Thursday, June 26, 2008

June 27 Reading Discussion

I apologize for missing last Friday's post. I noticed that not many students responded to week 1's post, so maybe I should aim for posting everyother week. I am STILL waiting for H.I.V.E. to arrive from the library, I am beginning to think my request was lost in the summer shuffle. Has anyone else read this yet? I am looking forward to reading it. I finished Lemonade War last week and have been reading ahead to pick some July books. I have found 1 for sure, but it is long, so I may stick with only 2 books for July. We'll see!

So, to the important stuff...Thank you to those of you who responded to my post on 6/13. I had fun reading your comments. I hope more people can join the fun this time around!

The Lightening Thief-
Still the best book I have read this summer. It really reminds me of Gregor the Overlander...have you read that yet? If you like Lightening Thief, then you would LOVE Gregor!

How does the last line of the prophecy – you shall fail to save what matters most in the end – come true? What do you think of this ending? Did Percy make the right choice? What would you have done in his place?

The Lemonade War-
This book was a really quick read. If I hadn't been distracted by the nice weather, I may have finished it in one day! I thought it was a good story about siblings and family relationships. I liked how the little sister researched "good business techniques" in order to make more money at the lemonade stand.

What are some lessons you can learn from this book? Why do you think they are important?

H.I.V.E (Higher Institute for Villianous Education)
As I mentioned above, I am still waiting for this book to arrive at my library. I don't have any new questions this week, if you have read the book, please post a question for the group.

How is Otto like and unlike Harry Potter? Do you see any similarities between the 2 books?

To post your comments, just hit the "comments" button below. Type in your first name only (so we know who is talking) and then write about your thoughts. I will check in periodically during the week to see what everyone is saying!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

June 13th reading discussion

I hope the first week of summer was enjoyable & relaxing! I finished The Lightening Thief but haven't started either of the other two books yet. I really loved this book and hope someone else has read it too! I would love to hear what you think! I was trying to decide how to start up a conversation about these books, especially since there are 3...I am not very good at reading more than 1 book at a time. I will post 3 discussion questions each week and leave it up to you readers to comment (instructions below). If you have something else you want to comment on, you can do that as well.

The Lightening Thief-
This was a great book! I loved all the references to Greek Mythology. It made me want to go and check out a book to refresh my memory on all of the Gods and myths that went along with them! Did you feel that way too? Here is a discussion question to get you started:

When describing his mother, Percy says, “She’s the best person in the world, which just proves my theory that the best people get the rottenest luck.” How does this apply to Percy’s mom? Is this theory true in life? In the Greek myths?

The Lemonade War-
I haven't started this book yet. It is next on my list...I think it will be a great one because everyone loves having lemonade stands, right? It is also about sibling rivlary...most of you can relate to that also!!

Have you ever felt competitive with someone you are close to, like a sibling or a good friend? What was the competition about? What did you do? How was it resolved?

H.I.V.E (Higher Institute for Villianous Education)
I am still waiting for this book to be sent to me from the library. It is about a boy who is sent to a school on a volcanic island against his will. He and his friends try desperately to get off the island. It sounds interesting...kind of like a backwards Harry Potter.

How is Otto like and unlike Harry Potter? Do you see any similarities between the 2 books?

To post your comments, just hit the "comments" button below. Type in your first name only (so we know who is talking) and then write about your thoughts. I will check in periodically during the week to see what everyone is saying!

Look for a new post next Friday, Happy Reading!

Mrs. Plasch

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Summer Reading Opportunity!

It is almost summer! Time to talk new books :) This summer I will leave my Blog open for students, parents and teachers to talk about some hot new titles. Each month I will choose 3 books to read and will post weekly questions for students to discuss. This is not required reading. Choose any (or all) of the books listed that you are interested in. I think it will be a fun way for us to connect and read some pretty awesome books.

Blogging Terms and Conditions
1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts and/or comments. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.

2. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

3. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in this experience.

June Titles: (all are available through the Hennepin County Library)
H.I.V.E.: Highter Institute for Villainous Education
Walden, Mark
13-year-old orphan Otto Malpense, identified as a boy with a special talent for villainy, iskidnapped and taken to the remote Higher Institute of Villainous Education, or H.I.V.E.,where he is enrolled in a 6-year training program and immediately begins formulating aplan to escape.

Lemonade War
Davies, Jacqueline
Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in thesame class for 4th grade and as summer's end approaches, they battle it out throughlemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.

Lightning Thief (Book 1: Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Riordan, Jack
Percy, expelled from six schools for being unable to control his temper, learns his father isthe Greek god Poseidon and is sent to Camp Half Blood where he is befriended by a satyrand the demigod daughter of Athena, who join him in a journey to the Underworld toretrieve Zeus's lightning bolt and prevent a catastrophic war.