Kim+W.

NameKim Waddington__


 * 1) Book Title (1 pt.) __Son of the Mob__


 * 1) Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction


 * 1) Author (1 pt.: Gordon Korman


 * 1) Date of Publication (1 pt.) 2002

The main character Vince is the son of a prominent mobster. No matter how hard he tries to stay out of it the “family business” it touches every part of his life including his love life. When he tries to help two individuals who owe his dad money he finds the responsibility and interworking’s of his dad’s business are more than he can handle. As the book progresses he is challenged by his father to figure out what motivates him. In the end he realizes what is important and leads his life in the direction he chooses not the life his father chose for him.
 * 1) Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (4 pts.)

The book does a good job of catching your attention right away. I could see my students drawn into the action in the first chapter. After that the plot gets better and more complex. The students may not be able to connect with the problem of having a mobster as a father but they will be able to connect with the conflict of dating someone their parents may not approve of.
 * 1) What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts.)


 * 1) Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. These should be questions that require students to dig into the reading to support their answers. One of the three can be a higher level thinking project or activity(6 pts).
 * 2) Choose one of the many conflicts Vince has in this book. In your own words describe the conflict and explain how Vince solves this conflict.
 * 3) Compare Vince’s life to your own. Select and describe some of the differences you may have with Vince. Select and describe some of the similarities you may have.
 * 4) Hypothesize why Vince choose not to be a part of the “family business”.

Comprehension Activity:

Create a “FakeBook: (not Facebook) page for the main character or one of the main characters from your Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book. Use the instructions provided in a separate attachment to help you. When you’ve finished your work online, copy and paste the URL for your Fakebook page below (15 points).

www.classtools.net/fb/81/cG43KN

Name__Kim Wadington____


 * 1) Book Title (1 pt.)Kidnapped Book One: The Abduction


 * 1) Genre: (Adventure-Survival or Mystery) (1 pt)Adventure-survival


 * 1) Author (1 pt.)Gordon Korman


 * 1) Date of Publication (1 pt)2006

1.Predict what clue Meg might give next for her brother to find. 2. In this book Aiden tries to convince the FBI agent he knows where to look for his sister but he is not listened to. Give an example of when you felt you were trying to say something important and were not listened to because you were “just a kid”. 3. Do you think the Falconer family should trust the FBI agent to help find Meg? Why or Why not. Comprehension Activity: (15 pts).
 * 1) Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)

The main character (or one of the main characters in your novel) and provide an explanation for choosing each. Avoid making all obvious choices, but instead, get creative and think outside the box!

Artifact #1 –A bouncy ball I chose this because...When someone kidnaps Aiden’s sister he reacts immediately back at them like a ball thrown against the wall.

Artifact #2 – A jack in the box I chose this because...On the outside Aiden and Meg look normal but because their past experiences on the inside they are always ready to spring.

Artifact #3 –A bunny Rabbit I chose this because...The family is just trying to live their life but they are constantly being chased and have to react to the hunters around them to survive.

Artifact #4 –A chess game I chose this because...In order to survive Meg and Aiden have to predict what the next move of their opponent will be.

Artifact #5 –An actor I chose this because...The family has to act like they trust the FBI, Meg has to act in order to trick her kidnappers and the family has to deal with being hounded by the press everywhere they go.

NameKim Waddington__


 * 1) Book Title (1 pt.) Hold Me Closer Necromancer
 * 2) Genre: Fantasy
 * 3) Author (1 pt.) Lish McBride
 * 4) Date of Publication (1 pt.)2010
 * 5) Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (3 pts.)

Sam thought he was an average college dropout working at a fast-food restaurant. Then he met Douglas. Even though Sam and Douglas had never met Douglas recognized Sam because they were both necromancers. After their meeting Sam is thrown into a world he never knew existed, a world of ghosts, werewolves and other strange beings. How had Sam avoided being noticed by all of them? Sam and his friends need to find the answers about his past and his powers fast because now that Douglas knows Sam lives in Seattle he gives him an offer he can’t refuse, join Douglas or die. Will Sam be able to fight against such a powerful necromancer? Can he help his friends and save himself or will his friends be the ones who need to save him?


 * 1) What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (3 pts.)

I liked the characters in the book. They were flawed but they were loyal to each other. They accepted the strange things that were happening around them with a mixture of humor and shock. The reader could connect with them. Like most fantasies this book did a good job of taking the reader out of everyday life and pulled them into a world of possibilities. The idea that a common everyday person could have great things hidden inside them.

There was one scene I disliked and it was when Sam and the werewolf character Brid have sex in order to help her relieve some pent up energy. I didn’t like the casual attitude they had about having sex. As the book ended Sam makes a comment that he wasn’t even sure what their relationship was. I think it is OK for YA books to have sex in them but I would like some mention of love, devotion, or even deep caring when two young people make the decision to have sex.


 * 1) Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)

1. If you had to choose to serve an evil man and live or not serve him and die which would you choose? What are the reasons you made this choice?

2. Compare the magical/mystical powers of Sam and Brid. Which power would you prefer to have? Why would you prefer one over another?

3. Some people believe great things just happen to people. Other people believe great people make things happen for them. Which type of person do you think Sam is? Which type is Brid? Explain your answers using support from the book.

Comprehension Activity: Write a newspaper article about someone or something that happened in the story. NOTE: this is NOT a book report! Review a few newspaper articles to get the “feel” of the format. What would the headline say? Was anyone interviewed for the story? Who are the sources of information? Are there quotes from characters? Be creative! (15 pts).

**Teenage Girl Found Killed in Home**

A young girl has been found dead in her suburban home in Seattle. No name has been released but authorities believe the killer had been waiting in the house for her to return. Police detective Dunaway commented “In respect for the family we will not release any name at this time.” According to the Seattle police department the victim was last seen leaving from work. A receipt was found at the scene from a local grocery store putting the time of death late Tuesday night. Employees and co-workers will be the first to be questioned. Seattle police assure us they will continue the investigation and give more information as it becomes available.

Name___Kim Waddington___


 * 1) Book Title (1 pt.) Matched


 * 1) Genre: Science Fiction


 * 1) Author (1 pt.) Ally Condle


 * 1) Date of Publication (1 pt.)2010

Matched is set in the possible future where everyone has a peaceful, purposeful life. Cassia is at the age where she will be told her match, the man she will spend her life with. She is thrilled when the person that has been chosen for her is her best friend Xander. It is a rare occurrence that two people from the same province are chosen to be together. When she puts her information card in the portscreen to see Xander again another face shows up. Ky another classmate. Was this a mistake? The officials never make mistakes. Cassa realizes the time she spends with Ky brings out feelings about Ky and behavior she would have never dared before. Things are changing in her province and in her attitude. Which path will she take, the safe path with a bright future with Xander or one of uncertainty and danger with Ky?
 * 1) Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (3 pts.)

I have always liked science fiction and have read many books about dystopian societies. I think this book did a good job keeping you guessing on if the mistake with Ky showing up on the match screen was a mistake or did the officials do it on purpose to see what would happen. I also liked the characters in the book. They were strong and intelligent and helped each other.
 * 1) What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (3 pts.)

What I didn’t like was how it is very similar to other society books I have read. Giver, Uglies and others it seems like the same plot-everything seems perfect on the outside but look deeper and you see the flaws. It seems rather predictable.

1)In Cassia’s province they have made life easier by limiting books, poems, music etc. to 100 each. Pick 10 songs, books, or poems that you think should be included. Remember this is for the enrichment of a whole society and you must defend your choice to the Officials. 2) Do you think Cassia did the right thing by destroying the poem her Grandfather gave her? Why or why not. 3) Think of something that is important to you, it could be something that wass passed on to you from a parent or grandparent or a gift from someone special. How would you feel if that was taken away? Explain.
 * 1) Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)

Comprehension Assignment

Write a description of one character from the story. Then find four quotes from the story that support your description of the character. Make sure to cite the page numbers for each quote. A character in my book is Ky Markham. He is a handsome boy around the age of seventeen. “His lashes are black, impossibly long, the exact color of his hair” (pg152) He has blue eyes. “His blue eyes flash up to me” (pg170) He was not born in the province but in an otter province. “The boy is an orphan, He's from the Outer Provinces”(pg56) He was adopted by his aunt and uncle after his parents died. “His parents died. He saw it happen. Death came from the sky, and that’s what he remembers.” (pg223) Because of something his father did Ky has been labeled a Aberration, a citizen whose freedoms are limited which is why Ky an never be matched. He has a rebellious side that he only shares with Cassia by teaching her how to write and giving her pictures he has drawn. He hides this by acting a normal as possible, never standing out, always blending in. “He throws the games. He loses the games on purpose, why wouldn’t he want them to know how smart he is? Because he is smart” (pg227)

Name__Kim Waddington____


 * 1) Book Title (1 pt.)Code Name Verity


 * 1) Genre: Historical Fiction


 * 1) Author (1 pt.) Elizabeth Wein


 * 1) Date of Publication (1 pt.)2012

A British spy known as Verity is captured by the Gestapo in occupied France. She is asked to write down all the secrets she knows. The more secrets she writes the longer she will be allowed to live. In her confession she writes about her friendship with a female pilot named Maddie. The same pilot who crashed right after making sure Verity parachuted to safety. Verity wonders did her best friend survive? Will the information she gives the Nazis satisfy the Gestapo and save her life?
 * 1) Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (4 pts.)

I have to say that at first I disliked this book because there are a lot of acronyms that are hard to keep track of and British military ranks that I didn’t understand. Personally I don’t like books that are written as if they are talking to the reader. My opinion changed a bit in the second part of the book when you realize the confession was a cleverly disguised story designed to help the resistance. All the pieces fit together in the end and I actually had to wipe tears from my eyes at one point. This book will not capture the reader right away and I see many young readers wanting to put it down before they finish it. If the teacher can get them to finish it they will think about it long after they finish.
 * 1) What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts).

1) Right now there is a debate on whether women should be allowed on the front line. What is your opinion on the roles of women in the military? Give reasons why you feel the way you do. 2) In Code Name Verity the main character was excited to get paper to right on. During the war there were shortages of many items like paper, coffee, and gasoline. What one item would be the most difficult for you to live without? What item would you give up if it helped the war effort? How would that item help the war effort? 3) In the beginning of the book the characters tell their fears to each other later on their fears change. Tell me three fears you had as a child. Are they the same now? Tell me three fears you have now that you are older.
 * 1) Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)

Comprehension Activity: Choose Your Own Activity – Choose one of the three project ideas below (15 points).

3. Create a diary for your character using Power Point. I do not have Keynote on my computer; so if you use Keynote, make sure to save your project as a pdf so I can view it. Your diary must have a minimum of 8 entries (one entry per slide) and each entry should be a minimum of 6 sentences in length. You may add pictures, etc. to your diary. Make sure you also include a cover slide (your diary cover). Attach your power point to the wiki. 

Book: Code Name Verity Author: Elizabeth Wein Page numbers read:113-114 @http://youtu.be/B-hrbd8okmI

NameKim Waddington 1. Book Title (1 pt.) Beyond Courage-The untold story of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust 2. Genre: (1pt)non-fiction 3. Author (1 pt.) Doreen Rappaport

4. Date of Publication (1 pt.)2012 5. Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (4 pts.) Beyond Courage is a collection of stories that is chronologically arranged starting in 1933 and the beginning of Hitler’s reign and going to the end of the war. It explains what is happening in the war and then focuses on individuals and groups that defied the Nazis and fought for the Jewish people. The stories are about strangers willing to take in Jewish children in order to save their lives, entire Jewish camps hidden in the woods, underground tunnels, secret organizations, outright rebellion and much more. All of the stories include pictures of the individuals and places being talked about but the one thing that ties everything together is the never-ending strength of the human spirit. 6. What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts). I liked the way the book was organized. It gave a brief overview of the history of the time and then it made it more personal by having the individual stories connected with those events. The pictures added interest by putting a face with the story. I didn’t dislike anything but I find it difficult remembering the names of the people written about. The names and places are hard to pronounce but there is a pronunciation guide in the back that helps a bit. 7. Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts) 1. Is their any particular story that stood out to you? Which one and why. 2. Why do you think it is important to record the stories of the Holocaust? 3. If you had to pick the type of resistance to be active in what would you pick? Would you actively fight or secretly fight? Why? Comprehension Activity: None this week. Take a break. Post the answers to the above questions on the wiki as usual.

Name_______kim waddington___________________________________ 1. Book Title (1 pt.)On the Day I Died 2. Genre: (1pt) Short Story 3. Author (1 pt.) Candace Fleming

4. Date of Publication (1 pt.) 2012 5. Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! If you are writing about a collection of stories or poems, you need to talk specifically about 2-3 of the selections in the book. (4 pts.) This is a collection of short stories. It is about a boy Mike who is lured by a ghost to a cemetery for teenagers. He is asked to listen to their stories. Each story is named after the main character and the years they lived. One story named Lily 1982-1999 is a retelling of the classic The monkeys Paw with a modern twist. Lily was madly in love and her boyfriend’s little brother bought a monkey’s paw from a garage sale. It was supposed to grant the owner with three wishes but just like the classic story the wish goes horribly wrong. Another story Edgar 1853-1870 is a story about a young boy who was prone to episodes. He would feel himself being drawn into “ponderings” and wake up hours later not remembering what had happened. He was an embarrassment to his father and was sent away. In the end his sickness got the better of him. 6. What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts.). I liked how each story was separate but they were all connected in the end. Each story not only represented an individual but also a time period. It gave a good background of how people lived in that time period. At first I disliked how some stories were similar to ones I had already read (like the monkeys paw) but I can see how it can be an asset when teaching to link these stories to others the students might have read. 7. Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. This week, I want you to write questions strictly // for discussion // here – not project ideas (you’ll see why below). (6 pts) 1. Is there any story you liked better than the others? What in the story made you like it better than the others? 2. Do you think the stories are relevant to today’s teenagers? Why or why not. 3. Is there any ghost story, scary movie or television show that you remember from when you were young? What part of that story stuck with you the most? 8. How can you see this book being used in the curriculum? For what grade level would it be most appropriate? Give a specific example of how you as a teacher might use the book as part of the taught curriculum. What specifically would you use it to teach and what would you have students do with it? (7 pts.) I would teach this book in eighth grade. I would link the stories with the original stories (like the monkeys paw, and a Poe story) I would teach character traits and plot etc. Finaly I would have the students write their own story, preferably a ghost story. They would have to research a historical era like in the book and include it in their story. They could take a old story and change it to modern times or a current event and create a short story out of it.