Earth Day!!!

http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=510170

Hello, Class! Are you enjoying the rain and snow and rain and snow? At least we had a couple of snow days to relax! You have been busy working on your speeches, literature circles and writing projects, and I always enjoying watching you explore new topics. I would like to keep our blog going with some new conversations. I thought it would be fitting to use the wonderful World Wide Web to discuss the changes technology has made within classrooms.
I want you to watch part of the PBS Frontline special, Growing Up Online. Click on the Revolutions in Classrooms and Social Life section of the video. While you are watching, think about how you use the internet in your personal life. What can schools do to improve education through technology? How much time do you spend online? Have you ever been in a fight online? How much do your parents know about what you do online? Etc, etc, etc…

Follow the link and enjoy the show: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontlin/kidsonline/view/main.html

Now that you have watched the clip, I want you to respond in the comment section of this post. What can schools do to incorporate more technology into classrooms? How can we close the “digital divide” between students and teachers? What would help you learn specifically? What technology would you like to use at school? Remember to write your comment in Word to spell check before you post.

Missing

Do you like a book full of mystery??? Well, you might like to read Missing by Catherine Macphail. Follow Maxine on an adventurous trip in order to stay in school and to try to find her long lost brother, Derek. Maxine does not mind her brother missing until strange things happen then Maxine gets frightened. She starts to get strange phone calls and they all come from a telephone booth in a cemetery and some ghost answers (how strange)!


Grizzly Bear in the moring

A Child Called It

Do you like heart wrenching non-fiction? If you do, you should read A Child Called It by David Pelzer. This book is about a little boy named David. He starts off with a pretty cool life. But one day his mom got really drunk and struck him in the face. A couple weeks later while his bothers were at school his mother made him take off all of his clothes and lay on the burning stove. I put this detail in because I thought that was the most horrific event that had happened in this book. This book takes you in to when he has finished the fifth grade. While he was in fifth grade he had to run to school even, sometimes he had to ditch school and go to the mini mart down the road and steal food to solve his hunger. This book has taught me that we are fortunate that we do not have a mother like David’s.

one_secret_gurl_23

The River

The River is a book is an adventure, survival story written by Gary Paulsen. Brian and Derek are going to be in the wild to survive by themselves so they can come back and tell what they did to survive. Derek brought supplies with him to take notes so that he can come back, and tell soldiers how they can survive like they did. I would recommend this book to people who would like to try to survive in the wild like campers and people who enjoy nature.



From Hammer

Go Ask Alice is excellent book that can help parents see what a teenager somethimes goes through. Girls and boys can read this book unlike any other books. I sometimes get bored reading a chapter book, do you? She writes in her diary almost every day. She writes when different events happen. She just told herself she was going to try drugs once. Then she just told herself one more time. She tried different drugs from marijuana to acid. She got messed up because she didn’t tell her parents. If she would have asked for help she could have started a new life…a new life.

rooster cogburn

The Life You Imagine

Have you ever had BIG dreams? Did they ever come true? Well, if so, I’d totally recommend the book, The Life You Imagine. In this book Derek Jeter tells about his life story from when he was younger to now. He tells how you should follow your dreams, no matter who or how much people put you down. He tells you 10 great steps to follow your life goals. Have you ever been told you can’t do something? Not by Mom or Dad, but people you know that don’t want you to succeed? Well, in this book, Derek tells about how in his life he was put down in this way, but overcame it. This book is a great inspiration, and a great life lesson from a great All-Star in sports and life.

cubs_fan_24

If you like reading scary stories, then Scary Stories 3 More Tales to Chill Your Bones by Alvin Schwartz is a great book for you to read. Scary Stories 3 has some good stories like The Black Dog, Harold and Room 505. My favorite scary story is Harold. It is about these two friends, Thomas and Alfred, make a doll to scare away the birds, but this is no ordinary doll. Then Thomas had an idea it should look like Harold, he was a farmer they both hated. As the story goes on Harold, comes alive and does all these crazy things to Alfred and Thomas. You should read this book because it is a one of a kind book, and one of a kind books are the best books ever.


Lilhatch08

The River by Gary Paulsen is a good survival story that teaches you how to survive in the wilderness by yourself and the hardships that go along with it. Brian is going to teach the military survival skills and what to bring if they need to help someone or if the have to survive in the wilderness. The story leads us through the adventures and how even well planned adventures could go bad. This is a good for people that like the outdoors and like fiction. It is an action packed book and I liked it. It tells about friendship and helping other people that need it.

Fighting Irish 24

For my recommended reading I would like to recommend the book, Crash, by Jerry Spinelli. It is about a kid named Crash Coogen who bullies his neighbor Penn Webb. Penn is a really dorky old fashioned kid that thinks his parents are cool, but on top of things he’s a Quaker and does not believe in violence. Which of course gives bullies an easy target. Then things get worse for Penn when Crash’s best friend, Mike Delluca, moves to town. Now Penn has double the trouble. Then Crash starts to reflect on his life and starts to realize that he is a jerk. Will Crash ever get a chance to change or will he always be this way?

By maximum500

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling begins with the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It starts out on a long night when his mom and dad were killed by “he who must not be named”. He came into their house and Harry’s mom and dad tried to stop him, but the man killed both of them except the little child, Harry. That’s when Dumbledore took him to Privet Drive and he had to live with the Dursleys. He had to go to a bad school that he didn’t have any friends. It was almost Harry’s birthday and he would be eleven and nobody would even care about his Birthday. One day Harry got mail from Hogwarts saying that he was invited to the school. Harry attended Hogwarts first met Hermione and Ron and they became friends. I think that adults and children would like this wonderful fantasy series!

Cuttie

Tellimg Christina Goodbye

Telling Christina Goodbye by Lurlene McDaniel is about a girl named Trisha and her best friend, Christina. Trisha is more of a plain jane sort of girl and Christina is more popular. Christina has a boyfriend, Tucker, who is a star athlete, but is very controlling. Trisha doesn’t like Tucker at all and thinks Christina is too good for him. One night Tucker, Christina, Cody (Trisha’s boyfriend) and Trisha go to a basketball game out of town and they get kicked out of it because of Tucker getting into a fight. As they were coming home, they get into a car accident and Tucker doesn’t get hurt, Trisha is minorly injured, Cody went into a coma, and Christina dies. This book tells how all three of the teenagers deal with the death of their friend. If you like to read about teen reality, then you should definitely read this book.




by luv green

Crash

Who would like the book, Crash, by Jerry Spinelli ? A person that likes teen fiction. This book is about a boy who loves football and only thinks of himself. When he was young, one Christmas he got a football helmet, and he ran so fast he knocked his cousin far into the snow, that’s how he got his nickname, Crash. His real name is John. He spends his whole life dedicated to football and himself. (He has a sister named Abbey.) Through out his life he was nothing but a bully. Then one day he finds out something bad has happened to his grandfather. Then he realizes the problem with the way acts and he changes his ways. I think this is a very interesting book. I also think that Jerry Spinelli is a great author and has a great author and has a great perspective.

Fuzzy Ducky

Do you like creepy, scary, short stories? Then I bet you would like the book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. These short, scary stories will chill you right out of your skin. These stories include ghosts, goblins, and terrifying dead people. My favorite is The Attic. It is the best one out of all the scary stories. I would only recommend this book for brave people. This book is perfect for you if you have a sick, twisted mind. If you like short scary stories, then check out this awesome book.

Pistons_#1

Hatchet

The book Hatchet is about outdoor adventure. It was written by Gary Paulsen, and the main character is Brian. He was on an airplane to the northern woods of Canada to visit his father, when suddenly, the pilot suffered a massive heart attack, and the plane went down. Brian was all alone and he had to learn to survive the hard way.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy nature and survival. This is an easy-read book, and, believe me, it’s a lot of fun!

bulls23

Hello, everyone! Your recommended reading posts and comments are wonderful! I have enjoyed reading your recommendations, and I can't wait to read some of the books that were suggested. I am in the middle of reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer (I'm on the second book, New Moon, and it is excellent). I know, I know...a vampire love story sounds a little weird at first, but it is a realistic fantasy that readers of all ages can enjoy. Bella and Edward are both enticing characters who pull the reader into their lives and stories. Meyer creates a world where the mythical exists among reality...a difficult feat! Well done:) I am enjoying having a new series to look forward to...goodbye Harry:(

I am also excited that we have all started our literature circles. Each class has now participated in discussions about their chosen novels. You have read Speak, The River, Animal Farm, Twilight and My Brother Sam is Dead. I have enjoyed listening to your intriguing conversations and thoughtful questions. I am looking forward to our next novels! Feel free to comment about your experiences during literature circles. What have you learned? What role do you enjoy the most? What would you like to read next? Do you enjoy discussing novels with your peers? Why or why not? How did your final projects go?

Great start on the blog guys and gals! Keep posting and commenting. Happy blogging!

Good luck to the Ransom Boys' Basketball team and the Ransom Girls' Volleyball team!

Miss Mullen

A Rose for Melinda

If you are bored and have nothing to do, pick up a good book like A Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel. This book is about a ballerina girl named Melinda, and she has a best friend, Jesse, that helps her through everything. She gets leukemia, and is upset about it for not getting to dance and following her dream. This book is a great interesting and heartbreaking story that help you understand what people go through while they have leukemia, and how strong they are every day.


by: your mom

The Giver

Are you bored with nothing to do? Pick up a book and read! A book I highly recommend is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is an awesome book that gets you thinking. It opens your eyes to new possibilities. The Giver gives your mind something to think about. It really makes you appreciate the things in life you don’t really think much about like your childhood, memories, freedom, and family.
This amazing fantasy novel is about a boy, Jonas, who lives in a community where there are no colors or feelings. There is only one person that has these things which is the Giver. He is the most respected person in the community. When the ceremony of twelve comes around Jonas gets the job of receiver who receives memories from the Giver. Then once Jonas realizes what is happening, he learns that the people are being deprived from all these things, and so he goes on a journey so he can find more. This book would be enjoyed by adolescence that have an open mind and enjoy a good read. The Giver is about adventure and beyond what you know. It is awesome book with a wonderful message.


lit.lova<3

Telling Christina Goodbye

Do you like reading teen fiction novels that are exciting and heartbreaking? Well, then this is the book for you. Telling Christina Goodbye by Lurlene McDaniel is a great book to read if you’re in the mood for something fictional. Teenagers would especially love this book because some of the things that happen, actually happen in every day lives. In this book, four teenagers get in a car crash. One is dead, two are severely injured, and one only walks away with a couple of scratches. They have to face their fears and get over the past before it takes over their lives. Themes of this book are love, sadness, decisions, friendship, the past and the present, relying on your family, and pain of the heart and body. Lurlene McDaniel is a great author that writes many exciting novels, this is just one of her great books. The writing in this book is easy to understand, but yet has complex meanings. I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It proves that even if something tragic happens in your life, with the help of friends and family, you can get over it and move on. Whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.



by: cupidsaero

Speak

When’s the last time you read a teen fiction novel about learning how to speak, friendship, good vs. evil, AND bravery? Even if you’ve read one before, you’ve never read one like this. Laurie Halse Anderson wrote an easy to read book for Jr. – High School students. It’s about Melinda Sordino who starts her freshman year of high school as an outcast. She busts a summer party by calling the cops because she got raped. No one knows what really happened that night, not even her “friends”, or who she thought were her friends. It’s a funny book, even though it’s a dark, scary part of a girl’s life.





by: TouMé

A Child Called It
I recommend that junior high students will like the book, A Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer. A Child Called It is about a little boy named David who his mom beats him. His mom feeds him leftovers from their food. He has two older brothers and one younger brother. His mom only makes him clean the whole house. He only has one pair of clothes and it is dirty and ripped up. From this book, you could learn not to be mean to any of your kids. Also, if you are a kid, you could learn to appreciate your parents. The other books about David are The Lost Boy and A Man Named David.

By:blue01

The series of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is a good fantasy series. The first through the seventh that she wrote were: The Sorcerers Stone, The Chamber of Secret, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire. The Order of Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and The Deathly Hallows. This series is about a boy named Harry Potter and his parents are killed by this vicious wizard named Voltemort. One year old Harry survives with a lightning bolt scar of his forehead. He gets dropped off at his aunt and uncle’s house, and they have to take care of him because his parents died. He grows up there and is mainly their servant. He is living a life where he thinks his parents have died in a car crash, but they didn’t they died from his worst enemy. When he turns eleven he gets a letter from Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. His years at Hogwarts are the best years in his life. He might get in trouble times, but he likes the school more then he likes staying with his cousin Dudley, his aunt Marge, and uncle Vernon. I suggest that you read this book if you are really into fantasy.

By: Littleears02

I think junior high kids would enjoy The Dark Materials series, because even though it really couldn’t happen now, most of the situations can be related to kids today. The whole series has the theme of good vs. evil and independence. In The Golden Compass, the first book, it introduces Lyra and how her life takes an unsuspecting twist when this elegant lady named Miss Coulter comes to visit Jordon College (where she lives). When her friend Roger is kidnapped, she goes on a journey to the North to rescue him. Then, in The Subtle Knife, Lyra meets Will when she travels to another world with her father. Finally, in The Amber Spyglass, Lyra and Will go to the land of the dead and rescue Roger, and end the war going on between the worlds. The Dark Materials series sounds really farfetched the way I describe it, but how do you describe a great fantasy trilogy?

By: potterhead23

Speak

Speak
Do you like teen fiction? If you do, I strongly recommend for you to read the book “Speak”, a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Speak is about a girl named Melinda Sordino. She busts a party during the summer of her freshman year because she gets raped. When she starts her freshman year, she goes to school, and nobody will talk to her. They don’t know what happened at the party they are just mad at her for busting it. All of her old friends have separated. Only one girl will talk to her a new girl named Heather.
Towards the end her friends realize what has happened at the party, and why she would tell them why she busted it. They all apologize, and they all become friends again.
This book is about finding your voice. If Melinda would have just told her friends what had happened, they wouldn’t have teased her and not talked to her. If something like this happens to you, you should tell someone instead of making your life miserable. While kids grow they should learn how to speak because it could make a difference.

By itsme03

Twilight

Do you want to book with romance, fantasy, and adventure? Then you should read the book, Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer.
Bella Swan just moved in with her father in Forks, Washington from Phoenix, Arizona. After her first day of school she meets some friends, but notices a peculiar family, the Cullen’s. The youngest sibling of the family of the family, Edward Cullen, is in Bella’s biology class, and he really seems to dislike Bella for some reason. When going to a bonfire party one night Bella meets Jacob Black, who tells her some legends about werewolves and vampires. Edward saved Bella a few times from danger, then she found out the secret, Edward is a vampire. The two were soon dating and in love. Read the book to find out the adventure, and see how far some would go for love.
Also, read the sequels New Moon and Eclipse. But trust me; reading these books isn’t a waste of your time.
Twilight is the 21st century’s version of Dracula, but with a vampire with a heart. Young and strong love lies upon this tale. Its not just for teens, this book can also be for adults, too.

by: Not_a_morning_person

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares is a tale of sisterhood, and it starts off with four girls. Tibby is the rebel and the film maker who finds herself alone for summer break, as the other girls go and find adventure. Bridget, or Bee, is the athlete who falls in love at an all girl’s soccer camp in Mexico. Lena, the artist, goes to Greece to visit her grandparents and finds Kostos, a Greek boy that the family loves and pushes her towards. Cameron, the writer, visits her dad in North Carolina. She has the whole trip planned out until her dad springs something on her making the trip shorter than planned. Read this series to find out where life leads them. I think kids of all ages, especially teens, would like this book. Some themes of this book would be teen fiction, teen romance, growing up and dealing with death.

Nobody special

Have you ever wanted magical powers? In this series you will be casting spells every which way. This series is Harry Potter, and it is by J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series is so exciting you will love every second of it. I am reading the 4th book right now, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; it is way more confusing then the first three. I have also seen the 1st, second, and third movies.
These books are extremely fast moving, exciting, and very well written. My personal favorite book out of the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because it is so fascinating and very suspenseful. Good vs. evil is topic of this book and also you will experience the growing up of teenagers to mature adults. If you like fantasy I recommend this series all the way to children and adults. So what Hogwarts house would you want to be in...?

By:twofour

I highly recommend the mystery, Missing, by Catherine Macphail. The book is about a teenage girl whose parents favor her older brother, Derek. Derek ran away from home because he got too much attention. He changed clothes with a kid off the street to hide his identity. The kid got into a car accident and died, and everyone thought Derek had been the one who died. Maxine, Derek’s sister, kept on getting calls from her dead brother, Derek. She thinks it’s a ghost. Anyone with a great imagination and a great mind for figuring out mysteries would enjoy this book very much.

By: Mii

I recommend the book series “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman. It includes the books The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spy Glass. The main character Lyra follows destiny and her farther. In the Subtle Knife she meets a boy named Will. It’s a war against the church and the whole outcome depends on Lyra. The only catch is that she cannot know her destiny. If you are into fantasy you should read this series. Some of the themes include growing up, taking responsibility, good and evil, religion. If you like a great, can’t put down series, you should check this out. Then maybe you can watch the movie when it comes out and compare.

by Muah

Recommended Reading

This year, many of you are reading interesting, powerful and thought-provoking novels. Submit a "Recommended Reading" post to share a novel with your peers. Include the title, author, genre, a summary and a review of the novel. Remember to read, revise and edit your response before posting it. Enjoy:)

Welcome to class! We are well into another exciting school year at Ransom Grade School. You have been delving into a variety of activities during the first quarter. Each and every one of you is growing as a reader and writer. Our new classroom blog will be used to communicate, share, publish, network and inspire. Enjoy the opportunity to voice your opinions and be heard.