orient Express

Hercule Poirot is one of the most famous literary characters. What do you think of him? Use examples from the text to support your answer. This will be worth five points.

Leviathan Due 2/18

How does the beginning of "Leviathan" parallel the true beginning of World War I? Was there really an Alek?

Anne Frank Due 2/18

What was Anne's life like in the Attic? What are some ways that she tried to make her life "normal"? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

The Hunger Games Due 2/18

How does Katniss feel about the country of Panem? Why does she need to make her face "an indifferent mask" and be careful what she says in public? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Due 2/18

Discuss the relationship between Bruno and Gretel. Why does Bruno seem younger than nine?

Newsletter

Dear Parents,
I was sitting in our weekly staff meeting about to start compiling my daily list when I heard my name. My first thought was, “What did I do now?” Then I realized they were announcing which class made the highest growth thus far this year in reading and it was my class! Not only is the class average already well above where we should be, we have already made almost two years growth. It is only February! Wait, it gets even better. In math, the class has made 3.9 years growth! Okay, so what does this mean to you as parents? It means the kids are learning at an amazing pace! This is fantastic news! I am so proud of the kids. They work so hard and it shows. Your child’s information on the STAR Math and STAR Reading assessments will be included with their report cards. If you want to know sooner, please feel free to email me.
CSAP Breakfast

We will once again be having CSAP potlucks each day of the exams. I will be assigning items for each of you to bring. If this is an issue, please let me know. The assignment sheet will be sent home next week in Thursday folders. I will also post it on the blog for those of you that never see your Thursday folder because your child leaves it at school every week.


Cast of Characters


Your child should be well underway with their Cast of Characters project. I have read most of the essays on the author’s influences/inspirations and they are awesome! All the kids are creating animoto videos on this topic as well. I will be posting them on the blog as soon as more of them are done. Your child will have ample time to create all technology components of this project in class. I am finalizing the “performance” date this week and I will let you know soon.


Young Ameritowne


Young Ameritowne is scheduled for March 23. This event is one of the coolest things your kids will participate in while they are in elementary school. It is so much fun! The kids actually get to “run” a town for the day. This town has shops, a bank, and other offices that one would find in a city. They will have interviewed for the various jobs at Young Ameritowne and will receive a salary. Throughout the day, the students will have to do “real life activities” like pay taxes and bills. Don’t worry they do get a break to spend their hard earned money on snacks and souvenirs. Overall, the kids absolutely adore it and will talk about for years to come. Another great thing about Young Ameritowne is that parents can volunteer to help run the shops with the kids. Let me know if you are interested.


Ipad


The ipad has arrived! It should be up and running for kids next week. The kids will each get turns using it in reading groups next week. Each group will create a project on the books that they are reading. Two groups will create a Google Earth tour with embedded pictures, videos and text from their current books. The other group will make an online newspaper/presentation on theirs. Don’t worry this will all be done in class with no extra work at home, I promise!


Have a great weekend,
Jen


P.S. Don’t forget about the Valentine’s Day party on Monday! Hook the class up with some sugary treats!

Forge Due 2/11

This author always leaves you hanging! What do you think is going to happen in the next book? What characters do you think will reappear?

Mockingjay Due 2/11

Do you think the title "Mockingjay" is a fitting conclusion for this series? Why or why not? In addition, what do you think of the Way Suzanne Collins finished the book? Do you like it? If not, what would you have done?

Tuck Everlasting Due 2/11

So, would you or wouldn't you drink from the spring? Explain your reasons in detail.

Chains Due 2/11

What does Isabel mean when she says," I was chained between two nations"? There are several references to chains throughout the novel. How is the word "chain" used as an antonym to the word "freedom"?

The Book Thief Due 2/11

Liesel lived to be an old woman. Death says that he would like to tell the book thief about beauty and brutality, but those are things she had already lived. How does her life represent beauty in the wake of brutality? Use test examples to support your answer.

Chains due 1/21

The American Revolution was about freedom and liberty. Isabel has lived her entire life in bondage, but dreams of freedom. What does freedom look like in Isabel's mind?

Mockingjay due 1/21

Do you feel the use of Katniss for the war was any different than how Panem used the teenagers in The Hunger Games? How does propaganda aid or hurt District 13?

Forge due 1/21

Describe the relationship between Curazon and his "master". Is his master justified in "owning" him since the war is still going on?

Tuck Everlasting due 1/21

The man in the yellow suit appears to be sinister, is he?. What do you think his motives are? What do you think will happen to him in the end of the book?

Book Thief due 1/21

What do you think of Liesel and Rudy's relationship? Is Rudy in love with Liesel, why or why not? Is their relationship a good one? How does Rudy's life affect Liesel?

Mockinjay due 1/13

District 13 was mentioned in all the books in the "Hunger Games Trilogy." Yet, in this book is seems that it is one of the main characters. What is the role of District 13 in "Mockingjay?"

Forge due 1/13

Valley Forge wasn't a battlefield. Instead, it was a winter encampment for Washington's army. What types of personal battles did the soldiers endure at Valley Forge? Why is Valley Forge considered the turning point in the American Revolution?

Tuck Everlasting due 1/13

What is Winnie's life like at home? How does this influence her entering the woods? This should be at least a paragraph.

Book Thief due 1/13

Okay, I said from the beginning that this story was different. When the narrator is "Death" things are going to be unique. What do you think of "Death?" Is he good or evil? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Chains due 1/13

Mr. Robert collects Isabel and Ruth on the day of Miss Mary's funeral. Why aren't the girls allowed to take personal items with them? Explain the symbolism of the seeds that Isabel hides in her pockets.