Author Lisa McMann

New York Times best selling author Lisa McMann will be visiting our school (Yes, our school!) on Friday October 25, 2013!  Our class is so excited!  We just finished reading the first book from The Unwanteds series, and it was a great book!  Parents, you may have seen the order forms sent home on Friday.  Your students can order books 1, 2, and/or 3 of The Unwanteds series if they would like, and Lisa McMann will personally autograph them. 

The Unwanteds Series by Lisa McMann

Parents, there were many themes we discussed as we read this book:  adventure, family, purpose in life, friendship, honor, and trust.  One idea I most appreciated about this book is the idea of "being yourself" and "it is okay to be different."  This is a very important message for fourth grade students, and The Unwanteds shared this message with excitement and adventure.  It is hard to top that!  Take time to ask your child about The Unwanteds.  Ask them their favorite part of the book, and if they learned anything about life from reading this book.  I think their answers will amaze you.  I know many of the things they shared with me throughout our discussions amazed me! :) 

Students, I want you to think of at least one question you would like to ask Lisa McMann when she visits and post it in the comments section.  She will not be able to answer all questions, but each teacher in our school will be compiling a list of questions our students want to ask Ms. McMann.  She will choose some of those questions to answer.  If you would like to learn more about Lisa McMann before writing your question or just for fun, please click here to visit her website.

Happy commenting! :)

Post One for Group B

Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman (Post one for group B)

Reading group B will begin reading Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman on Monday October 27, 2013.  Before we begin reading this great book, I want to share a little bit of information about the author, Dan Gutman.  Dan Gutman was born in 1955, and he has always enjoyed writing.  However, it was not until 1994, when his son Sam was four years old, that he decided to try writing books for children.  Until then he had only written nonfiction books.  He was not sure if he would be good at actually creating a story, but much to his surprise the first novel he wrote, They Came from Centerfield, sold.  This started his career of writing fiction books for kids and visiting schools.  Dan Gutman lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children, Sam and Emma.  Here is a picture of Dan Gutman:

Dan Gutman, author of Jackie and Me

Jackie and Me is about a boy, Joe, who has to write a school report about an African American who made an important contribution to society.  Joe decides he wants to write about one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Jackie Robinson.  Interestingly enough, Joe has an advantage over the rest of his classmates when it comes to writing this report.  With the help of old baseball cards, he can travel through time.

Before Monday October 27, each student in group B needs to answer at least two of these questions in the comments section.  Simply click on comment link right below this post to leave a comment.  Students, you may answer more than two questions if you would like, and you may also respond to other students' comments.  (Extra credit may be involved depending on the depth of your extra responses and comments.)  Please remember to follow the rules we have discussed in class and that are posted on this blog.  Thanks so much!

Questions:

1.  Do you know anything about Jackie Robinson?  If so, what?

2.  What are some things you would like to find out about Jackie Robinson?

3.  Do you think this book is going to be interesting to read?  Why or why not?

4.  Are you looking forward to starting our first literature group?  Why or why not?

Happy commenting! :)