Last Blog

Congratulations on a successful year of blogging! When we look back at what you have posted this year, we are very impressed. Many of you provided thoughtful, honest, and insightful answers to some challenging and fun questions. Great job!

However, the last month of blogging is upon us. Do not answer questions from previous months. For May, we are looking ahead to summer and beyond, trying to find some good book suggestions to carry us through. You'll notice that many of the questions ask for you to relate to a book in a more personal way. Please be sure to explain your answer as best you can. This is your last chance to give some really good recommendations to your friends and classmates. The blog will be up all summer so you can check back here to find a good book to read.

Let's make this the best month of blogging. Read your responses carefully and proofread to try to eliminate spelling and punctuation errors. Also, make sure you include titles and authors for all questions. Finally, elaborate on your answers, and really explain your thoughts so everyone can understand them.

Thank you for all of your hard work!

Love,
Mrs. Marusa and Miss Schweikert

Books and Movies

Name one of your most or least favorite books that were made into movies. Why did you like or dislike the movie more than you liked or disliked the novel?

Summer Reading

What book are you most looking forward to reading for pleasure this summer? Which book would you recommend other people read this summer?

Against the Crowd

Have you read any books that other people find didn’t like but you just loved? If so, what was it and why did you like it so much? Why do you think other people did not like it?

Books That Define You

If you have to pick FIVE books from your shelves that define you, what would they be? In other words, which books do you identify with because of theme, characters, or plot? If you were to put all five books together, which ones would give us a good glimpse to who you are?

Novelizations

Alias, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, The O.C., and One Tree Hill are among the TV programs available in book form. What TV shows or movies would you like to see made into novelizations that have not been already?

Reading Longer

What is the last book that kept you up reading longer than you planned? Why did it keep you reading? Why do you think this happened?

National Poetry Month

You guys are doing great! The blog is really interesting to look through, especially when you interact with each other by commenting on your classmate's opinions, recommendations, etc.

According to the Academy of American Poets webpage (http://www.poets.org/), April is National Poetry Month. National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets as a month-long, national celebration of poetry. The concept was to increase the attention paid to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our poetic heritage, and to poetry books and magazines. The goal was to achieve an increase in the visibility, presence, and accessibility of poetry in our culture. National Poetry Month has grown over the years into the largest literary celebration in the world.

Also according to the Academy of American Poets webpage, the Academy chose a month during the school year so that schools and students could participate fully. February is Black History Month and March is Women's History Month, so April seemed a logical choice. Also, there are many wonderful poetic references to April: T. S. Eliot wrote, "April is the cruelest month." On a lighter note, Chaucer wrote: "Whan that April with his showres soote/The droughte of March hath perced to the roote,/And bathed every veine in swich licour,/Of which vertu engendred is the flowr." Finally, Edna St. Vincent Millay asked, "To what purpose, April, do you return again?"

The goals of National Poetry Month are to:

• Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
• Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
• Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
• Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
• Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
• Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
• Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry

A reader can develop a deeper understanding of a poem by asking questions about how the poem is written. Therefore, all of the questions for April's blog revolve around poetry. This requires that you look at both the structure and the content of the poem. Read poems several times, out loud if possible. For every response, be sure to include the title of the poem and author. Also include the title of the anthology in which you found the poem.

There are many wonderful poets for you to explore. Try this link for some written by teens: http://www.teenink.com/Poetry/AZindex.html. Also, try these links for published poets: http://poetry.eserver.org/ and http://www.poetryfoundation.org/ . To find out more about National Poetry Month, visit http://www.poets.org/.

Have fun!
Love,
Miss Schweikert and Mrs. Marusa

Connections

Did a poem speak to you personally? Discuss why and how using specific examples and connections.

Figurative Language and Imagery

Discuss one or more examples of figurative language and imagery (similes, metaphors, assonance, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia, symbolism etc.) Include the specific lines.

Patterns

Are there repetitions or patterns in the poem? Are certain words or phrases repeated? Are all the stanzas divided the same way? Give examples and discuss how these conventions add to the effectiveness and enjoyment of the poem.

Rhyme Scheme

Is there a rhyme scheme? If so, what is it? Does it fit any of the patterns you have been taught? How does it contribute to the effectiveness and enjoyment of the poem?

Applying Themes To Your Life

How does the central idea, tone, or theme apply to your world? What lines contribute to the development of the theme?

Universal Theme

What is the theme of the poem or book of poetry you have read? Is it simple or complex? Is there a universal theme?

Tone

What is the attitude or tone the poet is trying to convey in a poem or book of poetry you have read?

Central Idea

Discuss the central idea the poet is try to convey in a poem you read.

Note to Our Students

Great job in February! Your answers show a lot of thought and consideration.

There are new questions for the month of March. Many of these questions refer to the Miracle Worker, which we will read in class. It will be interesting to see what others think of the characetrs, conflicts, and symbols of this drama, so try to answer those questions (beginning mid March).

We know many of you had difficulties logging into the blog program. If this happens, you may need to reset your password. You need to do this AT HOME since you are unable to access your email from school. The blog program will prompt you on how to reset your program when you try to log in.

Remember to include your NAME at the end of the entry. Also, check your comments for basic errors in spelling and punctuation and FIX THOSE ERRORS.

Keep up the great work!

Love,
Mrs. Marusa and Miss Schweikert

Setting

Discuss the setting in the book you are currently reading. Is the story set in a realistic world like the one you live in? Why does the author present the setting/world as he/she does? Does the author combine the realistic and the fantastic? If so, how and why? Be specific with your answers.

Character

Which character(s) in the book you are currently reading or one you have read this year do you feel sympathy for, and why?

Characters in The Miracle Worker

Who do you think is the most important character in The Miracle Worker? Explain why with specific evidence from the story to support your answer.