School's Almost Here

Hi, you guys. I know for some of you the thought of getting back to school isn't a fun thought. I am having a great summer, too. I am so looking forward to interacting with you everyday. I think you're all great kids, and you have the tendency to make my job as a teacher fun.

If some of you are reading series, it may be hard to choose which character you most admire. If you feel like you admire the same character from each book in the series, that's fine. Write your journal entry for that question about the same character. For each book you read that has that character, choose different examples that show why you admire that character in that particular book in the series. So, you can use the same character if you want, just use different examples as to why you admire them in the situations they are in for each book.

I hope some of you are finding out that reading can be enjoyable and that there is so much out there to read! I am proud of you for sticking with your reading assignment. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Reading Lists

Hi, you guys. I hope you are keeping up with your reading and journaling. Keep in mind that the idea of your journal entries is that I will be able to see you are understanding what you are reading. Also, a good skill to have in reading is when you are able to "read between the lines." That mean that the author is trying to get a message across to you by using the characters and their confict/resolution through the story. What is the author trying to tell you? It is more than just word by word, black and white on the page. THINK ABOUT IT!

Seventh and eighth graders--the following list is books that you will be reading this upcoming year. I haven't split them grade wise yet, but just so you aren't choosing these books for your journaling:

Johnny Tremain
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Milkweed
My Brother Sam is Dead
Rumble Fish
The Chocolate War
Cheaper By the Dozen
Flowers for Algernon
A Day No Pigs Would Die
These are new books to the SJS Reading Program. These aren't all of them, but the new ones to the program. Let me know if you have any questions! Keep reading...I may be seeing some of you at the fair.

Keep Reading

Hi, my favorite reading students! I hope you are enjoying your summer. I appreciate those of you who are willing to share your comments on here! Good for you! That helps others to see what good books are out there and what they might not like, either. If you have a question as to whether or not the book you chose may be one you will read in class, feel free to ask.

Sixth graders, next year you will read the following:
The City of Ember
Hatchet
Wringer
Sounder
Where the Red Fern Grows
These are for sure, and I can't remember the new ones I ordered. Seventh and Eighth graders, I don't have my order form here at home to let you know what you are reading. But I don't think you will choose ones you will be.

Just a reminder about the extra credit....You DON'T have to do the journaling for the extra credit...just the form! Please, if you can help it, don't wait until the first week of school to turn in the extra credit. I would appreciate the time to look it over and give you your points before school starts. You can-email it to me, put it in my box at school, or mail it to my house.

See you in August!