Week Four, March 7 - March 11

Hi everyone,

Today we will learn about our new novel, The Giver

by Lois Lowry.

I. One important feature of this novel are the characters' names which are loaded with meaning. Please visit this website and scroll down to page 14 where they discuss the meaning of the different names. Read this page very carefully. You will have to answer questions about it below.

II. Please visit this website to hear Lois Lowry talk about her childhood, her work, and about our novel. There are several video clips here. Please listen to all of them.

III. In Microsoft Word, please answer the questions below. Then post them into our blog.

1. Why do you think the author chose names with such important meaning?



2. Please make a list of each name and write a one sentence summary of what it means. (there are four)



3. After watching all of the video clips, what is your impression of Lois Lowry and why?



4. How does it feel to listen to an author talk about her work and why?



5. How do you feel about reading The Giver now that you have heard her talk about it and the controversy around it?



6. What is one piece of advice you learned from her about being a writer?

IV. After you post your answers, please read another students' post and respond to it.

Week Three, February 28-March 4

Hi everyone,

Today we are thinking about the short story, "Old Glory" by Bruce Coville.

1. Please visit Bruce Coville's website and check out its features.



2. Listen to the audio sample of "Old Glory". Click on the button that says "audio sample" and wait for it to load. Then listen to the story.



3. In Microsoft Word, answer these questions. Then post your answers to our blog and respond to the post of another student:

• How does this story make you feel and why?



• Who are the S.O.S.? What do they do?



• Write an ending to the story, based on the piece of the story you just listened to.

Week Two, February 14-18

Hi Everyone,

Today we are going to prepare for a new poem we will read in class called "El Dorado" by Edgar Allen Poe.

• Please read and listen to this audio of Eldorado being read aloud.
• Please answer the questions below in Microsoft Word and then post your responses to our blog.

1. The title of the poem is "Eldorado". What do you think it's about and why?
   
   
2. Write down how this poem makes you feel and why. What do you think it's about now?


3. Eldorado represents a mythical place that doesn't really exist. The knight is trying to get there and doesn't succeed. What is your "Eldorado", in other words, what is a difficult goal you are struggling to achieve?



4. Pretend you are the knight in the poem. Write a letter home, telling your mother about your experiences on your journey, and why you will not be returning home.

• When you finish, read another students' post and write a comment.
• If you finish all of that, please visit this website about Edgar Allen Poe.

Week One, Feb 7 - 11

This week, we are reading "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats.

Please visit this website to read and listen to the poem (click on the word website). It is being read by Yeats himself!

Here is a photo of the Lake Isle of Innisfree. Isn't it lovely?

After you listen to it several times, please answer the questions below. Answer them in Microsoft Word and then post it into a response to this blog by clicking below on the word comments. MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR ANSWER.

Note: If you do not have a gmail account, you will need to create one. Click on this link to create your account. You will be asked to sign into this account any time you want to post to our blog.

1. How does the poem make you feel and why?




2. What do you think it's about?




3. What questions do you have for the poet (create three minimum).

Once you have answered these questions, please read two other students' posts and write responses to their posts. In your response, answer these questions:

1. What do you like about their post?




2. What did you learn from their post?

Welcome to L5R, Spring 2011

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our blog space. Here you will find weekly assignments, interesting activities and discussions connected to our literature and classwork. Be sure to check our blog regularly so that you are always up to date in class.

Thanks,

Ms Mann