tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986836157132687432024-03-12T21:33:06.963-05:00Knight's Round TableSelena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-21937093284316828062011-02-10T08:45:00.005-06:002011-02-10T09:04:13.389-06:00King Arthur and His Knights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-074-5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-074-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13px;"><p></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The characters are legendary: King Arthur, Lady Guinevere, the wizard Merlin, the sorceress Morgan le Fay, the Knights of the Round Table. Their stories are rich in magic and intrigue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In one adventure, Arthur will lose his life unless he can discover the answer to this riddle: What do women most desire? Arthur asks many people and receives many different answers. Some say that women chiefly desire wealth. Some say beauty. Some say the power to please others. Feeling that none of the answers is right, Arthur searches on. But time is running out. Follow along as we join King Arthur and his Knights on their adventures.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:13.5pt;color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><u><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:13.5pt;color:black;">Reading Assignments:</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:13.5pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">February 10 – Read Chapters 1-6<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">February 17 – Read Chapters 7-10<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">February 24 – Read Chapters 11-15<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">March 3 – Read Chapters 16-19<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">March 10 – Read Chapters 20-25<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">March 24 – Book Completion Activity</span><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi- mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"></span></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><u><span style=" font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:13.5pt;color:black;">Discussion Questions:</span></u></b><span style="font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow"; mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Imprint MT Shadow';"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Imprint MT Shadow';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black">1. King Arthur and His Knights is, in part, a story about how a young king learns to become a successful ruler. How does Arthur become a successful ruler? What does this suggest about how leaders can effectively govern in our own time?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">2. In the book, magic can be used for both good and evil. When is it used for good? When is it used for evil? Are there any occasions where magic does not have the effects intended? Explain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">3. Why is the Round Table important in the story? What does it represent to King Arthur and his knights?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Imprint MT Shadow";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> 4</o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">. Maintaining one’s self-control was as important in the world of King Arthur as it is today. Which characters in King Arthur lose self-control? How? What are the consequences of their loss of self-control?</span></p></span><p></p><p></p><p></p></span>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-81430358655004152032010-12-01T08:57:00.004-06:002010-12-01T09:31:41.188-06:00Letters My Mother Never Read<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-036-2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-036-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When her mother died in a fire, eight-year-old Jerri thought life couldn’t get worse. She was wrong. Sent to live with people who didn’t want her, Jerri was powerless to stop her once-happy childhood from becoming a nightmare of cruelty and neglect. Only a stubborn belief in her own worth and a fierce will to live allowed her to reach adulthood physically and emotionally intact. This is a book that will inspire not only those who have been orphans or foster children, but anyone who has known the pain of being unwanted.<br /><br /></span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reading Assignments:</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Thursday 12-2............Distribute Books<br />Thursday 12-9............Discuss Pages 1-52<br />Thursday 12-16...........Discuss Pages 53-102<br />Thursday 1-6..............Discuss Pages 103-199</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Discussion Questions: Use these prompts to leave comments about this book.</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. What is your opinion of the foster care system as it is presented in this book? Cite examples from the text to support your opinions. Be sure to include your thoughts on the idea of accepting children into a foster home "on a trial basis." Is this a good idea, a bad idea, or a little of both?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">2. Discuss the events leading up to Jerri's decision to stay at the orphanage rather than accept another foster home placement. Do you agree or disagree with Jerri's reasoning? Explain your thinking.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">3. Discuss Jerri's strategy for survival as it appears on pages 98-101 of the text. Do you think it is a realistic or unrealistic strategy? Explain your reasoning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">4. Discuss the rules Jerri is given before going to a host or foster family's home. Are these rules reasonable or unreasonable? Explain your thinking.</span></div>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-80759120537419076992010-10-15T12:24:00.004-05:002010-10-15T12:37:13.420-05:00Dracula!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-003-6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.townsendpress.com/userfiles/images/cart/ProductImages/TP_Library/1-59194-003-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Our current read for book club is Bram Stoker's <span style="font-style:italic;">Dracula</span>. In this book, Jonathan Harker has a job to do. The young lawyer must go to the mysterious country of Transylvania to work for a man he knows as "the Count." At first, Jonathan is excited by the chance to travel and meet new people. But after his arrival in Transylvania, he begins to wonder what's going on. People act strangely upon hearing he is going to visit the Count. When Jonathan arrives at the Count's dark, isolated castle, he too begins to feel afraid. Soon after meeting his host, Jonathan finds himself trapped in a horrifying nightmare. Only this nightmare is real, and he can't wake up...<br /><br />Use the comments section below to offer your thoughts and impressions of this book. Remember to include things such as<br />1. What you think of the characters<br />2. Your impression of Stoker's writing style<br />3. Evaluation and discussion of literary elements such as plot, theme, and setting<br />4. Your predictions about what will happen in the book<br />5. What other books does <span style="font-style:italic;">Dracula</span> remind you of (text-to-text connections)<br />6. Does this book remind you of anything in your life (text-to-self connections)<br />7. Do you like this book and would you recommend it to a friend?Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-18321802382875297322009-11-04T13:20:00.005-06:002009-12-08T14:51:10.466-06:00More Booktalks from Session 1<OBJECT id=BLOG_video-ef1561e529478986 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="ef1561e529478986"></OBJECT>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-70377232783613760552009-11-04T09:16:00.010-06:002009-11-12T09:10:52.805-06:00Session 1 Book Talks<OBJECT id=BLOG_video-724280a4048d45bf class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="724280a4048d45bf"></OBJECT><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-7b283ca52fe6b231 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="7b283ca52fe6b231"></OBJECT><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-4a10d53f715d81d5 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="4a10d53f715d81d5"></OBJECT><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-ddee674417af165e class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="ddee674417af165e"></OBJECT>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-77466676901729068722009-02-01T14:55:00.006-06:002009-02-02T07:43:36.702-06:00Our Next Book: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/SYYMlohC9DI/AAAAAAAAAIE/1XKqeayD480/s1600-h/Stormbreaker+cover.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297935852318684210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/SYYMlohC9DI/AAAAAAAAAIE/1XKqeayD480/s400/Stormbreaker+cover.gif" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Our next book club read will be <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stormbreaker</span></em> by Anthony Horowitz. This is the first in a series of action adventure books centered around the character Alex Rider. After the death of the uncle who had been his guardian, fourteen-year-old Alex Rider is coerced to continue his uncle's dangerous work for Britain's intelligence agency, MI6.<br /><br /><strong>Sign ups will be Monday, February 2nd through Wednesday, February 11th for the next installment of the Knight's Book Club! <span style="color:#ff0000;">Bring your $6.50 to Mrs. Knight by Wednesday, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">February</span> 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> to participate</span> in this round of Action and Adventure reading! First meeting for Stormbreaker will be Thursday, February 19th.<br /></strong><br />After reading the book, we will have another Viewing Party, where book club members and their parents are welcome to come and compare/contrast the literary virtues of the book versus the movie. Check out the movie trailer below for a sneak peak!<br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rs8kXbBZ5TQ&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><br />Also, check out the interviews with author, Anthony Horowitz below!<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PBnBW9wJGic&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kl3dIE3EZaw&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></span>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-89219080017476682822009-01-26T12:04:00.002-06:002009-01-26T12:06:50.075-06:00Finishing The City of EmberFor this meeting, you should have completed the book. Here are our discussion questions for this meeting:<br /><br />1. Doon and Lina like very different things. Doon wants to work in the Pipeworks; Lina yearns to be a messenger. Doon likes to study how things work. Lina likes to run and explore. Their friendship grows because they are ultimately searching for the same thing. How do they compliment one another and help one another develop through the novel?<br /><br />2. Earth today has many environmental and social issues. What sort of problems could have led to the building of the City of Ember? <br /><br />3. Clary tells Lina, "Everyone has some darkness inside," (p. 168). Light and color both play very key roles in the novel. In what ways, other than the failing street lamps, are color and light very important?<br /><br />4. The possibility of never-ending darkness changes many of Lina's friends and many of the townspeople. She discovers that her friend Lizzie has begun to accept things from Looper, who is stealing things from the storerooms. Why does Lina turn down the gifts that Lizzie offers her? Do you think she was right to do so?<br /><br />5. The City of Ember was built when people were worried that the human race might not survive. Do you think this was a good plan?<br /><br />6. The mayor is the most corrupt character in the novel. He squelches the thirst for knowledge and limits freedom, yet the majority of the townspeople just accept his behavior. Why do you think they act this way? What other actions might they have taken?<br /><br />7. People react in various ways when they feel threatened. How do the people of Ember react to danger? Have you seen people reacting to danger in these ways? How are Poppy's reactions important to the plot?<br /><br />8. At the end of the novel, Lina, Doon, and Poppy have discovered a sunlit Earth. What do you think will become of them in the sequel? Do you think that there are other people on the surface?<br /><br />9. The sequel to this book is entitled: The People of Sparks. What does the title tell you about the sequel? What might happen in the sequel to The City of Ember?<br /><br />Don't forget our viewing party on Friday 1-30 at 3:30 in the library. Bring your own snacks! See you then!Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-56933424204663879052008-12-18T10:53:00.002-06:002008-12-18T11:01:53.575-06:00The City of Ember 1st MeetingIn our first meeting we decided to read the first 10 chapters of the book over the Christmas holidays. Pay attention to “The Instructions” before chapter one in the book. Keep remembering them as you read the book, and re-read them when you finish. As you read, remember to think about the discussion questions so that we can discuss your thoughts regarding the book. Feel free to leave comments here with your thoughts and opinions of the book! Don't forget to check out the cool links that I uploaded to the <a href="http://www.mesquiteisd.org/library/new/books.html">Books and Reading tab of our AC New MS Library Webpage</a>!<br /><br /><strong><em>Questions to think about:</em></strong><br />1. Who do you think built Ember and why?<br />2. When does the book happen?<br />3. Why did Doon want to trade jobs?<br />4. Why was Lina so happy to trade with him?<br />5. How does Lina's new job really suit her?<br />6. Describe the characters from the first few chapters.<br />7. Describe the jobs the other kids get.<br />8. What would you want to do, if you lived in Ember?<br /><br />Our next meeting will be January 15th at 7:30 in the library!<br />Have a safe and happy holiday!!Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-14984095672731707412008-12-08T15:02:00.001-06:002008-12-08T15:02:39.983-06:00Widget of The City of Ember<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/48279d3adab7b9f6/493d8b6e31f45bee/482e093990027824/55fa32a1/widget.js"></script>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-34012787135129052732008-12-08T14:56:00.001-06:002008-12-08T14:56:54.485-06:00Animoto Video of Maximum Ride<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/493d8a14f2d4422e/46928cc5788deb29/7b43e14a/widget.js"></script>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-4712101472266615482008-12-08T09:18:00.007-06:002008-12-08T10:07:37.215-06:00Introducing The City of Ember!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I<span style="font-size:130%;">f you didn't sign up for the first book we read as a group, now is your chance to get involved!</span></span></span><br /></div> <p style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/ST08RuraWXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/5NtoCENB5qQ/s1600-h/jacket.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 187px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/ST08RuraWXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/5NtoCENB5qQ/s400/jacket.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277440613633644914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"The electricity is turned off from 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. each day in this strange dark City of Ember. During the “day” when it is on, it fails often. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Doon</span> and Lina have just received their permanent job assignments. Neither is sat</span><span style="font-size:85%;">isfied with the assignment given. Lina is thrilled however when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Doon</span> offers her the chance to trade her underground <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pipeworks</span> job for his messenger assignment, the very one she'd been hoping for. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Doon</span> has had his heart set on a j</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ob in the electrical works so he could help solve Ember's problems with failing electricity and disappearing supplies. But there is a connection between the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pipeworks</span> and the electricity, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Doon</span> believes he can learn more about it. Lina's dream of a city of light is a shining contrast to the often dark City of Ember. Lina and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Doon</span> come to combine their dreams and talents on a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> quest to save the people of Ember."</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0pt;" align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">source: http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-ember.html</span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-size:130%;" ><strong>Book Club Homework: Bring $6 for next book by Friday December 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span>!!</strong></span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-size:130%;" ><strong>Next Meeting: 12/18 at 7:45 in the library</strong></span></p> <h1 style="text-align: center;">***************************************</h1> <h1 style="text-align: center;">The City of Ember</h1> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">by Jeanne <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">DuPrau</span></span> </h1> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div id="book_reading_listen" class="listenNowHolder"> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <table style="text-align: left; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" class="listennow" onmouseover="this.className='listennow_over'" onmouseout="this.className='listennow'" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr height="10"> <td align="left" height="10" valign="top" width="10"><img src="http://www.teachingbooks.net/images/corner_top_left.gif" height="10" width="10" /></td> <td height="10"><br /></td> <td align="right" height="10" valign="top" width="10"><img src="http://www.teachingbooks.net/images/corner_top_right.gif" height="10" width="10" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="10"><br /></td> <td id="listennow_inner" align="center" valign="top"> <a onclick="listenNow('http://www.teachingbooks.net/nullr.cgi?url_id=16267'); return false;" href="http://www.teachingbooks.net/nullr.cgi?url_id=16267">Click here to listen to excerpt</a> </td> <td width="10"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="10" valign="bottom" width="10"><img src="http://www.teachingbooks.net/images/corner_bottom_left.gif" height="10" width="10" /></td> <td height="10"><br /></td> <td align="right" height="10" valign="bottom" width="10"><img src="http://www.teachingbooks.net/images/corner_bottom_right.gif" height="10" width="10" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> MM_preloadImages( '/images/rate0.gif', '/images/rate1.gif', '/images/rate2.gif', '/images/rate3.gif', '/images/rate4.gif', '/images/rate5.gif' )</script> <h1 style="text-align: center;">***************************************</h1> <div style="text-align: center;">Click the link below to hear an interview with the author!<br /><a href="http://media.farpointmedia.net/dpwc/DP-WithClass_Show25.mp3">Podcast Interview with Author </a><br /><h1 style="text-align: center;">***************************************</h1><br /></div><br /><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-size:85%;" ><strong><br /><br /></strong></span></p>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-79978936756134319202008-12-03T00:01:00.003-06:002008-12-03T00:31:17.532-06:00December 4th Meeting - Where do we go from here?Where we go from here is up to you. Look below at the post that describes possible book choices and prices for our next Book Club read. Make your selection on the poll to the right.<br /><br />Those of you in the original Book Club group will be selecting our next book; however, we will open the sign ups for all students again. Tell your friends to join with you!<br /><br />I will announce our next book tomorrow (December, 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>) and you can begin bringing your money for our next read. All money for the next book will be due on December 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, and we will deliver the books in our meeting on December 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> (if they arrive in time). We will also discuss how much of the book we want to read over the Christmas holidays.Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-4497975505585839052008-11-12T21:04:00.003-06:002008-11-12T21:15:32.945-06:00Final Meeting for EggsWell, this is our final meeting for Eggs by Spinelli. By now, you all should have finished the book and know how David and Primrose's story ends. Look at the discussion questions below, and post your response in the comments section of the blog.<br /><br />1. Primrose spends a great deal of time pretending. What are some examples of this, and why do you think she likes to pretend?<br /><br />2. Respect, as well as disrespect, are central themes of this novel. What are some examples of each in the book?<br /><br />3. Eggs is an odd title for a book. Why do you think that Jerry Spinelli entitled this book Eggs? If you were to give a title to the story of your life so far, what would it be?<br /><br />4. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?<br /><br />**Our next meeting will be held on December 4th at 7:45 am. We will be teleconferencing with Terry Middle School kids to discuss Eggs. We will also be confirming the next book we read as a club, so cast your vote on the poll to the right!Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-5795977073838526972008-10-28T21:04:00.006-05:002008-12-03T00:30:04.034-06:00What should we read next?Browse through the following titles and summaries then vote (use the poll on the right) for the book you would like to read next in the book club!<br /><br /><strong><em>Truesight <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkGjahDAI/AAAAAAAAAE8/fcq0_Qs6jFk/s1600-h/true+sight.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275443708515388418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 61px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkGjahDAI/AAAAAAAAAE8/fcq0_Qs6jFk/s200/true+sight.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></em></strong>Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy. As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes …<br />$ 6.00<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkUny2o-I/AAAAAAAAAFE/0GfFp8b-FV8/s1600-h/notes+from.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275443950209377250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 63px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkUny2o-I/AAAAAAAAAFE/0GfFp8b-FV8/s200/notes+from.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>Notes from the Midnight Driver</em></strong><br />After being assigned to perform community service at a nursing home, sixteen-year-old Alex befriends a cantankerous old man who has some lessons to impart about jazz guitar playing, love, and forgiveness.<br />$ 6.00<br /><strong><em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkm17LugI/AAAAAAAAAFM/fkoL9KcGWIw/s1600-h/uglies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275444263240055298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 57px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 91px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYkm17LugI/AAAAAAAAAFM/fkoL9KcGWIw/s200/uglies.jpg" border="0" /></a></em></strong><br /><div><div><div><div><div><strong><em>Uglies<br /></em></strong>When Tally's friend Shay leaves their society's false values of image by joining a non-conforming community, Tally questions the ethics involved in spying on them to attain the "pretty" status she been anticipating.<br />$ 6.00<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYk2Y7w_nI/AAAAAAAAAFU/PNoZfVGAvOk/s1600-h/slot+machine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275444530335776370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 59px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYk2Y7w_nI/AAAAAAAAAFU/PNoZfVGAvOk/s200/slot+machine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>Slot Machine</em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When overweight thirteen-year-old Elvin Bishop is sent to camp at Christian Brothers Academy Retreat Center, he and his two best friends are forced to try various sports in order to find out where they belong.<em> </em><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>$6.00</em><br /></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlMjl9GvI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LPXcnDh5VeY/s1600-h/surviving+applewhites.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275444911154207474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 54px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 90px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlMjl9GvI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LPXcnDh5VeY/s200/surviving+applewhites.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><strong><em></em></strong><strong><em>Surviving the Applewhites</em></strong><br />Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.<br />$ 5.00<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYmfFEDlhI/AAAAAAAAAGE/4jRtmVZWkAw/s1600-h/full+tilt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275446328888104466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 48px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 85px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYmfFEDlhI/AAAAAAAAAGE/4jRtmVZWkAw/s200/full+tilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>Full Tilt</em></strong><br />When Blake goes to a mysterious carnival he somehow knows that it could save his comatose brother, but soon learns that much more is at stake if he fails to meet the challenge presented there.<br />$ 5.00 <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlehKZM7I/AAAAAAAAAFk/lbvY66VjPzA/s1600-h/brainboy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275445219739382706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 48px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlehKZM7I/AAAAAAAAAFk/lbvY66VjPzA/s200/brainboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em>Brainboy and the Deathmaster</em></strong><br />When Darryl, a twelve-year-old orphan, is adopted by a technology genius, he finds himself the star of his very own life-threatening video game.<br />$ 6.00<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYmAWF_OkI/AAAAAAAAAF8/e-ahULfPfYw/s1600-h/al+capone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275445800883665474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 47px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYmAWF_OkI/AAAAAAAAAF8/e-ahULfPfYw/s200/al+capone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>Al Capone Does my Shirts</em></strong><br />A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.<br />$ 6.00<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlyiKMNqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/E5LXZuIXbBQ/s1600-h/found.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275445563604350626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 50px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 87px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYlyiKMNqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/E5LXZuIXbBQ/s200/found.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>Found</em></strong><br />When Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane full of babies that came out of nowhere, they uncover a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces trying to repair the fabric of time.<br />$ 9.00<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYln-vrzTI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HXj9KN9SOfg/s1600-h/city+of+ember.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275445382299241778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 51px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 86px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/STYln-vrzTI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HXj9KN9SOfg/s200/city+of+ember.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>The City of Ember</em></strong><br />In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.<br />$ 6.00</div></div></div></div></div>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-89018859081796044542008-10-27T22:01:00.006-05:002008-10-27T22:31:59.103-05:00October 30th Eggs Discussion Starters<div align="left">I hope you have enjoyed reading the first half of Eggs. Below you will find several discussion starters for our book club meeting which were taken from the official Eggs discussion guide published by Little, Brown and Company. Read through the questions, and share your thoughts and opinions by posting a comment below.</div><div align="left"><br /><blockquote><div align="left">1. David lost his mother and was living unhappily with his grandmother. "No one, not grandmothers, not anyone, could touch him. His mother's death had made him invincible." (p.24) What do you think this statement means? Why do you think David followed all rules except his grandmother's? </div><div align="left">***************************************************************************</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">2. David and Primrose have what one might call a love-hate relationship. Why do you think this is? Cite examples from the book of times when they seemed to love each other and those times when they were at each other's throats. Can you think of anyone you might have a love-hate relationship with? </div><div align="left">***************************************************************************</div><div align="left">3. Refrigerator John explains how David and Primrose can earn some money by catching nightcrawlers. Refrigerator John offers them twenty cents apiece. "A quarter apiece, said the girl, always turning the screw." (p.90) What does the author mean by this? How is it indicative of Primrose's personality? </div><div align="left">***************************************************************************</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">4. What are some adjectives to describe David and his personality? What are some adjectives to describe Primrose and her personality? How are the two characters alike? How are they different?</div><div align="left">***************************************************************************</div><div align="left"></div></blockquote></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Our next meeting will be on November 13th at 7:45 am. We will discuss and blog about the remainder of the book, and we will also vote on the next book we read. Since zero period is short, and we have much to discuss, please make every effort to be here and ready to begin at 7:45.</div><div align="left"></div>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898683615713268743.post-15038715929021666152008-01-17T19:17:00.008-06:002008-10-21T15:14:38.827-05:00Starting the Blog with a Bang!<span style="font-family:arial;">Hi. This is Mrs. Knight, and I am so excited to be starting this book club with you here at AC New Middle School. Thank you so much for joining and participating in the Knight's Book Club. I look forward to reading <em>Eggs</em> by Jerry Spinelli with y'all, and I even plan to read it aloud to my own kids. </span><br /><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>Eggs </em>by Jerry Spinelli <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/SPX4pXG-_PI/AAAAAAAAAEE/0lT76-M26eo/s1600-h/Eggs+by+Spinelli.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257381529486556402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" height="134" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__W4aXm3A-28/SPX4pXG-_PI/AAAAAAAAAEE/0lT76-M26eo/s320/Eggs+by+Spinelli.jpg" width="125" border="0" /></a></div>Eggs is a heart-warming story about friendship and sorrow. Nine-year-old David and thirteen-year-old Primrose forge the most unlikely union. Both have had a troubled past - David losing his mother in a freak accident and Primrose growing up without a father - find comfort in each other as they try to make sense of their lives. The bond between the two, albeit tumultuous at times, is strong and in the end proves to be the key to their healing. <div></div><br /><div><strong>Book Club Homework: Read Chapters 1-21 of Eggs</strong></div><div><strong>Next Meeting: October 30th at 7:45 in the library</strong> </div><div><br /> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">PS <a href="http://www.logoi.com/pastimages/img/king_arthur_3.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" height="232" alt="" src="http://www.logoi.com/pastimages/img/king_arthur_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Can you guess why I called my blog "Knight's Round Table"? First of all my last name is a homophone (Knight as in shining armor vs night as in after dark), so it is somewhat of a play on words. The round table reference is from King Arthur of Camelot who implemented a round table when discussing strategies with his knights. The knights were of noble birth and often had power struggles among themselves, so King Arthur designed a round table where each of them would have an equal say and there would be no "head" of the table. Since our book club is a forum to share our thoughts with one another in the same way, I chose this title. To read more about the legend of King Arthur's Round Table click the following links: <a href="http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/roundtable.html#History">http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/roundtable.html#History</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/rtable.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/rtable.html</span></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div>Selena Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10991572541064305761noreply@blogger.com6