Scholastic Book Fair

I finished I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore last night.  I loved it.  I know the movie is out and I certainly want to see it soon.  I am passing on my copy to Mrs. S. but they might be selling copies at the book fair.  Remember, we are going to the book fair for half the class on Tuesday. 


The genre is science fiction.  I really don't want to give away much in the plot.  Here's a link to the movie trailer:
http://www.findnumberfour.com/
http://iamnumberfourfans.com/pittacus-lore/

I downloaded You Don't Know Me by David Klause onto the Nook Color. 

http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0374387060.asp

I really think we should read this INSTEAD of the Ron Clark book in period 2.  However, I will not disregard "the vote." Technically, the R.C. book was #2 after the recently ditched Graveyard Book. (Sorry, J.G.! You're sick one day and we veto the book...)  What do you think?

New Study: The Flu Increases Reading!

So I made up the title!  I don't know if most people read more when they are sick but I certainly do.  Since Friday, I've read: 

Holly's run away before, but this time she actually gets away...

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

My name is Shawn McDaniel.  I'm 14 years old.
  I think my father is planning to kill me.

Nobody expected the end to come this fast!

Empty by Suzanne Weyn 

and


How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl fare as on of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse?



Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler.  I'll post comments on them on my Shelfari (on right).  However, I think that Runaway was my favorite.  Stuck in Neutral was an amazing, quick read.  Empty was scaring. (It's not if, it's when...) Hunger was really disturbing. 

Now, I'm reading I Am Number Four.  So far, it is really good. 

Persuasion

Today, we are in the computer lab using the Holt Online Essay Scoring. This is a part of our online Holt textbook where students can write an essay and the computer will "score" it for them.  This gives students instant feedback so they can improve their writing.  Is it worth the time and effort?  We shall see! So far, we have had a few issues.  One essay disappeared. Another essay froze and could not be thawed out.  Yet another essay was written in all caps and could not be scored. 

Students have been using the online graphic organizer.  We just figured out that you can copy and paste from the graphic organizer into the text box.  So far, I like the Holt Online Essay Scoring.  What do YOU think?

P.S. Make sure you print, write your name on your essay, and then read the model essay.  What could you improve on next time?