The Bright Side of ADHD!

http://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/health-guide/managing-adult-adhd/using-the-benefits-of-adhd-to-your-advantage?eid=1010689562&memberid=28984433&_sid=452ae506-c839-4a51-9981-ef759c0f5448&#cmpid=ranl001

There, Their, They're -- Commonly Confused Words

Why We Are the Cavemen

As Utah celebrates Pioneer Day today, Timpanogos Cave Rangers are all cheering for Martin Hansen! In 1861, Martin pulled a handcart across the plains and settled in nearby American Fork. In 1887, he ventured up the canyon and found Hansen Cave- now part of every tour!

Backseat Book Club Recommended Books for Ages 9-14

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/05/207315023/the-ultimate-backseat-bookshelf-100-must-reads-for-kids-9-14

This is a great list.
The only books I have reservations about recommending to junior high (and younger) kids are

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Outstanding writing, but some material likely to offend many readers in our community.)
• The second and third book in Pullman's His Dark Materials Series (Same comment as above but more so.) 
• Are You There God?  It's Me, Margaret.   (I haven't read this one, but when it came out in 1970  -- ancient history, right? -- it was controversial.)

Some of my favorites, books not to be missed include the following.  Be aware that I'm having a hard time not just copying most of the list here, but these are really stand-out titles. 

• Bunnicula -- If you didn't read this when you were younger, it's time to catch up!
• Half Magic -- There's a set of these, and they are delightful!
• The Graveyard Book -- One of my all-time favorites!
• The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles  -- You may be surprised to learn that Julie Andrews (from The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins) also wrote a fun, fun fantasy book!
• Chronicles of Narnia -- I just read/listened (on CD's while traveling in the car) to these again this summer.  
• Wonder -- I read this as school was getting out.  As the blurb on the list says, it's "about acceptance, self-esteem and the transformative power of human kindness."
• The House with a Clock in Its Walls -- This is part of a series that has sadly been overlooked by too many readers!  

Read Across the United States:  http://www.epicreads.com/blog/the-united-states-of-ya/

Battle of the Books -- Special Opportunity

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What is Battle of the Books?

America's Battle of the Books is a voluntary reading incentive program for students in grades 3-12. The purpose is simply to encourage students to read good books and have fun while competing with peers.

How Does A Student Participate?

A student participates by reading from the book list provided for that year's America's Battle of the Books. Students may count "books" they have read before. However, they cannot count books that they have only seen on a video or a movie. They must read the book. They should keep a summary so they can review this information before their "Local Battle."

Where Do The Students Get The Books?

School libraries will order copies of each book on the list. Most bookstores will also have them available.

When Do The Students Read The Books?

The students should start reading now! They will have some time to read in English, their reading classes, and Cavetime. Be sure to bring your book to class! The first round of the Battle will be __________________.

What Is The "Battle?"

A typical "Battle" is a full day tournament or game, like the College Bowl, in which students' teams earn points by answering questions about the books on the book list. The day begins with a meeting in the cafeteria, a morning snack and directions for the day. Then they are assigned to a team, given a mascot, and sent to their first round of the "Battle." They play several rounds, each against a different team. At the end of the morning, points are totaled and the two teams with the most points are invited to a "Grand Battle" after lunch, with the other teams as their audience. These two teams will also be given the opportunity to participate in the regional "Battle" in April and the statewide "Battle" also held in May or June, if regional battles have been organized by local participants in your area.

How Does It Benefit The Child?

The students gain knowledge and enjoyment from reading good books, sharing them with friends, parents and teachers, plus a fun day of playing in the "Battle."

Battle of the Books Junior High Titles 2015-2016   By Title

1. Nothing But The Truth -- Avi 
2. Fahrenheit 451 -- Bradbury, Ray 
3. School Story, The  -- Clements, Andrew 
4. Watsons Go to Birmingham, The  -- Curtis, Christopher 
5. Midwife’s Apprentice  -- Cushman, Karen 
6. Johnny Tremain   -- Forbes, Esther 
7. One-Eyed Cat  -- Fox, Paula 
8. Julie of the Wolves --  George, Jean Craighead 
9. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town --  Holt, Kimberly 
10. Everything on a Waffle -- Horvath, Polly 
11. Swindle  -- Korman, Gordon 
12. Wreckers, The  -- Lawrence, Iain 
13. If Your Name was changed at Ellis Island --  Levine, Ellen 
14. DragonQuest--  Paul, Donita K. 
15. Long Way from Chicago, A  -- Peck, Richard 
16. Becoming Naomi Leon  -- Ryan, Pam 
17. Taking Sides  -- Soto, Gary 
18. Witch of Blackbird Pond, The  -- Speare, Elizabeth G. 
19. Maniac Magee  -- Spinelli, Jerry 
20. Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind  -- Staples, Suzanne Fisher

Remember, you can read these books for the 40 Book Challenge as well.
For more information see your English teacher or Mrs. Jones in the media center.

For more information: http://www.battleofthebooks.org/

Will Rogers -- as mentioned in The Outsiders

Summer Reading!

Summer is prime time for readers to dive into a series, research a topic that fascinates them, read every book they can find from a favorite author, or explore the stacks at the local library. --Donalyn Miller

Summer Reading Recommendations 2013

Summer Reading Recommendations 2013

See also 

Summer Reading 2012

and

Summer Reading Lists

Summer Reading Recommendations 2013

Mrs. McNeil  recommends these books:
http://wondla.com/home/

Reviews of Science Fiction books for all ages:  http://www.reading.org/general/Publications/blog/BlogSinglePost/reading-today-online/2013/06/26/it-just-might-happen-fantasy-and-science-fiction-reviews#.Ucs9Tj69Xe5


I just read the beginning of this book  -- MIRACLE by Elizabeth Scott (on American Fork Library's Teen Read) -- and then saw this nonfiction (real news) article in a newspaper: http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_da8f3a6a-de83-11e2-a62a-0019bb2963f4.html


Here is the book jacket blurb for the novel:

"I sat there and wondered again why I'd lived. Why I
didn't even feel like I was here."

Megan is a miracle. At least, that's what everyone says.
Having survived a plane crash that killed everyone else on
board, Megan knows she should be grateful just to be
alive. The truth is, she doesn't "feel" like a miracle.

In fact, she doesn't feel anything at all.

Then memories from the crash start coming back. Scared and
alone, Megan doesn't know whom to turn to. Her entire
community seems unable--or maybe unwilling--to see her as
anything but Miracle Megan, except for Joe, the beautiful
boy next door with a tragic past and secrets of his own.

All Megan wants is for her life to get back to normal, but
the harder she tries to live up to everyone's
expectations, the worse she feels. This time she may be
falling too fast to be saved...
_________________________

Try John Bellairs' gothic novels.  Here is an article about them:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/revisiting-the-gothic-childrens-books-of-john-bellairs/

--------------------------------------------------------

This movie is coming out August 21.  Have you read the book?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4axPibsp4Ao  Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

___________________________

Hughes, S. (2013). Hero on a bicycle. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Hero on a Bicycle takes place outside Florence in war-torn 1944 Italy where 13-year-old Paola Crivelli, older sister Constanza, and mother Rosemary struggle to survive German occupation on the family villa. Summer time without school and friends makes for a boring existence, but more adventure and terror soon engulfs the trio as they fight just to feed themselves since the head of the family has mysteriously disappeared to work clandestinely against the occupiers. Paolo’s nightly bicycle jaunts frighten his mother and sister, and he encounters more than he wants when he runs into Partisans who are determined to thwart the Nazi chokehold on the region. As the Allies approach, each Crivelli must make choices that put all of them in danger. This is a taut thriller, perfect for suspense-filled reading with a budding romance thrown into the harsh realities of war. All three become reluctant heroes, but perhaps none more so than the clever and engaging Paolo who begins by longing for a little excitement in his life and finds it right in his own backyard.

_________________
From Goodreads: 

Runt

by Nora Raleigh Baskin 

3.62 of 5 stars 3.62  ·  

An insightful exploration of middle school bullying from multiple perspectives, by the award-winning author ofAnything But Typical.Elizabeth Moon grew up around dogs. Her mom runs a boarding kennel out of their home, so she’s seen how dogs behave to determine pack order. Her experience in middle school is uncomfortably similar.

Maggie hates how Elizabeth acts so much better than everyone else. Besides, she’s always covered in dog hair. And she smells. So Maggie creates a fake profile on a popular social networking site to teach Elizabeth a lesson.

What makes a bully, and what makes a victim? It’s all in the perspective, and the dynamics shift. From sibling rivalries to mean girl antics, the varying points of view in this illuminating novel from the award-winning author of Anything But Typical show the many shades of gray—because middle school is anything but black and white.(less)

______________________

and http://harpercollinschildrens.tumblr.com/post/61042528844/7-awesome-things-about-middle-grade-books

Education

Spelling

Dreams

Teachers?

Different Places, Different Words

What do you call these?  Soda?  Pop? Soda Pop?  Soft drinks?   Carbonated Beverages? 

from Brian P. Cleary

From the regionial word department: There are parts of the US, for instance, that use the word "davenport" for couch, or "veranda" instead of porch, or "pop" instead of soda. When I was about 20, I found that in parts of the Northeast, a "bubbler" is what I (from Cleveland) would have called a drinking fountain.

What do you call this?  A sofa?  A couch?  A davenport?  

Robotic Legs

http://kuer.org/post/robotic-legs-come-utah

Really Cool Science

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/13/211716322/sprites-a-rarely-seen-sky-phenomenon-caught-on-camera

epi- a prefix

World English Dictionary

epi- , ( before a vowel ) eph- or  ( before a vowel ) ep-
— prefix
1.	on; upon; above; over: epidermis ; epicentre
2.	in addition to: epiphenomenon
3.	after: epigenesis ; epilogue
4.	near; close to: epicalyx
[from Greek, from epi  (prep)]
eph- , ( before a vowel ) eph- or  ( before a vowel ) ep-
— prefix
[from Greek, from epi  (prep)]
ep- , ( before a vowel ) eph- or  ( before a vowel ) ep-
— prefix
[from Greek, from epi  (prep)] epi." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 09 Sep. 2013. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/epi>. "thet"  = to put or to put upon  "taph" = tomb  "gram" = to write "graph" = to write  -- from dictionary.com

The Outsiders

Our First Class Novel: The Outsiders

character portraits

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1960's

Belonging  with poem

Paul Newman

1962 Red Corvair

Will Rogers -- as mentioned in The Outsiders

Credibility

Safari!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2013/08/16/211400382/a-serengeti-safari-from-the-safety-of-your-desk?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/serengeti-lion/index.html#.Ug_cbWS9Vz5

Your Brain

Have you ever been "unfriended"?

Brian P. Cleary

UNFRIENDED used in the 17th Century? From our friends at Mental Floss: The word is used in 1659: “I Hope, Sir, that we are not mutually Un-friended by this Difference which hath happened betwixt us.”

The Mom Song

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=604751769536289&set=vb.419800381395648&type=2&theater

A Modern Hero

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52464271#52464271

Pronouns

Ask this:  What words are standing in for nouns that have already been mentioned?



Pronouns:  take the place of a noun so you don't have to keep repeating the noun

Schoolhouse Rock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koZFca8AkT0   


http://www.speakwrite.net/pronoun_charts.htm

noun pronoun pages.doc


Back to   Parts of Speech 2015

Word Choice

Brian P. Cleary

Feel like your perfectly crafted writing is off by only one word? That's the difference between "blueberry jam" and "toe jam."

You're/Your -- Commonly Confused Words

Punctuation is Important!

Peter and the Starcatcher -- Book to Stage

The actor who plays the title character and who choreographed the play talked about USF's production:

http://utahshakespearefestival.blogspot.com/2013/07/utah-shakespeare-festival-guest-blog_23.html

Elephant Orchestra

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/03/208338182/the-biggest-thing-out-of-thailand-an-elephant-orchestra

Nonfiction: Mosquitos

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/07/12/201521175/5-stars-a-mosquitos-idea-of-a-delicious-human

Sleep

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/15/212276021/of-neurons-and-memories-inside-the-secret-world-of-sleep?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium

BACA

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/16/212317709/riding-choppers-and-harleys-to-protect-kids-in-need?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium

Learning Cursive

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/what-learning-cursive-does-your-brain

Circus, Circus

We'll listen to part of an NPR Snap Judgment Podcast.  Snap #316  "Circus, Circus"  34:45 - 43:15
Afterward,
write for _____ minutes about what you've heard.
    What questions do you have?  How did that make you feel?  What are you thinking?
Discuss with one or two partners for ____ minutes.
Write again for _____ minutes.


https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/snap-judgment-radio/id283657561


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3C68P7c8pc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_(elephant)

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnunicoi/mary.htm

One of the interviewees in the video says she is sorry for any defendant whose trial is turned into a circus.

Irony and Your/You're

Is this really "irony"?

10 Words You've Probably Been Misusing -- If you've used them at all!

http://hellogiggles.com/10-words-that-youve-probably-been-misusing

Jeopardy Answer Decision?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/08/05/jeopardy-kid-will-learn-life-lesson-suck-it-up/2618631/

2012 SportsKids of the Year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Lax4zFFoA

What's Wrong with this Sign?

True Nobility

Power and Empathy

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/10/210686255/a-sense-of-power-can-do-a-number-on-your-brain

Doppelgangers

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2013/02/04/170279625/have-we-met-before-doppelgangers-caught-on-camera

Argument

Sometimes there's just nothing you can say!

Reading Graphs and McDonalds!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/07/25/205547517/where-in-the-world-are-there-no-mcdonalds

Best Use of a Billboard

http://www.upworthy.com/omg-best-use-of-a-billboard-i-have-ever-seen?g=3

Choosing a Book

Can you get this?

Quotes

What do you think?

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” 
― Herman Melville

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

"People confuse the source of their happiness. They become temporarily happy when they get a new car, or a new house, or a new marriage. And they think that they are suddenly happy because of this new thing in their life. In reality, they are happy because for a brief moment, they are without desire. But then soon another desire comes along. And the search continues." --HONY (Humans of New York)

Ashton Kutcher's Talk

http://fox13now.com/2013/08/14/viral-video-ashton-kutcher-talks-about-hard-work/
and reveals his real name.

What Should I Be?

Paragraph -- Halloween Compare and Contrast

Prompt for Ms. Dorsey: When you grew up, life  was different in many ways from what it is for your grandchildren. Select one particular aspect of life and write a paragraph showing the differences between the way it was for you and the way it is for them. 



Example: Contrast paragraph

Title: Halloween Then and Now

       Halloween is very different for my grandchildren than it was for me. To begin with, because their mom (my daughter) is a great bargain finder, they have many well-made costumes to choose from.  In contrast, when I was their age, we'd go to the five and dime store,  and I'd pick out a cheap and uncomfortable plastic mask that came with a sort of stiff plastic tunic printed with a design suggesting that character.  Also, they have many near neighbors' homes where they can trick-or-treat.  On the other hand, my parents would have to drive me miles to get to the other far-flung farms where our neighbors lived.Their Halloween fantasies are enhanced by readily available DVD's and videos they can watch right in their home.  There were no such things when I was in school, and if you wanted to watch a scary show, you had to catch it at the time it was shown on one of your two or three TV channels. There was no way to record it and watch it while you warmed up after returning from collecting candy.  Though my grandchildren  have better costumes, closer neighbors, and more access to Halloween media, my childhood memories of the holiday will always be precious and magical to me just as their memories will be for them. 

Blue Introduction (topic sentence)

Yellow: First detail from both sides

Orange : Second detail from both sides

Purple: Third detail from both sides

Red: Conclusion/Concluding sentence

or

       Halloween is very different for my grandchildren than it was for me.Because their mom (my daughter) is a great bargain finder, they have many well-made costumes to choose from.   Also, they have many near neighbors' homes where they can trick-or-treat.  Their Halloween fantasies are enhanced by readily available DVD's and videos they can watch right in their home. In contrast, when I was their age, we'd go to the five and dime store,  and I'd pick out a cheap and uncomfortable plastic mask that came with a sort of stiff plastic tunic printed with a design suggesting that character.  Also, my parents would have to drive me miles to get to the other far-flung farms where our neighbors lived. Finally, there were no such things as DVD's or videos or TiVo when I was in school, and if you wanted to watch a scary show, you had to catch it at the time it was shown on one of your two or three TV channels. There was no way to record it and watch it while you warmed up after returning from collecting candy.  Though my grandchildren  have better costumes, closer neighbors, and more access to Halloween media, my childhood memories of the holiday will always be precious and magical to me just as their memories will be for them. 

Green Introduction (topic sentence)

Yellow: First detail from one side.

Orange: Second detail from one side

Purple: Third detail from one side

Red: First detail from the other  side.

Orange: Second detail from the other side

Purple: Third detail from the other side

Red: Conclusion/Concluding sentence

Prompt for students: When your grandparents were growing up, life was different in many ways. Select one particular aspect of life and  write a paragraph showing the differences between the way it was for them  and the way it is for you.



Another contrast paragraph:

Sample Contrast Paragraph

My Dogs

     Although I raised Marcee and Obbie from puppies, they have completely diverse personalities. Obbie is a six year old, male, toy Pomeranian whereasMarcee is a one year old, female, Boston terrier. Obbie is small and soft,unlike Marcee who has bristly hair and is much bigger. Marcee insists on sleeping on the bed, under the covers every night. On the other hand, Obbie will only sleep on the floor, under the bed. Obbie is tremendously loyal and uptight; however, Marcee is hyper and friendly to anyone she meets or sees. Around other dogs, Marcee cowers to the larger dog, yet Obbie will always stand his ground, never giving up until he is scolded. Given that they were both treated the same way all their life, it is hard to believe that they are so different in everything they do.
~© 2005 Kayla Marie Anfinson~ found at http://english120.pbworks.com/w/page/19006879/FrontPage

Transitions in the above paragraph include whereas, unlike, on the other hand, however, yet.

More on writing paragraphs: 
http://freeology.com/graphicorgs/pdf/hamburger.pdf 
More information on writing paragraphs: 
http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/taylorse/Taylors%20Elementary%20Curriculum%20Information/paragraph.asp

Basics of writing a paragraph:  

1.  Make sure today's date is at the head of this entry.
2. Skip a line.   
3. Indent the next line and begin with your topic sentence.
4. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
5. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
6. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
7. Add your closing/concluding sentence.  This sentence leaves the reader feeling that the piece has been wrapped up/finished.  

8. Now, go back to #2 and give your paragraph a title that tells the subject of the paragraph.
___________________________________________