"BEYOND THE BOOK"

Dear Radical Readers,

I sat up until 11:30 Tuesday night racking my brain for ways you boys and girls could SHARE your learning with each other.  I said to myself, “Would I want to be a 5^th grader in Mr. C’s class if he forced me to do a book report?”  Probably not!  If I was a 5^th grader again I would want to talk with my friends about topics and themes that interested me.  I would want to use computers and other books to find out new information.  Then I would want to talk to more people and share what it is my friends and I came up with. 

            If I read a book like Ryan Hintz’s Soldier book, or Nolan Jacob’s Percy Jackson series I would want to study more about mythology or modern warfare.  If I read a book like Jaeda Walsh’s Fablehaven I would want to talk with other kids who are interested in the FANTASY genre.  I would want to know more about the creatures in that world or maybe I would want to know where the author got his/her ideas.  If I was a 5^th grader reading a Dear Dumb Diary book that main character strikes me as a gossiper.  I know there are real life gossip columns in magazines and newspapers.  I would definitely want to write my own or at least find out how to write a column. 

            Book reports are fine and dandy, but to be honest with you all, as a reader myself, I would never  do a book report after I finished a book I loved.  I do write about my reading, but I also talk about my reading.  Then, I TAKE ACTION BASED ON HOW I FEEL AND HOW I WAS AFFECTED BY WHAT I READ.  I SHARE WHAT I LEARN.  Why wouldn’t I expect the same from all of you? 

            Your homework tonight is to choose  a "Beyond the Book" project idea that you would like to develop either on your own or with a friend.  You may post your ideas on THIS blog post, or write it down and bring it to school on Monday.  Don't forget to read as well. 

Your truly,

C

P.S. 1.21 Gigawatts!!!

Connections are everywhere...

Hey Fantastic Fifth Graders,

      Today is Wednesday, November 10, 2010.  Last night for homework we were suppose to think deeper about the way we interact with text.  Now I know you guys and gals are like, "What Mr. C?".  What is INTERACTING WITH TEXT? 

      INTERACTING WITH TEXT is like having a conversation with the author.  One way we can interact with text is to make connections.  Ms. Bestul and I will be helping you review what you already know about his comprehension strategy.  Oh wait, if it's a comprehension strategy where could we find that on our CAFE wall?

      Your homework tonight is to read 30 minutes and make a comment on this blog post.  You need to post three things...

1. What book are you reading?
2. What book have you finished?
3. What connections have you thought about today either in school or at home? 

      Remember, do your best and forget the REST!!!

Sincerely,
C
P.S. I hear and forget.
I see and remember.
I do and I understand.