In a recent series of mini-lessons, we’ve learned about Word Choice — the ability to pick the perfect words to fit your message. We’ve talked about dead verbs, sensory details, figurative language, using a thesaurus, and avoiding overused words like good, fun, said, and got. The thing is… writers who celebrate word choice do so using voice and what I like to call “soul” in their writing.
As we wrap up Black History Month, I can’t think of a better way to honor the achievements of African Americans than to listen and discuss the works of two very talented African American writers — Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes. Both of these writers write with passion and soul, and they show that the perfect word choice comes naturally when you write from the heart.
Listen and watch these two videos, the first a video interpretation of Langston Hughes “Dreams” poem, and the second a narrative video using Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.” As you listen, think about what makes each of these pieces stand out.
For up to 10 extra credit points, answer one or more of the following questions using the comment button below.
~What makes these pieces stand out?
~What words or devices do the authors use to convey their feelings and thoughts in writing?
~Now that we’ve studied word choice, do you notice anything about the words these authors have chosen to use?
~Share your thoughts about these poems. What did you think?
~Did these authors give you ideas or techniques you would like to use in your writing?
Langston Hughes “Dreams”
Dreams
By Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Maya Angelou “Still I Rise”
Still I Rise
by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s miraculously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Did you know that there were at least 12 dogs kenneled and traveling on the Titanic’s maiden voyage before sinking??? As a dog lover, I was very interested to learn of their fate and survival. In this book, White Star: A Dog on the Titanic, Marty Crisp writes about a fictional dog based on his own research of the Titanic and his love of dogs. If you are a fellow dog lover and interested in this history of the Titanic, this is the book for you!
In my opinion, Richard Peck is “the king” of writing historical fiction novels for middle school students. He creates the perfect blend of wacky characters and historically correct settings with just enough creativity to make learning more about history fun/interesting.
A Long Way from Chicago is a short novel written by Peck introducing a family he continues to write about in A Year Down Yonder. The book itself depicts what life was like during The Great Depression.
If you’ve chosen to read A Long Way from Chicago for your summer reading assignment, simply use your Summer Reading Blog Directions (summerreadingassignment6th20076.pdf), click on the comments link below and begin writing your very own reading blog. Should you have any questions, email Mrs. Farnum: cpmfarnum@cox.net.
If you’re looking for a quick-paced, fun summer read — hoot is the book for you! You may just find yourself a Carl Hiaasen fan — just like me!
If you like what you read, you may even want to move on to other Hiaasen books, like Flush.
If you’ve chosen to read Hoot for your summer reading assignment, simply use your Summer Reading Blog Directions, click on the comment link below and begin writing your very own blog entry. Should you have any questions, please email Mrs. Farnum at home: cpmfarnum@cox.net.Happy Summer!
Hitting the shelves July 20th, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows could possibly be the most eagerly awaited book release ever. If you are as excited as I am about this book, you will likely stay up late at night devouring this next book in the Harry Potter Series.
If you’ve chosen to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for your summer reading assignment, simply use your Summer Reading Blog Directions, click on the comment link below and begin writing your very own summer reading blog entry. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Mrs. Farnum at home: cpmfarnum@cox.net.
Granny Torelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech is a great short read highlighting the relationship between a twelve year old girl, her grandmother and the boy next door. This book will compliment two of our class novels this year — Walk Two Moons and Love That Dog — both by Sharon Creech. Expect to be hungry by the end of the book!
If you’ve chosen to read Granny Torelli Makes Soup for your summer reading blog assignment, simply use your Summer Reading Blog Directions and click on the comment button below to begin writing your very own blog entry.
Al Capone Does My Shirts is a historical fiction novel which depicts a boy’s struggles while giving a very accurate picture of life on Alcatraz Island and the characters who called it home in the late 1930s. I recommend this book to those of you who enjoy learning about history and have an interest in Al Capone and his likes. Because of its content (family matters and mobster characters), this novel would be a great choice for those of you who like to read and discuss books with your parents. Parents — you will enjoy this book.
If you’ve chosen to read Al Capone Does My Shirts for your summer reading project, use your summer reading blog directions and click on the comment button below to write your very own blog entry. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Farnum at cpmfarnum@cox.net.
According to a book review written by Susan Harrison, Artemis Fowl, “[Artemis Fowl includes] Fantastic stuff from beginning to end, Artemis Fowl is a rip-roaring, 21st-century romp of the highest order. The author has let his imagination run riot by combining folklore, fantasy, and a fistful of high-tech funk in an outrageously devilish book that could well do for fairies what Harry Potter has done for wizardry. But be warned: this is no gentle frolic, so don’t be fooled by the fairy subject matter. Instead, what we have here is well-written, sophisticated, rough ‘n’ tumble storytelling with enough high-octane attitude to make it a seriously cool read for anyone over the age of 10. ” I couldn’t agree more.
If you’ve chosen to read Artemis Fowl for your summer reading project, use the Summer Reading Blog Directions and click on the comment button below to write your very own blog entry. Should you have any questions, please email Mrs. Farnum at cpmfarnum@cox.net.
Gary Paulsen has written many short stories and novels for middle school students to include….
My Life in Dog Years
The Island
How Angel Peterson Got His Name
Lawn Boy — just released June 12th!!
If you’ve chosen to read one of Gary Paulsen’s books for your summer reading project, use your Summer Reading Blog Directions and click on the comment button below to write a blog entry. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Mrs. Farnum at cpmfarnum@cox.net.
Many of you ask me for ways to help the wives and children of our locally deployed Marines. Recently, our close friend, Jenny Sokol, published a children’s book titled I’m a Hero Too. Jenny, a columnist for the Orange County Register, wrote this book for children and spouses coping with deployment or separation. I recently sat with Jenny at a book signing in Irvine and had a chance to grab a copy or two for myself. As the wife of a Marine and friend to many with small children dealing with deployment, I was touched by Jenny’s book and feel it will be helpful for my own, Kylie, when the time comes for Mr. Farnum to deploy again (which will hopfefully be in the far, distant future!). Anyhow, Jenny has set up a book donation program so those of us who would like these books in the hands of kids with daddies deployed can purchase books and donate them to local, deployed units. If you’re interested, check out her website: http://www.jennysokol.com/Book.html
I haven’t posted on our reading blog in a while. In class, we’ve recently enjoyed snippets from Love That Dogby Sharon Creech, and we’re now beginning the historical fiction A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park . Since I’ve been primarily focused on reading books about parenting. (4-D picture of Kylie Grace below),
I haven’t picked up a good, middle-level book in a while… until today. Per Parker L.’s suggestion, I just started to read Lighning Thief by Rick Riordan. I’ve purchased two copies of this book and the second in the series, Sea of Monsters, for our classroom. Riordan’s third book in the series, The Titan’s Curse,was just released on May 1st! I’m excited to read this book because it is a mix of ancient Greek mythology mixed with modern day fantasy. Have you read this book? If so, write a comment by clicking on the link below and share what you thought about the book.
Many of you may have noticed that several of my students have blogged about A Great and Terrible Beauty and its sequel, Rebel Angels. Both books were written by Libba Bray, and I have to say they are two of the best middle level books I’ve read in a while. I hardily recommend this book to all my students and do so often. One of the things I love most about Bray’s writing is her ability to portray such realistic characters amidst the fantasy realm. The words she uses create such a vivid image in the reader’s mind that her imaginary worlds seem real. Another great characteristic of Bray’s writing is she captures your attention right away. If you are someone who casts aside books that don’t capture your interest in the first few pages (like me), then this book won’t disappoint you! A Great and Terrible Beauty jumps right into the action of the book and hooks you immediately. If you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend you read these books. If you read one, you’ll want to read the other.
In addition, Libba Bray has a very cool website. The website features an autobiography, writing tips, recommended books, resources and a list of her favorite songs. Check it out!
Want to win a free pizza? It’s easy. Just read a novel of your choice, fill in the Book It Challenge Form, and write a review on this blog. Don’t forget… if a teacher recommended the book to you… mention his or her name to earn a free pizza for that teacher!
J.K. Rowling just announced the date for her next Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, as July 21st! Next year’s sixth graders will have this book as a summer reading assignment!
Check out today’s article about the annoucement and Rowling’s plans on yahoo.
