Reading-Shazeen+A


 * Daily Reading Log **

11|2nd|2009 Book: The Giver Author: Louis Lowry Pages read: 88-107 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Jonas loves his job, he get’s many memories that the Giver no longer has and Jonas could keep them. He knows what color is now, and found out about the color red. Jonas learns many things, like physical pain. And he doesn’t mind it. Jonas loves to work and at the days the Giver is in pain, makes him sad to. He loves it.

Nov 2 Questions: How does the author make the memories that the Giver transmits vivid and realistic? Find examples of descriptive words and images. The author uses creative words, and basically shows the memories, not tell. The author used descriptive words. The author showed Jonas what sunburn was, and how the pain felt. How much it hurt and how much joyful it is. The author made it interesting by showing it and what pain was. The author helped Jonas by showing it to him not telling him. And it made it easier for Jonas to understand, and know what it is; and even figure out how it felt and why it felt that way. Jonas is experiencing new pains, and that the color red is not only about beauty, but also pain.

11|4th|2009 Book: The Giver Author: Louis Lowry Pages read: 108-120 Strategy: Prediction Explanation: I predict that Jonas will eventually tell the Giver that he gave away the memory of the sail, to the newborn Gabriel. The Giver might stop giving pain to Jonas, cause he really made Jonas suffer the last time. Or maybe Jonas will not be able to take the pain anymore. Jonas might keep lying to his family about his job. Maybe Jonas might start to experience more pain, I don’t know. But Jonas might get used to it… soon.

Nov 4 Questions: Why do you think the author chose snow and a sled ride as the first memory for the Giver to transmit? Explain? The Giver might have given this; cause snow was something Jonas doesn’t know about. And because it was a fun ride, and it included pain. He was taking Jonas slowly to the process, so he would eventually discover what pain is. Maybe he thought it wasn’t nice to give pain to him just then. Cause Jonas is not familiar with pain and snow, and giving it slowly to him would have helped Jonas better. To understand what the world really is, and what happened and what IS happening. The Giver may have thought the snow ride would really help Jonas to understand, and know that it contains pain and fun. And Jonas did understand.

11|9th|2009 Book: The Giver Author: Lois Lowry Pages read: 121-138 Strategy: Summery Explanation: Jonas experienced basically everything, and why it feels that way. He experienced birthdays, happiness, he visited museums, etc. He then experienced what the Giver’s favorite memory is. It was about love, and passion everyone had in their hearts. And Jonas wished for love to still remain in their community. He even lied for the first time to his parents about love.

Nov 9th Q: Do you consider Jonas’s world “advanced?” Why or why not? Explain. Jonas's world is a little stranger, cause they don't know about colors, individual birthdays, museums, etc. His world is sort of advanced, cause Jonas and the Giver are the only ones that know more about the outside world, then their community. They've seen the danger, love, happiness, and pain. But where Jonas lives they don't. Jonas has more knowledge then them, and knows more then anyone, besides the Giver himself.

11|18th|2009 Book: The Giver Author: Lois Lowry Pages read: 139-162 Strategy: Prediction Explanation: I predict that Jonas will escape with the Giver, and everyone would find out way later one that there missing. And by then the Give would be back, and help everyone with the memory's that will be with everyone. Jonas will be gone wherever he wants, and there would be a loss ceremony for him. And no one will probably mention him ever again. The Giver will be helping everyone with the memories, the painful ones and the joyful ones. The world would be whole, and the Giver would be released, free from the pain. And with his granddaughter.

November 18 written response Question: Philosopher and Statesman Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is pain." Do you agree? Would Jonas? Why or why not? Explain in a paragraph. Philosopher Francis Bacon once said, "Knowledge is pain." I definitely agree with him. Because when you’re learning you some times experience pain. Like in the book 'The Giver' Jonas is a receiver, his job in the community. He learns many wonderful things, and has to experience pain. It might me fun, but also very painful. I'm positively sure that Jonas would agree with this quote. You always acknowledge pain when you’re learning; example would be in gym when you’re playing a sport. Your learning how to do it, and you might hit your head against the ball, or trip and fall. That’s why I agree with this.

11|20th|2009 Book: The Giver Author: Lois Lowry Pages read: 163-180 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Jonas ran away from the community, and took Gabe with him. Cause Gabe was going to be released (killed)! So Jonas ran off and for days they did nothing but suffer from hunger, and the wild coldness. Jonas gave a few memories he had of sunshine, but soon it was all gone. So Jonas got more and more worried about Gabe. Because Gabe was suffering the most, and close to death. That’s when they cam upon snow, and found a snowy hill. And just like the first memory the Giver had given him, he saw a sled on top of the hill. He ran up the hill with Gabe and they both climbed on, and sledded all the way down. Jonas thought he saw the warm house, where there were all loving each other. And they were waiting for the child (Gabe) and that’s what ends this story 'The Giver!'

November 20 questions: Is it an optimistic ending? Does Jonas survive? Explain in a paragraph: I think is a very optimistic ending. Because when he explained going down the snow sled ride. He said that there was a warm house, where everyone was sharing love. And that they were waiting for the baby. It sounded unreal, cause he wasn't even to the bottom or close to. And he say all this vivid things, he may have thought that. But I think Jonas survived, he must have gone to the bottom. To the house, and maybe he got food and Gabe survived to (probably)! It seemed though that Jonas was very certain that he made it, that he was positive and was 100% sure they both were saved. So probably they are, they must have got tot the house. And if they didn't that would have been a real shame, coming this far and nothing. I'm sure Jonas survived, and now everyone most likely has the memories. Of everything, pain; joy of life; etc. It was a very optimistic ending.

The Heroin Diaries… A Year In the Life of A Shattered Rock star Nikki Sixx Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 13-55 Strategy: Summary Explanation: When Motley Crue was at the height of its fame, there wasn’t any drug Nikki Sixx wouldn’t do. In this book, Nikki shares his diary entries from the 1986’s. Explaining the difficulties of life, and no matter what there will always be a path you may use to get to your destination. Nikki shares the truth of his life and how after dying twice, he changed his lifestyle. All with one drug, one needle, Heroin.

Q: When and where does your book take place? My book takes place at Valley Vista Boulevard Van Nuys! December 25th 1986, 7:30 p.m at Nikki Sixx’s place.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 55-71 Strategy: Identify Explanation: I think my Authors purpose for this story is to explain the difficulties of life, and how drugs helped his take his mind off of things. But the drugs ended up ruining a huge part in his life. Nikki is explaining what these addictions could do to you; they could ruin your body. And separate you from the people that you love.

Q: Explain who the protagonist (main character) is by describing their appearance as well as behavior? The main character in my novel is the Author himself. Nikki Sixx is a famous songwriter and bassist for the world’s greatest band ‘Motley Crue.’ He has it all; fame, money, and great looks. But Nikki took it farther then that, he’s a drug addict. Just like Alice Cooper, Slash, and Tommy Lee. But Nikki went farther then them. He took needled, which Alice Cooper would never have token. Nikki is a great guy, but from all the depression he was being forced to take drugs. Just to get away from all this mess. His behavior is much better when he’s drunk; when he’s sober he gets anger management.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 71-91 Strategy: Question Explanation: My question is 'Why would you take drugs, if its ruining a huge part in your life?

Q: Describe the conflict so far in your novel. Explain it with details. Identify type of conflicts. Well there is: person verses person; and person verses self P vs. P: Nikki always has a fight with others about the music he appreciates, and likes. The changes in his life he made, and of course all the drugs he’s been taking. P vs. S: Nikki fights with himself, because he doesn’t know if he should or shouldn’t take drugs. Or if he really is the person who everyone likes.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 91-103 Strategy: Visualize Explanation: I can imagine Nikki drinking and getting high. I could see him messing with his life, right before his eyes. I could think of Nikki ruing his life, and taking others down with him. I could see Nikki trying to get away from this depression, this horrifying world, and the pain that he calls life. I could see Nikki trying to get away from everyone, because of the pain of loosing them too. I cane see how hard it is for Nikki, who was abandoned as a kid by his father. Unloved by his own mother, forced to live with his grandparents who actually cared for him. Nikki is a really great man; just no one has realized it… yet.

Q: Describe the similarities between the main character and you? Well Nikki always wants to be left alone, and not noticed at all. Even though he happens to be a real life rock star. I always have the urge to be alone, then to be around people. It helps me get away from everything, helps me organize things. And the same goes for Nikki. He just doesn’t like attention, and neither do I. We both have a huge admiration for music, and singing as well.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 103-125 Strategy: Infer Explanation: Some main words Nikki is trying to tell everyone in the real world, is to explain the issues everyone goes through in their lives. Nikki Sixx went through many challenges in his life. He called it going through obstacles. You finish that challenge, and another one rises. Nikki had a horrible childhood, so that was the reason for him to start drugs. Nikki said drugs helped him get away from everyone, and everything. But the drugs made it worse for everyone who loved him. It was pulling him away from them; it was pulling him into a closet… alone. Nikki has a crappy past, and was hoping to make it better for the future. But things just didn't work out for him.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 125-140 Strategy: Prediction Explanation: Nikki Sixx has started a new rule. He wanted to quite drugs for sure. He realized what was happening; he soon saw what this addiction was doing to him. He wanted to change his future, to become a someone everyone would consider honorable. Not a drug addict rock star. Nikki has promised his friends and family he will quit. He will see how long he will go without drinking or anything of that sort. I predict Nikki will probably not be able to keep this promise. 'Cause Nikki is a hardcore drug addict, and it would be amazing if he quite. But I'm not sure if he'll be able to though. So I'm sure he won't go at least a few days, before breaking this promise.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 140-168 Strategy: Summary Explanation: So far Nikki is doing a great job keeping his promise. Its been 4 days, and he hasn't been drinking or anything at all. He's pretty much clean, but we'll see how long that will last. Nikki hasn't seen or talked to his mom for a week, so he decided to call her and check up on her. She said she was doing fine and all, but Nikki wasn't so sure. But Nikki didn't complain or say anything, he was to excite for the fact that his grandpa (Tom) was coming to stay a few days with him. His grandpa raised Nikki and they have been really close. Since Tom heard Nikki is coming clean, he wanted to see Nikki. Also his grandma passed away, and that hurt Tom really much. And Nikki was happy to see Tom after many years.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 168-195 Strategy: Summary Explanation: After about two week and a half; Nikki broke his promise. He couldn't help it; it was just too much for him. For Nikki the dying wasn't a problem, it was the living that was harder. His grandpa Tom couldn't make it. Which broke Nikki's heart to pieces. After many years and all those days, Tom couldn't come. Nikki felt pain all over him, and just had to do heroin. A drug that was used by a needle, and is injected in any veins of your body. Or in Nikki's words "A drugs that drives the pain away, and brings you back pleasure!" Nikki said "When I don't take heroin for one day, I feel a part of me breaking apart," So when he finally did heroin, he felt good. Nikki had many troubles keeping the promise, but now after fifteen days, he felt like that person the world wanted to see. Hardcore drug addict; rock star. NIKKI SIXX.

Book: The Heroin Diaries Author: Nikki Sixx Pages read: 195-225 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Nikki Sixx had a huge drug overdose. Ended up in the hospital, his fans were there screaming for his life. Nikki survived by two of his biggest fans, two girls who saved his lives. Nikki was fine, he went home sick. It could have been that he actually died, or the fact he was saved by these two fans. Either reason, Nikki realized his mistake. All these times he was getting high, and ruining a part of him; was also ruining the people who cared for him. Nikki quit drugs. It was a shock to everyone, and they all thought he was lying. But Nikki wasn't. Nobody believed it, but after many weeks went by, it was clear to everyone that Nikki was not lying. Nikki is clean of drugs and all, which makes him a very different person now. I much better person, someone most people look up to. Like a hero. The Heroin Diaries was a very touching story. Its said that "The people who have been through this mess and have been this way, will understand the book more then the other people will." This book made a huge difference in many peoples lives. Most quit smoking and drinking, others probably not. The book was very sad, but the ironic thing was; it was all true. Nikki didn't mind sharing these painful diary entries to the whole world; he doesn't care what people will think about his book. This book meant a lot to.

**Stuffed** Eric Walters

Book: Stuffed Author: Eric Walters Pages read: 1-24 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Stuffed is a book about all the fast foods we eat from, and this entire junk going in our stomachs. This book explains about a story these kids watch in school, about a fast food restaurant Frankie's. Ian and his classmates discuss and argue after watching this film why or why not anyone would ever eat there again. Because of their bad food and how many people are getting sick from it. Ian thinks it’s not so bad to eat there once in a while, while his one best friend Julia, says she'll never eat there ever again. Ian's other friend Oswald, who is to scare to against Julia 'cause they’re dating, decides to agree with her. But Ian still thinks some meals at Frankie's aren't so bad at all. But the argument goes on, and only a few people say they won't eat there.

Book: Stuffed Author: Eric Walters Pages read: 25-34 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Ian has a huge plan to stop people from eating at Frankie's! As he was surfing his contacts on messenger he thought how quickly things pass around there. So he decided to have a Friday where nobody eats at Frankie's. Julia really liked that idea, and so did Oswald. They thought it was the best way to explain to people its not good to always eat at Frankie's. Occasionally sounds god, but all the time is not good. So Ian sent a message to everyone on his contact list, explaining his plan to all his friends. So they can pass it out to everyone their friends with. Soon everyone was passing around the idea. Hoping his plan works out, Ian is excited for next Friday. And everyone is talking non-stop about his idea, thinking it’s a great plan.

Book: Stuffed Author: Eric Walters Pages read: 35-43 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Ian, Julia and Oswald's plan are going very well, Ian got many emails from a lot of people. More then 800, and he keeps getting more. Everyone thinks it’s a great idea, only some think they'll never stop eating at Frankie's. But then Ian gets a very unusual message from a very famous lawyer. The lawyer warns Ian, telling him what he is doing is trying to shut down the Frankie's retardant for good. And Frankie's can sue him for that. Frightened Ian explains all this to his parents, who are both lawyers as well. His father thinks they wont be able to sue him, because all he's doing is having a Frankie's Free Friday. Ian tells his friends and they also agree with his parents, but they still have to go to court for a jury meeting about this whole matter. Ian is afraid, he doesn't want to be sued, and thinking this would be a great experience was a bad idea...

Q. If you were a character in your book, who would you be? Explain in a few sentences. I would most likely me Julia. Julia is Ian's best friend; Ian got the idea of Frankie's Free Friday from her. She's very nice but can also be a little bully at times. Buy I would Julia because I agree with her on why anyone wouldn't eat at Frankie's ever again. They give such disgusting good and rip off people. Julia knows this, because she's very smart.

January 20th, 2010. Book: Stuffed Author: Eric Walters Pages read: 44-76 Strategy: Predict Explanation: I predict that Ian will not be sued or any of that sort. Because you can't sue anyone for making a Frankie's Free Friday. Not like it was against the law or any of that sort. All he was suggesting is how bad Frankie's food is for us all. Why I predict this is because Frankie's food is very bad to eat, and Ian was just telling the truth to every one of his friends. Only warning them how terrible things could happen if you eat at Frankie's ALL the TIME. Ian was just letting his friends know why you shouldn't eat there, and that got the lawyer mad. I'm positive this is not a court matter, and that he can't be sued for something as stupid as that.

Q: What would you say to one of you characters? Explain why you would say this? The one character I'd say something to would be Ian. I'd ask him "What makes him sure everyone will go along with this event he made of a Frankie's Free Friday." The reason I would ask him this is, because basically everyone in this book Stuffed eat at Frankie's in the city he lives. What makes him so sure that everyone in the whole world would stop eating at Frankie's for one Friday? I mean everyone eat there, they all love Frankie's food. Just by an email he sent out to everyone on is contact list, how can everyone in the world get this message and actually not eat at Frankie's. It’s just something that I'm so curious about, and it seems unreal if everyone did stop eating at Frankie's for that one Friday.

**MARKED**

January 22, 2010 Book: Stuffed Author: Eric Walters Pages read: 76-94 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Ian did not get sued at all. He thought he would get sued for a dumb matter like this, but he didn't get sued at all. Instead the lawyer decided to bribe Ian. He tells him he'll give his school a free lunch if he lets the lawyer come to talk at his school for just a few minutes about Frankie's. Of course Ian found that as a bribe, and said he'll think about it for a few days before the Frankie's free Friday shows up. Everyone heard about this matter in school, and everyone thinks Ian should give the Frankie's Free Friday idea a rest. And just accept the lunch the lawyer is willing to provide his school. Ian couldn't believe how greedy his school was, and decided to talk about this idea to his school the day Frankie's workers and the lawyer arrives. So the day arrives, [Frankie's Free Friday] and it’s an hour before lunch. Ian and everyone else make their way to the auditorium for the assembly. Ian gets ready to rehearse what he was going to say to everyone today. After a few minutes, the principle settles all the kids down. The Lawyer gets up to talk first; he talks about how Frankie's really care about everyone else choices. And he babbles, on and on. Hoping everyone would agree with him. After about 20 minutes of speaking, its Ian's to talk. He gets up, and is nervous. But he needs to explain to everyone how big liars Frankie's really is. So he speaks into microphone wishing, and praying his schoolmates will understand his point. Ian says a very powerful speech and everyone is amazed at how honest he is about this whole matter. Right after his speech, everyone cheers. Ian is sure he beat the lawyer this time. Believe it or not, just like Ian had predicted that his Frankie's Free Friday might work, it did. Ian became pretty famous in his city; people are talking about him everywhere. Also everyone at school began to appreciate him more. He did a very brave think standing up to Frankie's!

Q: What parts of your novel seem most believable? Most unbelievable? Explain. The most believable parts in this story are when they talk about how filthy and disgusting this fast food place is (Frankie's). Why this was believable is because most fast foods are liars, and Frankie's is just like that. They lie to people in return of their money. That’s believable because all the other fast food places are always lying as well. Also because Ian and his classmates watched a documentary about Frankie's. And Frankie's had no clue they were being filmed, so all the stuff they said about Frankie's being disgusting was true. Another part would be when the lawyer threatened to sue Ian. Why that was unbelievable is because all he was doing was having a fun event (Frankie's Free Friday. It seems so stupid to sue him over something so small. The most unbelievable parts in this story would have to be when Ian becomes famous, and his city is talking all about him. That just seems so unbelievable, because he's just a young teenager who isn't even popular in his school. Then right after all this Frankie's Free Friday mess, everyone is thinking of him as a hero or something of that sort. That just seems weird that a young guy like him could be so famous, and he didn't even care about being popular. He actually accepted his life the way it was.

Replay Sharon Creech

Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 1-8 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Replay is a book about a young boy Leonardo. His friends call him Leo, his family calls him Sardine. He's a young little boy with a big imagination. He wants to become famous for anything. Either its for saving a person's lives, or becoming a tap dancer or anything. He just wants to be noticed for once, and have everyone talk about how amazing he is. He likes to daydream a lot; he probably has the biggest imagination in his whole city. The book starts off when he wants to get away from his siblings, so he takes a trip to the attic. He's going through his father's stuff, rummaging through his stuff when he finds a small blue book. He puts the book in his pocket, and finds his dads tap dancing shoes. Shocked, he wonders if his dad actually taps danced. To Leo his father seemed to always be in a bad mood, and was always grumpy. He decides to try them on, so he begins to tap dance in them. His father hears him, and comes storming in the room. He screams at Leo, demands him to take the shoes off. And forces him to come downstairs with him.

Q: What are two emotions the main character has felt? What made the main character feel this way? The two emotions my character has felt so far is: Lonely and Ashamed. Why he felt lonely was because, his family is such a jerk to him. They’re always yelling at him, calling him names. Making him feel like he doesn't belong in his own home. They make him feel like a looser, and they are always pushing him around. His own parents think he's nothing but a dreamer, and think he's a worthless kid. He wants to show them he can do something to make them proud, but no matter what he tries or does his parents don't care. He feels ashamed because when he's tap dancing in his father’s shoes, his father comes in and he feels ashamed for using his father's shoes. Then his father starts yelling at him and tells him how mad he is for him having to act like that. He feels embarrassed for using his father’s shoes without his permission.

Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 8-44 Strategy: Prediction Explanation: Leo has just signed up for playing the roll of a main character in a play. He wants to be Rumpopo and he's hoping to be that person. He reads the lines studies them, and wants to badly become that character. No matter what it’s going to take him. He wants to make his parents proud, and see them smile at him. So if he doesn't get this role, he'll feel like a looser towards his family. I predict that Leo might not get the part. Why? Well he has a great imagination and is quite the daydreamer, but he's been acting before too. When he was five, eight and ten. When he was five he was tree and his bark fell off. When he was eight he was an angle, and his wings fell off. Then when he was ten he had one line and he messed it up. So seeing that he's not that good of an actor, he messes up a lot. Not saying that it’s his fault, he just needs to actually realize that. Maybe acting isn't his thing. But I predict he won't get that part.

Q: What does theme mean? What is the theme in the novel you are reading or have just read? Explain. Theme: The message the author is trying to send to the readers. Lesson of the story. The Heroin Diaries Theme: No matter how great drugs are, and how much pain they take away. They will always ruin a part of your life and your body. They will make increase the pain, and make life worse for you. Until you understand what you are doing to yourself, and other people. February 1, 2010

Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 45-80 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Leo has been learning stuff about his father in his father's journal, he didn't know about. His father was a very different boy back then. He loved to tap-dance when he was happy, he loved to fish. He was a very cheerful little boy. Then he grew up, and he was always playing with his kids. Camping with them, hugging them goodnight when it was bedtime. He was always there for them. Then Leo's father had a heart attack, and he was taken to the hospital. He changed when he had his operation. He was a very different man then. He began to be very slow, and inpatient, never caring for his kids anymore. He started to drift off from everyone, and was always grumpy then. Shouting and yelling at little items for no reason, getting mad at the door. Leo explains that his father was an amazing dad, before his heart attack. The he changed rapidly. Became such a horrible person. Not caring about anything, ever there to comfort his kids when they needed him. Leo wants to know more about his father's childhood, he imagines what its like to be his dad. Realizing its not that easy, and that everyone changed when they grow older. Some become nicer adults, others become grumpy. But Leo doesn't have time to worry about why his father changed. Leo is worried why everyone won't accept his acting. All he wants to do is become an actor. His family gets together on a Sunday. His grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. His grandpa and grandma both mistake his for his younger brother, Pietro. They both think acting is lame, and it won't help change anything in the world. Leo feels a little let down, but doesn't really care. He decides to ask his grandma who Rosaria is. His father talked a lot about her in his journal; he knew she was his father's sister. But he didn't know why he hadn't met her. His father gets very angry with Leo, and he doesn't speak the whole day.

Q: What is your favorite part of the book you’re reading? Why? Be descriptive in your explanations. My favorite part in the book so far, is when Leo is climbing this tree, when he spots his younger brother Nunzio digging in the dirt. He goes down the tree and asks his younger brother what he is doing. His brother keeps on digging and says he's digging up his bird pet "Petie". Petie was a bird they're father brought home for them after his heart attack. Everyone shocked when they saw their father enter with the birdcage, his father tried to look serious, but couldn't help laughing at the little bird. Everyone was in love with the bird, but soon it was only his father, Pietro, and Leo were the only one who actually cared for him. Petie died later on, so his father buried the bird in the yard outside of their house. So here was Nunzio digging up the dead bird. After digging for a while, Leo asks Nunzio why he's digging up petie. Nunzio says He wants to see if the bird is still there. Leo doesn't want Nunzio digging up the bird, and looking in the shoebox to find the remains of a dead bird. So Leo says, " Maybe Petie is in heaven, and he took the shoe box with him!" Nunzio stops digging for a few seconds, then nods and walks away. Leo is satisfied and leaved he. Why I like this part is because it seemed sort of sweet that Nunzio wanted to see if his dead bird was still there. They really loved Petie, and wanted him to be happy in heaven. Even though Petie was being pushed around by Leo's mother, and brother and sister. He was loved by Leo, Nunzio and his father. Petie was just a small bird that made a huge difference in Leo's, Nunzio and his father's lives. Leo had a friend, who was very friendly. Nunzio had a friend to talk to when; nobody wanted to listen to him. And Leo's father was always grumpy, but with Petie around, he was smiling, laughing, and was happy. That made everyone else happy. That’s my favorite part in the book!

February 3, 2010 Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 80-105 Strategy: Identify Explanation: So far in the book, all it’s talking about is how people change. How people could be a totally different person when they're young, then change when they grow up. Some stay the same, others change for the best. Leo is so confused on how his father's heart attack just changes him to a very grumpy man. He wonders why this happened, wondering if he'll ever see his old papa he once knew. The ones who used to care, and always be there. I think the author is trying to show that people can change. Not everyone stays the same. The purpose of this story is to tell, that everyone changes in some way. Some may think they’re the same, but they have changed in a way they don't realized. Others might change into something they never imagined to become. The author is saying that some people can change over an incident, or something that happened to them that might have changed their lives. Like Leo's father, he had a heart attack and changed into a man he never ever thought of becoming. A person who blinded everyone out of his life, to be alone. Leo's father after the heart attack started separating himself from his own family, so they won't see what he's going through, or has been through. His father doesn't want his family to question about his life. The author has told how some people are better off alone after something horrible happened in their lifetime. That's exactly how Leo's father is feeling. He just wants to be alone just to figure things out.

Q: If you were the author, what would you have happening next? Explain the details and tell why you would make this decision. If I were the author, I'd make Leo's father become the person his family want back. The person who used to smile, and laugh. Leo wants the papa he once knew, the one who used to cheer him up. The father who used to help him feel better, the one that brought a smile to his face when he was sad. His papa who used to wipe his tears away when he was crying. Why I would bring the old Leo's papa back, because everyone has been a mess ever since he changed. He not only changed himself, but everyone along with him. They all know he didn't mean to change anything. But all Leo wants is his perfect family back, his old loving father. But everything has changed, and Leo is not sure if things will ever go back to the way they used to be. All Leo can really do for his father, and family is hope. And that’s what he's been doing.

February 5, 2010 - Viewing Response (answer these questions in a paragraph): Describe what is happening in the image below. Why do you think the person in the image is doing what he is doing? What does this tell you about the situation that he may be in? What is your reaction to this image/How does is make you feel? (Please copy this image into your wiki page to include with your paragraph.) After the terrible earthquake that hit Haiti, thousands of people lost they're homes. Many died, and many became orphans. It was a huge tragedy for the people of Haiti. The earthquake was the worst earthquake that ever happened in the world, and it was worse for the people of Haiti. Many people in Haiti have no home, food or clothing. Most people still can't over this earthquake. Its just to hard too, seeing that the people they thought would always be there for them, are now lying died on the streets of Haiti. In this picture it looks like a poor man is holding up a bag with Juice in it. He looks thirsty, and very hungry. The man looks exhausted, tired, and probably very hot from the hot sun shining down on him. He's holding up the bag, probably for shade. He looks like he's holding up the bag with juice in it. And he's probably thanking for the juice. He's in a very bad situation, he lost his home. Family members, and everyone he loved. He has nowhere to go, he's probably lonely. He can't get any food, unless the people give it to him. The place he once called home is nothing but piles of wood, ashes and a huge mess. I think this is a huge matter. I mean we probably don't know how these people feel, we have food, clothing, education, and all we can ask for. They don't have what we have, they don't have anything anymore. These people lost everything that belonged to them. Were lucky to have a home to go to, but these people don't. They really have nothing, we people should be thankful. But the fact is, we aren't. We just take things because we think we deserve them, those people in Haiti can't just get up and build a house. They have really had nothing. It makes me feel sad, I mean I should be lucky for these things but I never am. People in Haiti aren't even complaining about this, we complain when we don't get something we want. We need to be more thankful of things, because we'll never know what can happen.

February 8th, 2010 Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 106-146 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Leo's aunties, uncles, and grandparents return again to his house on a Sunday like usual. Leo still has no idea who this Rosaria girl is, and why is his father always talking about her in his autobiography journal. So many question float Leo's mind, he's so confused and wants to find out who she is. He finds a picture in his father's autobiography of his father's family having dinner. There's a little girl with a teddy bear, which he know is Rosaria according to his father. And way in the background there is a dog, which just happens to be staring at his grandma. Leo wonders who that dog it. So when everyone returns on Sunday, there is having dinner when Leo decides to ask his Auntie Carmella if her family ever had a dog. Once again he upsets his grandma who runs off crying, his father yells at him and asks him why he has to upset his grandma all the time. Leo stays quiet the whole day. Later on his two brothers, Pietro, Nunzio and his sister Contento have soccer, football and a sinning play. So they go to Petro’s football game, he injures his leg and they all go to the hospital. Contento's soccer game is the next day, so they all go again She fractures her leg, they go to the hospital again. Then knowing its just a play for Nunzio they know he won't injure himself, but when he finishes singing two big other boys push the little kids off the stage, and Nunzio falls down. They go to the hospital again. But this time, seeing Nunzio is the smallest Leo's parent’s stay at the hospital with him, and Leo, Contento, and Pietro go home with their grandparents. At their grandma and grandpa's house, they three sit on the couch not saying a word at all. Soon they all start bawling their eyes; their grandparents quiet them down. Saying Nunzio will be okay, satisfied they stop crying. Leo picks up a photo book from his grandparents shelves. He looks through the book, and spots the same picture he saw in his father's autobiography. He decides to ask his grandma who everyone is in this picture. When it comes to the little girl, grandma pauses before saying Rosaria. Contento and Pietro gasp, they have never heard about the Rosaria. So grandma tells them that Rosaria was there auntie, and everyone loved her. But she was very close to Leo's father, that’s why Leo's father mentioned her a lot in his autobiography. When Rosaria lost her dog, the only one she talked to was Leo's father. Who comforted her and loved her. Rosaria was 17, when she moved out of her house to live with her boyfriend. Grandma and grandpa didn't want her to leave, so she packed up her things and the next day she was gone. They later got a letter releasing her marriage to her boyfriend. Soon after many years, she came back home and unfortunately the boyfriend turned out to be a jerk. He left Rosaria, and when her parents tried to tell her she can come back, she said they didn't know her anymore. And that was the last they saw of her. Everyone misses her terrible, especially Leo's father. Leo thinks maybe that why father changed, he must really miss Rosaria. All Leo wants now is Rosaria to come back home and make everyone happy again.

Q: In 4-6 sentences, describe several insights you’ve gained from your reading. You may include the book you are currently reading or a book that you have already completed. The Heroin Diaries: This book is truly amazing. It explained life so much better, and then anyone can else. Nikki Sixx has showed what life can do to you, and what can happen if you take drugs, and drink daily. It’s the most descriptive book ever, seeing that Nikki Sixx is in a band. You'll find out some things you've never known before. Like drugs were the one thing that helped Nikki go on in his life. They helped him from the pain he was living, they helped him become an independent man. But they also ruined his life, taking small parts at a time, before actually taking him alive. They separated him from the people he loved, and the ones that loved him. He started becoming an angry, grumpy, depressed person when he didn't have the drug (Heroin), and when he did; he was nice, co-operating, and happy but also all over the place. From this book I realized that you couldn’t always have what you want. That’s what Nikki wanted, everything. Sure he was a filthy rich man, but he couldn't buy just anything. I've found out that some people might get lucky, and have a third chance to live like Nikki Six. He died twice, and this was all real. He had to die twice, before he realized and began living a positive lifestyle. Nikki was truly one amazing hero; he always cared for his parents, and especially his grandparents. I always thought love was just something you could share with another person, but according to Nikki love is more then what everyone else thinks. Love is something that can only be described with motions of actions. Words can never describe what you feel.

2/21/2010 Book: Replay Author: Sharon Creech Pages read: 147-180 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Leo’s play is today at school. He feels to sick to his stomach. But he’s actually just very nervous. He thinks he might mess up the play by accident or something like that. Later that day, Ruby drops by to say she feels the same way as him. Leo suggests that they’re both just nervous, and it’s nothing to even worry about. He also assures her everything will be all right. Ruby leaves, and Leo’s family later on get in the car. They arrive later, Leo runs off behind the stage with the rest of the drama class. The play takes place, and at first everything is a disaster. Everyone’s forgetting their lines, and they’re all stumbling around on stage. But eventually to the end, everything falls in place. When its Leo’s speech, he becomes all nerved up. He sees his whole family sheering him up, they’re so happy for him. And his dad, he looks so proud as he nudges the women next to him and says, “That’s my son!” After seeing that, Leo feels so proud, and strong. That he says his lines, without any trouble. Before the curtain begins to close, he does a little tap dancing to end the show. Everyone cheers. The play ended up being very successful. As he gets off stage his grandma tells him that, his aunt Carmella’s friends bother saw Rosaria with a bay. She even got her phone number, and left her a voicemail. Leo is so proud of his grandma. He gives her a hug. The very next day his relatives will be arriving again. (Sunday) That same day, as Leo cleans the dishes for his mom. His father asks him to follow him upstairs. He’s scared his father found out he went through his stuff. Instead his father asks him keep the tapping shoes, and his autobiography book (which he returned earlier). He’s so shocked and happy at the same times; he doesn’t know what to say. So as his father heads downstairs with the chili bear (Rosaria’s bear when she was a child). Leo begins to tap dance in the shoes, for the first time everything is perfect. His family, his friends. His father will soon be smiling again, and Rosaria will be back. Everyone will be happy for once in his or her lives. Leo felt an urge to cry from happiness. Life just couldn’t get any better then this.

Q: Select a quote from your reading you liked. Why did you pick it? What made you think about it? I think I really liked that part when Leo tells his friend Ruby “You need to do something new for a change. You can’t keep your life boring for your whole life. Go out there and try something new, no matter how embarrassing it is. You just might enjoy it. If not at least it was worth a try. Who cares what other think, your special, don’t let what they think about you get to your head. Just have fun, and be yourself. I promise you people will love you for that.” I picked it because, what Leo says was absolutely true. It was such a sweet thing to say to his friend as well. And its true, if you don’t d something new for a change, your life will be boring. So you must try to at least try something different. And just by being yourself your much better, then trying to be something your not. If people don’t appreciate you for you are, forget about them. They will never be able to change you, and what they say will never matter to you. That’s their opinion, if they don’t like you then that are their bad. And you have to always have fun. I thought it was absolutely true, and it’s been probably the nicest thing anyone would ever say for his or her true friend. That’s why I choose this quote.

Love Ya Like A Sister Katie Ourio, edited by Julie Joshnston

2/22/2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ouriou, edited by Julie Johnston Pages read: 1-34 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Love Ya Like A Sister (LYLAS) is a true book about friendship. Sixteen year-old Katie and her family have begun to just live a year in Paris, when all of a sudden Katie died. Over the summer month she was living in Paris, she had emailed and sent letters to her loving friends in Calgary. Her families are demolished by her sudden death. So they get comfort from reading her emails sent to her three best friends, (Heather, Ashley, and Maude). Her family at first feel very guilty for reading her personal emails she had sent to her friends, but as they read this personal information, they find a part of Katie they never knew existed. Katie was a very spiritual girl; she was in love with god. Which was shocking news to her parents (Suzy and Joel), because they never really believed in god. So they let Katie and her older sister Christelle decide to believe whatever they think is true. Katie's email not only contain about God, but also what true form of friendship is. Katie likes to write quotes, she copies them off the Internet and such and emails them to her friends. In this book she reveals what her emails are about, and what friendship is, and belief in God and her desire to understand what this love is she shared among her close friends.

Question Response: Would you be friends with the main character? Why or why not? Support w/ evidence from your reading in a paragraph. To state the honest truth I would love to have a friend as amazing as Katie. She was such a loving person and we share the same interests. Katie loves her friend, she's always emailing them, making sure there okay. Always putting their problems before her own. She loves her friend dearly, and living in Paris for a year was torture because, she didn't have her friends along with her. But even after all that and how lonely she felt, she never complained to her friends. Katie thought of her friends as her very own sister. She never let a friend down, always assuring them she was okay in fear they will burst out crying, or something of that sort. She really cared for them, and they were the reason she kept on going on wit her life, even if all she had was her sister Christelle to hang out with. I know for a fact that Katie would be a great friend, and it is amazing to have someone like that in your life. To show you the right paths, to help you along the way. To comfort you when you really need it. And show you the true meaning of friendship in her own words. And to especially have someone love you and appreciate when you think you don't belong. Katie has been a great friend, and her friends should be happy they had a very remarkable friend.

2/24/2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ourio, edited by Julie Johnston Pages read: 34-64 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Katie is so far getting used to Paris, it’s pretty huge but also lonely. Her parents are trying to get her into school, they’re doing everything they can. She gave out many emails to Ashley, and Maude. She misses them dearly. She emails them every day. Telling them how her day went, and what she did, and so on. Even though she can't really talk to them on the phone because, of long distance she makes sure they save every email she send to them. So after she gets back, they'll be able to read the emails and laugh at how silly, or foolish they were. Also since she'll be back for 12th grade, she can treasure those emails as memories. So she can show her own kids the emails, and show them how her life was in Paris. Katie is hoping to hear from her friends as well, since they're all on vacation. Even though Paris isn't turning out show she planned, she hopes everything will soon fall into place. And hopefully she will get through this year, and see her best friends, again. Not much people understand what Katie is going through, and how she feels about this whole thing. She cries usually in the mornings. Realizing how much she wishes she was back in Calgary, with her friends. But if everything goes well, she will make it back home, safely.

Question Response: List three new vocabulary words from your reading. What can you tell about them from their structure (break them into chunks, look at prefixes and suffixes)? What can you tell about them from their context (meaning gathered from the sentence and paragraph around)? My three words are: pungent, superficial, baccalaureate. Pungent: having a sharply strong taste or smell. Pun Superficial: existing or occurring at or on the surface. Super Attestation: provide or serve as clearly as evidence of. Attest I know it is slowly going away, but it's so to "to the point" or pungent. I still really don't think I'm going to change this year, except maybe with superficial things. But, maybe I might be lucky because my mom went to the Abbassade today to get an attestation for my sister that says she has a equivalent to baccalaureate (their diploma).

February 26, 2010: After viewing the clip below, select the quote that you find most meaningful to you. Write a paragraph that explains why you selected the quote and its importance. The quote that I choose, and found very important was, "Its determination and commitment to your goal, that enables you to attain success," by Mario Andretti. The reason I choose this quote was because, it’s very true. Over the many experiences of life I had, and the many mistakes that became my life, I've learned that you can never outcome your goal without trying your best. I have many goals that I hope become apart of my life, and I hope to obtain. I'm trying my hardest to actually make the goals from my imagination reality. I know I have to strive, to make my goals accomplished. But though many people think all they can do is try, but also have to put their effort into it. You can never achieve anything without your true effort. Many people have showed me, that there's never a person who can succeed their goals without putting their very best into it. You must always have someone loyalty that can help you preserve your goals. If you put your heart into it, and your attempt too, you are bond to succeed. From what I believe, this quote is truly inspiring. Why? Because, I believe that you can achieve anything, if you try. I've had plenty of people explain to me, you must be obliged to put your accomplishments to full-fill your goals you wish to. Even though life lessons teach us this, not many people rely on it. That’s why some do not achieve the goals they set their hearts on. But all you really have to do, is be pleased for the what you want to complete. Nothing is easy, but with determination and commitment, you can believe that your goals will be achieved.

March 3, 2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ourio, editing by Julie Johnston. Pages read: 64-79 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Even after being homesick, Katie begins to like it in Paris. Even without her friends there with her, she's pretty happy. But she continues to email them back and forth. Recently she's more closer to Ashley, then Maude or Heather. She emails Ashley all the time. Mainly because Ashley can understand her and what she's going through. She knows how it feels like to be alone, and not have your friends there. She comforts Katie, and lets her know, that the year will be over soon. And they will be reunited, once again. Katie's just happy that she has a friend like Ashley. Who understands what is going on in her little world. And often she feels sad, and left out when she hears Maude, Ashley and Heather hang out all the time. Katie gets a feeling that Heather is trying to take her place. Like she's replacing her. The more she thinks about it, the more she feels horrible. Katie and Heather are like twins, they look almost alike, and have been friends since they both can remember. But Heather also stole her ex boyfriend, and sometimes Katie gets the feeling she's now taking her friend away too. As for Maude, she is a very great friend. She misses Katie a lot, and cries once in a while. Even though Maude has Ashley, she still feels lonely. Maude always thought Katie was a very special friend, she loved her very much. Katie learns to be happy where she is, her life may not be the best at the moment, but she'll make it through.

Question Response: What you are reading is going to be made into a movie. Make a list five characters, what famous actor will play each character and what about the character makes that actor the best choice for the part. Katie Ouriou --> Maude --> Ashley --> Heather --> Christelle --> I DON'T KNOW!!

March 8th, 2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ouriou, edited by Julie Johnston Pages read: 80-110 Strategy: School is almost started for everyone, but Katie. She still has to write the test to see where she fits best. Katie is terrified of writing the test. She knows she might fail, but she hopes she doesn't fail that bad that she ends up in grade nine. Since Paris is different then Calgary, she'll end up in grade ten, instead of grade eleven. Which doesn't really matter to her. As long as she gets through this year, and is able to graduate with her friends in Calgary. Katie gets phone calls from Ashley and Maude once in month, or sometimes twice. But they email every single day. Every boring part of her life, she writes it to all three of her friends. She loves them very much, and hopes they can all understand the meaning of life. Summer is almost over in Calgary, school starts for them in 2 weeks. For Katie 4 weeks. She's thrilled that she doesn't have school but also nervous because, she'll be starting schools a week after everybody else. And especially the fact of having no one to hang out with in Paris, makes her very depressed. Her sister Christelle has a few friends in Paris, and she starts university in a week. She's studying history. As for Katie, she's always free to do nothing all day. But she's been told to study for math, English, and French for her test coming up. Katie gets to bored to study, so she emails her friends instead. Since she just got a new project to work on for math that will be included with her test. She has four weeks to study, but Katie gets very frustrated when she picks up a pencil and has no clue what to write.

Question Response: What is the author trying to tell you about life in this story? Defend this moral. The author (Katie) is trying to explain to everyone how life is not the simple. One main reason Katie is very special is because, she understands the meaning of life, and knows what is expected. She always is reading quotes of life to her sister, her parents and friends. She hopes they understand what she knows. Why we were born, and as a human we make mistakes, and everything happens for a reason. Not many people sit and think of how this world was created, and what will happen if it all ends. Just imagine yourself sitting, relaxing when all of a sudden everything begins to explode. Everyone panics, fear in their eyes, scared as the world begins to disappear a piece at a time. When all there's left is just ashes, and the remains of what was once called life. The author is trying to point out that, even though you may be dying young, you'll die knowing that you lived a good life. At least Katie knew that. She was dying at the age of 16, but she died knowing that she had great friends, and lived a good life. A question that pops in Katie's head often is, "What is Life?" She may not have a reply for this question, but she knows life is something very special.

March 10th, 2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ouriou, edited by Julie Johnston Pages read: 110-150 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Katie is very depressed, and tensed up with all the work she has to do for school. She's frightened that she may not be in, it scares her to even think about school. Her friends are great though, they support her no matter what. Maude, Ashley & Heather just want Katie to be happy, and always smiling. Ashley and Maude get very upset when they hear Katie isn't having a delightful day in Paris. So Katie tries her best not to sound like Paris is very boring. She loves it there, it’s just the fact that not having her friends they’re with her makes her upset. The test she has to take starts in a few days. Everyone else has started school already. She feels so mad that she has to start school way after everyone else. But things just don't seem to fit together. A huge puzzle, with so many missing pieces. She's sick most of them time, so she gets her sister (Christelle) to email her friends instead. When she begins to feel just a bit better, she gets even worse as the day for the test comes nearer and nearer. Even though she's terribly scared, she doesn't let her family know that. Her friends are good enough. So the day for the test arrives, and when she arrives at the school, she realizes she's not the only one writing the test. There are many other people as well. So she feels a better that she won't be along, at all. She even finds out that the test even involves German. That tenses her up more. After writing the test, and the ride home, she is positive she failed. And will probably end up in grade ten, or maybe worse. Grade nine.

Question Response: Do you think that the title fits the story? Give your opinion with reasons to support. Love Ya Like A Sister;; I think the title fits perfectly with the story. Why? Because this whole story is about friendship, and how much she loves her friends like they're are her sisters. She even emails Ashley saying 'LYLAS' (Love Ya Like A Sister. She always lets her friends know how much she loves them, and how much they mean to her. That even though they may be friends, Katie feels like they share a strong bond. A friendship that no one will ever break, a sort of sister bond.

March 17, 2010 Book: Love Ya Like A Sister Author: Katie Ouriou, edited by Julie Johnston Pages read: 151-200 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Katie wonders is her friend ever think "Where's Katie?" Apparently Maude thinks of that. After Katie emails her, she gets a 5 page email from her friend Maude. Who's been recently having a hard time at school, and is missing Katie then she normally does. She cries very often as well. Maude's happy that Ashley and Heather are there for her, but without having Katie, she feels horrible. Nothing is going any better, her boyfriend and her broke up. And now Katie is in Paris, and has been sick a lot. Katie assures her that everything is fine, even though she is sick, but doesn't want Maude all tensed up about that. She doesn't want Maude to worry about her, because Maude has her own problems to deal with. As for Katie, she's been sick a lot. She did fail the school test, so now her dad got her into a catholic school. Which is willing to take her in. So Katie and her parents are pretty satisfied about that. The only thing anyone is worried about is Katie. Her mom took her to the doctors, and they think she's just been very tensed up, and everything will be okay. They give her pills to take everyday, but her mom is still not sure. Katie persuades to her mom that she will be just fine. Her mom is convinced as long as Katie doesn't get another headache, or gets sicker. Katie assures everyone that she will be just fine. But after some while, she gets even sicker. And soon Christelle has to send out emails to her friends for her. Katie gets sicker and sicker every day. Her time is running out, and she's doing all she can. But none can do anything, the doctors are positive she will not make it. She ends up in the hospital, and her friends are curious, and confused and what is going on. They're scared for Katie. They all are. But Katie doesn't make it. And ad sad as that might be, she had turned a page in her poetry book. The page that was turned was October 5th. The same day, she had passed away on the 1996. And the page was turned sometime earlier when the came to Paris. Katie died a very young age, at sixteen. Her family and friends miss her dearly. Later on in 1997, Maude and Ashley send out a message to Katie's parents. They speak out their apologies for Katie's death, and agree with Joel and Susan. Who wish to publish her emails into a book, which is all a real story.

March 15, 2010: Complete a strategy response. Question response: List at least three problems the characters faced? Which was the most life changing? Explain Katie is facing so many problems. The mains ones are: Loosing her friends Her sickness School the main challenging problems she has is her sickness. She's been getting sicker and sicker. And the more sick she gets, the more everyone is worried for her. Scared to loose her. They’re all trying to help support her, and help her fight her problems. But everything is just too hard to Katie. She's worried about her family and friends, when she's the one dying. Katie tried everything she could do, she fought her sickness, and tried her best. But she just didn't make it. March 17, 2010: Complete a strategy response.

Question response: What is the mood of what you’re reading (happy, sad, funny, serious, etc.)? Defend your idea by giving examples from the novel. I felt sad throughout the book. This wasn't just a book about her dying and it being funny. It was serious, and horrible. I felt quite bored when I first picked up this book. But as I began reading, it seemed to make more sense, and was really good. Then by the end of the book I couldn't stop feeling sad, and depressed. I mean, Katie was a thousand miles away from her friends. Then after all she has been through, she gets a rare sickness. And begins to die slowly. I almost cried when I read that. She has such great friends miles and miles away from her, and then she ends up dying. Could you ever imagine your friend or family far away from you, missing you so much, and they get very tensed up about it. And all the tension builds up in one place, and that just is too much your brain or heart can carry, that it explodes it all out. And then they’re gone, as fast as they came into the worlds. All those years of friendship and all washed away in a matter of days. This book really was amazing.

 //"Shoot all the bluejays you want, If you can his 'em, but **__remember__** its a sin to kill a mockingbird."// To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee

April 14th, 2010 Book: To Kill A Mockingbird Author: Harper Lee Pages read: 1-15 Strategy: Summary Explanation: To Kill A Mockingbird, is a book about a small family that reside in a very small town in Maycomb. Scout Finch (main character), is a six-year old girl who's by far intelligent, smart, pre-cautious, and unordinary. Scout lives with her father (Atticus), her brother Jem, and her amazing cook Calpurnia. Scout lost her mother at the age of two, but since she was very young, she doesn't remember her mother at all or misses her. Scout's brother, Jem is a young ten-year old boy. He's very smart, supportive, kind, and a loving brother. Though he goes through a lot in his life, he remains strong and stays as supportive as he can to his young sister. And thats where Dill comes in, a small seven-year old boy who comes from a far place to Maycomb, where he meets Jem and Scout. This book takes place a long time ago, when the only matter that ever took place was Black & White. When every single family in Maycomb were poor, not a single rich person. When the only thing the town of Maycomb had to fear, was itself. This takes place from a young girls experience of life, and how she takes everything. This is taken from Scout's point of view, from a young innocent girl who shares her life experience, and understanding of this small world. It all goes way back, when it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. This is where this story begins.

To tell the honest truth, I don't dislike any character, and I have my reasons. Every character I've been introduced to is so amazing, talented, brave, or strong in a special way. I've just began reading this book, and its a really good book. All the character's; which are only Atticus, Scout, Jem, Calpurnia, and Dill, are all amazing. Atticus is a strong, knowledge lawyer. He fights for every true persons right, whether its even a negro. Scout is such a tomboy, she doesn't even care what people say about her. But she can really start a fight, if anyone dares to stay a word about Atticus. Jem is the bravest young boy ever, he stays true in the heart, and has faith in everyone. Dill is a small young boy, who is strong, and loving, and his heart is only available for Scout. Calpurnia is a black cook, and Scout, Jem, and Atticus would never be able to operate without her. And from this, these character are too hard to even dislike. I like them all, there all amazing. And wonderful, so I do not dislike any character.
 * April 14, 2010:** Complete a strategy response. Question response: Which character do you like least? Why? Remember to respond in a full paragraph.

April 19th, 2010 Book: To Kill A Mockingbird Author: Harper Lee Pages read: 15-63 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Scout has started school! First grade, and she's already got in trouble, twice. First reason was because her teacher angry at Atticus for teaching her how to read. That really startled Scout, for her brother didn't have time to teach her at all. And that got Miss Caroline even madder. Scout began saying that Jem said she was born to read, and she was really Jean Louis Bullfinch, not Jean Louis Finch. Miss Caroline made Scout sit in the corner for the remainder of the morning. Then when she asked Jem at recess why she wasn't allowed to read or write, Jem said they started a new was of teaching. So Scout just had to go along with it. When she returned to class, and lunch arrived, Scout got in more trouble. When Miss Caroline asked who was going home and who was staying for lunch, hands raised. And lunched piled on their desks, except for Walter Cunningham's. When Miss Caroline asked why he didn't have his lunch, his answer was I don't have one. Miss Caroline being very generous lend Walter a quarter, which he simply couldn't take. When Miss Caroline asked Walter to come get it, he refused. So she asked again, and kids nudged Scout to tell Miss Caroline. Scout stood up and said, "Miss Caroline he's a Cunningham!" Miss Caroline didn't understand. Scout stood up once again and told Miss Caroline how the Cunningham's were the poorest family in Maycomb. They could never pay back anyone, they didn't have any money. They had very little food supplies, but they get along alright. To end her speech, she said "Miss Caroline your shaming him, for he's never seen a single quarter in his life." Miss Caroline didn't stand another word Scout said, she pulled her to her desk, and told little innocent Scout to stick out her hand, Scout did as told. Wondering if she'd spit in her hand, Miss Caroline hit a couple times with a ruler, and just then the bell rang fro lunch. Scout just didn't understand why nobody would ever give her a chance to speak, but she was soon to find out.


 * **April 19, 2010:** Complete a strategy response. Question response: Who is the author? What do you know about the author? What do you imagine the author must be like? //**Explain in a paragraph.**//

Harper Lee is the famous author for To Kill A Mockingbird. She was born on April 28th, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama. Youngest of the four children to Amasa Coleman Lee, and Frances Cunningham Finch. As a chid she was a tomboy, like her character Scout. She graduated from school in 1944. She presude a law degree in University of Alabama. Harper Lee wrote for several student publications and spent a year as editor of the campus humor magazine, //Rammer Jammer.// She may not have finished the law degree, but she spent the summer in Oxford, England before moving to New York in 1950, where she worked as a reservation clerk. She stayed a reservation clerk until 1958, before committing herself to writing. She had written many stories, but kept them to herself. She started writing To Kill A Mockingbird in 1956, she finished writing it in 1959. Which was published in July 11th, 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird came to screen in 1962. Even at the age of 90, she remains the best author. By 1990 it was noted "Best Novel Of The Century." Her book is autobiographical, meaning she wrote it about her life. And the small boy Dill was inspired by her own best friend Truman Capote. The plot was sort of the same as the law she was studying. Her novel still stays the best novel written. Which I think is amazing for just one book she published and it became that famous. Reading and writing was her biggest passion. Though she just wrote on book (To Kill A Mockingbird), that book was addressed the best book written. She was given Presidential Medal of freedom in 2007 for literature.

Book: To Kill A Mockingbird Author: Harper Lee Pages read: 63-87 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Scout has been growing, and learning new things as she goes along with her life. She knows that she can't keep getting mad at every little thing, and her anger needs to calm down before she does something she will very regret. The rest of the school year passes grimly for Scout, who endures a curriculum that moves too slowly and leaves her constantly frustrated in class. After school one day, she passes the Radley Place and sees some tinfoil sticking out of a knothole in one of the Radleys’ oak trees. Scout reaches into the knothole and discovers two pieces of chewing gum. She chews both pieces and tells Jem about it. He panics and makes her spit it out. On the last day of school, however, they find two old “Indian-head” pennies hidden in the same knothole where Scout found the gum and decide to keep them. Summer comes at last, school ends, and Dill returns to Maycomb. He, Scout, and Jem begin their usual games again. One of the first things they do is roll one another inside an old tire. On Scout’s turn, she rolls in front of the Radley steps, and Jem and Scout panic. However, this incident gives Jem the idea for their next game: they will play “Boo Radley.” As the summer passes, their game becomes more complicated, until they are acting out an entire Radley family melodrama. Eventually, however, Atticus catches them and asks if their game has anything to do with the Radleys. Jem lies, and Atticus goes back into the house. They began to panic if Atticus knows they're lying to him, and that he'll soon find out Jem lied. But things never seem to get better for Scout. Soon Jem and Dill grow closer by day, and Scout begins to feel left out of their friendship. As a result, she starts spending much of her time with one of their neighbors: Miss Maudie Atkinson, a widow with a talent for gardening and cake baking who was a childhood friend of Atticus’s brother, Jack. She tells Scout that Boo Radley is still alive and it is her theory Boo is the victim of a harsh father (now deceased), a “foot-washing” Baptist who believed that most people are going to hell. Miss Maudie adds that Boo was always polite and friendly as a child. She says that most of the rumors about him are false, but that if he wasn’t crazy as a boy, he probably is by now by all the rumors and such. As Scout stays away from Jem and Dill, they come up with new ways to cause trouble. They both plan on giving a note to Boo inviting him out to get ice cream with them. They try to stick the note in a window of the Radley Place with a fishing pole, but Atticus catches them and orders them to “stop tormenting that man” with either notes or the “Boo Radley” game. jem is really ashamed of his behaviour, and tries to act more men-like and respect his father's decisions.


 * April 21, 2010:** Complete a strategy response. Question response: Compare where you live to the setting described in what you are reading. //**Explain in a paragraph.**//

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the Southern states of America in the 1930s. The community of Maycomb is close unit, everybody knows everything about everybody else and mainly the people have the same beliefs and values. Its a really tight community, and they all seem to rely on one another. Though The most common belief in Maycomb is only that the black people are not equal to the white. Racism was common in the Southern states at this time. It came about because Negroes who had been working as slaves carried on living in America after slavery was abolished. White people still regarded the black people as servants and hated their freedom. Racism was destroying their beautiful community. But a community as beautiful as this was not ready to destroy their little home over a silly matter. A small house over the side of the community is where Scout resides in.

> > Well we use our laptops mainly in Language arts, and sometimes in other class. > Were starting to use laptops less in Social, since we won't have them next year. > But in other classes we often don't even need our laptops. I use the laptop only > in language arts, digital arts, and sometimes in leadership for journals. I'm starting > to use them less, because I think there just not the exciting and great like they used > to be in the first year. ** > Well I only really need the laptop for language arts mainly. Because we use them for > reading journals, and other things as well. But we mainly use them for LA, because for > this class we always use the laptop. ** > Well the program I mainly use is word, obviously. I use the internet, garageband, powerpoint, > inspiration web, and if really needed imovie. These programs are great, only if they work on > your laptop. Since my laptops recorder doesn't work its horrible for using to record. ** > Well I don't. I mean it was great to have it for the first years, and second half. But then I > realized I was being so carried away with these, my grades weren't that great. And so I > found out I would have been better without it. I mean already have a computer at home, > so I don't find any reason in why I should like them. I guess they were okay, because I had > my very own laptop, but then there's always the side affects to it. **
 * ** April 24, 2010: ** ** __U of L Video Shoot Questions for Reflection__ **
 * **How often do you use the laptops at school?
 * **What subjects do you mainly use the laptops for?
 * **What sort of programs (softwares) do you use on the laptops?
 * **What do you like best about having your own laptop?
 * **Is there anything you don’t like or would change with the laptops?**

After viewing the following video clip, respond in a paragraph. What is the message that the person who put this together trying to tell us? Give specific examples from the clip.
 * **April 28, 2010:**
 * Part 1: Viewing Response**

One main reason our lives seem to be very easier, is all because of technology. What would we ever do without it? We all use technology, its a part of our daily loves now. Technology is used a lot. We use it for mainly everything, its a very helpful source. So many people get involved with technology, they start caring less about the most important things in our lives. In India the kids don't use technology much, because they may have better things to do, or more important things to catch up with, rather then waist their time on facebook, or myspace. The kids in India are more smarter, and clever then the whole population of Unites States. Most likely because of technology. We're already preparing for jobs to find a solution for our worries. Like in the clip it said "Using technologies that haven't been invented yet, to solve problems. We don't even know our problems yet." Meaning people had already began to use technical things that don't even exist for a solution to problems, when its obviously clear we don't even know our **own** problems yet. Technology can really change how you look at things in a whole different way. When we always need to know something where do we go to? Obviously google. It states that google has 31 billion searched **every** month. This number has really increased since 2006. What if google never existed, then who would we ask these questions? Internet is a great way to connect with people, especially on facebook, and myspace. Myspace has topped over 200 million users. Every year they introduce a new technical study. It says that when someone learned something from their first year for technical degree, that by the third year everything is re-updated. Can you just imagine how difficult that might be. You learn something the first year, and when your going into your third year of learning, everything is updated. Meaning you have to relearn what you learned the first year. And by the time we were watching this 649, 000 songs were being downloaded, while 395 babies were born in India. How great would technology be if everyone knew how to just use it right. To understand the concepts of internet, and technical things. Just think of all these technologies being invented, and how many more are to be developed.

May 3rd, 2010 **Book: Freak** the **Mighty** Author: Rodman Philbrick Pages read: 1-14 Prediction- Freak the Mighty. Two unwanted teenagers come together to form a huge unbreakable friendship. They come as a huge guy, and a midget. Which created their name "Freak The Mighty." I predict this because on the back of the book it tells you that their both sort of unwanted, and weird. And maybe they understand each other, and they became friends. Some people might think their pathetic, and stupid, but they think of themselves greater then that. Thats what I predict might happen.

Wiki Q response- May 3rd -What is a hero? I think a hero is someone who’s ready to take on any challenges, and commit himself to the consequences leading it. Someone who anyone can really look up to, and believe and know they’re very special. A hero is someone ordinary like you, but can do anything that makes a huge difference in someone’s lives. A person who is admired by a many people, and is loved. -How do writers/authors portray heroes in Literature? They portray a hero as someone very admired, make him or her look special. And very honored, like him or her is just as remarkable as someone famous. -Give example of a hero in literature. What makes this person a hero? -Terry Fox = He ran across Canada to raise money for cancer, even though he had a huge chance of dying well doing the run, he continued his journey, not caring. -Nikki Sixx = He was a huge druggie, but then he came clean. And he built a place for runaway kids, seeing that he was a runaway once as well. He’s a hero because he cares for other kids, and gave up over $20, 000 for those kids. -Does Max seem like a typical hero? Explain why or why not. I don’t know. He seems so independent, and doesn’t want anything to do with anyone. He really has no one who could actually care for him. He doesn’t seem the hero kind. You must make a difference in people’s lives to be a hero, that’s not what he has done. He is not a hero, and it seems pretty obvious.

May 5th, 2010 Book: Freak The Mighty Author: Rodman Philbrick Pages read: 15-33 Strategy: Summary

Explanation: **May 5, 2010 - Freak the Mighty Response:** Complete a strategy response (use a few sentences). Question Response: How has Max's view of Kevin changed since the beginning of the novel? Explain in a paragraph.

May 19, 2010 Book: Freak The Mighty Author: Rodman Philbrick Pages read: 72-92 Strategy: Prediction Explanation: What Cam Down the Chimney? So far Max has been told about his father, Killer Kane. And how dangerous he actually is. So Grim argues Gram they //need// a gun. But Gram refuses, in fright that he might come and take the gun from Grim, and he'll do the shooting instead of Grim. But its seems like it is possible, but maybe not. I am guessing that for Christmas, it isn't Santa Claus that comes down the chimney, but it is Maxs own father, Killer Kane that comes down the chimney. The reason I predict this is because, it can't really be Santa itself, 'cause he doesn't even exist. (At least I think not). And neither can it be Freak, he is way to short to climb that high on the roof on his own, unless Max helped him. That leaves his father Killer Kane. And also when Max got called down to the office, Mrs. Addison (the principle of the school) tried to tell him something about his father, Killer Kane. And I'm thinking he wanted Max back or maybe something like that. So maybe he came back for his own son after 13 years, to gain him back. 'Cause after all he was the father, but I am sure Max does not want to go back with him. Max hates him for leaving, and even if he did come back on his knees begging for him, Max would definitely refuse his offer. He has Grim & Gram, and they actually care for him. And his father obviously doesn't. That why i think Killer Kane will come down the chimney. :0

Complete a strategy response (use a few sentences). Question Response: Identify the examples of conflict in the story so far. Indicate the type of conflict.
 * May 19, 2010 - Freak the Mighty Response:**

May 28th, 2010 Book: Freak the Mighty Author: Rodman Philbrick Pages read: 115-134 Strategy: Summary Explanation: Max has been kidnapped by his own father, who is out of jail now. Kenny Kane meets up with Iggy, and he's the one that helped them shelter into a broken down house. They stay there for the night, when Loretta comes by and gives them left over pizza, which is all she can give them for Christmas. But Kenny forbids Max to touch, or eat anything touched by her dirty hands. So they eat the only thing they can find in the house. Old Corn Flakes cereal, with cold water. Kenny ties up Max once again, since he's still unsure that he can be trusted. When they hear the noise of a siren, cops. Max's father pushes him down to floor with them, careful not to blow this whole thing up. But the cops just slowly drive away from them. When they finally get off the floor, Iggy rushes in speaking very slowly. He tells them the cop showed up at their house, and how they were looking for the boy (obviously max). His father thinks Iggy gave them in, so he pushes Iggy down in a horrible way. He's very angry then, and hen Iggy tells him it was the small midget that gave them in. Freak. Kenny Kane decides they have to get out as immediately as they can. So he takes them to a broken down apartment which used to be apart of the Testaments but was burned away. They wait their for Iggy to arrive with the car. Kenny ties Max up once again, just incase. While he goes away to see Iggy, Loretta shows up and unties Max. When his father returns and just then he begins to take away Loretta's life, like he did to Max's mother. Max tries to help but it is no use at all. So he just shouts whatever he remembers when he was four, and how he //knew// his father killed his mom. They argue, when Kenny is trying to kill Max now. But Freak comes in right then, and saves Max's life. Freak the Mighty had strike once, again.

Question Response: Does Max pass the test alone? Is he independent or is it "Freak the Mighty" who passes the test? Use evidence t support your paragraph. Well I think it was actually both. Max had enough nerves to stand up to his own father. But even though Killer Kane can not be beaten, since he was such a strong man. And he was the type of person that when he was determined to do something, he wouldn't stop until he had done it. But Max had tried, but how could he ever try to gain up to this man, who ten times what he was. But if it weren't for "Freak the Mighty" he would have died. Yes he did have courage to tell his father what he saw, but not enough to pass the test. Freak had saved his life, he rescued him, and helped him. He did enough work as Max did to get them both, alive. Kenny Kane is huger the freak, really huge. But freak a small midget boy, very short, but with a huge brian also was brave enough to fight him. Their lives were hanging on, but "Freak the Mighty" saved them both. Yes Max was independent out there, while Kenny was killing Loretta. But when it came to his life, it was "Freak the Mighty" that saved him. He had saved Loretta's life though, which was very brave of him to do. And it says in the book that, "I'm in this faraway place, falling backwards real slow and dreamy, when I hear a window breaking. Then a small voice faraway is saying..." He was dying slowly, but Freak had come just in time to rescue him. It was "Freak the Mighty" that passed the test, which is actually better then passing it alone.

May 29th, 2010 Book: Freak the Mighty Author: Rodman Philbrick Pages read: 135-160 Strategy: Summary Explanation: They all go to the police station and Max gets question about what happened, and if he would explain it all well.