Chapters 8 Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Visual Discovery

• Describe what you see in the picture.
• How does this picture represent what is happening in the story and during this time period in America?

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Interactive Journal

Below is the interactive journal we'll create as we read and reflect on Fever 1793. We used Google Presentations but other programs, like Prezi, could work also.

Ch. 4 Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Character Analysis 

The first four chapters have introduced us to the following main characters. Let's think about how these characters are important to the story.  For each character, use 2 words to describe their role in the novel. Record your work using a new blog post titled: Character Analysis of Fever 1793.  Feel free to copy and paste from this post.


Character:                                        One or two words to describe the character:
Mathilda
Elia
Grandfather (William
Mother (Lucille)

Choose one of the questions below and reflect in your journal post:

Do any of the characters in this book remind you of any characters from other books you have read? If so, who and why?

Do any of the characters in this book remind you of anyone you know? If so, who and why?

Pick an event from the reading that reminds you of something that happened 

to you or someone you know. What scene is it and what does it remind you of?

What would you do if you were _____________________, a character from this book?

Extra above and beyond work:

Go to www.wordle.net.  Using one character from above, create a wordle using as many words as you can to describe the character.  Take a screenshot and upload the image to your blog.  

Washington's Rules of Civility

Colonial Manners

Based on the Exercise of a Schoolboy*

George Washington, sometime before the age of 16, transcribed Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation. (This may be a school assignment in penmanship- original errors in numbering have been corrected; original spelling is unchanged.)

*Washington, George. Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation: a Book of Etiquette. Williamsburg, VA: Beaver Press, 1971.

http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/manners/rules2.cfm

http://goo.gl/ffgS

www.history.org

Read about our interpretations after reading this in class today.

http://padlet.com/wall/lthiery10

What Kind of Music Would We Hear in 1793?

Here is a playlist of music that George Washington may have listened to. I found it to be calming and thinking music. What do you think about when you listen to it?

Ch 1-2 Coffee Shop Fever 1973 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Coffee Shop

• What is the purpose of a coffee shop?  
• Think about what happens or takes place at coffee shops today; like Starbucks, Caribou, etc.  Why do people go there?  
• How these places are regular meeting spots or hangouts for many people all through out the day.

 Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever 1793 is an historical fiction that takes place in Philadelphia.  During this time, the capital of the United States was located here instead of Washington DC.  The setting of this novel is a family owned coffee house.  During this time coffee houses were very popular and many prestigious people met in coffee houses to discuss politics.  

Click on the video clips to learn more.                                               

Internet Workshop- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Welcome to the Internet Workshop

Let's prepare to read: Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson.   

Go to www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/index.html then follow the directions below.  Record your answers on your sheet then summarize what you've learned in new blog post.  Title the blog post: Internet Workshop- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

1.  Read about Dr. Rush under People and Events.  

• What was one of his accomplishments? 
• Who did he recruit to help with the Yellow Fever? 

2.  Look under: Yellow Fever Epidemic

•  How many people died from the epidemic?
• Why were the free blacks dedicated to helping the sick?

3.  Look under: A Short Account of the Malignant Fever

• The blame is always pointed to someone.  Who did they blame for the epidemic?
• Read the short account of the Malignant Fever text and tell about one thing you learned about. 

4.  Under: modern voices; John Edgar Wideman

• List two things that people did to help keep the fever out of their homes.

On My Honor

We are spending the week reading aloud On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer.

In the first 3 chapters we have learned the following:

On the way to the park, Joel’s best friend Tony challenges him to take a swim 

in the treacherous Vermillion River. Both boys have been warned never to go 

near the river, but Joel gives in. He doesn’t want Tony to think he’s scared. 

My questions for you 5th graders are: 

• What is peer pressure? 
• Have you ever been influenced to do something by a friend that you later regretted? 
• Why do friends have such influence over us? 

Please respond in a comment below.

OOMM Book Project

OOMM Book Project

Yay!  This book was so wonderful! Let's celebrate it with a book project! Please choose a project from the list below.

• Create a book trailer (FYI: we'll need to discuss ways you can do this)
• Create a poem from the perspective of a character
• Write a letter to Sharon Draper telling her your favorite parts of the book and why.
• Video tape yourself and a friend discussing the book using questions from the blog.
• Create a poster on poster board OR using a web 2.0 tool advertising the book.
• Recreate a scene using dialogue (in other words turn a chapter into a play and acti it out)
• Plan a fundraiser for cerebral palsy
• Create an informational presentation about cerebral palsy (research)

These will be due Friday, Dec. 6th

You will be given 20 minutes of class time to work on this.

Please comment with which project you've decided to complete :0)

Chapter 33 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drape

After listening to Chapter 33 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Then post your answer to the questions in 3 separate paragraphs. 

• Why is the first page repeated at the end of the book?
• How has Melody changed, both personally and socially from the beginning of the book to the end?
•  Explain the title of the novel.  Give several possible interpretations.

                                                   I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 31 & 32 in Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 31 & 32 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the question below using accountable talk with your partner.    Be sure to include examples from the text.  Then post your answer to the questions in paragraph form..

• Discuss the scene in which Melody confronts the kids on the quiz team.  
• What is satisfying about how she handles the situation?  
• What else might Melody have done?

                                                I'm not there in person, but I am here in blog world :-)
                                                                         Bad humor, I know.

Chapters 29 and 30 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper

After listening to Chapters  29-30 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, discuss and respond to the the question below using accountable talk with your partner.   Then post your answer to the question in paragraph form :0)

• Describe Melody's extreme range of emotions as she tries to tell her mother that Penny is behind the car.  
• How did the scene make you feel?

                                          I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 28 and 29 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 28-29 sof Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, discuss and respond to the the question below using accountable talk with your partner.   Then post your answer to the question on your blog using paragraph form :0)

Describe Melody's feelings before the trip to the airport, while she is there, and after she gets home.  

How would you have coped with the same situation?

                                       I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Live Event with Sharon Draper, author of our GRA Book OOMM

Today we participated in the live interview with Sharon Draper, author of our Global Read Aloud book Out Of My Mind, with other kids around the world.  We tweeted questions using our class twitter account @MrsThierysClass.  Many of the kids' questions were answered.  We were so surprised to hear Pernille Ripp read our question and say our names.  The kids also participated in a backchannel using TodaysMeet with other classrooms around the world.   Below is a video of the interview of Sharon Draper.  



Here is a picture of our class participating in the live event.  Be sure to visit our class bloggers' pages to read more about their thoughts on this experience.

Chapter 26 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 26 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Then post your answer to the questions in paragraph form :0)

                                    What is ironic about the events 
                              at the restaurant after the competition?

                                              I am looking forward to reading your responses!

                                   

Live Visit with Sharon Draper

We are SO EXCITED!

     Today at 11:00 CST Sharon Draper will visit with the GRA audience live!  Yay!  We've submitted our questions on a google form in advance and are anxious to tweet #GRA13OOMM during the live event today.  We will also be backchanneling live on Today's Meet at:

http://todaysmeet.com/GRA13ChatSharonDraper 

Here's the link to learn more about it. 

 http://www.globalreadaloud.com/

Chapter 25 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 25 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Then post your answer to the questions in paragraph form :0)

• What does Melody learn about friendship and the relationships of children working together as she practices and competes with the quiz team?
• What does she learn about herself?

                                                   I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Book Tweets

Wishing it were the real thing but until then...

below is a picture of the interactive reading 

bulletin board in our classroom.

And... drum roll please... Here is our very first BOOK TWEET 

by Stella (Be sure to check out her fabulous blogs here)!

Love this and can't wait to read more :0)

and one week later....

Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers Chapters 21-24

After reading today, think about the story, the events that unfolded, and one evolving theme.  Write a summary based on today's reading.  Include the following:

• Who are the key characters?
• Where is the story set?
• What problem or goal or challenge does the main character face?  What does the character do about that?
• What do you think the character is going to learn from his or her experiences?
• Do you have an idea of what the theme or central message might be?

For extra credit draw a picture and include it in your post.

Note:  This will look like a paragraph.  Indent.  Use well written sentences.  Use punctuation and do a spell check.  Show what you know and do your best work.

Chapters 17-18 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapters 17-18 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions in a blog post. Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• Why does Melody decide to enter the quiz team competition? 
• What obstacles must she face and overcome just to get on the team? 

 I am looking forward to reading your responses!

TH-5 Sings Figurative Language

We're still working on publishing our figurative language dialogues but here's a fun little piece the kids whipped up after a hard days work of taping dialogues :0)

Chapter 15-16 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapters 15-16 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• How does Melody's meditalker change her life, her outlook on life, and her potential?
• Why does she name it Elvira?

                                                   I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Learn more about Steven Hawkings at this website.  Be sure to watch the trailer to Hawkings- Awesome!  http://www.hawking.org.uk/

Analyzing Authors Purpose: Using Figurative Language

Click on the link to Today's Meet.  

http://todaysmeet.com/TH5Figurativelanguage

Today you will answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1.  Why do you think writers use figurative language?
2. How does the use of figurative language affect the reader?

Let's play a game of Jeopardy!  We'll practice identifying figurative language using examples from our read aloud, Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers.  Click on the link below to access the game.

http://equizshow.com/play/3670

Your turn, in a new blog post, find and analyze an example of figurative language in either OOMM or in a book you are currently reading.

• Quote the figurative language example and page number where it can be found.  
• Tell what type of figurative language it is (simile, metaphor, ex.) and 
• EXPLAIN what the author means, what effect it has.

Communicating With Our Talking Boards

We just finished Chapter 14 of Out Of Our Mind by Sharon Drapers.   Melody has learned to communicate using her talking board, but is so eager to research other devices, like a computer,  that could help her communicate with others even better.  To better understand how Melody might feel limited, we thought of 10 words we'd like to use on our talking board.  We had to come up with many clever ways to communicate what we needed.  Our room was very quiet, in a way.  We heard more tapping than talking.  Read how the kids felt in their blog posts tomorrow.

Compare and Contrast Media

Watch this inspiring news story about Team Hoyt. What challenges did the Hoyt's overcome? How does what the Hoyt's do inspire other disabled athletes?  How are you amazed?


Watch Charisse's digital narrative about living cerebral palsy. It is a bit lengthy (20 minutes) but it is so wonderful! What questions do you have for Charisse after watching this?

 

Also, here is a photo essay (8 minutes) about Cohen. It's what he wants you to know about Cerebral Palsy. What questions do you have after watching the video?

 


Below is an news broadcast of a young man with cerebral palsy who overcomes an obstacle at a pep rally in his high school. What are you thinking after watching this?




Here is the digital story that Jadee's mom made about her brother, Ryan.  How does Ryan's story compare to Melody's?  How are they different?




 The digital narrative, photo essay, sports interview, and Karen Draper's story Out of My Mind are all different ways to tell a story. How are these stories alike? How are they different?

Using Accountable Talk

Chapter 13 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 13 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• What does Melody learn about friendship during the trip to the aquarium?
• Make a comparison between Ollie's life, the life of the fish in the aquarium, and Melody's life.

Chapter 11 and 12 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 11 and 12 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below.  Use the text to answer your questions :0)

• How does the inclusion program change Melody's school experiences?   
• Describe both positive and negative results of the program. 
• Describe Melody's deep unrealized need for a friend.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 9 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 9 and 10 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, use the text to reflect on the thoughts below :0)

• Describe how the introduction of Penny as a character changes the family dynamics.  
• Analyze Melody's complicated feelings about her little sister.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 8 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 8 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below.  Use the text to answer your questions :0)

• What is significant about the story of Ollie the fish?  
• How does Ollie's life mirror Melody's?  
• Describe Melody's feelings when she is unable to tell her mother what really happened.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 2 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

Who is Melody Brooks?

After reading chapter 2, we have learned several character traits of Melody Brooks.  Using the descriptive language in the text as evidence, we created pictures of Melody.  Click on the kids blogs to read a description and view Melody through their interpretation of the text.  Be sure to leave us a comment!

Here is a sneak peek at 3 of our bloggers.  Be sure to visit their pages to comment :0)

http://bossnessbooks.blogspot.com/

http://booksfortweenpeopleandpandas.blogspot.com/

http://lolasbookb.blogspot.com/2013/10/who-is-melody-brooks.html#comment-form

One thing we know about Melody is that she has a photographic memory.  Below are a two sites where you can assess your memory.  Good luck!

http://www.wordgames.com/photographic-memory.html

http://www.photographicmemorygame.com/

Day 1 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper

The novel opens with a powerful discussion of the power of words and language. 

How does this help capture the reader's attention?

After discussing this question as a group, we created word clouds with our own favorite words. After viewing our word clouds, what can you tell about all of us?  Leave us a comment.

Here is mine:

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

We read Mark Twain's first story called The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.

Did you know that this story is based on real people mining at Angels Camp during the early 1800s?  

And did you also know that they still have frog jumping contests to this day at a fair near Angels Camp?  Here's a link to the world record holders http://www.frogtown.org/#!frog-jump 

Watch a few of the frog jumping videos here http://www.frogtown.org/#!videos

What a fun story to read and read aloud!  Here is a link to the story. http://twain.lib.virginia.edu/projects/price/frog.htm

Here is a link to an audio recording.  The words in the story has been adapted but the story is the same.  Enjoy!

http://www.manythings.org/voa/stories/The_Celebrated_Jumping_Frog_of_Calaveras_County_-_By_Mark_Twain.html

Flying Solo

We just finished reading Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher. This book was absolutely fabulous! The characters include a 6th grade girl named Rachel who chooses not to talk after the death of a classmate, Tommy Feathers.  Sean is a friend with a tough home life who really wants a puppy. Bastian is moving to Hawaii and today is his last day.  Today is Friday and their teacher, Mr. Fab is gone.  Unfortunately the classroom has no sub.  The class decides to not tell anyone and attempt to fly solo. How will everyone behave?   Will anybody find out?  Will Sean get a puppy? Read Flying Solo to find out the answer to these questions.

Watch the book trailer that this classroom made after reading the book.  It's awesome!

Global Read Aloud! Here We Come!

We are super excited to be participating in the Global Read Aloud!  In only 12 short days, our class will be delving into the book Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.  I just received my copy in the mail. Waiting for the rest of them to arrive :0)

We have partner classes from Pennsylvania and Tennessee.  Can you find Ben Franklin from North Dakota on the Google Map? That's us!  More information available on the GRA wiki: Global Read Aloud Wiki

Check out the book trailer below from www.booktrailersforreaders.com..

Ready, Set, READ!

Welcome to our blog!   We are a group of about twenty 5th graders in Grand Forks, North Dakota who love to read and share good books that we have delved into.  What kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors?  We are excited to hear about it!  This is our teacher's homepage.  Along the right hand side, under blogroll, you'll see a list of blog titles. These are the students' blogs. Please stay and visit!  It's our hope you'll leave inspired to read some of our favorite books!