On our last day before break, we did a book exchange in each of my classes. Quote from class one: "It's like
a Christmas miracle!" Each student was happy with his/her surprise book! It
was amazing, especially in that first class, how each book fit each student
exactly without it being planned. I just told each student to bring in a
wrapped paperback, as gender-neutral as possible, and then we played a version
of "Hot Potato" to exchange them. Everyone, in all four classes, did a great
job picking out books! Now everyone had a book to read over break. Awesome -
let the reading begin!
We just defined simile and metaphor. Have you noticed any similes and metaphors in your poems? What about songs? Books? Post them here!
Do you like Capture the Flag? Here are some other books by Kate Messner:
REVIEW:
In the not-too-distant future, huge tornadoes and monster storms are a part of everyday life. Sent to spend the summer in the heart of storm country with her father in the special StormSafe community his company has developed, Jaden Meggs is excited to reconnect with her dad after he spent years researching storm technology in Russia. She’ll also be attending the exclusive summer science camp, Eye On Tomorrow, that her dad founded. There, Jaden meets Alex, a boy whose passion for science matches hers, and together they discover a horrible truth about her dad’s research that is putting countless lives at risk. As a massive tornado approaches, threatening to destroy everything in its path, Jaden is torn between loyalty to her dad and revealing his secret. Can she find the courage to confront her dad and save everyone from the biggest storm yet?
REVIEW:
Gianna Z has less than one week to collect, identify, and creatively display 25 leaves for her science project—or else she won’t be able to compete in the upcoming cross-country race. As the deadline for her leaf project draws near, life keeps getting in the way. Some things are within Gee’s control, like her own procrastination, but others aren’t, like Biana Rinaldi’s attempts at sabotage and Nonna’s declining health. If it weren’t for her best friend Zig, Gee wouldn’t have a chance at finishing. His knowledge of trees and leaves in their rural Vermont town comes in very handy, as does his loyalty to Gee. But when Nonna disappears one afternoon, things like leaves and cross-country meets suddenly seem less important.
I have one of her nonfiction picture books in my classroom library:
If you like Capture the Flag, you'll be glad to know the sequel will be coming out in the spring of 2013!
We are all at the part where Anna is alone and just heard Sinan and Hammurabi possibly getting caught by whomever was in that baggage area! Who do you think it is? Why do you think that? What are your predictions about what is going to happen next?
We are trying to figure out, along with Anna, Jose, and Henry, who stole the Star Spangled Banner flag! What are your thoughts far? Which of the kids do you like best so far and why? What are the best clues we have? Any red herrings? Do you think the kids make good detectives? Does one make a better detective than others? What do you think about each kid's parent(s)?
We're also starting poetry anthologies! I LOVED starting my day today at J.F. Burns and the enthusiasm you showed for your poems! What are your favorite poems so far? Why are they your favorite? Are you coming across any great words or word play?
We defined symbolism today. Keep an eye out for symbolism in your reading. If you find symbolism in your books or poems, post it here!!!
We've shared A LOT of 2012 picture books. Which ones do you hope win the Caldecott or an Honor medal so far? Why?
Some of you wanted to see the film again, but we didn't have time in class. Here it is! :-)
I LOVE this book, and we had so much fun today discussing it. The story is full of metaphors, symbolism, whimsy, depth, and theme. This is the second time I've shared it with you this year, and I'm so glad I did because we noticed new things - especially since we were concentrating on the illustrations and evaluating them for the Caldecott 2013 Book Club. During our discussion, a student remarked, "So much more goes into picture books than you would think!" I love that he has realized this during our study of picture books this month.
Here are some comments students wrote in their notebooks:
"Toward the end, the pictures show sadness because it's winter and dark."
"I like the pictures because they show the seasons and sometimes seasons represent happiness or sadness."
"The illustrations are good because he shows that some peple are black and white since they are unhappy, but when they get a book they turn in color which means they are happy. By the seasons he shows the stages of his life (example - winter is death)."
"I loved this book because of the use of color. When people are sad, they are gray, and when they are happy, they are in color."
"I love these illustrations. They show black and white for a lonely life and color for a full life."
"This book has such creativity in the illustrations. The outside wall of the library was made of books! I loved this book."
"I like how Mr. Joyce uses colors to show feelings and gives signs like an hour glass and seasons to tell when he will pass away."
"Soon (Morris Lessmore) goes somewhere special and leaves a legacy to a little girl."
"The circle of life!"
