The Revealers - Richie begins to act differently.

In what way did Richie help Russell deal with the Jock Rots? Were you surprised by this change in behavior? Why do you think Richie reacted so strangely when Russell asked him if he wanted the basketball the Jock Rots left behind? He seemed to flip a switch immediately... Remember to full explain your thinking when answering all parts of the question!

The Revealers - isolation

Isolation also plays an important role in the book. How did each character experience isolation in the first half of the story? Do you think this made them easy targets? After the main characters found each other, explain how things began to change.

The Revealers - taking control

Most of the experiments revolved around taking control away from the bullies. Give an example of how each main character took power away from a bully.  Were they successful? Last, do you think regaining control from the bullies is key to ending their suffering? Why or why not?

The Revealers - experiments

The main characters become a sort of pack of scientists. What were their first three experiments? What sort of immediate effects did these experiments cause? Use specific examples from the text. Finally, if you could put yourself in their place, why kind of experiment would try? What would you expect the outcome to be?

The Revealers - technology

Technology plays a big part in the book. As Mr. Dallas said on page 78, "Experimentation, communication--that's what this us about, right?" Describe two examples of how characters used technology and discuss the impact each instance had on the characters' lives.

The Revealers - Chapters 1-5

Based on what you've read so far in the first few chapters, describe Russell and Richie by discussing some of their character traits.Use specific evidence from the story to back up your thinking!

Posting a "Comment"

Here's a little help for the blog:

After you type your comment, it'll ask for sign-in information. When it asks for "profile", select the "Name/URL" option. This is where you can type in your first and last name (ignore the "URL" part...).

Finally, it will give you a code to type in to make sure you aren't a robot. Type it in exactly as it appears on your screen.

The Revealers - Chapters 1 & 2

Why do you think fitting into cliques is important to people? What types of people are considered “cool” in our school? Be specific and fully explain your answer using details from your life experiences or from something you've seen in a movie/television.

Sixth Grade Book Recommendations

I loved hearing everyone's thoughts on summer reading today! Here is a list of some of your favorites that you mentioned to Mrs. Flannery. Feel free to add to the list by posting a comment. Be sure to write a quick description and include the genre, so others know what kind of book you are recommending.

Racing In the Rain
Divergent
Inkheart
Meaning of Maggie
Tree of Life

The Wednesday Wars ~ four-and-a-half stars!

I was able to finish another great book while basking (bonus point!) in the summer sun. Although the plot was a bit slow to get going, stick with it because it is a fantastic read. The Wednesday Wars is the tale of a seventh grader (FINALLY a story not set in fifth grade...) learning who he is while coping with the Vietnam War, a teacher he is convinced has it out for him, and the expectations of his overbearing father. In the end, all the "wars" he endures teach him how to love and show him how much he is loved. A good choice since you learn a bit about important events in our nation's history, while also enjoying a wonderful coming-of-age story! This earns a Ms. Fahey ✔️++ rating.

Because of Mr. Terupt - another 5 star rating!

I just closed the cover of another Ms. Fahey ✔️+++ pick. I think you would enjoy this story of the special connection the develops between a not-so-typical teacher and his fifth grade class (Editor's note: Why is it always Grade 5?!?!). The book teaches about empathy and the importance of understanding other points of view, while shifting perspective from one character to another throughout the course of a school year. After a fluke accident, each student comes to see that everything in life happens for a reason. It may just take a bit of time to understand why. 

Lots of great lessons are taught in this book. I even got some ideas for my own classroom!

This quick and interesting read would be another great choice for your summer reading requirement...

Gates Summer Reading Info - 2014

Here is the link to information about this summer's reading requirement for Gates.

Enjoy your summer!

mockingbird - five stars!

I JUST finished this book. I cannot fully express in words how fantastic it is. If you enjoyed our class read-aloud book, you'll love this story of a girl learning how crucial empathy, friendship, and closure are when life is struck by tragedy. It is a great choice for your summer reading - a quick and powerful read that earns the rare Ms. Fahey ✔️+ + + !

Out of My Mind - chapters from the week of June 2nd

So, we have recently learned about Melody's experiences with taking the quizzes for the Whiz Kids competition. How did her experience with the practice test and the official try out test differ? Use specific details from the story to explain.

Out of My Mind - Chapter 15

Think about the chapter that the SHS seniors read to us from Out of My Mind. What mega/major plot development took place? How will this impact Melody? Please fully describe one way that this change will affect her. Be specific and clear with your thinking.

Out of My Mind - discussion question numero uno

We have been reading Out of My Mind bit by bit for a while now. Thinking back to our discussion in class today, how does the inclusion program change Melody's school experience? Describe one positive and one negative result from the program. Do you think her school should keep the program in place? Why or why not? Be specific!



(BONUS: Why is Out of My Mind underlined or italicized and not in quotes?)

Hola, Givers! The VoiceThread site is hyperlinked below...

Here is the link for the VoiceThread site that Mrs. Foley helped us with today. Be sure to thank her the next time you see her in the hallway!

We will continue our projects after vacation. Next on the list is learning how to leave comments on each other's work.

Have a great break!

Here it is... Chris H.'s much awaited open comments experience!

Share anything you want to about the book. Did you like the story?  Why or why not? How could it be made better? Did any of your predictions come true? Will you see the movie? Would you recommend the book? Remember, to keep it appropriate for my eyes :)

Chapter 20 - the sharing of feelings

How is the sharing of feelings between the Giver and Jonas different from that of others in the Community?

Chapter 23 - This is the end!

So the ending of the story doesn't seem to be enough for everyone. I really enjoyed how everything kind of ties together, using some of the earliest transmitted memories of snow, the sled, the hill, etc. If you DID like it, why do you think it worked well? If you DID NOT like it, how would change the ending to make it more satisfying for you?

Chapter 22 - "starving"

At the end of this chapter, Jonas realizes he now knows what it truly means to be "starving". Earlier in the book we learned he was chastised for using this term incorrectly. In what ways would he have been starving if he stayed in the Community? Be specific.

Chapter 21 - Jonas's flees

On the second page of Chapter 21, we learn about Jonas's last evening meal conversation. It is mentioned that Lily was blabbing away and Mother and Father were making the standard meal time "sharing" that was required. Are Mother and Father's comments about their day really lies? Do they understand Release, or are they just living the lives they were trained for? As always, fully explain your thinking! Re-read your answer to yourself to check it before you publish!

Enjoy your snow day tomorrow, everyone!

Cozy up with some hot chocolate while you finish reading The Giver :)

Chapter 19 - Release :(

Well. We have finally learned what Release really means. Why do you think the Giver encouraged Jonas to watch the smaller twin's Release? What else did we learn about Rosemary? What about the concept of bravery?

Chapter 18 - We learn about Rosemary.

Why do you think the Giver finally tell Jonas about Rosemary? Describe Rosemary's relationship with the Giver. What memories does he give her, and how does she react to them? What is her final decision and why?

Fair?

Once Jonas stops taking his pill, he is able to understand things even more clearly. Is it fair for the leaders of the Community to control their people with a pill? Why or why not?

Now that we have insight into Jonas's training...

Why do you think the girl who began training 10 years ago as the Receiver didn't work out? It seems an awfully isolated way of life.

Chapter 17 - Jonas's feelings for others

What did Jonas feel for Asher and Fiona? Do they feel it back? Why or why not? What realization does he come to?

Chapter 17 - Any new thoughts on the meaning of "release"?

Now that you have read this far, now what do you think “release” means? Include evidence from the text to support your answer. Do you think a society should be able to “release” people? If so, when is it appropriate?

Chapter 16 - Why was love removed from the community?

What steps did the community undertake to eliminate love? Why do you think love is considered so dangerous?

Chapter 16 - The Giver's favorite memory

The Giver gives Jonas his favorite memory. Describe the scene Jonas sees. Explain why you think this is The Giver's favorite memory.

Chapter 15 is insanely short!

Although this is the shortest chapter in the novel, it is one of the most important. Why?

Chapter 14 - Jonas shared a memory.

Do you think there will be any repercussions for Jonas after he accidentally shared a memory with Gabriel? What do you think might happen?

Literary Luminary - focus on the mood of the conversation between Giver & Receiver around page 113

Re-read the conversation between Jonas and The Giver on page 113.  What is the mood at the end of the talk? What keywords helped you decide?

Jonas is gaining wisdom from his training with The Giver.

How does Jonas’s understanding and growing wisdom increase after he experiences pain? What wisdom does hunger provide?

Vocabulary - excruciating, ominous, & placid

Look up one of the following words in a dictionary "excruciating", "ominous", or "placid". Choose the definition that matches how your word was used in the story. Use the "comment" feature to write your own sentence using this word. Be sure your sentence really shows what the word means (build in a context clue).

If you could only choose 3 books...

The family units in this community have only three books.  What three books would you choose if you were so limited in your reading?  Explain your reasoning.

Elimination of Colors, Choices, etc.

What are your thoughts on the elimination of color within the community?  Why do you believe this censorship exists in this community?

Memories

What memories do you believe will become most important for Jonas to receive? Why?

Clinical

The more I read of the Community and its rules and restrictions, the more I think of the term clinical. Look this word up in the dictionary and find the definition that you think best matches what I mean. Do you agree with me that it is a good word to describe this society? Why or why not?

Sameness

So The Giver reveals to Jonas that long ago, when things like weather and hills made life impractical, there was a switch to Sameness. Based on what we know about the Community so far and comparing that to our society, how has that impacted life for humans? Has their life experience been affected? Are they missing out? Is it unfair that only one person gets to hold onto all the memories and history of their people? Be clear when explaining your thinking.

Here's another for AFTER you have read Chapter 10!

What might the advantages be to one person learning history, as opposed to everyone? What might be the drawbacks? Be sure to fully explain your answer.

Spoiler alert! This is a Chapter 10 question for AFTER you have finished the reading for Thursday.

Using details from the text, describe both the older Receiver's home and the older Receiver himself.

Aaaaaaaaaand here's one for Chapter 9!

Why is “permission to lie” so confusing to Jonas? What does it make him consider regarding the rest of the people in his society? Why is this new thought “frightening”? Explain your thinking.

Chapter 8 question

List the qualities that a Receiver must have have and explain how Jonas has exhibited these qualities thus far in the story. Be specific!

Compare some of the Community's rituals or ceremonies we have learned about so far with rituals and ceremonies in our society. What makes them similar? What makes them different?

Remember - if you need to, you can use the msfaheystudents@gmail.com email address so you can log in & leave a comment!

Remember - post 2 comments and...

If you can't get the "comment" to appear on the blog, you can just write it on a separate piece of paper.

Also, sign your first & last name at the end of your comment. For example, "This blog is awesome. - Mrs. Spinale"

We are reading to the end of Chapter 6 for Friday, January 17th,

"Always better, less rude, to talk about things that are the same." Do you agree with Jonas? Explain.

What are the pros in requiring the children to do a certain number of volunteer hours by the Ceremony of Twelve? Any cons?

Why aren’t rules the same for all communities? The seven visitors to Lily’s Childcare group reminded me of visiting a foreign country/different culture when I don’t know all of their customs and am unsure of how to behave. What does it remind you of?

Do you find it interesting or noteworthy Jonas's father's Assignment is "nurturer"? Why or why not?

 

Most of you are 12 now. How would it feel to be given your assigned job for life at this age? How do you think it would change your life?

Did any of the Vocabulary Enrichers make a note of "remorse" or "bewilderment" on page 23? Both are excellent descriptors for some pretty complex feelings. What do these terms mean to you?

What are some of the examples of choices that are made for the people of this community? How would you feel if you lived in a society like this?