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Book Club

We are ending the year with book clubs!  Students could choose from a list of board approved books or choose their own book with parent permission.  Students are reading everything from Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury to Beta by Rachel Cohn. Students enjoy having the freedom to choose and discuss a book that they chose.  When students meet, they have to complete a job ahead of time.  These jobs include: Discussion Deputy, Lexicon Lieutenant, Internet Investigator, Character Captain, and Style Sergeant.  It's a nice way for students to synthesize all they have learned throughout the year. It's so rewarding to walk around and listen to their sophisticated conversations!   
Image result for beta bookImage result for something wicked this way comesImage result for stargirl
On another note, I must share a gem from one of my students this week.  I was checking in with each group to make sure that each member had done his homework.  I made my way over to the group reading The Hobbit.  I saw that one of the group members hadn't done his work.  Without missing a beat, he looked up at me and said, "Don't worry Mrs. Karney.  I won't make it a hobbit!"  It was especially hilarious because this particular student is very quiet.  I told him he'd be featured on my blog, and of course, I shared it with all of my fellow English teachers at lunch.  

Internet Explorer Showing his Video
Star girls reading Star Girl
In addition to book clubs, we are doing a unit on celebrities.  Our essential questions are:

1) What kind influence do celebrities have on young people?
2) Should celebrities be expected to be role models?

This unit will meet many objectives, including evaluating the credibility of sources, annotation, summary writing, and tracing an author's argument.  

I introduced the unit today, and the students were VERY excited about the topic!  

Finally, we read "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut.  OH MY GOSH!  I love that story.  It was a nice complement to "The Pedestrian" and The Giver.  Our main focus was the author's use of satire symbolism, and literary devices, as well as the theme of the story.  


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