A Second Chance?

In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge’s experiences with the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future offer him a second chance to get it right. Based upon what you know about Scrooge’s behavior and attitude, do you think he was deserving of this opportunity? Why or why not? Explain with details from the text.

Creative Problem Solving

Now that you are almost at the end of the Creative Problem Solving Process, it is time to reflect. Consider the steps of the process and how they have helped you to come to a conclusion for the problem you identified. What skills were involved in the process? Which skills were most difficult? Which skills came easily for you? What did you learn, not just about the Titanic, but about thinking and evaluation, in general? How can this kind of thinking help you in other parts of your life?

Titanic

As we have learned, it was 100 years ago when the heralded Titanic went down on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic. We have also learned that there are two sides to the  Titanic story. The most popular Titanic story is one that we know and romanticize. However, there is also a side to the story that involves mystery, undiscovered secrets, tragedy, and  conspiracy. In this blog post, share a few ideas about what you have learned from your informational reading and research about the Titanic. Consider your discovery moments and questions you now have about the Titanic.  

GA Peach Author Tour

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the GA Peach Author Tour. Authors S.R. Johannes, Jennifer Jabaley, and Vicky Alvear Schecter joined us to share ideas about writing and their experiences as professional authors of tween and young adult fiction and non-fiction literature. We learned so much. In this blog post, comment on either your favorite aspect of the tour or a technique that you learned and can add to your writer’s toolbox.

Reflecting on The Westing Game

As your reading of The Westing Game draws to a close, take a moment to reflect. Since its creation several decades ago, Ellen Raskin’s work has been a crowd pleaser for its fun and intricate plot, well-developed characters, and witty observations. It is the kind of book that is timeless and never forgotten once experienced.

Write about your personal reader response and experience of reading The Westing Game. Who has been your favorite character? Why? What most endeared you to this character? What aspect of the book most intrigued you as a reader? What, if any, lessons could a reader take away from such a book? As a writer, what lesson could you learn from Ellen Raskin’s technique in creating The Westing Game?

MOYA

Did you know that October is MOYA---the month of the young adolescent ? No one has to tell you that adolescence is an exciting and sometimes confusing time of discovery in the human life. Use this blog post to share your ideas about adolescence. Consider how life has changed for you in the past several years. How do you expect it will change in the near future? What does it mean to be an adolescent in 2012? What are the likes, dislikes, and crazy obsessions of the adolescent? What are the fears, hopes, and dreams of today’s adolescent? Consider, also, what special qualities adolescents have that others don’t. 

What are the laws?

In Call of the Wild, the reader meets Buck, a once pampered, well cared for dog with an entire sprawling estate as his domain. Thrust “into the primitive,” Buck finds that there are new laws---unspoken and unwritten---that apply to his new life. First, he learns that there is a law of the club, and in chapter 2, he experiences the law of the fang.

Let’s apply this idea of “laws” to middle school life. What are the laws---perhaps unspoken and unwritten though they may be---of being successful in middle school? This can pertain to social rules, academic rules, athletic rules, and otherwise. Blog about your ideas in this post.

First Week of Seventh Grade

You have just completed your first week of seventh grade. What were the highs? The lows? What one lesson did you learn that will carry you through this school year? What are your fears and expected successes? Share your ideas in this blog post.

Facebooking Zeus and Hera

Based upon what you now know about the gods and goddesses of Olympus, given the opportunity, which god or goddess would you most likely send a Facebook friend request? Which would you be least likely to friend? Explain.

Cinderella around the World

Now that you have taken a look at Cinderella stories from around the globe, it is time to reflect. Create a post about the Cinderella story you explored this week.

Reflection Questions/Ideas

• Identify the country/culture of origin for the Cinderella story you read.
• How does the version you read compare/contrast with the Perrault version that we are familiar with in the U.S. ?
• What surprised or intrigued you about the version you read?

Writing is pure pleasure.

In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah writes about her love of writing. She expresses the fact that her writing allowed her to escape the hardships of her experience. For her, it was pure pleasure.  Read this quote from her memoir, and post your ideas. Do you agree with Adeline? Explain.

To me, writing was pure pleasure.  It thrilled me to be able to escape the horrors of my daily life in such a simple way. When I wrote, I forgot that I was an unwanted daughter who had caused her mother’s death.  Instead, I could be anybody I wished to be.  In my narratives, I poured out everything I dared not say out loud (53) . 

Literature and Elemental Truths

In the Preface to Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah writes that “All stories, including fairy tales, present elemental truths, which can sometimes permeate your inner life and become part of you.” In your own words, explain what this means and give an example of how this might be true.