Okay, I know you're reading out there...MK will fascilitate!

Alright, while I'm at home on medical leave, I know you're still reading...the more you read, the more books I can send in...let me know what you're interested in. Blog it I buy it...Blog it I find a way to get it...you want Lupica, I have 3 new ones on my bookshelf! You love Dessen, I have 7 right here...Come on y'all, blog it! Here's the Lalk theory, let it live loud n clear: No one hates reading, they just haven't found what they love to read yet...you love 4 wheelers, pick up a non fiction in the media and ask Ms. Green what she suggests next. Don't worry as much about level, but interest. Ask Mr. Brinck if he still give EC for reading non fiction history books, I have tons, peruse my shelves and take a quick test, they're all short, to the point, and we need to learn about history so we do not make the same mistakes, and learn from our successes. So, here's my QUESTION OF THE DAY: --the point of reading is_______________________. Blog me...


Also, let me know what you want posted, you can post it anonymously and then respond once I get the pic up...I miss you all.

The End

What did you think about the ending of Numbering all the Bones? Was your favorite part that Mistus finally got her payback, that Mr. Hampton saluted his 'daughter', that justice was finally served for both Neddy and Zeke, or that young Eulinda ended up going with Ms. Barton? Do you think she made herself come true? Do you agree with all of my statements above? What do you think will happen to Mistus now? Mr. Hampton? The new owner of the ring?

Sarah Dessen was Forgotten?

I can't believe it was drawn to my attention today that Sarah Dessen was dissed on our site! She's an incredible author! She motivates students to read, she identifies with the wicked, icky, teenage side in all of us...and puts it in beautiful prose. Thank you Ms. Dessen for being a favorite author to my students, and thank you for getting the reluctant teenage reader on a roll. We truly appreciate you in Ms. Lalk's class, and according to M. H. I am waaaaay wrong for not having included you earlier, so I sincerely apologize.

Making Yourself Come True

As high school approaches, as the rest of your life looms before you, and hopefully you've made connections via English and Social Studies that your freedoms are secure...how will you make yourself come true? Do you seek out ways to help others, or do those opportunities seem to fall into your lap? What will you do to 'set things in motion' in your life? Where will you go?

Human Nature in the Bones

We talked about the human nature when we discussed what Captain Werz said when he came to Pond Bluff. Why would people bring picnic baskets, ride trains, buy tickets to see the prisoners of war at Andersonville? What is it about human nature that could make someone so interested in something so vile? Were they excited to see humans suffering, humans who fought against their side of the war suffering, or was it just like a train wreck--they couldn't look away? What are your thoughts?

New Topic for Wednesday May 5, 2010

While reading Bones, keep track of the characters. What are their traits? Who are the survivors and who will perish? Who is really running Mr. Hampton's home, and now that we've met Eulinda, what do you think it would be like to be lost in two worlds?



You may choose to comment on the setting of the Pond Bluff Plantation...Do you think the slaves had such luxurious housing? Does this planation home seem similar to what we've read about?

Let the Blogging Begin

Remember to only use your number as a sign off!


At the beginning, or Prologue of Numbering all the Bones, we see a ring--a mysterious ruby ring on black velvet in a pawn shop window, that holds special meaning for the narrator. She refers to her brothers Zeke and Neddy, her "Mistus" and that the ring had once been lost, found, buried, and now here it sits. She wonders what type of luck it will bring the woman whose hand it will rest on. What do you think, infer, or connect with this. Does this remind you of anything you can make connections with, or do you feel it's a great job of foreshadowing... what are your thoughts?

Gotta Show the Movie Poster...

Coming out this Friday...what are your thoughts?

Okay, so while you may not be able to respond yet, you've all requested:

The Lightening Thief--soon to be a movie and causing controversy over the book's elements and the movie elements already! 3/4 is driving me nuts right now arguing about the credibility of the casting, the reality, the comparison between the two, etc! I love it because they are connecting, comparing and contrasting text to media. I couldn't be more happy to be so rudely interrupted! Also....there is a super long wait list for the book, so let's get them read!!!

The Dying Breath is here....

Okay, so I missed the release date, but more than made up for it by reading it in 2 hours. I couldn't put the thing down. We are drawn psychologically to Camryn's character, lack of trust, and genuinely want to see someone help her. But at the same time, there's this intriguing vulnerability about her that we can relate to as teens, females, humans...agree? Thoughts?

Alright Already!

Here are some of the new books you've requested be shown on the site! I'm just so happy you're reading!



This is a new favorite for almost everyone who's read it. It's by Roland Smith, who visited Talawanda Middle School earlier this fall, and I know there was much anticipation for the AR test...I was really pleased to see so many people reading it who knew there wasn't an AR test. It showed how much reading really does mean. What do you think about Tentacles? Let us know!