Blog #13 Due: Monday 12/12/11

We are focusing on Comparing and Contrasting different text.  I want you to use the book you are currently reading and the last book you read to find 2 comparisons and 2 contrasts(differences).  List the title, author, and current page number of the book you are currently reading.  Also, list the book that you are using to compare and contrast your current book with. 

Remember your response must be at least 5 sentences and you must comment twice to get full credit.

Blog #12 Due: Monday 12/5/11

Welcome back!
Include your books title, author, and the current page number you are on.

If you could ask the author of your book two questions, what two questions would you ask him or her? Include an explanation of WHY you're asking those questions.
Remember your response must be 5 sentences! Do not forget to comment on two other posts.

Blog #11 Due: Monday 11/21/11

For this weeks question I want you to think about who's Point-of-View your book is being told from.

Give an example that illustrates the character or narrator that is telling your story. Remember to include your book title, author, and current page number. Your response must be at least 5 sentences.  Also, comment on at least 2 other postings by Monday!

Blog #10 Due: Monday 11/14/11

For this weeks blog I want you to describe the overall Tone of the book you are currently reading. What motive do you think the author had in mind when he wrote your book? Was he wanting it to have a creepy tone, a happy tone, sad tone, and so on. Describe the Tone of your book by giving an example. Do not forget to tell us the Title, Author, and current Page number of your book. Your response must be at least 5 sentences long. Do not forget to comment twice!

Blog #9 Due: Monday 11/7/11

First Blog of the new 9 weeks!  To get an 'A' make sure your answer is at least 5 sentences and you comment on at least 2 other student posts.

Please tell me about the protagonist and the antagonist in your book. Give examples from the book that let us know which character is the protagonist and which is the antagonist.
Do you identify more with the protagonist or the antagonist? 

Remember to tell us the title, author, and page number you are currently on in your book. 

Blog #8 Due: Monday 10/24/11

We just learned about abstract nouns and how they help you determine the theme in a text.
For this week's blog entry, tell us one of the themes of your independent reading book and then turn it into a theme statement.
If you need help, use the graphic organizer we used to analyze the theme of the video clips from, "My So Called Life." You can also ask yourself  "What did I(or the character) learn?"



Remember to tell us what book you are reading, the author, and what page you are currently on!

Blog #7 Due: Monday 10/17/11

Remember to post author/title/page # of the current book you are reading.
Tell us one SPECIFIC thing you really like about your book and why.
Then tell us one SPECIFIC thing you really DON'T like about your book and why.
Remember that your comments should always be at least 5-7 sentences, insightful, and include support from your book.
Do not forget to comment twice!

Blog #6 Due: Monday 10/10/11

Post the title/author/page # you are on of your book.


If you had to choose ONE word to describe your book, what word would you choose? Be specific as to why you choose this word. Remember to always include specific details from your book.  Make sure your response is at least 5 sentences. Remember to make 2 comments on other student's posts.

Blog #5 Due: Monday 10/3/11

Think about your current book and decide what your Author's Purpose is for writing (entertain, inform, persuade, explain).
With your Author's purpose in mind, what is your Author's Point-of-view on a topic in your book?
If you get stuck think about the video clips we watched in class.
Remember to include Book title, author, and current page number. Your response must be 5 sentences and do not forget to comment at least twice on other posts.

Blog #4 Due: Monday 9/26/11

Discuss a connection that you have discovered between your current book and your life.
Be sure to remind us of the book you are reading, the author, and what page you are currently on. Your response must be at least 5 sentences. Remember to then respond to a least two classmate's posts.

Blog #3 Due: 9/19/11

This week I want to know about the main character in your book. What is he or she like? Describe his/her personality. Are they stubborn, snobby, compassionate, positive, etc.



Make sure to give me an example from the book to support your description. Don't forget to include the title of the book, author, and what page you are currently on. Make sure your post is at least 5 sentences. Remember to also respond to 2 other classmates!

Blog #2 Due: Monday 9/12/11

Answer the following questions with at least 5 sentences: (1)What book are you currently reading? Make sure to include Title and Author. (2)What genre is your book? (3)Who is the main character? (4)Are you enjoying the book so far?

Blog #1 Due: Tuesday 9/6/11

Take a few minutes and look back at last years blog questions and comments.  
Pick at least one response that you think is a good example of how to correctly answer the blog.  List the Blog # and the username and why you think it is a good example of how to get an 'A' on your blog each week.  Also, pick out at least one example of what not to do when answering the blog.  List the Blog # and username and why it is an example of how not to get an  'A' on your blog each week.
Lastly, let us know if you are excited about using the blog or are nervous about it and why.
Do not forget to comment on at least 2 other responses.

8th grade End of the Year Slideshow

Below is a link to the end of the year slide show.  Enjoy!  I miss you all!


http://www.youtube.com/user/AThomasClassroom

Blog #16 Due: Tuesday 5/31/11

Last Blog of your Middle School Career!!!
Please tell us what has been your favorite part, or moment of Reading Class this year and what has been your least favorite part of Reading Class and how it can be improved for next year. Remember your response must be at least 5 sentences and contain correct grammar and punctuation. Also, do not forget to comment on at least 2 other responses.

Blog #15 Due: Tuesday 5/24/11

As the year comes to an end, think about all the books you have read this school year. Choose one as your favorite book that you have read this year. List the Book Title, Author, and book Genre. Give us a short description of the book and why it is your favorite of this school year.

Your response must be at least 5 sentences and have correct punctuation, grammar, spelling ect. to receive full credit.

REMEMBER: Comment on two classmates posts!

Blog #14 Due: Monday 5/16/11

Post the author/title of your book and the current page number you are on.

What do you think is realistic in your book? Explain.
What do you think is unrealistic in your book? Explain.
Include specific details for support. Remember your response must be at least 5 sentences.

Blog #13 Due: Monday 5/9/11

Think about your friends and the kind of books they would read. Which of your friends or classmates should read your current independent reading book? What do you think he or she would like about it? Why? Remember to tell us the title of the book, author, and current page number. Make your response at least 5 sentences long and comment twice.

Blog #12 Due: Monday 5/2/11

If your book were made into a movie, who would play the main characters? Choose at least two characters from your novel. Explain why you chose the actors/actresses, with lots of reasons why. (It can be anyone famous ).  Make sure to include the title, author, and current page number you are on in your book.  Your post must be at least 5 sentences, and you must comment at least twice.

Blog #11 Due: Monday 4/25/11

Finish the following statement about the book you are currently reading and then expand on it. Remember that your response should be at least 5 sentences long.  Also, do not forget to include the Title, Author, and page number of your book.  Comment on at least 2 other posts.


Something that doesn’t make sense about this story is…

Blog #10 Due: Monday 4/18/11

Think about the book you are reading independently. Tell us the title, author, and current page number you are on.
Tell us why you choose to read this book. You had free choice this 9 weeks to read any book, as long as it is at least 150 pages long.
Also, tell us what mini project you are going to choose to do for this book.
To receive full credit your response must be at least 5 sentences long and you must comment on 2 other responses.

Blog #9 Due: Monday 4/11/11

We have really been focusing on preparing for the FCAT and how to play their game.  For this weeks blog, I want you to post 2 or 3 tips and/or strategies you are going to use to make sure you are successful on the FCAT.  Make sure your response is 5-7 sentences long.  Also, make sure to comment on 2 classmates posts. 

Blog #8 Due: Monday 3/21/11

This week's blog is open-ended. Discuss your book. Perhaps there is something specific in the book you wish to talk about. For example: you could discuss how something made you feel, connections you have with the characters in the book, thoughts the book sparked, etc. You may discuss anything you want as long as your blog post is DETAILED, contains SPECIFIC information from the book, and it is clear you put effort into it.

Remember, to receive full credit your post must be 5-7 sentences long. You must include book title, author, and current page number you are on.

Blog #7 Due: Monday 3/14/11

We have been focusing on poetry and trying to figure out what the author is trying to say through his or her writing. Tell us what you think the Theme of your book is. Remember: Theme is the point the author is trying to get across to the reader.

Remember to include your books title, author, and current page number you are on. Your response must include what you think the Theme of your book is and an example from the book that clues you in to that theme. Your response must be 5-7 sentences.

Blog #6 Due:Monday 3/7/11

For this week's blog, let's see things from your main character's perspective.
Write a journal entry as if it were your main characters.  Make sure that this entry shows us the character's personality as well as any major conflict.  It should be 5-7 sentences long.  Also, include the title and author of the book and the page you are currently on.
Remember to comment at least twice for full credit.

Blog #5 Due: Tuesday 3/1/11

Remember to post author/title/page # of the current book you are reading.

Tell us one SPECIFIC thing you really like about your book and why.
Then tell us one SPECIFIC thing you really DON'T like about your book and why.
Remember that your comments should always be at least 5-7 sentences, insightful, and include support from your book.
Do not forget to comment twice!

Blog #4 Due: Tuesday 2/22/11

We will be analyzing/reading poetry for our new unit. For this blog, think of a song that you really like. Post the lyrics to the song along with the song title and artist.
Then write one paragraph where you tell us:

-THE THEME OF THE SONG

-Why you like the song

-Anything else

Your paragraph should be 5-7 sentences. Make sure you include the THEME of your song and that your song is appropriate.
See the example I have provided.

Blog #3 Due: Monday 2/14/11

Last week we focused on Comparing and Contrasting different text.  I want you to use the book you are currently reading and the last book you read to find 2 comparisons and 2 contrasts(differences).  List the title, author, and current page number of the book you are currently reading.  Also, list the book that you are using to compare and contrast your current book with.  Remember your response must be at least 5 sentences and you must comment twice to get full credit.

Blog #2 Due: Monday 2/7/11

Refer to the "The Filipino and the Drunkard" to answer the following questions.

*Do you think it is acceptable to defend yourself even when you know there will be consequences? Provide reasons for your response.
*Is it in our nature to experience emotions-one thing which has been said to separate us from animals. Do you think that we must, as humans, control our emotions? Are there reasons why we should or shouldn't control our emotions? Explain and give reasons for your response.

Make sure your response answers both questions and is at least 5 sentences! These are controversial questions which should generate discussion-if you don't respond to someone then your not really making your voice HEARD. Respond at least twice!

Blog #1 Due: Monday 1/31/11

It is the beginning of a the new semester and new Blog numbers. This is also your chance for a clean slate and to be successful in Reading Class.

Think about the last book you read. Looking back can you think of any examples of Foreshadowing that occurred? If you need help with what foreshadowing is look back in your notebook. Give a detailed example and include your books title, author, and if you would recommend your classmates to read the book.  Make sure your response is at least 5 sentences and that you comment on 2 other posts.

Blog #15 Due: Tuesday 1/18/11

This is the Last Blog of the Semester!

Think about the book you are currently reading.  Give an example of a Cause and Effect situation in your book.  Tell us how the Effect might change if the decision(Cause) made were to be different. Include details, your books author, title, and current page number you are on. Remember your post must be at least 5 sentences and you need to comment twice.

Blog #14 Due: Monday 1/10/11

I want you to think about a conflict that is occurring in your book.  Describe whether it is an internal or external conflict and give lots of details explaining the conflict that is occurring.  Remember to include your book title, author, and current page number.  Make sure your response is at least 5 sentences and you comment at least twice.