Edward's Point of View

Jenna sent this to me...for all you Twilight fans...
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/midnightsun_partialdraft3.pdf
This is Edwards point of view.
Check it out!

Break

What are you planning on reading over break?
You know I am planning on reading like CRAZY!!!
I am so excited to be on a break from MY schoolwork at Hamline, so I plan on reading the entire time.
I already read Comfort and Joy, and am currently reading Angel Falls. Both these books are by Kristin Hannah.
I have about 3 more books by her in my living room...but plan on reading Twilight too.
I'll keep you posted on my progress in that book.
I will miss you all over break!
Let's keep in touch.
Ms S

Friendly Fairy Tale Letter

I'm feeling pretty sick...so don't think I'll make it to work on Tuesday.
SO...make sure that you are working hard at your Friendly Fairy Tale Letter!!!
Remember...it's DUE on Wednesday by the end of the class period.
Hang in there gang....it's ALMOST break!!!
I'll miss you tomorrow.
Ms. Simonson

The Mom Song

Do any of these sound familiar?
If any of it sounds like YOUR mom...
show her the blog today.
I LOVE this video.
It sounds JUST like me.

New Day

Hey gang!
What are you reading today?

Roomba Driver

This cracks me UP!!!

Twilight

I recently got an email from a concerned parent about the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.
My own daughter is currently reading them right now....however she is 17.
I'd like some discussion about this.
Is this book and series appropriate for 6th graders to read?
I know a lot of you have read them, or are planning to read them.
What do you think?

ANYBODY OUT THERE???

Talk to me!!
Tell me what you are reading.
Tell me what you are writing.
Tell me what you like about reading workshop.
Tell me what you like about writing workshop.
Tell me what a fantastic teacher I am.
TELL ME SOMETHING!

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) Movie Trailer - HD Quality

I am NOT telling you to go see this movie, as it is rated PG-13!
HOWEVER...this book is AMAZING!! SO, I wanted you to at least SEE this trailer.

Time to Post

Oh my goodness!!
It's DEFINITELY time to write a new post!
I think there is SO much to write about.
I've got an idea.
I will post short stories, poems, book reviews, or anything else you want.
I will post them with your name if you want, or anonymously if you want.
Just write what you want in the comments....and I will transfer them as posts.
If you don't want your name included....that's cool. Just don't leave your name on there.
It's possible to leave comments anonymously.
Let's see what we can come up with.
I LOVE what you guys write about!!!

Library Stuff on Thursday

There are some cool things coming up at the libraries on Thursday.
I heard from one kid so far who went to the paranormal thing yesterday! He said it was really good!
SO, tomorrow there are two different events at two different libraries.
Those of you who have read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, there is a Game Show that you can play at the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley. (The big library by Kohl's)
I think this sounds like a BLAST!!!
This is from 1:00PM-3:00PM
Galaxie Library
Stephenie Meyer Twilight Game Show Extravaganza

The other thing is later on in the day at the Farmington Library.
It's DDR, and Guitar Hero.
Sounds like something fun to do on a long break from school!!
This is from 3:00PM-5:00PM
Farmington Library
Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero

Hastings Paranormal Society

Hey you guys....

There's something cool at the Farmington Library tonight.

I would love to go, but I have a conflict.

The Hastings Paranormal Team will discuss their study, research and investigation of the paranormal.
If you don't know what paranormal means: not scientifically explainable.

That means spooky stuff without explanation.

I think it sounds pretty cool.

If you go, leave a comment here and tell us about it.

Here is the information:

3:30PM-5:00PM
Farmington Library
Hastings Paranormal Society

Create a Character Contest

Remember that the Create a Character Contest deadline is quickly approaching.
You need to have the final copy to me by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15.
I need to get them mailed off to meet the deadline.
I am VERY excited about this contest!

City of Ember HD Trailer

Hey you guys.
I didn't even know this movie was being made.
I think it comes out this weekend.
Did you read the book?
Are you going to the movie this weekend?
Let me know if you've seen the movie or read the book.
I think I will have to see this.

You're Never Too Young

C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) was only 8 or 9 years old when he started writing his first book, a fantasy novel called Boxen.
Stephen King was 13 when he wrote and sold his first horror stories to friends at school-- for a quarter!
Gordon Korman was in 7th grade when his first "Bruno & Boots" book, This Can't be Happening at McDonald Hall, was published. By the time he graduated from high school he'd had four more novels published!

Were these guys all geniuses? No. Did their moms or dads own publishing companies? No. Were they just lucky? No! They just didn't let being a kid stop them from trying to get published.
Kids today are doing the same thing.

Mollie McDougall, a 15-year-old in New York, has had more than 60 poems and stories published. A poem she wrote at age ten ("The Peace Child") has been published on greeting cards and in an anthology called A View From the Edge.

Adam Moore, a nine-year-old in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, wrote a humorous true story called The Broken Arrow Boy, about the time he fell and ran an arrow into his head. His book was published by Landmark Editions.

A 12-year-old named Gretchen Anderson sold her book, The Louisa May Alcott Cookbook to Little, Brown Publishers. It started out as a school project when she was just nine years old!

Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, a humorous mystery novel by 15-year-old Jennifer Carnell, was also written in school-- in physics class! (Makes you wonder what kind of grades the author got in physics, doesn't it?)

Then there's She was Nice to Mice by 12-year-old Alexandra Sheedy;

New Hampshire Pride, written by fourth graders in the Contoovook Valley School District; and Reach for the Moon, a collection of stories and poems by 16-year-old Samantha Abeel. Do I need to keep going?

These are just a few examples of the kid-authored books, poems, plays, magazine and newspaper articles out there. It's not impossible.

If you want to be a writer, don't wait-- start now!

The Monkees (Theme)

I don't know why this didn't post yesterday!
I'm trying it again.
Remember the Compare and Contrast lesson we did on this in class???
See...learning can be fun!

LOVE WHAT I DO!

I know this is gross....

but it cracks me up!
I got this email saying....

at least your job isn't THIS bad.

Are you KIDDING ME?

I LOVE MY JOB!!
I love teaching you guys to love to read and write.

I am having a FANTASTIC year so far!!!

You guys ROCK!

Christopher Paolini

Did you guys know that the author who wrote
Eragon, Eledest and Brisingr is YOUNG?
He wrote Eragon when he was 19!!!
How cool is THAT?
Those of you who like to write....you should take this as an INSPIRATION!!
Check out his website.

Among the Hidden Book Trailer

Check this out...
Does somebody want to do something cool like this?

Classroom Care 100 books and counting

Hey gang.

We have adopted a school in Shelby, Mississippi.

For every 100 books we read, books will be donated to this city's schools.

I am SO EXCITED about this.

Check out the LINK to see more information about this.

Conferences

I have been enjoying meeting with your parents.
Conferences are so much fun.
I hope more of you decide to log on here and TALK TO ME!
Have you read any really good books lately?
I am anxious to hear about some of those Maude Hart Lovelace books.
Have a great night.
Tomorrow is QUIET READING ALL HOUR!!
SO MUCH FUN!!!
See ya!

Book Orders and Maude Hart Lovelace

OK kids.
I placed the book order for today.
I am excited to get these books for you.
I didn't order any new books this time, because I just got all of those Maude Hart Lovelace nominated books this week.
Let me know if you have read any of them:

Mirror's Tale by P. W. Catanese
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Jackie's Wild Seattle by Will Hobbs
Soldier Boys by Dean Hughes
Day of Tears by Julius Lester
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
Heat by Mike Lupica
Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria McKernan
Monsoon Summer by Mitali Perkins
Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
So B. It by Sarah Weeks

Wednesday

Hey gang.
We are one day away from conferences.
I am so excited to meet your parents.
I am really enjoying what we are doing this year in Language Arts.
I hope more of you will start to log on here.
I need some topics to write about.

Eragon Books

Check out the site for the new book in the Inheritance Cycle.

It looks like it is coming out SOON!!!

Have you read Eragon and Eldest?

Check out this link.

http://www.alagaesia.com/index.php

Books for Girls

I missed yesterday because I was at school for Parent Night.
It was so much fun to meet your parents.
Here is a link of books that you GIRLS can check out.

Books for Girls

Books for Boys

After helping a few of you gentlemen look for books, I decided to RE-POST this link.

Books for Boys

Check it out.
Tomorrow I'll find one for GIRLS!

Monday

Hey gang!
It was a good day, don't you think?
I really enjoyed the work we accomplished this day.

I really enjoyed meeting with the blue group as well.
I can't wait until I get to meet with each one of you.

Remember to fill out your Read-at-Home sheets this week.
Try to read some each night. This will make reaching the 100 minutes easier.

Have a GREAT night!

Labor Day

It's been fun having some of you visit our blog.
Today I am off to the Renaissance Festival.
Not sure what this will be like...I've never been before.
Not really looking forward to it....
but I am going to try it.
I hope you all enjoy your day off.
Looking forward to seeing you all on
Tuesday!
Have a great day.

Welcome Newbies

Welcome to Ms. Simonson's Language Arts Blog.
It's a new year....with LOTS of great things we can talk about.
It's going to be a super year with all kinds of things to read about and write about.
I am SO EXCITED to get to know each one of you.
Make sure you leave me a comment so I can see who has been here.
Here's to an EXCELLENT school year.

First Day Without You....

Hey guys....

David Cassidy is on Oprah today.

Remember him from our Partridge Family/Cheetah Girls reading last year?

I am very excited to see it.

OK....I was able to see some of you today....but not all of you.

How was your first day?

I miss you guys!

Olympics '08: Phelps Swims Into History

WOW!!

Getting Close

Yesterday I was at school all day.
I had a meeting in the morning, and then I went to my room to work with Ms. Keel.
We are getting all ready for another year of students.
Too weird that it won't be all of you guys.
We are doing new stuff for Language.
We are excited about trying it....just wish it was with you folks.
You did the reading workshop SO WELL...that the Writing Workshop (our next thing) would fit so well with you.
I know you will really enjoy 7th grade though.
Today is the day you go and get pictures taken, get your new lockers, and get your schedules.
Let me know what house you go in, and who your teachers are.
I am excited for you guys.
Keep me posted!!

It's August

Hey kids...it's AUGUST already. WOW!
Have any of you turned in you Barnes and Noble certificates for a free book?
I am having a hard time believing that we go back to school so soon.
We are doing something new and different next year. Wish we would be together again so you can see how cool it is going to be.
I miss you guys.

4 weeks

Enjoy your days guys....
school starts in 4 weeks.
In fact, I go back in three weeks.
NO WAY!!!
How did this summer go so fast?
I read a book yesterday...the whole thing....
it had 437 pages.
It was so good.
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.
I took a break from my school books and read something for enjoyment!
Hope you are finding time to do the same.

Breaking Dawn Party!

You guys, your new book by Stephanie Meyer is almost out!!
Here is some information about a release party at Barnes and Noble.
It's pretty late, so I can see your parents not wanting to take you to this....
BUT, I wanted to at least tell you about it. Here is the info from the Barnes and Noble website:


Twilight tempted the imagination. New Moon made readers thirsty for more. Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon. And now, the book that everyone has been waiting for... Breaking Dawn, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight saga, will take your breath away.

Stephenie Meyer's sophisticated teen vampire novels have created the kind of response from teens and adults that we haven't seen since the debut of Harry Potter. Barnes & Noble will be celebrating the August 2 release of Breaking Dawn by hosting special events in our stores. Select stores are staying open late August 1 and hosting midnight release parties. To find out if your local store is participating and what events are taking place, simply enter your location in the box to the right. And be sure to call or visit your local store to reserve your copy for the night of the party, or pre-order your copy online.

More Book Ideas

Ashlyn was looking for some good books to read this summer...anybody else running out of ideas?
Here are some titles:
Anne of Green Gables. This series is a classic...but SO GOOD!! I still have this series. It's one of the VERY FEW titles I still have from my childhood.
I also LOVED everything by July Blume when I was your age.
Also Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt.
Check out this link that I found from Amazon.
I have read most of the books on that list and can tell you they are FANTASTIC!!!
Here is a list for girls:
http://www.amazon.com/My-favorite-books-teen-girls/lm/R35PKPOVZZS2O2

Here is a list for the guys:
http://www.amazon.com/Books-for-teen-boys/lm/R198CM9OIIPOVI

Also, check back to earlier posts where we made up a big list of boys and girls books worth reading.

Tuesday

Hey gang.
I guess I haven't been all that good about posting on here.
Let's see: I just finished a book called Over the Waters...which was good.
I am reading The Writing Workshop as well as Best Practices in Literacy Instruction as my homework for class.
I am not getting as much "fun" reading in as I had originally hoped.
What new things are you all reading?
About the library:
If you can get a ride to the Galaxy Library in Apple Valley, there is a COOL thing called If the Dead Could Talk put on by the County Medical Examiner....Learn about the forensic investigation of sudden, unexpected deaths. This is coming up on July 29 from 1-3 PM.
Also, on July 23rd author John Rosengren will be at the Heritage Library. He is an award winning journalist and author of Hamerin' Hank, George Almighty and Say Hey Kid. He will be at the Heritage Library from 7:00-8:30 on that Wednesday.
One last thing: Next Tuesday, July 22 from 2-3, they are having Make a Robot at the Farmington Library. It says they will provide materials to make and take home a robot that draws pictures. It says you must register, so maybe call the library to get your name on a list. Here's the number: 651-483-0250.

Let me know if you do any of these things.
Hope you guys are having a great summer!!!
Hi to Sara K and Ashley T!

Sorry

I am sorry that I haven't been on top of the blog lately.
My school work is taking up a lot of time.

Yesterday I was at school working on some lesson plans with Ms. Keel and Mr. G. M.
We worked all morning, and on into the afternoon, and then we went to The Ugly Mug for a late lunch.
When we were eating outside, a kid in jeans, a black shirt, and a cool skateboard came cruising by.
I noticed immediately that it was our friend James.
It was pretty warm for jeans and a black shirt...but he looked VERY COOL on his new skateboard that he had just bought.

He told me that he had not seen the blog since school got out.
Partly my bad because I haven't written on here for a while.

Looking forward for the 4th of July? Big plans?
We are having family over for barbecue and swimming.
Should be a beautiful day.
Hope to hear from some of you this week.

Childproof Drawer

This is so cute!

Thursday

I am working at the Minnesota Department of Education today, as I have been since Tuesday, to work on scoring of the Reading MCA's. I know I told you I did this. I want you guys to know that the answers I have been reading are so much better than they used to be. I think kids are becoming better prepared for these tests. This gives me great hope for YOUR tests.

You kids really worked hard last year.....I can't wait to see the results of those tests you took.
Have a great day.

Don't forget the Guitar Hero/DDR/Taste Testing deal at the HERITAGE LIBRARY tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:0 PM
CHECK IT OUT!!

Monday Talky

I tried to post this yesterday, but You Tube wouldn't cooperate.
SO, you get a Monday Talky Blog on a Tuesday.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

What's At The Library

Ok...
another Monday.
Here is what is going on at the library this week:

AT THE FARMINGTON LIBRARY
Tuesday, June 17 is Dungeons and Dragons from 6-8 PM. Did anybody go to this last week?
Thursday, June 19 from 2-3 PM is Magic for Teens. Learn the tricks of the trade for doing cool magic illusions. This sounds like a blast. Let me know if this is fun.

AT THE HERITAGE LIBRARY
DDR and Guitar Hero and Taste Testing....apparently they have different types of cookies or something like that.
This is on Friday, June 2oth from 1-3 PM. The Heritage Library is in Lakeville. It's my FAVORITE LIBRARY!
My son is going to be here for this one.
GO TO THE LIBRARY!!!

EGGS

I told you that I would try to read
a bunch of books that you have recommended to me.
John, I FINALLY finished EGGS by Jerry Spinelli.
It was an interesting book.
Here is my quick review:
David is a kid who has recently lost his mother.
She died in a tragic accident.
He is forced to move in with his Grandma because his dad works out of state.
He is angry, sad and lonely. He meets a girl name Primrose, who is just a little strange. The two develop a strange friendship, and come to terms with the things that are holding them back.

It's a good book, I would recommend it to anybody
looking for a good friendship book.
Let me know if you read it!

WARRIORS

Hey guys!!
Check out this site I found for your beloved WARRIOR books.
Some of you are going to LOVE this site!
There are many different places to go from this site,
so be sure to see ALL the cool things that are on here.
http://www.warriorcats.com/warriorshell.html

The First Monday

How excited were you all to NOT have to
get up early this morning
and come to school.
I DID get up early...but NOT to come to school!
I hope this summer kicks off with a
GREAT start for you all.
I am looking through the library calendar.
Here are a few things going on
THIS WEEK at local libraries:
On Tuesday, June 10 from 6-8 PM there is a
Dungeons and Dragons deal at the Farmington library.
It says you'll be creating characters and starting an adventure.
Also, on Thursday, June 12 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM there are Board Games
at the Farmington library. It's a great way to meet new people,
or connect with those you already know.
Let me know if you decide to take in any of these activities.
Have a GREAT, SUNNY MONDAY!!

The Library Rap

You know I am a library geek.
Look at all the fun things to do at your
library!

Summer Reading Lists Especially for Girls!!

I got a nice list of books for girls...so here goes:

The Maximum Ride series by James Patterson
The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
Anything by Meg Cabot. She is the one who
wrote The Princess Diaries.
Where the Red Fern Grows (have a kleenex box for this one)
by Wilson Rawles.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I
personally read EVERYTHING by S.E. Hinton.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
I never saw the movie, but hear the book is
FAR better than the movie.
The whole series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Many girls in my classes have
been working their way through the series this school year.
Heartbeat by Norma Fox Mazer and Harry Mazer.
I was told that this is a quick, easy read.
I reluctantly recommend The Clique books by Lisi Harrison.
The reason I am reluctant to recommend
this series is because I don't like the message the books send.
The books almost promote snotty girl behavior....
which I DON'T BELIEVE IN!!
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita.
There is another book after this one too.
The Warrior Series by Erin Hunter is being read
equally by boys and girls in my classes.
The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer is also a big hit.
This series has a new book coming out this summer.
If you go online NOW and request a copy,
when it comes out you can be in the mid 100's on the request list.
That's not too bad because the library will
buy many copies. Keep your eyes peeled for information.
I will be trying to track down the premier party for this book at the library!

I know there are MORE books.
I believe there is enough here to
get you started with your summer reading.

Come On Girls...

Start to leave the names of the books that you recommend the most.
I want to make a summer reading post.
Post your suggestions on this post, and I will make a Girls Summer Reading Post.
Have a great weekend!

Summer Reading Lists Especially for Boys!

I polled the boys in my classes and these are the books that they came up with:

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Warrior's Series by Erin Hunter is a HUGE hit
with boys AND girls in my classes.
There are a TON of books in this series.
There are three series within this series.
So far there are 18 books out.
The first book is Into the Wild.
The Alex Rider Series is also a favorite.
The first book is Stormbreaker. This is an adventure series.
It seems to be very addicting.
Boys LOVE this series. There are 7 books in this series.
BY THE WAY: A student just showed
me today that he is reading the newest
book in this series called Snakehead.

Another author we would recommend would be Gary Paulsen.
He writes adventure books that are excellent.
The whole Brian Robeson series is great.
Start with Hatchet. There are 5 total books in this series.
Gary Paulsen writes a bunch of other books too that the boys really like.

The Island Series by Gordon Korman is another series that boys recommend.
Gordon Korman writes many series books.
These are short books and easy to get into.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer has 5 or 6 books in the series.
Hope this helps for summer reading!!
Look for a summer reading list especially for girls to appear SOON!

HAPPY READING!!!

Introducing the book

I know many of you started the school year not quite sure how a book works.
I hope you have all mastered The Book!

Keep Reading

I just want to encourage you all to
FINISH STRONG!!
We have one more week of reading our books in class.
I am really hoping that you will
continue to read all summer!
Every time I finish a book I will
let you know if it was a good book.

Remember to get your Disaster in Space
article done. Use the HUGS strategy well, and do
the worksheet on suspense.
I will be meeting with you for the last time
this week.
HOW COULD THIS YEAR
HAVE GONE SO QUICKLY???

Ideas

I will talk to you all about this on Tuesday,
but we had a visitor on here
who was asking about books for 12 year old BOYS.
SO...any of you who have read books
that boys especially would like....
I want you to write up little mini-reviews
of your favorite books....
Then, I will make them into blog posts
so that everybody can read
what books are really good for boys.
Are you up for the challenge?
Just write the name of the book,
the author if you know it, and what
you liked about it.
Can't wait to see what you come up with.
You guys are the best!
Ms. S

The Adventures of Hugo Cabret

Have you guys read this book?

It's called The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick.

This book is mostly pictures....it tells a story that you have to figure out.

It's an amazing book.

If you are interested in reading it,

I KNOW the public library has it.

Check out this cool link to see more about the book:

http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

If you read it, let me know what you thought about it!

The Beginning of the Blog

Hey you guys!
Hard to believe that the summer is almost here.
I want to get this up and running!
What do you think?
Can we talk about what books we've read on here....
and comment on our summer reading?
Send me a comment and I will post it for everybody to see!
Deal?
Let's see how we feel it works.
I'll try to customize it so it will feel like our blog!
I look forward to you guys visiting here.
Ms. S