Mark Twain Was Here

Students at Neoga Jr High and Middle School were fortunate enough to attend a program hosted by one of our Classics Club authors, Mark Twain. Students in grades 4 and 5 learned about some of Mark Twain's characters, and students in grades 6, 7, and 8 received a more in-depth look into some of the themes behind the novels. Students who have already read 6 books from The List got to talk with Mr. Twain and get a photo taken with the famous author. You can still become a member of The Classics Club. Whose photo will we see on the next blog post? Will it be yours?

Pictured are l-r: Gabe H., Zach R., Mark Twain, Vicki A., Victor L.

 

This program was made possible in part by a grant from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University.

 







20,000 Leagues update

Hello, readers. I have a confession to make. I have STILL not finished reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. I don't have an excuse for not finishing it. Sometimes you have to be in the mood to read a particular style of book, and I think I will be in the mood to read this book some other time.

On another note, I need to report to you that March 15 is the date when you have to have your 6 Classics Club titles read. This gives you 4 weeks to keep reading. So if you read one book a week, you will have time to fnish 4 classics.

Finally, I may have a surprise for you in March. I will know for certain after March 1, so stay tuned to this blog.

20,000 Leagues Progress Update

Well, I had hoped to get a lot of reading done over the Christmas Break, but it didn't happen. I can report that according to my Kindle App on my iPhone, I am 24% of the way through the book. What I have learned from the book so far:
1. Jules Verne was WAY ahead of his time. He writes about things most people didn't dream of way back in the 1860s.
2. I am getting interested in the story. The part I am reading now is a lot of description of the ocean, but I know it is necessary to understand the plot.
3. I don't know if I will be finished reading the book by the end of January. So stay tuned to this blog for information about the book activity.
I think you will have time to start reading this book and finish it before I announce the date for the activity. So go ahead and download the FREE version on your KINDLE or other device and get started reading!

And the next book talk book is...

Do I have your attention? I hope you are as excited as I am about this announcement. The second booktalk selection is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. To qualify for attending the booktalk, you will need to read the UNABRIDGED version of this book and pass the AR quiz. It is a tougher read, but the story is awesome!!!

While I was trying to decide which book to pick, I talked to a few of the teachers at the Jr-Sr High School. Mr. Schulze said it was one of his favorites, and that was enough of a recommendation for me. Would you believe I have not yet read this book? So I will have to read it to be able to attend the booktalk. I started reading it last weekend and so far I like it. I will try to give updates on this blog as I read the book.

I plan to have the book activity somtime around the end of January or early February, so you have plenty of time to get the book and read it. It is available for FREE from Kindle, if you have the app or an actual Kindle. Or you can request a copy from the library (also FREE).

Old Yeller Activity

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Old Yeller Activity that was held in the High School Library on November 1. There was a big crowd of students and teachers from the middle school, and several Jr. High and High School students who created and worked at the various stations. All students who participated received credit for attending a Book Talk, so those students just need to be sure they have read 6 books from the Classics Club list to be accepted into the club!
Speaking of Book Talks, I am in the process of selecting the next book. It will be the unabridged version, which means it is the original words the author wrote. An abridged version is a shortened and sometimes simplified version of the author's original words. There are many classics from the list that also have an abridged version, so be sure you get the unabridged one if you would like for it to count toward the Book Talk participation. While I am on the topic of unabridged and abridged versions of books, please be careful when you are taking the Accelerated Reader quizzes for these books. The abridged versions usually have another author's name on the title page.

Stay tuned to this blog for news on the next Book Talk book.

And the first booktalk book is...

Can I have a drumroll, please? The first Classics booktalk book is Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson. Remember, you have to read the book, then pass the AR quiz to be eligible to attend the booktalk. In case you haven't heard of this book, here is a short description. The book takes place in Texas in the 1860's. The main character is Travis, and he and his dog Old Yeller have several exciting adventures. I won't say anthing more now; you will have to read the book to see why I consider it a classic.
Oh, and don't think you can just watch the movie and pass the quiz. Movies leave out lots of little details.

Look for more information about the booktalk in a few weeks. Happy Reading!

If you have read at least 6 titles from THE LIST, and have attended at least 1 booktalk, you will be admitted to the Classics Club. CLick on the link to see THE LIST.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AoKdAhlZWKHkdEg4Q3BHNE54dHRJWmFIZWdraHFNRGc&output=html