Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

I have been trying to complete grad school and study for my state certification so I am off a bit in my posting of great books and fun tech ideas. But it shall continue soon.

I love Jo Knowles and I got to see her in person at the Austin Book Festival for Young Adults a couple of weekends ago.  She was incredible of course.  She really has a beat with teens and you can tell in her books how heart wrenching her characters become so real that you can really identify with them.

I will read all her books now.  I got a signed copy of this book and I am in the middle of it.  I will post more about it when I finish, but this continues the story of Jumping off Swings, with Josh's side of getting a girl pregnant as a jr. in high school and how he can't deal with the adoption, with his parents separate lives, and how can he even look at people at school since he caused such a nightmare to happen to one girl.  He is living with some serious issues and goes to finish school with his Uncle who loves Jackie Chan.  But he is learning to deal with life as he goes.

The Selection and The Elite by Kiera Cass

I read The Selection by Kiera Cass last weekend and it is new in our library.  This story is a cross between Hunger Games and The Bachelor t.v. show.  This story involves a caste system of society and certain girls are allowed to compete for a Prince if they are selected to represent the country. This is only allowed it the Prince likes you.  It is a very interesting read.  It has lots of 'swoon' worthy parts that will make girls really like the story.  I was hooked at the beginning.  It is a love triangle but a lot of history is repeated in this new society and this will entrance readers.   I could not wait to read the next one in the series, which is called The Elite, so I instantly downloaded it in my Overdrive account to finish reading the story for the weekend.   This one continues the story as the main character is voted to stay in the castle as one of the remaining 6 girls left in the competition.  I can not wait for the third book to come out in May 2014. 

5th Wave

This book is intense, odd for me. It was definitely out of my genre area, but serious read, many have said it will next big winner of this year, but wow on violence and darkness.  I'm not sure what or how I would rate it.  So many love it.  It  is very sci-fi, with aliens, zombies, and a weird twisted love story.  It is complicated is an understatement.  Check out the trailers here, I plan to add this to back of my copy so students can watch the trailer when they pick it up off my shelves.   I did like the story over all, and it does have a good theme, but many said you could not put it down.  I was able to several times.  It would make an interesting movie and I am sure some think it is the next Hunger Games.  I am not so sure.  But I think my sci-fi lovers will enjoy it.

PowToon

This is my Powtoon I hope it loads correctly.  I plan to use it for my class first week to see how students can respond to emailing me and to listing a few of their favorite things, which will lead into our lessons on character and plot and conflict and such - as our first project online will be using our IPads and edmodo and more.  So I am really excited about the coming year.
Check out PowToon if you want some fun stuff in your room. It was pretty quick to make and easy.  I am thinking I will let students make one also one day.

I have been reading a lot, and in a lot of conferences so I will post more about those fun things I have been learning soon.

Jumping off Swings ...

I picked up Jumping off Swings by Jo Knowles and thought O.K. let's see what people love about this story. That was at 10 p.m. at 1:30 a.m. I pulled the last tissue from the box and finished the book. In awe of such a strong writer, writing with such feelings that just drags your heartstrings through the mud. Wow. This book is for any teen considering relationships that can change your life forever.

This book points out that many teens just want to know they are loved unconditionally. I would have any of Jo Knowles books in my library and add these to my ever growing shelves.

Literacy Links and MORE....

Today I found myself with several hours of quiet time with no electronics and just sitting with pencil and paper. Ten pages later, I have found several ideas that I can NOT wait to use with students next year. I am hoping to do this project next year as part of my internship for college in the library. So I want plan out some more here.

 1. Idea number one - Baxter Book Bash - I would like to have kids who want to compete about books they have read. Just like Battle of the Books but adapted to our campus. So a team of 6 students against another team of 6 students, who have all read the same 3 books.  Bash could be set up like Family Feud and students could win points.

- Each team must bring 12 questions and answers about the books to the match. From question stems and using key vocabulary.
- Books Bashes will happen each six weeks with different Genres of books so all can participate-
    * Diary of Wimpy Kid Bash - Most Popular books and more can participate here.
    * Scary Book Bash - featuring those Ronald Dahls Tales of Fear, R.L. Stine, Cryers Cross or Wait til
        Helen Comes.
    * Historical Fiction Bash - new historical fiction books - Glory Be, Lions of Little Rock, Out of the Easy.
    * Hunger Games Bash - featuring Dystopian books - Among Hidden, Hunger Games, Matched
    * Buford Bash - featuring Buford High Books- The Bully, Pretty Ugly & more
    * Romantic Bash- featuring romantic novels - Sarah Dessen and Lisa Schroeder
    * Poetry Bash with Poetry Slam- featuring Shel Silverstien, Jack Prelutsky and more.
    * Animal Stories - Ivan the One and Only,  The Underneath, Shilo

- Maybe a teacher bash at first to show & model for students how the BASH will happen.
- Each team must answer the mixed questions from question stems and more.  I can't wait to make posters and see who will sign up for the Bash.  What a fun way to read with friends!!
I already have a poster started with - You and Your Friends Bash it Out!  Read it... Prove it.... Win it...!!!

Idea # 2 today - Is Monthly Subject Area Blogs from each department at school. So Engaging for Students

- September Reading  - on this blog, we could have one teacher post a video of what they may be teaching, or reading.  Students can post what they learned or liked.  Or a tutorial to teach others who may need help understanding what the goals are for this first six weeks. This would give the kids ownership in their learning and most love to help others. We could post Book Reviews of books read by students and teacher...!!  Student reviews written. Then pass the blog to next ELAR teacher team for next month.

We could have a Math Blog, Science Blog, a Social Studies Blog; Art Blog; posting photos of great art from students.  Then share with parents and others. ;o)

Idea #3 Literacy Links  - Awards I was thinking of ways we can reward for AR Goal Getters.  As students complete a book and take an AR test they can add a link to the literacy links of our class and by end of year we should have A LOT of links.  I always give snacks to those who take and AR - just because I work in an area that students do not have literature rich environments and they need all the persuasion they can to grab a book and get lost in it, most that are in my class learn it is way cool to read great stories.  So now for everyone who adds a link they get the snack, we will have a visual and they will keep reading.  PLUS the links will have to be filled out complete with Title, author, recommendation, AR Score and Reader's name and date - then we can have a visual of all that we have read.  And others may want to read a book you have read. ;o)  Great fun!!  I plan to use light purple strips, and gold for our school colors, but I saw a polka dot chain that was way cool too.  We shall see what paper is on sale. ;o)  So excited I can't wait for school to start.


This little game will be everywhere in my classroom.  I want posters about the blog, and students questioning students with fake mustache and we can really use it a lot!! LOVE it my Hispanic kids ran around with mustaches on all day when I tried it last year.  So fun.