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Friday, July 23, 2010

Bookworm Buzz



Dear Reader,

I have three books for you this week. The first one is a book of list poems, called Falling Down the Page, edited by Georgia Heard. There are so many interesting poems in this book, all written in list form, from a variety of poets. Liv and Luke enjoyed reading it too! I was so inspired by some of the poems that I wrote my own list poem about July, and am planning on having students write some list poems in September. You should try it reader!

The second book I have to share with you is a non fiction book called Alligators and Crocodiles by Trudi Strain Trueit. This book is just right for many new fourth graders. I learned some pretty cool facts about crocodilians that I didn't know. For example, did you know that when a crocodile dives, skin flaps cover the ears? Did you also know that crocodilians can stay under water for up to two hours and can swim at the rate of up to six miles per hour? Pretty cool, don't you think? These are just some of the many amazing facts I learned about crocodilians in Trueit's book.

The third book that I have for you is a picture book by Adam Rex called Frankenstein Takes the Cake. Luke LOVED this book. It is a picture book written in poetry , but there are many different forms of writing presented. There are comics, newspaper layout, advertisements and playbill, to name just a few. You should really check it out, I am sure that you can find it at the local library.

So reader, the lesson for this week is simple: vary your reading diet! Varying your reading diet opens up the world of books just a little bit wider every time you try a different genre.

Until next time,

Read on, Readers,

Love,

Mrs. W

Big "A"pple Book Buzz



Confession time, I am not having much more luck the 2nd time around with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Steig Larson. I just don't know if it's for me, but I am willing to hang in there a little longer. I think my biggest obstacle is that so many other books are calling to me, like Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. I will admit that I am a HUGE James Patterson fan, and this thriller does not disappoint. It is the first book in a new series of books by Patterson and Paetro, involving these characters. What can I say? I loved it. James Patterson has a really wonderful website for kids, called ReadKiddoRead. You should check it out. Baseball and softball will be ending soon and I will be heading to the shore. Let me know what's in your beach bag!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Big Bite

Hi Everyone! Our hero from Afghanistan sent a care package to US!!!! Click on the video below to see me open the package. Special Agent has sent scarves for the girls and marble toys for the boys. I will be at JFK on Monday, July 19th from 9:30-10:30 if you would like to pick up your present from the Special Agent. If you can't make it on Monday, stop by room 23 during the first week of school to say hello and pick up your gift. I hope everyone is having a great summer so far, I know that I am.
Love,
Mrs. W

Friday, July 9, 2010

Bookworm Buzz


Dear Readers,
With all of the heat this week,I have been reading so much, that I haven't had a chance to write to you. I don't have air conditioning in my house, so I like to sit in my cool basement and read. Well, sometimes I will play the Wii with my kids, but mostly I just watch them play while I read. I finished Ghostopolis by Doug Tennapel, it was great! Luke loved it too. If you like graphic novels and don't mind a few scary characters, then this is the book for you. Check out my last post for a link to the book.
For my older friends, I have just finished Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson. Actually, I finished it last week, but the main character is still sticking around in my head and in my heart. This book is NOT for fourth graders, but every upper middle school and high school student should read it, and parents too! As a reader, one of the ways that I can tell that a book is really powerful is by how long the characters stay with me after I am done reading, and like I said, Melinda, the main character, is still with me. I have questions reader, many questions: What happens to her over the summer? Will she have friends? What will the school board do to Mr. Freeman? These are just a few of my questions. This book was published in 1999, and made a few of the "Banned Books" lists across the country. I just had to read it. Older readers, if you have read it, or do read it, send me a comment and let me know what you think. I would love to talk about this book! If you just want to talk about a book, I would love to hear from you too! Let me know what you are reading.
Read on, readers!
Love,
Mrs. W