Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Chapters 15-16 Superstitions

In Chapter 15 Billy thinks that he hears two screech owls. This is supposed to be bad luck. Are there any superstitions that you believe in? Why do you believe in them and do you have an example of them being true or working?

Friday, May 09, 2008

Chapters 13-14 There's No Crying in Reading, or is there?

I know that I have told the class this story but I cry every time that I read Where the Red Fern Grows. I first read the book in 4th grade, actually my teacher, Mrs. Tarver, read it to us. I don’t really remember crying but I do remember liking the book. I forgot about it for a long time, until I was in college. One of my teachers mentioned it in class and I went out and bought a copy at Hastings Book store in St. Joe. I started reading it. At the time my grandmother was very ill and I was pretty emotional over that. I was playing baseball at the time for the Missouri Western Griffons and we had baseball study hall. I took the book with me and couldn’t stop reading it because it was so good but I also couldn’t stop crying. Try crying sometime around a whole team of baseball players. I don’t know if it was the emotions I was feeling about my grandmother or if I just understood the book better. Whatever it was, ever since then it has been my favorite book.

When I first started teaching I wanted to read it with my class. So I got my copy out and started reading it again. This time knowing that I would be teaching it. I still couldn’t keep from crying. Then I decided that I had cried my last tear over the book, I couldn’t cry in front of my class so I read it at home right before I started it with my class. I cried harder that time. Then I started reading it in front of my class. I was firmly convinced that I had the willpower to not cry as I read it. As I got to different parts of the book, I could feel my nose start to tingle (that is how I know when I’m going to cry). I held it back pretty well until the end and then I could hold it back no more. I cried, my class cried, I think people down the hall heard us and they cried. Looking back, it was a really cool experience. Not many teachers cry in front of their class, I think it brought us closer together, not to mention the fact that it takes a very powerful piece of literature to make someone cry. Very few books have had that effect on me ever.

This long story, leads into the question for today which is about crying. Look at the detail that I put into the story above and try to do the same for your answers.Question: On page 163, Billy says, “at that moment I’m sure no boy in the world could have been happier than I. Tears of happiness rolled down my cheeks.” Have you ever cried from happiness? If so describe the situation and how it felt. If not, think of something that might make you cry from happiness and describe it.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Chapters 11-12: The Lightbulb

If you aren’t hooked on the book yet, wait until the next two chapters. I really like the question today because it has to do with teaching and learning. Remember that we have a much larger audience than just our school. Keep this in mind as you write your answer.

Here is your question for chapters 11-12.On page 118 Billy tells about a miracle that helps him save his dogs. He describes it as, “then like a blinding red flash the message of the lantern bored its way into my brain. In teaching we call this the “ah ha” effect, or seeing the light bulb come on. Has this ever happened to you? Describe the situation and how it felt to you. Use vivid details in your description.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Chapter 9-10 Did Billy Have Help?

Before you start writing your answers to the question for Chapters 9-10, I wanted to share with you an answer to one of the questions from the previous post. This is my favorite answer of all time for the question about who worries more about you, your mom or dad. This if from a student I had several years ago.
Here is part of what she had to say:“My mom is the one who worries about me because she is so uptight about things. I also think that it is just a mom thing and they are supposed to worry about you.”I thought this showed some great insight into her family.
Read on for the two questions for today. Be sure to give great answers that others will want to read and remember to separate your answers and answer both questions.
1. By the end of chapter 9, Billy is firmly convinced that he had been helped with the tree. What evidence can you find to explain who helped Billy? Do you agree with his conclusion?
2. On page 100 Billy says that he thinks his Pa is saving the money from his coon hides. Why do you think Pa is saving the money?
I look forward to reading everyone’s answers.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Chapters 7-8 Mama and Little Ann

As I was looking through questions I have used in the past for chapters 7 and 8, I couldn’t decide on which one to use. Both of the questions I have used in the past are really good. Because of that, there are actually two separate questions for these two chapters. You will need to answer both questions for this section of the blog.When you type your answer, please put it in the format below:Question 1: Put your answer here.Question 2: Put the answer for this one here.Don’t forget to put your name at the end.

Here are the two questions. Remember who your audience is as you write.Question 1: Billy’s mom worries about him while he is out hunting while his dad is not as worried. Who worries more about you, your mom or dad? Why? Give specific examples.

Question 2: On page 74 Billy scolds Little Ann for letting the coon fool her. In the next paragraph Billy says, “I wanted them to figure it out for themselves.” Why do you think Billy wants this? Why is it important? Have you ever been in this situation, tell about it.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Chapters 5-6: BIlly gets some dogs!

Billy finally got some dogs! Today your question is pretty simple but as you answer it I really want you to put some thought into it. The question is; If you got to name a new pair of dogs, what choice of names would you have made? Explain why.

As you answer this question, I want you to really think about the names that you would give them and why? The names should not only work together but there should be a higher meaning to them, not just that you used to have a dog named that, or you like the name. Really get into why you would name them the way you would. Below is an example of what my answer to this question would look like. Use it as an example but don’t use the same names.

If I got to name a new pair of dogs my first thought to name them would be to name one of them Safe and name the other one Spot. I think this would be funny but I don’t think those names are as meaningful as Billy’s names for his dogs were. There have been two times in my life where I have been amazingly touched by nature’s beauty. The first was when I was at the beach in Pensacola, Florida. I was there playing baseball and one night I walked down by the water and just sat there. It was amazing; the only sound was the waves. Because of this I would name one of the dogs Atlantic. I would name the other doge Pike for Pikes Peak. When I was in Colorado, I took a hike in Garden of the Gods Park and went to a place where you could look up at Pikes Peak through a natural rock formation. I was the only one around. It was so completely different from the ocean but also amazing. It was completely silent. The air was slightly chilly but the sun was warm. These are two of my favorite and most beautiful places I have ever been. Because of that, I would name my dogs Atlantic and Pike.- Mr. Kelsey

I can’t wait to read what you all would name your dogs.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Chapter 4: Talequah

I love the name Tahlequah. Did you know that it is a real town in Oklahoma? I'll bet that it has changed a lot since the time that this story takes place. I wonder if Wilson Rawls ever visited the real Tahlequah or if he just picked it off of a map. Check out the link on the side of the page. It goes to the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce.

Here is the question for chapter 4. Remember as you answer to try to put some of yourself into your writing. Use what you write as a window into your thinking, or into your memories. Also, this is a two part question. Be sure to answer both parts and remember who your audience is. In chapter 4, Billy made a decision to leave home and go pick up his dogs. Do you think this was a wise decision? Why or why not? Have you ever made a decision on your own that you thought was a good idea at the time but it turned out not to be?

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Chapters 2-3 Saving Money

By now you are well on your way with reading Where the Red Fern Grows. One of my favorite parts of these two chapters was when Billy caught Sammie their cat in his traps. I can picture in my mind the cat going nuts being caught in the traps. Here is your next question. Be sure to read the entire question and answer in great detail. Billy spent two years saving up enough money to buy his two pups. Have you ever wanted anything as bad as Billy wanted his pups? What was it? Would you have been able to save up for two years to get what you wanted? Why or why not? Use great detail in your answer. To post your comment, be sure to click on the word comments below.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Here is your first question. Prediction time.

Re-read the paragraph at the bottom of page 5 that states, "Although the old hound had no way of knowing it, he had stirred memories, and what priceless treasures they were . . . (read the whole paragraph).

Based on this paragraph, can you make any predictions about what is going to happen later in the book?When you answer this question, be sure to write your answer in complete sentences. Please re-read what you have written to make sure that it makes sense before you post your answer.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to a revolutionary new way to do a novel study. During the Room 42 book study of the novel Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls students will be posting responses to questions about what they have read. Enjoy reading the book, and the thoughts that these fifth graders have about them.