Leo, actually, most anyone hasn't ever known anyone like Stargirl. She sings happy birthday at lunch while playing the banjo (http://www.barefootsworld.net/midijamboree.html#h), wears prairie skirts, smiles constantly and carries her best friend, a rat everywhere. She is blissfuly unaware of others' opinions of her "oddity" and is ready to make friends with everyone. It isn't until Stargirl and Leo become close that the pain of "normalcy" sinks in.
While reading Stargirl I thought of people I know like Stargirl. It always seemed these people were searching for something to "complete" them ( We do this a lot http://www.mybrotha.com/you-complete-me.asp). Although, upon finishing Stargirl, I began wondering if those of us so involved in the "normalcy" of fashion and media, etc... are missing out on the adventure and freedom of "oddity." Wouldn't it be fun to dress like Pippy Longstocking, wear sunglasses everyday, wear bright red lipstick, all black and a curly bleach blond bob, watch the sun set in the desert each night, roll in the snow then sit in a sauna, drive randomly and stop at interesting restaurants, give everyone hugs and actually have them hug back (http://www.freehugscampaign.org/), play in the rain, not fix your hair and roll in the mud, scream out when you love someone, wear flowers in your hair...?
22 February, 2007
21 February, 2007
Battle of the Books Submission Form
Battle of the Books BLOG!
Share your knowledge, communicate with team members, post and read reviews to refresh your memory!
Name:_________________
Title of Book:_________________
Author:_____________________
Items to consider posting:
Odd characters
Unusual Events
Important Settings
List or write in paragraph form below. Turn in to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo!
Share your knowledge, communicate with team members, post and read reviews to refresh your memory!
Name:_________________
Title of Book:_________________
Author:_____________________
Items to consider posting:
Odd characters
Unusual Events
Important Settings
List or write in paragraph form below. Turn in to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo!
Have you read a book you think others should know about?
BLOG IT!
Share your thoughts on the Grand Ledge Middle Schools’ Blogspot! Submit this form to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo and check www.msblocksclass.blogspot.com a few days later. Your review will be posted!
This review was submitted by:_______________________________
for
Title of Book:_________________________
Author:_____________________________
Requirements: Two paragraph maximum! Complete sentences, written in paragraph (5-7 sentences) form must be used.
Use this checklist and the example on the back to help! DO NOT simply list the following.
____ The book’s main subject is…(Paragraph One)
____The author's main point is…(Paragraph One)
____One of the most interesting things in this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____In my opinion, this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____I say this because...(Paragraph Two)
BLOG IT!
Share your thoughts on the Grand Ledge Middle Schools’ Blogspot! Submit this form to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo and check www.msblocksclass.blogspot.com a few days later. Your review will be posted!
This review was submitted by:_______________________________
for
Title of Book:_________________________
Author:_____________________________
Requirements: Two paragraph maximum! Complete sentences, written in paragraph (5-7 sentences) form must be used.
Use this checklist and the example on the back to help! DO NOT simply list the following.
____ The book’s main subject is…(Paragraph One)
____The author's main point is…(Paragraph One)
____One of the most interesting things in this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____In my opinion, this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____I say this because...(Paragraph Two)
20 February, 2007
Writing As Practice for the Future
Government requirements and standardized tests, such as the MEAP, have encouraged Grand Ledge Public Schools to enhance curriculum requirements for writing. From Elementary through High School, teachers are required to teach more writing skills and are to encourage writing in their classrooms daily.
We have many avid readers at Hayes and Beagle. This blog will give them the opportunity to share what they have read and to practice their writing skills.
We have many avid readers at Hayes and Beagle. This blog will give them the opportunity to share what they have read and to practice their writing skills.
Explaining The Contest
Team participants at Beagle and Hayes are reading a collection of titles chosen by Ms. Almo and Ms. Eger. Throughout the year students have been answering weekly questions and participating in monthly goals. As a way to refresh their memory, students are able to start using this blog to write book reviews and to read other team's reviews!
Assassin, by Anna Myers
Assassin, by Anna Myers
Alternating passages narrated by John Wilkes Booth (http://www.nps.gov/archive/foth/booth.htm) and a young girl named Bella who becomes a seamstress for president Lincoln describe the events leading to Booth's assassanation of President Lincoln. From page one I was hooked. Booth is an actor as are Bella's parents and she is fascinated by his appeal on stage (Ford's Theater - http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/633.jpg). But, when Bella's mother dies, her father takes her to live with a Grandmother she hardly knows and who despises the idea of acting. While Bella adjusts to life with her Grandmother and learns to sew in preparation take over her Grandmother's position at the White House, Lincoln (http://www.gallatindesign.com/websites/presidents/images/biopics/lincoln02.jpg)wins the presidential election, Booth joins the army to get closer to Lincoln and their lives become closer and closer to colliding.
I enjoy historical fiction and think Myers explored the thoughts of John Wilkes Booth well. The intertwining lives of the two characters makes me think of how I may be influenced by others and how it may be hard to avoid pressures of people we admire. Assassin is well written; Myers is wonderful at making the inner thoughts of Booth and Bella seem real.
Alternating passages narrated by John Wilkes Booth (http://www.nps.gov/archive/foth/booth.htm) and a young girl named Bella who becomes a seamstress for president Lincoln describe the events leading to Booth's assassanation of President Lincoln. From page one I was hooked. Booth is an actor as are Bella's parents and she is fascinated by his appeal on stage (Ford's Theater - http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/633.jpg). But, when Bella's mother dies, her father takes her to live with a Grandmother she hardly knows and who despises the idea of acting. While Bella adjusts to life with her Grandmother and learns to sew in preparation take over her Grandmother's position at the White House, Lincoln (http://www.gallatindesign.com/websites/presidents/images/biopics/lincoln02.jpg)wins the presidential election, Booth joins the army to get closer to Lincoln and their lives become closer and closer to colliding.
I enjoy historical fiction and think Myers explored the thoughts of John Wilkes Booth well. The intertwining lives of the two characters makes me think of how I may be influenced by others and how it may be hard to avoid pressures of people we admire. Assassin is well written; Myers is wonderful at making the inner thoughts of Booth and Bella seem real.
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