Book Club

2/21/14- Book Club : 400 - 5:30 p.m.
Started new book today with my students.  Excellent book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio.  A middle school student has a deformity on his face and he writes about how other students treat him.  The students were eating this book up.  I like how this books helps them discuss differences and empathy.  They brought up how this books reminds them about experiences they have had themselves.  I love the way they spoke openly about how they could relate to the main character August in this book.  I can see using this book in my classroom in the future to help students talk through some of these emotions; hate, bullying, compassion.  If you want to view the blog on amazon I provided the link below

http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026

Book Club - 2/14/14

2/14/14- 4:00 - 5:30 pm. : I'm excited to have picked out a new novel for my students to read today.  The book is New Found Land by Allan Wolf.  The books is about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  What I liked about this books is that it contains letters and notes written from the points of view of Sacagawea, a French Indian, a slave and Captains Lewis and Clark.  I thinks it's a great way to discuss points of views from the perspective of all the persons involved in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  I am excited to start blogging the students' reactions when we start reading it next week. 

Book Club Tutoring - Volunteer Log

2/13/14:  4:00 pm. - 5:30 p.m.Good start to Book Club today.  Students got to know one another and I learned a little from each of them.  We discussed books we are going to start reading and how we will be go against some other students from other middle schools in May to see who can answer the most questions correctly about the books we will be reading.  The students were so excited, especially after they learned that it involved a day off from school to compete and pizza!  The students are all African American who are striving readers (Level 1 and Level 2 in FCAT reading assessments).  I love to volunteer to run this book club because they students with my help can read and most importantly enjoy the same books their peers are reading. 

Travel Log: Awesome Lesson 2-5-14

Taught a lesson today about Lewis Latimer.  Lewis Latimer was African American who  improved upon the filments used in lightbults which resulted in the lightbulb lasting longer and being less expensive to use.  Needless to say his improvement made it possible for every home and business to have light.  What an impact!  As I had this discussion I decided to ask my students why would Thomas Edison hire Lewis Latimer to be one of the first pioneers in Edisons team of inventors and they were immediately engaged and in deep conversation.  One student stated, "Thomas didn't see black when he hired Latimer he saw Green".  Implying Edision new Latimer could make his company a lot of money because he was a smart man.  I hope they understand how important Lewis Latimer's contribution to the world went beyond making a better lightbulb.