ClassScape testing is an important part of instruction here at Castly Hayne. It allows us to track which objectives the students have mastered and where they may need a bit of help.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tech Today
ClassScape testing is an important part of instruction here at Castly Hayne. It allows us to track which objectives the students have mastered and where they may need a bit of help.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Timmy Letter 2
Dear Ms. C,
The Maze of Bones is very good. I think Rick Riordan did a very nice job writing this book and starting the series for other authors to write and finish off. I think it’s cool that there are very little pictures but they add a lot meaning to the story. A couple of things that surprised me are that Alistair Oh is being followed by Natalie and Ian who also want to set a trap for Dan and Amy. In my opinion I think the author chose this title because the bones that are on the cover are kind of like the past and are sort of like the ancestors to Dan and Amy.
If I had the opportunity to change this book I wouldn’t because the author did such a great job writing it. I would recommend this book to everyone and I could probably tell you why it might be so popular but unfortunately I can’t because I haven’t recommended it yet. I think this book is so good that if someone abandoned this book which I hope not that Rick Riordan himself would have to come and ask them what did you do that for?
Sincerely,
Timmy
The Maze of Bones is very good. I think Rick Riordan did a very nice job writing this book and starting the series for other authors to write and finish off. I think it’s cool that there are very little pictures but they add a lot meaning to the story. A couple of things that surprised me are that Alistair Oh is being followed by Natalie and Ian who also want to set a trap for Dan and Amy. In my opinion I think the author chose this title because the bones that are on the cover are kind of like the past and are sort of like the ancestors to Dan and Amy.
If I had the opportunity to change this book I wouldn’t because the author did such a great job writing it. I would recommend this book to everyone and I could probably tell you why it might be so popular but unfortunately I can’t because I haven’t recommended it yet. I think this book is so good that if someone abandoned this book which I hope not that Rick Riordan himself would have to come and ask them what did you do that for?
Sincerely,
Timmy
Timmy's Letter
Dear Ms. C, October 14, 2010
The Red Pyramid is a great book and is the first in the series of the Kane Chronicles. I think Sadie and Carter will probably end up fighting the fire dude. I predict that they will find Kufugh and Phil. Something I found interesting is that the goddess of cats, Bast was Sadie’s cat who used to be called Muffin. I didn’t get talk about this in class but I wonder why Rick Riordan created that weird word serpepard.
The main characters so far change from worried to all full of confidence and bravery. I think I can relate this book to another which is, The Maze of Bones because the author is the same and just like Sadie and Carter Amy and Dan have no choice because in both books both parents are gone and they have to reach a goal.
Sincerely,
Timmy
The Red Pyramid is a great book and is the first in the series of the Kane Chronicles. I think Sadie and Carter will probably end up fighting the fire dude. I predict that they will find Kufugh and Phil. Something I found interesting is that the goddess of cats, Bast was Sadie’s cat who used to be called Muffin. I didn’t get talk about this in class but I wonder why Rick Riordan created that weird word serpepard.
The main characters so far change from worried to all full of confidence and bravery. I think I can relate this book to another which is, The Maze of Bones because the author is the same and just like Sadie and Carter Amy and Dan have no choice because in both books both parents are gone and they have to reach a goal.
Sincerely,
Timmy
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Group Practice Letter
Dear Readers,
The Red Pyramid is a novel by Rick Riordan. It is the first in a series called the Kane Chronicles. It is about the Kane children, Carter and Sadie, who were separated after their mother died. After their Dad tried to bring their Mom back, he accidentally released five Egyptian gods from the Rosetta Stone. Now, they are on a mission to recapture them before the Demon days are over.
Something that I found interesting were the serpopards, because they were two different animals, a serpent and a leopard, mixed into one animal. There is also Muffin, a cat, who isn’t really a cat. She is Bast, the Egyptian goddess of cats. The book also has other animals that are interesting like Khufu, a baboon who eats things that end in “o” like Cheerios, Oreos and Doritos. It is pretty cool how Muffin is like a superhero, because well, I’ll let you read it and find out for yourself. So far this book is super good, and has lots of detail and suspense. I can’t wait to keep reading to tell you more.
Sincerely,
The fifth grade AIG bunch
The Red Pyramid is a novel by Rick Riordan. It is the first in a series called the Kane Chronicles. It is about the Kane children, Carter and Sadie, who were separated after their mother died. After their Dad tried to bring their Mom back, he accidentally released five Egyptian gods from the Rosetta Stone. Now, they are on a mission to recapture them before the Demon days are over.
Something that I found interesting were the serpopards, because they were two different animals, a serpent and a leopard, mixed into one animal. There is also Muffin, a cat, who isn’t really a cat. She is Bast, the Egyptian goddess of cats. The book also has other animals that are interesting like Khufu, a baboon who eats things that end in “o” like Cheerios, Oreos and Doritos. It is pretty cool how Muffin is like a superhero, because well, I’ll let you read it and find out for yourself. So far this book is super good, and has lots of detail and suspense. I can’t wait to keep reading to tell you more.
Sincerely,
The fifth grade AIG bunch
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
What are we learning?
Dear Students,
I want you to take a moment to share some of the things that we are learning in our class with the rest of the world. What have you learned so far this year? What has been your favorite?
Ms. C
I want you to take a moment to share some of the things that we are learning in our class with the rest of the world. What have you learned so far this year? What has been your favorite?
Ms. C
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Who Killed Tom?
Fourth and Fifth grade students have been graphing heart rates of several suspects and using critical thinking skills to determine who killed Tom the artist in a mini mystery. Students had a video to watch to collect the evidence, as well as police reports to consult to determine who the culprit was. Students had to consider what would cause the heart rate of the suspects to raise and lower and support their conclusion with evidence. So tell me, detectives. Who do YOU think murdered poor Tom?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wonderland Wars... or something like that.
Dear Children,
Wow! It has been a long time since I have read a book that I can tell you about, but I finally have had time to READ!. The book is The Looking Glass Wars and yes, you guess it (well, maybe) it is based on Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories, so when I saw this in BN I was practically vibrating. I snatched it off the shelf, checked out and had a hard time putting it down to accomplish anything else.
I feel like I should mention that this is a very violent book and not for the faint of heart. The plot of the book revolves around a period of Civil War and some of the scenes are pretty graphic. Aunt Redd (think Queen of Hearts) is a vicious woman who steals the throne from her sister Genevive, Alyss's mother. Alyss is now an orphan (the author stays true to the whole "off with their heads" thing) and escapes with Hatter Maddigan through the Pool of Tears. Alyss and Hatter are seperated though and Alyss has to learn to make her way in our world. She tells the story to Lewis Carroll and that is how we get Alice in Wonderland. She is angry, however, at how the book turns out, because her real life of tragedy is turned into a piece of fantasy. I don't want to give the whole story away, but eventually Hatter does find Alyss and she returns to Wonderland just in time. This book is full of action and it is a fast paced story. I loved finding the bits and pieces of the story that we have grown up with in this new version. Looking Glass Wars is the first in a series. I can't wait to read the next one. There is also a series of graphic novels about Hatter to go along with the novel.
This isn't a book for everyone. Not by a long shot, but if you enjoyed books like Eragon or the Hobbit, then you will probably like The Looking Glass Wars.
Wow! It has been a long time since I have read a book that I can tell you about, but I finally have had time to READ!. The book is The Looking Glass Wars and yes, you guess it (well, maybe) it is based on Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories, so when I saw this in BN I was practically vibrating. I snatched it off the shelf, checked out and had a hard time putting it down to accomplish anything else.
I feel like I should mention that this is a very violent book and not for the faint of heart. The plot of the book revolves around a period of Civil War and some of the scenes are pretty graphic. Aunt Redd (think Queen of Hearts) is a vicious woman who steals the throne from her sister Genevive, Alyss's mother. Alyss is now an orphan (the author stays true to the whole "off with their heads" thing) and escapes with Hatter Maddigan through the Pool of Tears. Alyss and Hatter are seperated though and Alyss has to learn to make her way in our world. She tells the story to Lewis Carroll and that is how we get Alice in Wonderland. She is angry, however, at how the book turns out, because her real life of tragedy is turned into a piece of fantasy. I don't want to give the whole story away, but eventually Hatter does find Alyss and she returns to Wonderland just in time. This book is full of action and it is a fast paced story. I loved finding the bits and pieces of the story that we have grown up with in this new version. Looking Glass Wars is the first in a series. I can't wait to read the next one. There is also a series of graphic novels about Hatter to go along with the novel.
This isn't a book for everyone. Not by a long shot, but if you enjoyed books like Eragon or the Hobbit, then you will probably like The Looking Glass Wars.
Travis* Reading "the Dog" by Valerie Worth
* Please note that Travis is not a dog, but a wonderfully goofy boy.
Samantha* reading "The Kitten" by Valerie Worth
*Please note that Samantha is a delightful girl, not a talking kitten.
Carson Reads "The Yellow Dog" by Sharon Creech
This is a concrete poem from Love that Dog. Notice how when Carson reads the poem it has the sound of a dog wagging its tail.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
What do you think about Fedexia?
Tell me what you think about the new fossil they discovered. Do you think they should have named a fossil after a corporation?
To learn more, click here
Here you can find charictaristics.
The scientists think the Fedexia was the first EVER amphibian, and they named it after Fedex!
It was named Fedexia because it was found on Fedex property.
I think they should have done what they normally do to name fossils.
What do you think?
To learn more, click here
Here you can find charictaristics.
The scientists think the Fedexia was the first EVER amphibian, and they named it after Fedex!
It was named Fedexia because it was found on Fedex property.
I think they should have done what they normally do to name fossils.
What do you think?
The Battle of the Labyrinth
Dear Ms. C,
The Battle of the Labyrinth was so funny and also sad at the same moment. Percy did something that made my eyes pop out of their sockets. Annabeth is the same, but Grover is on the last string of his job to protect Percy. They all do really funny things that made me explode with laughter. Then some times I got really scared that made me start to sweat because I thought Percy was going to get hurt. Then other times I thought Percy was going to get in a heap of trouble. Percy is always getting called to missions to complete that are wacky. The details are really deep inside the book and they really tell a lot about it. Percy is always doing things that are putting his life in danger. Grover is just as the usual, scared and frightened. They go do a lot of things that are helping the world stay balanced. While Percy goes and saves the world to stay in order, he also almost gets killed, but he always gets out of danger. These are weird thins that Percy has to do to help his friends. Percy still does a stupid, but funny thing that helps everyone. Annabeth helps Percy along the way so Percy won’t die, and to save the world. The labyrinth is so mysterious and dangerous to go in and there is a very slim chance that you will live. The emotions are so frightening to discover and hard to get out of shock. Well I hope I made you very interested in this book I was talking about.
From,
Simon
The Battle of the Labyrinth was so funny and also sad at the same moment. Percy did something that made my eyes pop out of their sockets. Annabeth is the same, but Grover is on the last string of his job to protect Percy. They all do really funny things that made me explode with laughter. Then some times I got really scared that made me start to sweat because I thought Percy was going to get hurt. Then other times I thought Percy was going to get in a heap of trouble. Percy is always getting called to missions to complete that are wacky. The details are really deep inside the book and they really tell a lot about it. Percy is always doing things that are putting his life in danger. Grover is just as the usual, scared and frightened. They go do a lot of things that are helping the world stay balanced. While Percy goes and saves the world to stay in order, he also almost gets killed, but he always gets out of danger. These are weird thins that Percy has to do to help his friends. Percy still does a stupid, but funny thing that helps everyone. Annabeth helps Percy along the way so Percy won’t die, and to save the world. The labyrinth is so mysterious and dangerous to go in and there is a very slim chance that you will live. The emotions are so frightening to discover and hard to get out of shock. Well I hope I made you very interested in this book I was talking about.
From,
Simon
Elizabeth's Letter 3
Dear Ms.C,
I have just recently finished a book called Warriors, The Forgotten Path. It’s about a cat named Firepaw who lives in the forest with the rest of his clan. See there are these 4 clans and their names are Thunderclan, who Firepaw belongs to, Windclan, Riverclan, and Shadowclan. See once shortly before Firepaw came to the clan from his kittypet life, Tigerclaw was a warrior for Thunderclan and was at a battle with Riverclan and was there with Redtail who was the Thunderclan deputy. Redtail was battling with Oakheart who was the Riverclan deputy and they went under a rock and it fell on top of them and since Oakheart already had a series of injuries it killed him as soon as the rock fell on top of him. Redtail was still alive but not for long. When Redtail got up from under the rock Tigerclaw grabbed him from the back and sank his massive teeth into Redtails neck, and that was that. Redtail was dead. When Tigerclaw came bake to the camp dragging Redtails body behind him everyone was to scared to speak. Little did Tigerclaw know that his apprentice, Ravenpaw saw everything that had happened even the part when Tigerclaw killed Redtail. Tigerclaw soon found out what Ravenpaw knew and was out to murder him. Firepaw and Graypaw took Ravenpaw to a twoleg barn to find another loner named Barely. Their Ravenpaw makes a living with Barely. After they come back to the Clans they have to tell the clan and Bluestar that Ravenpaw is dead. After Bluestar was alone Firepaw went up to her and told her where they had taken Ravenpaw and that he was safe with Barely. Then came the hard part for Firepaw, he had to tell Bluestar about Tigerclaw’s treachery. When Firepaw told Bluestar about Tigerclaw’s treachery she did not believe him. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next!
From,
Elizabeth
I have just recently finished a book called Warriors, The Forgotten Path. It’s about a cat named Firepaw who lives in the forest with the rest of his clan. See there are these 4 clans and their names are Thunderclan, who Firepaw belongs to, Windclan, Riverclan, and Shadowclan. See once shortly before Firepaw came to the clan from his kittypet life, Tigerclaw was a warrior for Thunderclan and was at a battle with Riverclan and was there with Redtail who was the Thunderclan deputy. Redtail was battling with Oakheart who was the Riverclan deputy and they went under a rock and it fell on top of them and since Oakheart already had a series of injuries it killed him as soon as the rock fell on top of him. Redtail was still alive but not for long. When Redtail got up from under the rock Tigerclaw grabbed him from the back and sank his massive teeth into Redtails neck, and that was that. Redtail was dead. When Tigerclaw came bake to the camp dragging Redtails body behind him everyone was to scared to speak. Little did Tigerclaw know that his apprentice, Ravenpaw saw everything that had happened even the part when Tigerclaw killed Redtail. Tigerclaw soon found out what Ravenpaw knew and was out to murder him. Firepaw and Graypaw took Ravenpaw to a twoleg barn to find another loner named Barely. Their Ravenpaw makes a living with Barely. After they come back to the Clans they have to tell the clan and Bluestar that Ravenpaw is dead. After Bluestar was alone Firepaw went up to her and told her where they had taken Ravenpaw and that he was safe with Barely. Then came the hard part for Firepaw, he had to tell Bluestar about Tigerclaw’s treachery. When Firepaw told Bluestar about Tigerclaw’s treachery she did not believe him. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next!
From,
Elizabeth
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Emme's Letter 3
Dear Ms. C,
I have recently just finished a book called A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill, Book #4. This book is about the Baudelaire Orphans and the unfortunate things that happen to them it is yet another dreary, mysterious adventure written by one of my favorite authors Lemony Snicket. In this book the Baudelaire Orphans are signed over to a very mean man that does not reveal his name because he feels that nobody can pronounce it so he needs not to waste his time so he tells everybody to call him Sir. The place they live at is called Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Where they are forced to work and only get a piece of gum for lunch, a five minute lunch break, they are paid in only coupons, and are forced to eat a very weird casserole every night for dinner, and not to mention that they are only children!
Then when the mean Foreman Flacutono trips Klaus- the middle Baudelaire- and poor Klaus falls to the ground and breaks his glasses so a worker named Phil- a man that the Baudelaire’s befriended since the first day of work- takes him to the eye doctor across the street to get new glasses. Klaus is there all night and his sisters start to worry if he is okay or not. When Klaus finally comes back little do his sisters know that he is hypnotized! The next morning Violet and sunny go to work and at the end of the day they got to there friend Charles’s library which only has 3 books in it and they find one about advanced eye science and read an article about hypnosis and figure out a way to snap him out of it. Then that day at work (Klaus still hypnotized) accidently breaks the machine that stamps there lumber with their logo on it and it falls over on Phil’s leg and crushes it!
The Baudelaire’s foreman un-hypnotizes that morning so he is clueless and doesn’t have any idea what he did. Then he re-hypnotizes him and the rest you can figure out for yourself. This book is great but you might want to read the first 3 in this series or else it will not make sense. The ending is kind of shocking but it leaves you wanting more so get the 5th book after you are done with it these books are awesome! be sure to read them in order.
Sincerely,
Emme
I have recently just finished a book called A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill, Book #4. This book is about the Baudelaire Orphans and the unfortunate things that happen to them it is yet another dreary, mysterious adventure written by one of my favorite authors Lemony Snicket. In this book the Baudelaire Orphans are signed over to a very mean man that does not reveal his name because he feels that nobody can pronounce it so he needs not to waste his time so he tells everybody to call him Sir. The place they live at is called Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Where they are forced to work and only get a piece of gum for lunch, a five minute lunch break, they are paid in only coupons, and are forced to eat a very weird casserole every night for dinner, and not to mention that they are only children!
Then when the mean Foreman Flacutono trips Klaus- the middle Baudelaire- and poor Klaus falls to the ground and breaks his glasses so a worker named Phil- a man that the Baudelaire’s befriended since the first day of work- takes him to the eye doctor across the street to get new glasses. Klaus is there all night and his sisters start to worry if he is okay or not. When Klaus finally comes back little do his sisters know that he is hypnotized! The next morning Violet and sunny go to work and at the end of the day they got to there friend Charles’s library which only has 3 books in it and they find one about advanced eye science and read an article about hypnosis and figure out a way to snap him out of it. Then that day at work (Klaus still hypnotized) accidently breaks the machine that stamps there lumber with their logo on it and it falls over on Phil’s leg and crushes it!
The Baudelaire’s foreman un-hypnotizes that morning so he is clueless and doesn’t have any idea what he did. Then he re-hypnotizes him and the rest you can figure out for yourself. This book is great but you might want to read the first 3 in this series or else it will not make sense. The ending is kind of shocking but it leaves you wanting more so get the 5th book after you are done with it these books are awesome! be sure to read them in order.
Sincerely,
Emme
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Alex Letter #2
Dear Ms. Cartwright,
I have lately been reading a book called the BFG. It is by an extraordinary author named Roald Dahl. He has written lots of books such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Georges Magnificent Medicine, and James and the Giant Peach.
This book starts out with a small orphaned girl named Sophie, she can’t get to sleep. So she just lies there wondering why she is too tired to go to sleep, and all of a sudden she hears a noise outside her window, she peeks out and sees a twenty-one foot tall giant! She sees him blowing something through a long trumpet looking thing, but unluckily he sees her too, he strides over to her window and snatches her up bed sheets and all! She tries to scream but the bed sheets muffle her cries for help.
When they arrive at the BFG’s cave the BFG explains how Sophie should not be afraid of him and that he does not eat children like his other twelve brothers. So he lets her taste what he has to eat every day because the land that he lives in cannot grow anything but Filthy Snozzcumbers, so as you can imagine he eats nothing but Snozzcumbers. But at least he has lots of Fropscottle a marvelously good drink.
I hope you will want to read this book because I read it and I thought that it was so good that I am doing a book share on it. Like I said it is a amazing book. See you soon! Sincerely,
Alex
I have lately been reading a book called the BFG. It is by an extraordinary author named Roald Dahl. He has written lots of books such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Georges Magnificent Medicine, and James and the Giant Peach.
This book starts out with a small orphaned girl named Sophie, she can’t get to sleep. So she just lies there wondering why she is too tired to go to sleep, and all of a sudden she hears a noise outside her window, she peeks out and sees a twenty-one foot tall giant! She sees him blowing something through a long trumpet looking thing, but unluckily he sees her too, he strides over to her window and snatches her up bed sheets and all! She tries to scream but the bed sheets muffle her cries for help.
When they arrive at the BFG’s cave the BFG explains how Sophie should not be afraid of him and that he does not eat children like his other twelve brothers. So he lets her taste what he has to eat every day because the land that he lives in cannot grow anything but Filthy Snozzcumbers, so as you can imagine he eats nothing but Snozzcumbers. But at least he has lots of Fropscottle a marvelously good drink.
I hope you will want to read this book because I read it and I thought that it was so good that I am doing a book share on it. Like I said it is a amazing book. See you soon! Sincerely,
Alex
Thursday, March 11, 2010
AIG Happenings
Hello again Dear Students,
I am so proud of the work you have been doing. I am amazed at how well some of your articles for our magazines are shaping up. Tomorrow I will begin working with two or three editors to create the covers. I am hoping that we can begin to finish up our exploration of area and perimeter so that we can start designing our pavillions. I would like to have them up to display along with the magazines so everyone can see how much you have learned.
As you know, it is that time of year where things begin to turn towards EOG. Soon we will be doing more skill based activities in reading and practicing to get ready for the big day. Fifth grade, that means we will soon be making room for science review to get you ready for the test. I know that all of you have what it takes to really impress those people in offices who look at scores and we are going to show them how smart you are!
Have you noticed that the days are getting longer? I sure have. And it makes me excited. Of course, with Spring comes rain, and we have been getting a lot of it. I think it is a little annoying, because then we can't get outside, but it is also cool when you think about it. By it, I mean the water cycle. Just think, the water that is falling in Wilmington today could have been in a river on the other side of the country not too long ago. I think that is pretty nifty.
Fifth graders, I can't wait to see your letters. Don't forget they are due soon!
Your teacher,
Ms. C
I am so proud of the work you have been doing. I am amazed at how well some of your articles for our magazines are shaping up. Tomorrow I will begin working with two or three editors to create the covers. I am hoping that we can begin to finish up our exploration of area and perimeter so that we can start designing our pavillions. I would like to have them up to display along with the magazines so everyone can see how much you have learned.
As you know, it is that time of year where things begin to turn towards EOG. Soon we will be doing more skill based activities in reading and practicing to get ready for the big day. Fifth grade, that means we will soon be making room for science review to get you ready for the test. I know that all of you have what it takes to really impress those people in offices who look at scores and we are going to show them how smart you are!
Have you noticed that the days are getting longer? I sure have. And it makes me excited. Of course, with Spring comes rain, and we have been getting a lot of it. I think it is a little annoying, because then we can't get outside, but it is also cool when you think about it. By it, I mean the water cycle. Just think, the water that is falling in Wilmington today could have been in a river on the other side of the country not too long ago. I think that is pretty nifty.
Fifth graders, I can't wait to see your letters. Don't forget they are due soon!
Your teacher,
Ms. C
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bella's Second Letter
I just started the book Julie but, I don’t think that it will be as good as the first one. I hope as I read on that it will still be as good as the first one. The first book was very sad but I loved the book so much, and I wanted to read more of the series. I think that the first book took a lot of time to put together, and that the other books in the series were rushed and didn’t have the beautiful crafted settings and details as the first one did. The author is amazing and I wish that I could read more of her. I heard that she has written many books for children, including the Julie of the Wolves series. She usually writes about animals and wild life.
I think that I will read The Mysterious Benedict Society. I have been reading this book and it’s really interesting. I have gotten to the part when Reynie is about to take the second test. And he meets Rhonda, she loses her pencil and Reynie offers too share his. She says that he can cheat off of her paper because she has all of the answers. Reynie said no because he thinks that it’s wrong to cheat and she might not have the right answers to the questions. At the end of the test he was the only one who past the test because he found a puzzle hidden in the text. Rhonda was just there for a distraction to see how smart you actually are. He was waiting for the next test when he meets Sticky Washington; they call him that because everything sticks in is head. They talked until Kate Wheatherall comes running in to take the third test. Reynie asked why she came in so fast. She said that it was better than walking slowly through the hall. She past the test because she helped the pencil lady escape from all the angry parents and children. She told them that there was a man all behind this and she took off the doorknob and they all ran in and couldn’t get out. Kate didn’t pass the test but the pencil lady said that she go to the third test.
Sincerely,
Isabella
Chase's FIRST letter
Dear Mrs. Cartwright,
The book I am writing to you about this week is Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4 by the author Jeff Kenney. The book is about a very wimpy kid that wants to just play video games all day during the summer. But he writes a diary of his funny experiences that he really has during the summer.
The book kind of reminds me of this kid I know that always wants to play video games all day. I chose the book because I thought that it looked funny and all of my friends were talking about it. The book did not disappoint me at all either. After you read the book you know why the authors chose the title. But before you read #4 I would suggest you read #1 #2 #3 so you know what happened. A lot of stuff that happens in the books relies on the book before. For example something that was in the first book would be in the second.
I liked the book because it was flat out hilarious. I mean there was some very funny stuff in the book. But if you want to find out what the funny parts were I would suggest you read the book. At least I don’t play video games all day inside the house. The book was a little easy for me but I think that people should read the book. I liked the language that the author used; it seemed that he was talking directly to you
I think that a lot of people should read this book and I would recommend it just for you.
Sincerely,
Chase
The book I am writing to you about this week is Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4 by the author Jeff Kenney. The book is about a very wimpy kid that wants to just play video games all day during the summer. But he writes a diary of his funny experiences that he really has during the summer.
The book kind of reminds me of this kid I know that always wants to play video games all day. I chose the book because I thought that it looked funny and all of my friends were talking about it. The book did not disappoint me at all either. After you read the book you know why the authors chose the title. But before you read #4 I would suggest you read #1 #2 #3 so you know what happened. A lot of stuff that happens in the books relies on the book before. For example something that was in the first book would be in the second.
I liked the book because it was flat out hilarious. I mean there was some very funny stuff in the book. But if you want to find out what the funny parts were I would suggest you read the book. At least I don’t play video games all day inside the house. The book was a little easy for me but I think that people should read the book. I liked the language that the author used; it seemed that he was talking directly to you
I think that a lot of people should read this book and I would recommend it just for you.
Sincerely,
Chase
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Fourth Grade Choice
OK... so we have a bit of problem. We have a tie between The Fire Within and Shakespeare's Secret. They both have three votes. Peter and Hatchet both had two. The first book to get an extra vote on the blog between the Fire and Secret will be the winner... Click on comments to leave a vote.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Lots of thoughts...
Hello Darling Children,
I have been staring at this computer trying to think about what to write about. I am a bit flummoxed because I haven't really been reading a whole lot of "kids" books lately and I don't want to bore you with information from my boring adult readings. I think it is interesting stuff, but it would probably put you right to sleep. I will tell you that I have been reading more of Chew On This. And I get more and more angry every time I pick it up. Sometimes I get angry because of the way that big corporations try to manipulate kids. I always knew about it. I was aware it happened, but I didn't know the details about the extreme lengths these companies go to until lately. It upsets me to think that they are brainwashing you and fooling you into buying their products. I realize that you are capable of making intelligent choices and not falling for the schemes, but I don't think that they should do it in the first place. Another thing that makes me a bit angry is how the food is made. For example, did you know that a certain fast food restaurant uses BEEF flavoring in their french fries? So when you order their fries, you aren't just getting a spud, but you are getting things you may not want, especially if you are a vegetarian. This company actually had a law suit against them because of it.
I am thinking about abandoning The Phantom Tollbooth for fourth grade read aloud. I love that book because of all of its play on words. I think it is losing something in translation with the read aloud though. Part of the problem is that you really have to see some of the words in print for it to be funny. So instead of being funny, I think it may just be confusing. I hope that some students will still want to finish it though because it is a great book. That leaves me searching the shelves for another interesting story though. I'm not sure what to choose. Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Happy reading,
Ms. C
I have been staring at this computer trying to think about what to write about. I am a bit flummoxed because I haven't really been reading a whole lot of "kids" books lately and I don't want to bore you with information from my boring adult readings. I think it is interesting stuff, but it would probably put you right to sleep. I will tell you that I have been reading more of Chew On This. And I get more and more angry every time I pick it up. Sometimes I get angry because of the way that big corporations try to manipulate kids. I always knew about it. I was aware it happened, but I didn't know the details about the extreme lengths these companies go to until lately. It upsets me to think that they are brainwashing you and fooling you into buying their products. I realize that you are capable of making intelligent choices and not falling for the schemes, but I don't think that they should do it in the first place. Another thing that makes me a bit angry is how the food is made. For example, did you know that a certain fast food restaurant uses BEEF flavoring in their french fries? So when you order their fries, you aren't just getting a spud, but you are getting things you may not want, especially if you are a vegetarian. This company actually had a law suit against them because of it.
I am thinking about abandoning The Phantom Tollbooth for fourth grade read aloud. I love that book because of all of its play on words. I think it is losing something in translation with the read aloud though. Part of the problem is that you really have to see some of the words in print for it to be funny. So instead of being funny, I think it may just be confusing. I hope that some students will still want to finish it though because it is a great book. That leaves me searching the shelves for another interesting story though. I'm not sure what to choose. Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Happy reading,
Ms. C
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Elizabeth's Letter Take 2
Dear Ms. C,
I just finished a book called Over and Out. I like this book because there’s this girl, Jenna who loves the sport soccer. Color War is coming up at the camp and Jenna’s number one category is SOCCER! But when’s she’s out on the field one day at soccer practice, all goes wrong when Jenna is running through trying to get the soccer ball as it flies through the air. But then Jenna accidentally step’s in a old ground dog hole. The next thing we know Jenna is lying on the ground in excruciating pain. The nurse comes out and start’s doing her poking and prodding, but when she gets’s to Jenna’s left calf. Jenna let out a long scream. The nurse stand’s up and tells Jenna’s bunk counselor that Jenna will have to be taken to the emergency room. But Jenna protests. Then she finally agreed by them telling her that her leg could be broken. Turn’s out that it was just a hairline fracture. This is what Jenna dreaded she had to have a cast and she had to have crutches. But as soon as Jenna stepped out of the van she was swarmed by her best camp friends and her twin and her older sister and that made her feel much better. As soon as she got back to her bunk bed she went straight to sleep. Every morning after that when she woke up she would try to imagine that she did not have on a cast anymore and that the accident never happened, but it never worked. She decided that at the soccer practice game she would be her bunks team coach. Her team always lost the game. Every day her team lost because they complained of the blazing sun. But she still pressured them on. Jenna was so jealous that she got in a fight with her best camp friend, Alex who was the soccer star whom she had known for 5 years straight and had a major crush on Jenna’s twin brother, Adam Spasm. Jenna was also known as the master prankster of Camp Lakeview thought about pranking her new frenemy and brother but no she didn’t. But it seems as though someone else had done the prank and she had been pinned the culprit! Alex and Adams clothes had been switched. Alex came storming in Jenna’s cabin and she had an over sized clothes on and another pile of Adam’s clothes in her hand. Boy was she mad at Jenna. But Jenna protested that she did not do it> Then Adam came stormed in noticed Alex and blushed right down to his Adam’s Apple. You went to far this time Jenna. Said Adam. But I did not do it yelled Jenna! As it turned out Jena really did not do it. It was the new spoiled rotten bratty new kid Blake. So that’s all I can tell you about the new book “Over and out”!
From,
Elizabeth
I just finished a book called Over and Out. I like this book because there’s this girl, Jenna who loves the sport soccer. Color War is coming up at the camp and Jenna’s number one category is SOCCER! But when’s she’s out on the field one day at soccer practice, all goes wrong when Jenna is running through trying to get the soccer ball as it flies through the air. But then Jenna accidentally step’s in a old ground dog hole. The next thing we know Jenna is lying on the ground in excruciating pain. The nurse comes out and start’s doing her poking and prodding, but when she gets’s to Jenna’s left calf. Jenna let out a long scream. The nurse stand’s up and tells Jenna’s bunk counselor that Jenna will have to be taken to the emergency room. But Jenna protests. Then she finally agreed by them telling her that her leg could be broken. Turn’s out that it was just a hairline fracture. This is what Jenna dreaded she had to have a cast and she had to have crutches. But as soon as Jenna stepped out of the van she was swarmed by her best camp friends and her twin and her older sister and that made her feel much better. As soon as she got back to her bunk bed she went straight to sleep. Every morning after that when she woke up she would try to imagine that she did not have on a cast anymore and that the accident never happened, but it never worked. She decided that at the soccer practice game she would be her bunks team coach. Her team always lost the game. Every day her team lost because they complained of the blazing sun. But she still pressured them on. Jenna was so jealous that she got in a fight with her best camp friend, Alex who was the soccer star whom she had known for 5 years straight and had a major crush on Jenna’s twin brother, Adam Spasm. Jenna was also known as the master prankster of Camp Lakeview thought about pranking her new frenemy and brother but no she didn’t. But it seems as though someone else had done the prank and she had been pinned the culprit! Alex and Adams clothes had been switched. Alex came storming in Jenna’s cabin and she had an over sized clothes on and another pile of Adam’s clothes in her hand. Boy was she mad at Jenna. But Jenna protested that she did not do it> Then Adam came stormed in noticed Alex and blushed right down to his Adam’s Apple. You went to far this time Jenna. Said Adam. But I did not do it yelled Jenna! As it turned out Jena really did not do it. It was the new spoiled rotten bratty new kid Blake. So that’s all I can tell you about the new book “Over and out”!
From,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Emme's Letter Take Two
Dear Ms.C,
I have currently finished a book called Pleasing the Ghost. The main character is a 9 year-old boy named Dennis. In this book Dennis can see ghosts and the ghosts come to visit him and the come through his window in a swirl of blue smoke then form into a body. Dennis’s uncle and father have just died and his uncle Arvie’s ghost comes to visit him. His uncle Arvie can’t talk well because he had a stroke when he was still alive and it messed up how he would talk for the rest of his life so only Dennis and his aunt Julia (Arvie’s wife) can tell what he is trying to say.
When uncle Arvie asks for three pleases Dennis has to figure out what he means. It turns out that uncle Arvie has some unfinished business with his wife. Dennis has a bully at school who can see ghosts too. But then uncle Arvie tells him that he thinks only kids can see them but adults can feel and smell them as well as kids they just can’t see them. So when Dennis finds out another kid can see them he tries to prove that he is a ghost to the bully at school by telling him that uncle Arvie can fly. So Dennis tells him to meet him after school in front of his house and he will bring uncle Arvie and tell him to fly.
Dennis and his mom miss his dad so much that Dennis begins to want his dad a little more than uncle Arvie. It isn’t that he doesn’t like uncle Arvie it is just that he has been wishing for his dad ever since he has died but then he figures out that the ghosts that visit him do not end up there on purpose, but that the wind takes the ghosts flying through the air and takes them wherever the wind goes. Dennis thinks that if he keeps wishing on the same star every night and wishes hard enough that his dad will come. This book is funny, romantic, and a little sad. Read this book to find out what happens in the end.
Sincerely,
Emme
I have currently finished a book called Pleasing the Ghost. The main character is a 9 year-old boy named Dennis. In this book Dennis can see ghosts and the ghosts come to visit him and the come through his window in a swirl of blue smoke then form into a body. Dennis’s uncle and father have just died and his uncle Arvie’s ghost comes to visit him. His uncle Arvie can’t talk well because he had a stroke when he was still alive and it messed up how he would talk for the rest of his life so only Dennis and his aunt Julia (Arvie’s wife) can tell what he is trying to say.
When uncle Arvie asks for three pleases Dennis has to figure out what he means. It turns out that uncle Arvie has some unfinished business with his wife. Dennis has a bully at school who can see ghosts too. But then uncle Arvie tells him that he thinks only kids can see them but adults can feel and smell them as well as kids they just can’t see them. So when Dennis finds out another kid can see them he tries to prove that he is a ghost to the bully at school by telling him that uncle Arvie can fly. So Dennis tells him to meet him after school in front of his house and he will bring uncle Arvie and tell him to fly.
Dennis and his mom miss his dad so much that Dennis begins to want his dad a little more than uncle Arvie. It isn’t that he doesn’t like uncle Arvie it is just that he has been wishing for his dad ever since he has died but then he figures out that the ghosts that visit him do not end up there on purpose, but that the wind takes the ghosts flying through the air and takes them wherever the wind goes. Dennis thinks that if he keeps wishing on the same star every night and wishes hard enough that his dad will come. This book is funny, romantic, and a little sad. Read this book to find out what happens in the end.
Sincerely,
Emme
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Carley's letter about The Edge Chronicles
Dear Ms. Cartwright,
I just finished The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart. I read this over the weekend. There was a picture on almost every other page, and the illustrator, Chris Riddell, is amazing! The illustrations have lots of emotion. He put a lot into the facial expressions. He has to be very experienced to put all that detail into the pages. All the plants and animals are made up and to be fake like that, the drawings are very specific to the descriptions.
I think it was selfish of Twig’s dad to leave him to the woodtrolls like that, and then he left him in the fire! He said he didn’t need another crew member but he is his son, he shouldn’t have abandoned him in the first place.
I feel bad for Twig, all the woodtroll children made fun of him for being different! He wasn’t a woodtroll and they shouldn’t have picked on him like that. There’s nothing wrong with being different. However, his lengthy body got the sky pirates to keep an eye on him, so it has some good to it.
I’m glad that Ma-Tatum gave Twig the hammelhorn waist coat. If she didn’t he would have been eaten by the bloodoak. You rub the hammelhorn one way, it’s soft and thick, rub it the other way it’s like needles! As the bloodoak was swallowing him its throat rubbed the coat the wrong way and it spit him out!
The way Twig changed from the beginning to the end of the book is that at the beginning of the book he was really angry and disappointed that he was different than the others. At the end he was glad he was leaner and taller and not a woodtroll because he could be a sky pirate.
I feel bad for Twig when he was captured by the Trogs and was Mag’s pet. He wasn’t allowed to talk or show basically any sign of intelligence! And when he accidentally spoke when Mag didn’t recognize him the termagants went crazy! He had to climb up an air vent to escape, since the place was under ground.
I’m glad that Twig pulled the banderbear’s tooth, at least it was friendly. The bear would become his friend and helped him survive! It picked out the good and bad fruits and helped find safe spots to sleep. They were great friends until the banderbear was eaten by the wigwigs. That was sad; Twig was very somber until he was captured by a rotsucker.
I was worried for Twig when a rotsucker tried to eat him while he was sleeping in the cocoon. He was sleeping when the rotsucker hardened the cocoon and carried it away to its home. At least he had his naming knife to break the asphalt like shell. what really made him and I sad was when the knife broke! It was used to name him, and was his only defense… besides the hammelhorn coat.
You really need to read this book, Ms. C. It’s amazing! It is so good, but definitely a fantasy book! I loved it! I think you will too!
Sincerely,
Carley
I just finished The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart. I read this over the weekend. There was a picture on almost every other page, and the illustrator, Chris Riddell, is amazing! The illustrations have lots of emotion. He put a lot into the facial expressions. He has to be very experienced to put all that detail into the pages. All the plants and animals are made up and to be fake like that, the drawings are very specific to the descriptions.
I think it was selfish of Twig’s dad to leave him to the woodtrolls like that, and then he left him in the fire! He said he didn’t need another crew member but he is his son, he shouldn’t have abandoned him in the first place.
I feel bad for Twig, all the woodtroll children made fun of him for being different! He wasn’t a woodtroll and they shouldn’t have picked on him like that. There’s nothing wrong with being different. However, his lengthy body got the sky pirates to keep an eye on him, so it has some good to it.
I’m glad that Ma-Tatum gave Twig the hammelhorn waist coat. If she didn’t he would have been eaten by the bloodoak. You rub the hammelhorn one way, it’s soft and thick, rub it the other way it’s like needles! As the bloodoak was swallowing him its throat rubbed the coat the wrong way and it spit him out!
The way Twig changed from the beginning to the end of the book is that at the beginning of the book he was really angry and disappointed that he was different than the others. At the end he was glad he was leaner and taller and not a woodtroll because he could be a sky pirate.
I feel bad for Twig when he was captured by the Trogs and was Mag’s pet. He wasn’t allowed to talk or show basically any sign of intelligence! And when he accidentally spoke when Mag didn’t recognize him the termagants went crazy! He had to climb up an air vent to escape, since the place was under ground.
I’m glad that Twig pulled the banderbear’s tooth, at least it was friendly. The bear would become his friend and helped him survive! It picked out the good and bad fruits and helped find safe spots to sleep. They were great friends until the banderbear was eaten by the wigwigs. That was sad; Twig was very somber until he was captured by a rotsucker.
I was worried for Twig when a rotsucker tried to eat him while he was sleeping in the cocoon. He was sleeping when the rotsucker hardened the cocoon and carried it away to its home. At least he had his naming knife to break the asphalt like shell. what really made him and I sad was when the knife broke! It was used to name him, and was his only defense… besides the hammelhorn coat.
You really need to read this book, Ms. C. It’s amazing! It is so good, but definitely a fantasy book! I loved it! I think you will too!
Sincerely,
Carley
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Chew On This
I started reading this book after I abandoned another book. This was an adult book and I really wanted to like it. A friend had let me borrow it and she really enjoyed it. I read 107 pages and still didn't care about the characters or what happened to them so I decided to stop reading it. Maybe it would have gotten better, but I don't like to slog through something that I am not enjoying when there are so many other books out there. I am looking forward to you letters this week. Keep up the good work!
-Ms. C
Comparing the Movie to the Book (Lightning Thief)
I just saw it Sunday, and its nothing like the book! Ares is not even mentioned in the movie at all! And the scene where the she-bully (I forgot her name) shoves Percy's head in the toilet and he makes it explode isn't in it! There isn't even a bully, Annabeth is the most like a bully to Percy. And there is no 'ohhhh!' part where the trident appears in the water next to Percy. They tell you Poseidon is his father right when the movie begins! They tell Percy very soon after he wakes up at camp HalfBlood! I am sooooo furious!!!!!
But, if you put the book aside, it was a very good movie. It was filled with suspense and thrills and it was one of the best movies I've ever seen! I loved it!
- Carley
But, if you put the book aside, it was a very good movie. It was filled with suspense and thrills and it was one of the best movies I've ever seen! I loved it!
- Carley
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Alex's Letter
Dear Ms. Cartwright,
Lately I have been reading Artemis Fowl the first book. I think it’s funny how Artemis always keeps his cool, even in the toughest situations. I also like how Butler’s name is really Butler. One of my favorite characters is Mulch Diggums. I think he is really cool to read about because of his wit and his ability to dislocate his jaw to inhale at least seven pounds of earth at a time. Giving him the ability to tunnel through the earth at about ninety miles an hour!
One of my favorite scenes is Butler Vs. Troll. The Troll won but Captain Holly Short used her magic to heal Butler. And Butler saved his little sister by nailing it in the head with his Sig Saur machine gun it gave it a concussion but didn’t penetrate the skull. While the Troll was flailing around grabbing at its head he grabbed a lance from a nearby suit of armor and went to work with it until it was just a shivering pile of fur on the floor. The troll landed a few blows but Butler spared its life because Holly asked him to.
I really like all of the cool LEPrecon gadgets and gismos such as the Biobomb, the Time Stop, and the Electric baton. One of my favorite weapons is the Mesmerizer it only uses a little bit of magic and packs a punch! Just in case you wanted to know I’m doing my book-share on Artemis Fowl! It’s either going to be a board game where you go through the Fowl Estate or a game of chess Artemis style! I have changed my mind entirely I think I will do a giant Venn diagram comparing Artemis, Butler, and I!
It has been nice talking to you! I can’t wait to start on the second book The Arctic Incident. I never knew who Eoin Colfer was until I read his fantastic book! See you soon!
Sincerely,
Alex
Lately I have been reading Artemis Fowl the first book. I think it’s funny how Artemis always keeps his cool, even in the toughest situations. I also like how Butler’s name is really Butler. One of my favorite characters is Mulch Diggums. I think he is really cool to read about because of his wit and his ability to dislocate his jaw to inhale at least seven pounds of earth at a time. Giving him the ability to tunnel through the earth at about ninety miles an hour!
One of my favorite scenes is Butler Vs. Troll. The Troll won but Captain Holly Short used her magic to heal Butler. And Butler saved his little sister by nailing it in the head with his Sig Saur machine gun it gave it a concussion but didn’t penetrate the skull. While the Troll was flailing around grabbing at its head he grabbed a lance from a nearby suit of armor and went to work with it until it was just a shivering pile of fur on the floor. The troll landed a few blows but Butler spared its life because Holly asked him to.
I really like all of the cool LEPrecon gadgets and gismos such as the Biobomb, the Time Stop, and the Electric baton. One of my favorite weapons is the Mesmerizer it only uses a little bit of magic and packs a punch! Just in case you wanted to know I’m doing my book-share on Artemis Fowl! It’s either going to be a board game where you go through the Fowl Estate or a game of chess Artemis style! I have changed my mind entirely I think I will do a giant Venn diagram comparing Artemis, Butler, and I!
It has been nice talking to you! I can’t wait to start on the second book The Arctic Incident. I never knew who Eoin Colfer was until I read his fantastic book! See you soon!
Sincerely,
Alex
Friday, February 12, 2010
Bella's letter
Dear Mrs. C,
I have been reading this book and it is called “Julie of the Wolves” and I am about half way through it and I started about two days ago and I love it. I finished my book report book and have to get started on that book share project. But I have gone through this book so fast and I am almost done and can’t wait to read more of it. When I get home I go straight up to my room and read for like an hour and its like one of my favorite books……… so far. The author of the book is Jean Craighead George, and she is an amazing author. There is a series and this is the first book and it’s really good. This book is about this girl who runs away and can’t find her way back home. She runs into a pack of wolves. Her father ran into wolves before and communicated with them and made him part of the pack and that’s how he survived and lived. He sailed into the ocean and was never found again. She runs off and finds a pack of wolves she studies them and the way that they live. She leans all about there language the way they communicate. She understands them and she soon is part of there pack. They share there food until she found a way to Point Hope, she would meet the North Star, a ship that brought supplies from the USA. When it turns autumn the wolves move, but she cannot keep up with them because they are just to fast. She makes a compass and tries to find her way. That’s as far as I got and I can’t wait to read the rest. I have got the other books that carry the book on. I can’t wait to read that too! One day when she was walking down the road this man pulled up and said that his daughter was looking for a pen pal to exchange letters withy. They soon became great friends that talk back and fourth throughout the letters. Julie got married at 13 years old and she married Daniel. That’s why she ran away.
Sincerely,
Bella
I have been reading this book and it is called “Julie of the Wolves” and I am about half way through it and I started about two days ago and I love it. I finished my book report book and have to get started on that book share project. But I have gone through this book so fast and I am almost done and can’t wait to read more of it. When I get home I go straight up to my room and read for like an hour and its like one of my favorite books……… so far. The author of the book is Jean Craighead George, and she is an amazing author. There is a series and this is the first book and it’s really good. This book is about this girl who runs away and can’t find her way back home. She runs into a pack of wolves. Her father ran into wolves before and communicated with them and made him part of the pack and that’s how he survived and lived. He sailed into the ocean and was never found again. She runs off and finds a pack of wolves she studies them and the way that they live. She leans all about there language the way they communicate. She understands them and she soon is part of there pack. They share there food until she found a way to Point Hope, she would meet the North Star, a ship that brought supplies from the USA. When it turns autumn the wolves move, but she cannot keep up with them because they are just to fast. She makes a compass and tries to find her way. That’s as far as I got and I can’t wait to read the rest. I have got the other books that carry the book on. I can’t wait to read that too! One day when she was walking down the road this man pulled up and said that his daughter was looking for a pen pal to exchange letters withy. They soon became great friends that talk back and fourth throughout the letters. Julie got married at 13 years old and she married Daniel. That’s why she ran away.
Sincerely,
Bella
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Elizabeth's Letter
Dear Ms. C,
Hi, everybody!! I’ve just finished a book called “Alex’s Challenge”. It’s about a girl at a small summer camp in Connecticut. She’s there with all of her friends including her very best camp friend! Alex is hiding a secret, and that’s the way Alex wants to keep it. At the end of the book it all goes wrong at the soccer game Alex is playing in.
She passes out because of the Twinkies she ate the night before. One of the campers in Alex’s bunk figures out Alex’s secret. Alex has Juvenile Diabetes!! If you want to know what caused Alex to pass out it was because she ate the Twinkies and forgot to give herself her insulin shot in the morning. Alex’s best camp friend Brynn can not believe what she’s seeing Alex on the ground and all. She helps her get up and to the infirmary. The nurse is not a happy camper! Nurse Helen is not happy with Alex at all. She say’s “No more Twinkies for you” as she shook her finger rapidly.
Alex feels that it’s all her fault that her team lost the soccer game, but her team thinks differently. They all started slapping her on the back and telling her what a good job she did! I think Alex learned her lesson that day: Listen to your mother!
I enjoyed this book because juvenile diabetes and just plain diabetes runs in my family. So I can understand how Alex feels having to eat healthy and all. My mom makes me eat really healthy!! Anyway anyone who this book sounds interesting to it’s in the library. Good luck!!!
Love,
Elizabeth
Hi, everybody!! I’ve just finished a book called “Alex’s Challenge”. It’s about a girl at a small summer camp in Connecticut. She’s there with all of her friends including her very best camp friend! Alex is hiding a secret, and that’s the way Alex wants to keep it. At the end of the book it all goes wrong at the soccer game Alex is playing in.
She passes out because of the Twinkies she ate the night before. One of the campers in Alex’s bunk figures out Alex’s secret. Alex has Juvenile Diabetes!! If you want to know what caused Alex to pass out it was because she ate the Twinkies and forgot to give herself her insulin shot in the morning. Alex’s best camp friend Brynn can not believe what she’s seeing Alex on the ground and all. She helps her get up and to the infirmary. The nurse is not a happy camper! Nurse Helen is not happy with Alex at all. She say’s “No more Twinkies for you” as she shook her finger rapidly.
Alex feels that it’s all her fault that her team lost the soccer game, but her team thinks differently. They all started slapping her on the back and telling her what a good job she did! I think Alex learned her lesson that day: Listen to your mother!
I enjoyed this book because juvenile diabetes and just plain diabetes runs in my family. So I can understand how Alex feels having to eat healthy and all. My mom makes me eat really healthy!! Anyway anyone who this book sounds interesting to it’s in the library. Good luck!!!
Love,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
And the Winner is...
Kingdom Keepers, Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson.
I am glad that you chose this one, but I hope that some of you will choose to read The Mysterious Benedict Society as well. I do like the author of your choice. He as written other books that I have enjoyed reading as well, like the Peter and the Star Catchers series. I have not read Science Fair, but Alex has, and can tell you more about it. Below are some links to the author's site and information on the series from Wikipedia.
Kindgom Keepers Series Information on Wikipedia
Ridley Pearson's site (inclueds a link to his blog)
I am glad that you chose this one, but I hope that some of you will choose to read The Mysterious Benedict Society as well. I do like the author of your choice. He as written other books that I have enjoyed reading as well, like the Peter and the Star Catchers series. I have not read Science Fair, but Alex has, and can tell you more about it. Below are some links to the author's site and information on the series from Wikipedia.
Kindgom Keepers Series Information on Wikipedia
Ridley Pearson's site (inclueds a link to his blog)
Emme's Letter
Dear Ms. Cartwright,
I am currently reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Demigod Files. It is a series of short stories put together in one book for example one of the stories in the book is called The Stolen Chariot and it mainly talks about Clarisse and Percy. They are two of the many important characters in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. It also has other things in it like interviews with some of the characters and a map of Camp Half-Blood. It is very interesting so far but I am still not finished so I hope it gets even better!
If you have read the first book in the series you know that Clarisse is not a person you want as an enemy. But in the Stolen Chariot you see a whole new side of her and how she acts. You would think Clarisse isn’t afraid of anything and will completely demolish anything in her path but boy are you in for a surprise when you read this story! But you also get introduced to two more characters their names are Phobos and Deimos, Clarisse’s half brothers that are also minor gods. They are pretty scary once you meet them.
This book is really great! It kind of makes you think about some stuff but you should probably read this book after you finish the third book in this series, because then it might ruin some things and that is never fun. It is a great book but like I said you should finish the series or at least the third book before you read it. It is so good and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
From,
Emme
I am currently reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Demigod Files. It is a series of short stories put together in one book for example one of the stories in the book is called The Stolen Chariot and it mainly talks about Clarisse and Percy. They are two of the many important characters in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. It also has other things in it like interviews with some of the characters and a map of Camp Half-Blood. It is very interesting so far but I am still not finished so I hope it gets even better!
If you have read the first book in the series you know that Clarisse is not a person you want as an enemy. But in the Stolen Chariot you see a whole new side of her and how she acts. You would think Clarisse isn’t afraid of anything and will completely demolish anything in her path but boy are you in for a surprise when you read this story! But you also get introduced to two more characters their names are Phobos and Deimos, Clarisse’s half brothers that are also minor gods. They are pretty scary once you meet them.
This book is really great! It kind of makes you think about some stuff but you should probably read this book after you finish the third book in this series, because then it might ruin some things and that is never fun. It is a great book but like I said you should finish the series or at least the third book before you read it. It is so good and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
From,
Emme
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Carley's Letter!
Dear Ms. Cartwright,
I’m reading Never Mind! by Avi and Rachel Vail. Edward and his twin sister Meg are so different, the only thing they have in common is that they are twins. Meg made a huge mistake by lying to her friend Kimberly about her brother, just to get herself into The High Achievers Club and Kim’s party. It was a huge mistake because she told Kim that he was a rock star named Ted in a band called Never Mind. I think Meg was a jerk to Ed because she lied about him, to his face! Meg didn’t know, but Ed was listening in on her phone call when she was lying!
I think the way the author chose to write the book was really cool. The chapters are alternating between each twin. So if you only read every other chapter you could still understand the story (but you wouldn’t get both sides of it)!
Both sides of the story are awesome, but my favorite was Edward’s. Even though Meg never told him about the party, he was in the middle of it all! Ed had to get together a band, and perfect it in less than a week! They didn’t manage to perfect the band, but at least they had fun! Actually, the band stunk! A neighbor called the police when they played! Ed’s side was very funny, I really liked it!
By the end of the book Ed and Meg where closer than ever! I loved this book so much! Anyone would like this book! Since the book is in the POV of two characters, it’s not specific to one group of people.
Sincerely,
Carley
I’m reading Never Mind! by Avi and Rachel Vail. Edward and his twin sister Meg are so different, the only thing they have in common is that they are twins. Meg made a huge mistake by lying to her friend Kimberly about her brother, just to get herself into The High Achievers Club and Kim’s party. It was a huge mistake because she told Kim that he was a rock star named Ted in a band called Never Mind. I think Meg was a jerk to Ed because she lied about him, to his face! Meg didn’t know, but Ed was listening in on her phone call when she was lying!
I think the way the author chose to write the book was really cool. The chapters are alternating between each twin. So if you only read every other chapter you could still understand the story (but you wouldn’t get both sides of it)!
Both sides of the story are awesome, but my favorite was Edward’s. Even though Meg never told him about the party, he was in the middle of it all! Ed had to get together a band, and perfect it in less than a week! They didn’t manage to perfect the band, but at least they had fun! Actually, the band stunk! A neighbor called the police when they played! Ed’s side was very funny, I really liked it!
By the end of the book Ed and Meg where closer than ever! I loved this book so much! Anyone would like this book! Since the book is in the POV of two characters, it’s not specific to one group of people.
Sincerely,
Carley
Monday, February 8, 2010
Great thoughts!
Dear Students,
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about the new Lightning Thief cover. I wonder, however, if you realize what you write back to me can be read by anyone and everyone? I am sure that if you did you would have made sure to double check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Keep in mind that what you write can be read by me, your parents, your classmates, and even your teachers next year! Also, two of you need to claim your work. I cannot give you credit unless I know what you write, and currently we have two mystery posts.
Now, moving on to other matters. I have been reading several books at once lately. Mostly, I have been reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. I have also been reading Food Rules by the same author. He is a journalist and an author. He is also something of a celebrity right now. He is getting a lot of attention from his books and his role in the documentary Food, Inc. The movie (which has been nominated for an Oscar) and his books talk a lot about how our food has changed over the last century or so. It really makes you think about what you eat. He doesn’t say that you have to be a vegan or a vegetarian, but you should be aware of how food is made and to think about what you are putting into your body.
I am also reading bits and pieces of several other books so I can figure out which novel or book I want to read next. I am looking at Magyk, because Elizabeth really seemed to like it. I am also thinking about reading Science Fair. I really want to read the book Nerds but we don’t have it in our library. I have to check the public library. I also want to reread The Phantom Tollbooth. That is one of my all time favorites. The author does such a good job of playing with words and making puns. It is really entertaining to read. Plus, the vocabulary is amazing. I know that is a teachery thing to say, but it is true. You can help but feel smart when you read it. I also picked up Scat to look at and Kimchi & Calamari. I picked up Scat simply because it has a cat on the cover, and the title was funny. The title Kimchi and Calamari caught my attention for the same reason. Check back next week and you’ll find out which book I actually chose and what I think of it.
Good Day and Good Books to you!
Sincerely,
Ms. C
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about the new Lightning Thief cover. I wonder, however, if you realize what you write back to me can be read by anyone and everyone? I am sure that if you did you would have made sure to double check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Keep in mind that what you write can be read by me, your parents, your classmates, and even your teachers next year! Also, two of you need to claim your work. I cannot give you credit unless I know what you write, and currently we have two mystery posts.
Now, moving on to other matters. I have been reading several books at once lately. Mostly, I have been reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. I have also been reading Food Rules by the same author. He is a journalist and an author. He is also something of a celebrity right now. He is getting a lot of attention from his books and his role in the documentary Food, Inc. The movie (which has been nominated for an Oscar) and his books talk a lot about how our food has changed over the last century or so. It really makes you think about what you eat. He doesn’t say that you have to be a vegan or a vegetarian, but you should be aware of how food is made and to think about what you are putting into your body.
I am also reading bits and pieces of several other books so I can figure out which novel or book I want to read next. I am looking at Magyk, because Elizabeth really seemed to like it. I am also thinking about reading Science Fair. I really want to read the book Nerds but we don’t have it in our library. I have to check the public library. I also want to reread The Phantom Tollbooth. That is one of my all time favorites. The author does such a good job of playing with words and making puns. It is really entertaining to read. Plus, the vocabulary is amazing. I know that is a teachery thing to say, but it is true. You can help but feel smart when you read it. I also picked up Scat to look at and Kimchi & Calamari. I picked up Scat simply because it has a cat on the cover, and the title was funny. The title Kimchi and Calamari caught my attention for the same reason. Check back next week and you’ll find out which book I actually chose and what I think of it.
Good Day and Good Books to you!
Sincerely,
Ms. C
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ten More Days!
Dear Students,
Wow! I can't believe that February is already here. There is only ten more days until The Lightning Thief hits the theaters. I won't go on the opening weekend though. I think I am going to go on March 5th. I think that gives it a couple of weeks to settle down a bit and maybe the theater won't be so crowded. I'll let you know what time I am thinking about going so you can go at the same time if you would like. I will probably go to the earliest show so it will be a little cheaper.
I am very disappointed that they have changed the cover of the book to the movie poster. It makes me feel like the cover with the drawing wasn't important anymore now that there is a movie for the book. Did you know that the cover on books we read wasn't the first cover either? I don't really like the very first cover very much. It doesn't have the same feeling as the one that we are used to. I like that cover because it gives you so many hints about the story, but you don't really realize that until you are several chapters into the book. Then you look at the cover and think "OH!" I really liked that about it. I also like that Percy had on the orange shirt and held Riptide and the Minotaur horn. On the new cover he is holding the Master Bolt, and I don't like that at all. I mean, he didn't even realize he had the bolt for the longest time. I think that the color is wrong, too. Poseidon's color is green in the book, not blue. Blue is Zeus's color. Well, now you know all about how disappointed I am in the new cover and why. What do you think?
Wow! I can't believe that February is already here. There is only ten more days until The Lightning Thief hits the theaters. I won't go on the opening weekend though. I think I am going to go on March 5th. I think that gives it a couple of weeks to settle down a bit and maybe the theater won't be so crowded. I'll let you know what time I am thinking about going so you can go at the same time if you would like. I will probably go to the earliest show so it will be a little cheaper.
I am very disappointed that they have changed the cover of the book to the movie poster. It makes me feel like the cover with the drawing wasn't important anymore now that there is a movie for the book. Did you know that the cover on books we read wasn't the first cover either? I don't really like the very first cover very much. It doesn't have the same feeling as the one that we are used to. I like that cover because it gives you so many hints about the story, but you don't really realize that until you are several chapters into the book. Then you look at the cover and think "OH!" I really liked that about it. I also like that Percy had on the orange shirt and held Riptide and the Minotaur horn. On the new cover he is holding the Master Bolt, and I don't like that at all. I mean, he didn't even realize he had the bolt for the longest time. I think that the color is wrong, too. Poseidon's color is green in the book, not blue. Blue is Zeus's color. Well, now you know all about how disappointed I am in the new cover and why. What do you think?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Welcome to the AIG Brainstorm!
Dear Students,
Welcome to your place where you get to share your thoughts with me and the rest of the world! I can't wait to hear what you have to say about what you are learning and what you are reading. You guys have found some great books for me to read and I am excited to see what else you discover. Remember to type your letters in Word and double space your text so that we can easily read it. I also think this will be a great way to start learning how to use the internet as a tool so that when you are in high school and college, you will already be familiar with using technology. So keep reading and let's start blogging.
Sincerely,
Ms. C
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