A Little Holiday Cheer

Check out this article.  Have you ever know someone who did something similar?  How could you make somebody's life a little better as this year closes.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Homework

Saw a great article on CNN about homework.  Check out the article and follow some of the links and then respond to the question here.

Great Book Quote

What does the following quote mean to you?

“We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don’ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.” — Philip Pullman

Mystery It Is

So the poll closed and it looks like 7th grade will be reading Mystery Books for our first round of Book Clubs.  Do you enjoy reading mystery books?  What is your favorite mystery book that you have read?

8th graders:  I have started a new poll for you to use.  Please respond to it within a few days so we can get your book clubs started as well.

7th graders:  PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO THE POLL.  IT IS FOR 8TH GRADE ONLY!!!!

Educational TV

Many kids spend many hours watching many shows.  Throughout TV history, some shows have promoted education in a variety of ways.  What was your favorite educational TV show when you were little?  Check out this list of cool educational TV shows.  Did you watch any?  Would you have enjoyed any of these as a kid?

Wait...that was a book first?

I know it is hard to believe, but often screenwriters and producers take books and stories and turn them into movies or shows (shocking right?)  I am sure many of your favorite movies and TV shows started out as a piece of writing.  Check out this article.  Though the article is about retaining ownership of of intellectual property, what I want you to do is the following:
Find a film/show that you really enjoy that is based on a book.  Read the book.  Write a short comparison between the two on this post.  Don't forget to include which you liked better.

Marking Period 1 is In the Books

Now that Marking Period 1 is over it is a good time to look back on what went well and what could have been different.  What did you struggle with?  What did you improve on?  What is something you want to do more of in Language Arts as the year progresses?  Don't forget to SEW it up!

Take to the Seas

I always loved reading stories that took protagonists away from the world that we know and thrust them into a situation both perilous and exciting.  I found that books that involved the high seas were particularly thrilling.  I came across this article yesterday.  Any interest in reading one of these books?

After Reading Pleasure Reading Book

Everyone is supposed to be reading every day.  That is what makes a strong reader and a smart person.  After doing your reading for the day, respond to the following prompt:
"After reading, I wonder..."

Great Classic Book Project

This classic book project is worth checking out.  Great Job Jillian!  Feedback is welcome, but this does not count for your weekly blog comments.  This is worth checking out so you can see the expectations that we have of an excellent classic book presentation.

Book Clubs

I looked through the responses for possible book club ideas from the blog post last week.  The poll above indicates the possible choices.  Be sure you vote.  A vote does not count as a weekly blog response BTW.

The NYC Field Trip

I want you guys to use this post to talk about anything regarding the field trip...either beforehand or after. This can be about the trip itself or the play etc.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

Happy Belated Birthday to Jillian Cervini...hope Atticus recovers from the H5N1 virus he has come down with.

Marking Period 2 Book Clubs

We will be starting book clubs in November.  I am interested in what type of literature you would like to use.  You can pick a genre (historical fiction, biography etc), a time period (pre 1900, early 1900s etc) or maybe even an author (Agatha Christie, Lois Lowry, etc).  This post is for any ideas you have on what we should use as book clubs.  I will check this post early next week and use it to determine what we will do for our first book club.

Show Don't Tell

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." - Anton Chekhov
This quote talks about how important it is for a writer to show the reader and allow the reader to experience aspects of the story using senses.  Most of us just tell the reader what is going on.  Do you have any strategies that you use to "show don't tell"?  If so, share one with us.  Don't forget an example.  If you don't, then go do some research and find a strategy that you could use and share that with us as well.

Candy Clash

Do you trick-or-treat? Do your older or younger siblings? Has your perspective on trick-or-treating—and other holiday traditions—changed as you have grown older? If so, how? Why might towns want to ban older kids from trick-or-treating? What do you think is a good age to stop trick-or-treating?

Such Great Heights

Check out these two different versions of the same song.  This is the original song by The Postal Service.  Now check out this version of the same song by Iron and Wine.  Which one is better.  Why do you say this?

Art for Interpretation

Many people are intimidated when asked to interpret artwork.  We will be doing some interpratation of sculpture/painting/ etc this year.  To start off, I just want students to think about a piece of art and share initial feelings/impressions/opinions about it.  Personally I always revisit this famous landscape at this time of year.  Tell me what you think of it or what it makes you think of etc.Don't forget to SEW up your responses.

Book Trailers

During the year we will be presenting our reading in many different ways.  One way we will do this is through book trailers.  Watch this book trailer for Beautiful Creatures.  Does it make you want to read the book?  Don't forget to use SEW format for your responses.

The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind

First of all, I would be very impressed if anyone gets the Post title reference (without cheating).  I found this article online and thought it was pretty interesting.  Let me know what you think.  Don't forget that answers should be in SEW format.

The Learner versus the Learned

“In a time of drastic change it is the learners who survive; the ‘learned’ find themselves fully equipped to live in a world that no longer exists” – Eric Hoffer

This quote has special significance to educators and students.  What do you think it means?  How can it help you live your life?

Me Cheat? Never!!!!

Would you (or have you) ever lied about your grades?  Why or why not?  Remember to SEW it up!!!

Welcome to the Blog

Each week students need to go on the class blog and comment twice.  One comment should be an original comment regarding a recent post.  The second comment should be directed TO another student's response..these response comments should be written as "@name..."  This way the person knows that you are commenting on their ideas.  Students should be using SEW format for all responses.


Please start a word document where you copy and paste your weekly comments from the blog to.  At the end of the marking period I will ask you to print out this word document to show that you commented twice weekly.  Don't forget to copy/paste right from the blog and INCLUDE DATE AND TIMES.

A Room with a Use

submitted by David - Some people like to have areas in their home that are designated for certain things only.  They may have an exercise room, or a home office, etc...what is your opinion on designating a single use for a room?

School's Out for Summer (Almost)

submitted by TedBlake - Summer is almost here and school is almost over.  Most of us say that we can't wait for school to be over because we don't like it.  But, we all have to like something about school.  What was your favorite part of school this year and why?

The Classics

submitted by Andy - Classic novels are a controversial subject, especially for students.  Some think the classics are dull and out of touch, while others feel they are great and a journey into the past.  What is your opinion and don't forget to SEW it up.

A Philosophical Question

submitted by ItsLidia - Why are we here?

Putting off Til Tomorrow...

submitted by Abby - Procrastination.  The fifteen letter word that eats us all.  We all try to avoid it, but it always shows up in the end.  Do you think you are a procrastinator?  If so, when do you procrastinate most?  For what reason?  What do you do when you procrastinate?

Songs or Poems

submitted by Nick - Which do you think has a greater effect on people, music or poetry?

Right Around the Corner

submitted by Brittany - What are your thoughts on high school?  Do you feel prepared for it?  What are you most worried about?  Most excited for?

If I Could Change the Past...

submitted by Rachel - If you could go back in time and change one historical event, what would it be?  Why?  How do you think that change would affect the world today?

May Books of the Month

Mrs. Lever's Picks:
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Mr. Horvath's Picks:
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Partner Pick:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Jockey Hollow Book Club Pick:
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys
Classic Picks:
In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway
Complete Short Stories by Graham Greene
Author to Know:

At the Drive-In

submitted by Anna M - On June 6, 1933 the first drive-in movie theatre opened in New Jersey.  Have you ever veen to a drive-in, would you go to one?  How do you think the experience would be different than the movie theatres we go to right now?

Grow Up Peter Pan

submitted by Kim - We all look back fondly on the simplicity of our lives when we were really little.  I also remember how much I looked forward to getting older.  It is strange that now we wish for those early childhood days.  Would you give up all of your new freedoms for the simple fun life you had when you were little?

Classic or SOOO Yesterday?

submitted by No-nickname Jessica C. - Many of us have tried to read a "classic" novel and hated it.  Some people say it is because the language and writing is hard to comprehend.  Other people say that it is hard to relate to the characters because their lives are so different from ours.  Have you tried a classic?  What do you think?  Will you try to read one in the future?

Bad Weather

submitted by Matt S. - Recently, tornadoes ravaged the southern states.  Hundreds are dead and thousands more have lost everything.  It is a good time for us to reflect on how lucky we are when things in our lives are stable and safe.  Think about your life.  What do you appreciate most?  What are you most thankful for?

The End is Near

submitted by Emily - 8th grade is quickly coming to an end, but it feels like it just got started.  What is your opinion about this year?  Did it go by fast or slow for you?  Was this a good year overall?

Check out some new blogs

For those of you who want to branch off and discover some new blogs, check out ItsLidia.  This is a book review site started by one of our very own.  I think it is gonna be a very good resource for new and ineresting book picks.

Also, Monroewrites is a blog that is built around the creative writing of JHS students, past and present...check out the great work and writing that people YOU KNOW are putting out there.

Sweet Summer or Sweat Summer?

Submitted by George and Grace - Spring is in full swing now and the temperatures are rising.  This means school is heating up.  Does the heat affect your concentration?  Is this what causes you to slack off the most in marking period 4?  Or is it more because the year is almost over or you would rather be outside enjoying the nice weather?

All-Time Favorite

submitted by Julia S. - What is your favorite book, short story or poem?  Who would you recommend it to?  What genre would it fit in?

Taking School Seriously

Submitted by Julie - Some people don't take school seriously.  They should because when they get older they will struggle with finding a job, especially if they don't get into a college.  The choices you make when you are a teenager will impact the rest of your life.  Why do you think some people don't take school seriously when it is so important?

Facebook Creeping

submitted by Jordan - What do you think about teachers/administrators looking at your facebook, twitter or myspace?  Is it an invasion of privacy?

Wrestling with wrestling

submitted by Jeff - Do you think that girls should be allowed to wrestle in a boys league if there is no girls league for them to wrestle in?

John Lennon...Peacenik or Commie?

submitted by Anna D. - Listen to the song "Imagine" by John Lennon.  There has been an ongoing debate whether this song is peace-and-love-in-the-world driven or a song trying to make everyone a communist.  After listening to it, what do you think?

Online Privacy

submitted by Anthony - Recently the Playstation network, a server for online gaming, was hacked and crashed.  People are now concerned that their personal information (credit card numbers, addresses, emails etc) have been compromised.  What does this incident tell us about our privacy?  Is anything really private anymore?

The Influence of the TV

submitted by Jenna - How do the shows we watch on TV impact the decisions and choices we make?  How does it affect the way we think about things?

Huck Finn Questions

The following questions need to be answered by 4/29.  Please have them typed and turned in to Mr. Horvath by that date.

1.  Why did Twain include the "Notice" on the opening page?
2.  Each stage of Huck's moral growth culminates in a crisis of conscience and a decision to assist Jim.  What are these stages and decisions; when do they occur; and what are their consequences?
3.  What are the consequences of Huck and Jim going past the mouth of the Ohio River in the fog?
4.  How do the king and duke impact Huck's and Jim's life on the raft, their quest for freedom, and the novel's movement?
5.  Is there any justice in the fact that Tom is wounded in the final chase through the swamp?
6.  The story is told by fourteen-year-old Huck, who admits to elaborate lies and fabrications.  Can we trust him?  Can we accept his version of things or must we read between the lines to get the story?

Fantasy or Science Fiction

submitted by Mike - For those of you who have seen the movie Star Wars...do you think this movie is more science fiction or more fantasy?  Remember to refer to what we know about both genres as well as the film.

April Book of the Month Picks

Mrs. Lever's Picks:
My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Mr. Horvath's Picks:
White Fang by Jack London
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Parter Pick:
The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones

JHS Book Club Pick:
Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger

Classic Picks:
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Author to Know
Agatha Christie

Celebrity Pick
?

Huck Finners

Please respond to this post question and also respond to someone else's response (Meaning comment on someone's response to the post).
This books is often banned/censored due to its use of historically accurately but offensive language.  It is something that I took into consideration before challenging you with this book.  In order to prepare you for the book and context I would like you to do the following...

Think about the following statements, rating each statement using the following guide:


4 strongly agree
3 agree somewhat
2 disagree
1 disagree strongly.

1. Some words are so offensive that they should never be used to tell a story.

2. The names we use for others are not important.

3. The saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is true.

4. Members of an ethnic group can refer to themselves in language that would be inappropriate for others to use.

Choose one of the statements with which you agree or disagree the most, and free write about why you believe as you do. Begin with statements to which you have the strongest reactions—either positively or negatively.

NCAA Final Four

submitted by Jeff - Now that the final four teams are set for the mens tournament, who do you think will win it all?  Make sure you SEW it up, use evidence, stats etc...

Why do you Like that?

submitted by Bailey - When people talk about their favorite composers/singers/artists is it because they truly enjoy the music or are they looking to define themselves and be judged based on the music they like?

It's the Remix

submitted by Sammy - When folk stories are remade, they are often changed, both story and concept.  Movies like Peter Pan, Red Riding Hood etc have all updated or changed a classic tale.  Why do you think they change the story?  Should they?  What about people who don't know there is an original?  Are you for stories staying the same or do you like the changing of these stories?

Man's Best Friend

submitted by Sean - Some say dogs are "man's best friend".  What do you think the impact of having a pet is on a person or family?

April Book Clubs

The polls have closed and the results are in...April book clubs will be Mystery books.  Now the question is...what do you want for a final assessment of this book club.  My thoughts always go right to an essay, but I am open to suggestions.  Remember, an assessment needs to be designed so that you can show that you have read and understood the text as well as can take that understanding and apply it to your life and the world around you.

Oh, Is it CMT time?

sbmitted by Brooke -  What are you most concerned about for CMTs?  What do you think is the easiest part of the whole test?

March Book of the Month Picks

Remember that you need to:
1.  Read the book and have it on your reading log.
2.  Record that you finished the book on your book log.
3.  Post a comment about the book on this blog post.
4.  Fill out two "Thumbs Up" to put on the bulletin boards in Mr. Horvath's and Mrs. Lever's classrooms.

Mrs. Lever's Picks
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Partner Pick
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mr. Horvath's Picks
Peak by Roland Smith
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Jockey Hollow Book Club Book
Genesis by Bernard Beckett

Classic Picks
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

Celebrity Pick
Beastly by Alex Flynn (Mrs. Johnson's Pick)
Author to Know
Agatha Christie (any novel written by Agatha Christie qualifies as a Book of the Month Pick.

Sell Out to Be Pretty

submitted by Julia S - What if you lived in a world where once you turn 16 you have a full body reconstruction to make you "pretty"?  This is the premise of the book The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  The main character, Tally, is very excited to become a Pretty so she can join her one-time best friend, Peris, in Prettyville.  She currently lives in Uglyville with the rest of the under-16 population.  While there, she encounters a girl named Shay who has decided she won't undergo the operation to change what she looks like.  She runs away because she doesn't want to be forced to turn pretty.  She offers to take Tally with her but Tally wants the surgery so she refuses.  The government finds out about Shay and tells Tally that she cannot get the surgery unless she tells them where to find Shay so they can force Shay to turn pretty like everyone else.
Would you...
1.  Go after Shay, expose her to the government and then be able to turn pretty (even though you know Shay doesn't want to be turned and it would ruin your friendship)?
2.  Go after Shay, stay with her and never become pretty but keep your friendship?  Remember, if you stay ugly, everyone will resent you and find you horribly unnatractive but you will have the true friendship of Shay.

So, what is beauty?  Is it internal or external?  Think about a good friend you made this year.  Would you leave them and sell them out just to be pretty like everyone else?

Pro Athletes

submitted by Tyler W - In case you didn't know, most professional atheletes make more than every teacher. The minimum salary for the NFL is 300,000 and the NBA's veteran's minimum is 1.16 million. These both are much more than an everyday teacher's salary. Do you think the pros deserve it? They basically play a game for a living, while teachers affect the lives of everyone who ever had to go to school.  Which job is more valuable?

Forget You

submitted by Ted - I'm sure most of you have heard the song "Forget You" and the explicit version as well.  This song made me think...Do you think it is really necessary to have profanity in songs?  Does it make the music better or worse?  How does it affect what we say and do in the rest of our lives?  Thoughts?

Everybody Roots for the Underdog

submitted by George - We have all read or heard of a story where the underdog wins.  My question to you is, "What is your favorite Cinderella story?"  It can be from sports/film/the stage/books etc.

1984 Part 2

1984 readers should have Part 2 read by Friday 2/25.  At that discussion we will focus on the developments of the characters and plot, the emerging themes, the connection to society in the 40's and also any reflection of our current society in the action of the novel.

The Grammy's

submitted by AJ - The Grammy Awards recently happened.  If you watched, what do you think of the show, acceptance speeches, awards, performances etc.

The Revolution Has Been Televised

submitted by Dorian - Do you know about the current situation in Egypt?  What is your take on the revolution?  Were the protesters justified in overthrowing the president?

(If you don't know what is going on in Egypt you should head to foxnews, msn, cnn etc to get some info)

Gamers

submitted by James - Do you play a lot of video games or sit on the computer all the time?  Do you think it is having a negative or positive impact on your life?

1984 Part One Discussion

The discussion for Part One of 1984 has been moved to Tuesday during KIDS time.  For the discussion I want everyone to bring any general understanding questions they have (I don't get it kind of questions), also please have at least 1 question that you think will generate a strong conversation around some part of the text...this should be a specific question, not something like...what do you think the theme is?  or , are there any symbols in part one?  BE SPECIFIC!

Favorite Book

submitted by Nick - What is your favorite book?  What is it about?  Why is it your favorite?

Facebook

submitted by Julia - Pretty much everybody today has a Facebook.  Do you think this is a good or bad thing?  What are the positives?  negatives?

(there have been a lot of controversy around Facebook comments/pics etc being used against people at work as well as school...do you think this is fair to do? - Horvath)

Jersey Shore

submitted by BadKidCaroline - We all know of or have seen the MTV show "Jersey Shore".  What do you think of the show?  What kind of influence does it have on us?  What do you think the reaction of other countrys is when they see this?

Narcissists

submittee by Weedster - I always hear that our generation is full of narcissistic/selfish people and that we rely too much on technology.  What are your views on this?

What Goes Around Comes Around

submitted by Caroline - Do you believe in karma?  Why or why not?

Immortality

submitted by Bad Kid - If you had the choice, would you want to become immortal?  Make sure to use SEW format for your answer.

Sports

submitted by Jordan - I think a great topic to talk about on the blog is what your favorite sport is.  People like different sports and have different opinions why.  What sport is your favorite?  Don't forget to SEW It Up!

Jumping off from Just Write

submitted by Rockelle - I was reading some of the poems on the Just Write blog and when I came across this one by mackenzieL18 I thought it was interesting.  Does this poem apply to your life?...or someone you know?...or someone you can think of?  Don't forget to SEW It Up!!!

If you say so,
I guess it's true
Why?
Because you said so,
That's why
You tell me things
and I listen to you tell me things
and I have to believe that they're true
'Cause what's the point of listening
if they're not?
And I do listen...
So I guess they have to be
right?

February Books of the Month

7th Grade Picks
Jerk California - Jonathan Friesen
Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher

Partner Pick
Peace Like a River -  Leif Enger

8th Grade Picks
The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian - Sherman Alexie
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin

Classic Picks
The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

Jockey Hollow Book Club
Looking for Alaska - John Green

Celebrity Pick

Author to Know
Robert Cormier - any Robert Cormier novel counts as a book of the month selection!!!

Remember that in order to get your extra credit you must:
1.  Read the book
2.  Record book on book log
3.  Post a blog comment about the book on this post (Don't forget to SEW It Up!!!)
4.  Tell me so that you can post your Thumbs Up and get your E.C.

1984 Part One

Read the rest of Part One of the novel.  Use this post to ask each other questions (both deep discussion questions and also literal understanding questions).  Think about character development, themes, symbols etc.

New Vocab Word

submitted by Liburdi - What is a new, interesting word that we should have for our next vocabulary unit...don't forget to SEW it up!

Inspiration from Dr. King

submitted by Gaby - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."  What does this statement mean to you?  Who does it apply to?

Say it Ain't Snow

submitted by Colleen O. -  Do you think all these snow days are really affecting our learning?  Be sure to use SEW to explain your answer.

Book Series

submitted by Zack E. - I have noticed that there always seems to be an exciting new series of books out every year or so...from the Alex Rider books to the Last Olympians to Vladimir Tod etc...what do you think the next great series will be about?

1984 Chapter One

After reading Chapter 1 of 1984, reflect on the following:
What does the setting of the novel tell us about life in London in the book?  How does Orwell create the mood of the novel?

Look up the words irony, paradox and contradiction.  What examples of these words do you see in the book?

Winston seems to have a deep hatred for women, specifically young pretty women.  Why?  Have there been times in our history when the fervor of the young has been used for advancing political goals?

What is the significance of the Two Minute Hate?  What does it tell us about people in general?

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

submitted by Kim - There is no proof that spirits of past lives can come back and haunt you but there is also no proof that they can't.  Some people claim they experienced an encounter with the other side.  You may think ghosts are just things children believe in or you may believe that they can interact with our world and even cause  serious damage and interfere with people's lives.  Is there a rational explanation for everything that happens in our world or is there a chance that ghosts do exist?

Note from Horvath:  All responses must try to incorporate the elements of a SEW What? Response.  Also, since this post is by nature one of conjecture I would ask that you do not attack people's beliefs etc...this should be a forum of debate and information.  Think of things you have read/seen/experienced that have to do with this topic.

SEW it up

From now on all blog comments need to be made in SEW format to be considered valid.  This means that when you agree/disagree with someone or make a new opinion statement you must provide a strong Statement with a Reason (your because), Evidence that is tangible and supports the because part of your statement, and then an explanation of Why your evidence proves your statement is true.  This goes for this blog as well as for any comments made on the Just Write Blog.

1984 Club Pre-Reading Reflection

In a written response please answer the following completely:
List the freedoms you enjoy both in your home and in your community.  List the freedoms you are denied.  What is the reason for the denials?  Do you accept the reasons?  Do you feel that you live in a "free" state or do you think you are "controlled" by others?  Explain in detail.

Please have these responses typed and turned in to Mr. Horvath by Tuesday January 25.  Any students not currently in the 1984 club are free to join...just see me at some point.

Next Round of Book Clubs

At the closing of the poll there was a tie between science fiction and a classic.  I will provide the tie-breaker vote and I vote for science fiction.  The number of students who voted was disappointingly low (23 total)!!!  Now comes the hard part...what is science fiction?  Have you read any good science fiction?  What are some great science fiction novels that people would be interested in?

MP2 Final Essay

The last essay you will write for the close of MP2 will be based on all of the ideas and discussions we had during this marking period.  You need to reflect on all of the stories and poems that we read and discussed in the Socratic circles.  Your essay will be based on the quote "Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin.
Though all of you will write your own reflective essay on that topic you can use this post to generate a discussion of the quote and its relevance to what we have read and discussed as we close our MP Theme of "Individual and Society".

The Veldt

Feel free to comment/question/discuss the text here on this post. Remember that we are focusing on big ideas right now in our analysis of literature. For this week's discussion you should be prepared to talk about themes, symbols, and characters from this classic story. Also, don't forget that the 2nd Marking Period is still focused around the relationship between individuals and the societies they belong to. Think of "The Veldt" in those terms.

January Books of the Month

This month's picks are...
Mrs. Lever's Picks
Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Partner Pick
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Mr. Horvath's Picks
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley

Classic Picks
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Jockey Hollow Book Club Pick
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Celebrity Pick


Author to Know
Robert Cormier

Remember, when you read any book of the month you need to post a comment on this blog post and then tell me so we can talk about the book and you can get your extra credit for reading it. All Robert Cormier books are considered Books of the Month this month!!!
Happy Reading!

Debate

When we get back from the break we are going to start a unit on debate. This will help us all improve our powers of argument and persuasion without needing to sit in class and write and rewrite prompts. I would like you to think about what goes into a good debate and how that is different from the discussions we have been trying to generate with our Socratic circles. Any ideas/links/tips from the internet are valid to bring up here as well.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year everybody. I hope everyone is enjoying their last days of freedom before getting back to work on Monday. Since New Years Day is traditionally a time for reflecting on the past year and also looking forward to things to come, I hope you all take some time today to think about what your goals are academically for the upcoming year. There is no time like the present to make a change or an improvement and see it through for the remainder of the year.