Got Books?

Post #6 Periods 1 & 2

2007-12-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

This response will be the last one of 2007, so make it good! This week, I want you to tell me about the theme, or life lesson, of your book. Why do you think the author chose to write this book? What lessons about life are you supposed to learn from your character? Maybe you are learning from your character's mistakes, or maybe you are learning from their success. If you are reading a non-fiction book, then explain what information you have learned, and how you will use it in your own life. Please remember to proof-read your responses. Your responses should be at least 3-5 sentences and should fully answer the question.

Response #5 for 3rd Period

2007-11-12T19:48:00.000-05:00

In our current read, Hole In My Life, Gantos writes of reading a quote from a newspaper journalist. The qoute is "Where there is blood, there is ink." Answer the following questions:

What is meant by this quote?
When Gantos tried to apply this quote to himself, what happens?

Response #5 -Periods 1 and 2

2007-11-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the challenging and banning of books. I have been thrilled with this unit because you have all responded so well to the lessons. I especially enjoyed it when Ms. Strickland came in "ranting and raving" about the books in my classroom. The looks on your faces were priceless!! I hope that you have all learned something in this unit. We will be wrapping it up this week.

Remember, any work is potentially open to attack by someone, somewhere, sometime, for some reason! This is how a book challenge and possible ban occurs. Protect your right to read!

I would like you to answer the following questions in your blog this week (please label your answers 1, 2, and 3):

Do you agree or disagree with book censorship? Why or why not. Full, well thought out answer is expected.
Do you think censoring music is the same or different as censoring books? Explain your answer. Full, well thought out answer is expected.
Have you read any of the books we have talked about? Which ones? You may just list them. Remember, we discussed the books on "the list" for elementary ages also. I have the Duval County Challenged Book List at my desk if you need to be reminded.

!st and 2nd Periods Response #4

2007-11-05T19:04:00.000-05:00

This week, I want your response to focus on the setting of your book. What is the main setting of the book? What time period? What part of the year? After you have explained the setting of your book, I want you to go a step further and analyze how the setting affects the story. Why do you think the author chose this setting? How would a different setting change the plot of the book? Also share your relationship with the setting. Have you ever been to this setting? How do you visualize it in your mind? Would you want to visit this place if you haven't already? Why or why not? Please consider your answer carefully before typing your response. Submit sincere answers, not just the first thing that pops into your mind.

Have a great week everyone!

11/12 Grade: Response #3

2007-10-28T19:33:00.000-04:00

As a class we are reading A Hole In My Life and I am pleased by how much you all seem to like it. I find it a very interesting book and very believable too. For the next few weeks I would like you to blog about this class read. You are more than welcome to blog about another book you are reading, as long as you blog about the class read also. This weeks blog is simple. I just want your opinion of A Hole In My Life. What do you like or dislike about it? Do you like the authors style of writing? Why/why not? Give examples from the book. What do you think will occur next in the book? Give me a solid response...no more one or two liners!!!

A shout out to the football players I teach.....Good luck Friday night against Bartram. I hope you all make awesome plays and come up with a huge win!

Response #3 Read 180 Classes ONLY

2007-10-28T18:51:00.002-04:00

Okay, so the Gators had a rough weekend! I have seriously considered taking Monday off just so I don't have to hear some of you "non-Gators" chatter away! Still, I would rather be a Gator than a stubby little "dawg"! Shhhh...don't tell Mrs. Mallory. On to the task at hand...the weekly reading blog! In class we have been working on summarizing. This can sometimes be difficult because we tend to want to tell everything that is going on. Your task this week is to summarize what you have read this week (not the entire story, not all of the chapters you have read so far....just what you read this week). This means you can't blog until at least Friday!!!! You are welcome to blog about your book or class but you can't answer the question until Friday. I will keep this blog up through Sunday night 7pm. See you in class on Monday!

Response #2

2007-10-21T17:12:00.000-04:00

For this week please add the title of the book and the page you are on to your post. Make sure to answer the question and to defend your opinion. In defending your opinion you are to give me examples from your book. In answering the question think about how the author writes....does he or she write so that the reader believes what they are reading? For instance, I recently read a fiction book titled "Dead as a Doornail". It is a humorous book about vampires and the author writes wonderfully. Her descriptions of the characters and the setting make the reader really believe what she is saying.

Here are is the response for this week:

Describe what was either believable or unbelievable about your reading.
Defend your opinion.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

2007-10-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

This is due Wednesday by 7pm. In order to receive the extra credit you will need to follow the directions and complete all of the steps.

List the books (including author and total pages)you have read this quarter.
Complete a self assessment for each book. ·
* Does the book seem interesting? What was the most interesting?
* Can I read most of the words or figure out the ones that I don’t know?
* When I try reading a page or two, does my reading seem smooth or do I have to stop a lot to try to figure out words?

*How long did I take to read this book?

Response #1 for second quarter

2007-10-14T19:56:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! Now that all of you should be used to posting I am going to get a bit tougher about grades. In order to receive full credit you need to follow the directions I have given for posting and make sure that you are answering the specific question for the week. Remember to reread what you are about to post! This will help to ensure what you have written will make sense to anyone reading your post. For this weeks post you need to do the following:

write a minimum of two paragraphs
refer to the book in your response

Here is the question for this week:

• How do the characters and/or events connect with your own experiences?

New Question.....

2007-10-07T18:37:00.000-04:00

This week the blog is just two questions! I would like to see a two paragraph answer ( 4-5 sentences). Come on....show me what you "ya got!" PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME A SUMMARY OF YOUR BOOK!!!!

What does the author do most effectively? What does the author do least effectively?

Notice the first post. I wrote it about the book I have just read. Have fun.

Reading Response for Week of October 1

2007-10-01T17:32:00.000-04:00

LOOK...LOOK ...LOOK...

Since we are working on plot in class I have decided to give you a series of Reading Response questions you may choose from. You are to select one of the bulleted topics below and write a
response (minimum of 100 words). Deadline 10/7/07

"Plotting" Along

What are the best parts of the book? Why? What are the worst parts of the book? Why?

Do you like the ending of the book? Why or why not? Do you think there is more to tell?

What do you think will happen next? Explain

What came as a surprise in the book? Why?

What parts of the book seem most believable or unbelievable? Why?

What makes you wonder in this book? What confuses you?

New Reading Response Question (9/24/07)

2007-09-23T19:09:00.000-04:00

What was one of your favorite lines (or sentences) in what you read this week? Copy it down and tell why you liked it. (It can be more than a sentence from the book if you like, but not too long—you still need to write 100 words of your own.) Click the word "comments" directly below this message to post your reading response.

ROCK THE FCAT 11th/12th GRADERS!!!

2007-09-21T18:22:00.000-04:00

You have all worked so hard to prepare for Tuesdays test. Stay confident, apply what you have learned, and beat the test....you can do it!!

Don't forget to bring your gatorade, water, and juice. I will have a cooler full of ice ready early Tuesday morning. The pizza will be ordered Monday afternoon so get your orders in to me by classtime on Monday. ;)

Read180

2007-09-15T20:07:00.000-04:00

Do you have your minutes in? Remember...you must have 100 minutes logged in on the computer each 5 day school week. Now that everything is up and running, I am keeping a close watch on the minutes.
90 - 100 minutes =A
80 - 89 minutes = B
70 - 79 minutes = C
60 - 69 minutes = D
anything less than 60 is an F

You can make up time during 2nd lunch or make an appointment with me for mornings or afternoons.

Reading Responses

2007-09-15T17:58:00.001-04:00

I created this site in hopes that you, my students, will post about what you are reading. I expect all of your posts to be appropriate! This is the place to give me your honest opinion about the book you are currently reading, get ideas for what to read next, check out what I am reading and just check in to say "Hi!"

When you post, it will count as your extended reading response for the week (like a reading journal). Remember a response is not a summary of the book. I am looking for your interaction with the book. What are your reactions as you read? Can you identify with the characters? If so how? Can you predict what will be coming next in the storyline? If so, what do you think will be next? Is there a part that was confusing to you? A word you didn't know?

I look forward to "talking" books with you.

Peace.

Ms. Reed

The Swamp

2007-09-15T17:40:00.000-04:00

Go Gators!!!