Franny K Stein by Jim Benton

Franny isn't your ordinary girl- (if she was, my sons wouldn't have read this series.) She likes bats and science experiments instead of dolls... unless they are dolls she's modified using her MAD scientist skills. These books are short chapter books that are fun and silly.

I actually did this book club last summer-(for my third son) when we first moved here to Utah. I thought it would be a great way to meet some neighbor kids.

I passed out our collection of Franny K Stein books. The kids read the books, and swapped the books with each other. Some kids only read one book. Others were able to swap around and read all of them. I thought that was great. (Those kids who are reluctant readers- read one book, while those that are carnivore readers- read the whole series. No one was left behind- No one was left bored.)

Then I invited them over for a book club.
We did some easy MAD Science outside. (I went to Pinterest- to get ideas.) We made elephant toothpaste, blew up a ballon- using baking soda and vinegar, we made a density layered drink.

Then we came inside and had a treat and talked about our favorite parts in the book.

Half way through the book club, (I thought every thing was going great), I noticed my son was upset. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Everyone liked the science experiments... I pulled him aside and he spilled the beans....

"We never did anything this cool in Hawaii!"
I was baffled... and stunned...
"Tommy, and Nason and Danny... .." he trailed off.

Then I understood.
It was too soon.
He was having fun--- but having book club with new kids and not his old book club buddies, was kinda painful.

So I didn't continue book club last summer. (Even though the neighbor kids asked about it.)

Transitions are hard.
I don't know if he will want a book club this summer. (He has turned out to be my best reader- and enjoys reading on his own, so I worry less.)

But my 7 year old picked this series for his book club this summer. So I plan to repeat all these ideas. (Pictures will be posted.)

Calendar Club- Back To School Burglar

This school year- for my 8 year old's book club

I thought I would try a different approach.

I had every book club member buy this package of Calendar Club Mysteries. (A set of 8 Books)

Each book is set in a different month, and as far as I can tell-- it doesn't matter which month you start with!

We started with the Back to School Burglar.

Set amid a school carnival- as a book club, we planned a mini carnival for my 5 year old's "story time" group.

So on our Book club day, my 8 year old book club buddies had fun making the different

booths for the Carnival.

They also created some cute flyer's to deliver to the little kids in our complex.

The following day- we held our "Carnival". (It was a Story time for my 5 year old and his little buddies.)

So over-all, a brilliant success!

The older boys enjoyed entertaining the little ones, and our story time group loved playing the games the older boys had prepared!

I went to the dollar store and pick up prizes and then had an assortment of candy at each "booth".

We had three centers/ booths: knock cans down (throwing rolled up socks), bean bag toss, and a hockey puck shoot. (It was a mini carnival).

But other booth ideas:

bowling, knocking down pins

basket ball mini hoop- try to make so many baskets in a minute

ring toss (toss rings over 2 liter bottles) and win a mini cup of soda

"fishing" game where you toss a line over a sheet (really a clothes pin for the "hook" ) and have a prize clipped on.

Lollipop Tree was an idea from the book.

It is a cute series and definantly good for struggling readers. (2.3 reading level)

A fun addition to the book are the mazes and word searches at the back of each book.

Happy Reading!

How to Eat Fried Worms- 2nd time around

So I've done How to Eat Fried Worms twice now.

My third son had seen the movie and activities when my second son had his book club a few years ago, so he didn't want to do the same activities for HIS book club.

He helped me, come up with a fun activity- instead of watching the movie. I love it when my boys jump in and get excited about book club.

So he wanted a "treasure hunt" type game. I wrote questions about the book on slips of paper and hid them around our townhouse complex.

Once the kids found all the papers- they brought them back to the house, to answer the questions. ( I cut out two "worm" shape papers, wrote the questions on one side, and a letter on the other side. The letters- spelled where our "treat" was hidden. S-T-O-V-E, the second worm had random letters.)

So ... the questions on the slips of paper (aka: Worm puzzle pieces) were two types.

The worm puzzle that had the correct letters on the back (clues to the treat) had questions about the book.

The second worm puzzle, that had random letters on the back, had facts about worms.

AFTER the boys went on the treasure hunt... and found all the pieces, they took turns reading the questions/fact. (actually all the facts, were true or false questions.)

They had to decide... is that a fact? or a question about the book. If it was a FACT... they discarded that letter....

if it was a question about the book... they answered it and then flipped it over to scramble the letters back into the WORD that would tell them where the treat was hidden.

They could use the book, if needed to find the answers.



The letters spelled out STOVE... so my son rushed to the oven and pulled out a tray that had the fixings for a "Dirt Cup" treat.

Cups with chocolate pudding = mud
Crushed oreos = "dirt"

and a bag of gummy worms

They were "wormy" delicious!

The questions I used were:

How did the bet start? (pg 1-3)

What types of things did he put on his worm, before he ate them? (pg 15)

and pg 27)

What does Tom tell Billy to pretend he is eating? (pg 30)

How do the boys try to scare Billy in NOT eating worms? (pg 39)

(So sorry! I thought I had finished this post..and posted it months ago!) I lost the questions I used... but you get the idea.)

It was a great book club. The movie was a bit different- which is great for discussions. The boys naturally point out what was different and which they liked better.

So here are some additional ideas you can do- for this book. (CLICK HERE) I was going to say "fun" book, but personally, I thought it was really gross thinking about eating 15 worms. My boys, obviously, loved it!

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Grade 4th-6th
Great short read! only 88 pages but packed with great boy humor.
Read my official review HERE (I accidentally posted on the wrong page.)



Great for Summer!
My boys are excited about starting there annual summer lawn mowing business.
This book- spring boarded them into the idea of working on their Entrepreneurship merit badge for Boy Scouts.
I love when I find a book , that goes hand in hand with scouting!
You can find requirements of the merit badge here.

Flash Light Story Time

We only used two books for this Story time: I recruited my oldest son, who is working on his READING Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts... to host the Story Time .. .the next few weeks.

William and the Magic Ring: has been a family favorite bed time story, because of the unusual pictures.. The book is a "shadow casting" book, each page casts a shadow if read with a flash light.

















Then he read the Spooky Old Tree. A story about three little bears, out on a flash light adventure exploring a Spooky Old Tree!

















Then we took the little fellas on a flash light walk of our own!



















They were adorable.

(Scouting link: My oldest has done all the book reviews and library requirements for this merit badge- now he needs to do a 3 hour service project. He has agreed to host a story time for his younger brother... 12 times to fulfill this.)

If you are looking for male Reading Role Models - why not contact your local Boy Scout troop? They might have a scouter interested in earning his READING merit badge.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

It's a new year!-

Our Book Clubs are starting up again.
An easy book club to host- especially for

parents new to this idea
are
MOVIE Book clubs.


Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules has a movie coming out in March!
(March 25th, 2011)

Click HERE for movie details

My 2nd grader read the first book- and is in love with the series.
(I actually bought the series a year or so ago- for my 5th grader.)










WARNING: They are full of boy humor and antics.
Our nephew who only has sisters- doesn't appreciate the dynamics of having a older brother. He's also home schooled... so he doesn't appreciate the dynamics of public school. (He thinks the book is very mean.)

It's not for everyone.
But - as far as our house goes- my boys love the series and sadly relate to many of the characters. (I had to laugh- in book 4 his mother starts a READING IS FUN club for he and his friends over summer vacation. "So today was the first meeting of the Reading is Fun Club. I felt kind of bad for all the boys whose moms made them come." )


Since my son has read the first book already- and the movie is out. We are going to watch the first movie this Friday.



We'll pass out the books and then these 2nd graders have until March to finish the book.



(It looks thick- but really there are a lot of doodles and pages are "handwritten" instead of typed... I would be interested to know the real word count.)

Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers

This truly is a delightful romp in a swamp read!

If you missed entering our give-away to win a free copy- don't fret.
click HERE for a free book mark. (and then join our Book Club Round Up- so you'll be entered in our NEXT give away!)

Summary: Grady is an orphan whose only "family" is a crook and a liar. A traveling salesman by the name of Professor Floyd. Set in a time of buggy traveling salesmen, Grady serves as a side-show or side-kick (depending on their angle) to earn a few coppers. You never know how they'll be received from town to town. This story follows their adventures and Grady's yearning to find out where he came from and where he fits in the world.

Jonathan Rogers is a master story-teller and The Charlatan's Boy is sure to be a "classic". It is a DE- light to read.

If you would like to see our book club in action- CLICK HERE.
(as a reward- you'll get access to a tri-fold book mark I used for this book.)

If a book is REALLY good- but has lots of details and is for independent readers and above....

I like to give the kids TRI-FOLD book marks... so they can jot down their thoughts and predictions while they read.

It really helps with our book club discussion.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I meant to post this MONTHS ago!
so sorry!


This is a book in the Narnia series. The story that follows Prince Caspian.


The movie is coming out December.

Okay

I'll admit

I went over the top with this book club book.

With the movie coming out

and our schools Fall Play coming up

I thought it would be great to adapt this book into a School Play.

(I am currently serving on the committee as the Fine Arts Chair.)

It was an amazing week.

I am so glad- all my boys were able to participate.

My youngest was a Sea Warrior.

My third son was a slave-- with some of his fellow book club mates.
















You might recognize this fellow-
he was my neighbor
and fellow book club member
















and this fellow below...

They are two boys who usually struggle to finish the book- and look at them here! With main parts! Prince Caspian and Aslan!
















My goal is to get kids connecting to books.

Hopefully the more they connect - the more they will want to read.

And as you know...
the more they read
the better reader they will become...
and then-

the world is opened up to them!

Dragons!

This is a Stepping Stones book for 2.9 reading levels.




Summary: For hundreds of years, people have believed in dragons- but why?

People found the bones of large animals (dinosaurs) and storytellers told tales of dragons guarding their eggs and treasure. Knights and kings fought these beasts to protect villages.

Ironically in China- Dragons were good luck!




This book explores tales across many cultures and time periods.




It's a great read- for little guys who want to learn about dragons, imaginary and real! (Komodo).










We talked about the book while the boys decorated their Dragon flyers.


I found these adorable dragons- on Oriental Trading.

I've used them for each of my sons- using different books.





In the past- I've used paint to decorate the dragons. This time we just used markers and crayons.

That actually worked better!




The boys could really color a lot of detail on their dragons.












Once everyone was done decorating- we went outside to see how their dragons could fly!

Guardian's of Ga'Hoole

Movie/ Book Clubs are the easiest of all types of book clubs to host.

Summary:

An Owl quest following the story of one small owlet, Soren.

When Soren was just a young owlet, he mysteriously falls from his nest (or was he pushed?). He then is plucked from his home and taken to a sinister St. Aegolius Academy. An encampment of brainwashing to form a mindless work force for the forces of evil....

Once there he has to rely on his wit and bravery to escape.

So begins the quest for Soren. He sets off with a rag-tag bunch of orphans to find the legendary heros, The Guardians of Ga'Hoole to save all owl kingdoms.

Not many kids could come to our Movie night- for book club.

But we had a blast- with the ones who could make it.

Going to the movies with friends is a HUGE motivation for my sons to read. I was talking to a friend of mine- who was discouraged that her son wasn't finishing the book- but was enjoying the reward of going to the movies.

We tried to think of a solution.

She was tempted to NOT let her son go to the book club movie night.

But I suggested-

what if you pay for the movie if he finishes the book.

If he doesn't read the book- he can still go to the movie- but he has to pay for it himself.

That was just enough motivation for him to finish the book.

After the movie- we popped over to the Taco Bell and had our discussion. So easy peasy! The kids naturally start talking about what they liked better

the movie

or the book.

They also talk about parts that were left out

parts that were added

I personally enjoyed the books better- I felt like I was learning alot about owls. (lol) Did you know about owl gizzards? That owls yarp pellets from their gizzards that package their last meals bones, fur, etc.

Did you know that?

The kids enjoyed to movie more.

My son specifically liked they took all that OWL information out of the movie- and just kept the storyline.

Up Coming Movies 2010

One of my sons- is very motivated to read by the reward of watching the movie in the theater with his friends.

His book club is a Movie/Book Club.
These are by far the easiest book clubs to organize and host!
If you have been wanting to start a book club for your child... but a little nervous to start.. .this fall is the perfect time!

First in the line up!


Sept. 24th Legend of the Guardians
Nov 19th Harry Potter Deathly Hallows
Dec. 10th Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Dec. 22nd Gulliver's Travels

How easy peasy is that!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This is a great series of books- that my boys have really enjoyed.
If your son saw the movie- he'll love the extended story details in the books.

My fourth grader read this and continued with the other books in the series. We went to the movie for our book club activity.

Movies are a great way to help reluctant readers connect to books.
If you think about it- most of us struggle to read a book if it doesn't "hook" us in the first chapter or so. Kids are no different- in fact, they tend to be worse! If a book doesn't capture their attention by the first few pages the book is abandoned.

Now think about a child that actually struggles to read.
Struggles to read fluidly enough to stream a sentence together.
Sometimes important plot information, settings , information and even details about the characters get lost.

By using the movie- even just a few minutes- will help "hook" kids to the characters, they understand where the plot is going, they can see the setting and surroundings. Having all this key information firmly in place, reluctant readers can now plug through the book and find out... "what happens next??"

Pirate School

This is an easy reader- but full of action and adventure!

Pirate Pete goes to school on a ship. A Pirate ship! He is learning how to be a good Pirate. Lessons like "don't cry over spilled milk and finder's keepers loser's weepers".
But when on a treasure hunt- he has to choose to act like a pirate or work as a team?

This is a great book.
We played a game while we quizzed the boys on the story.

I don't know what you would call this game-- Cap full of water?

How you play is you have a small cap of water.
Then you ask a question.
If you answer right- you get to toss water on the person who asked the question.
if you answer wrong- you get water tossed in your face.


It is pretty harmless and very silly.

Next we went on a Treasure Hunt!

Boys read simple clues and searched for the hidden booty.

Then when they found the treasure- they had to divide it evenly.

Cam Jansen and the Pizza Shop Mystery

Cam Jansen has a photographic memory and in this story it helps solve the mystery of what happens to her jacket in the pizza shop.

We had a really fun book club. I made "paper pizza's" and we used candy for our "pepperoni" for our game.

I placed random items on a tray and we practiced our memory skills.

One boy removed 4 items off the tray- then the other boys had to guess which items were missing. If they were able to say one item-- they added a "pepperoni" on their paper pizza.

We played several times- allowing all the boys to have multiple turns to take things off the tray.

Then we made homemade pizza.

Boys went outside while the pizza cooked... they played basketball and blew off some energy.

Honestly- it wasn't my favorite book.

Kinda weak plot-- but at this beginning reading phase, it is hard to find great books for them to read. The boys didn't make a fuss and...

It was a really fun book club.

Me and My Robot

Me and My Robot is so adorable! It is a great easy reader and very fun to read aloud!

(Using a robot voice- for the robot responses is a crowd pleaser.)

Summary: Reese has a robot. While they have lots of fun together, sometimes Reese has to teach Robot new things. Like when a friends kitten goes missing, Robot leads the friends to every other small and furry animal- except a kitten!

I have not read Me and My Robot #2- but I have ordered it so I can read it to our book club the DAY of our activity. We love book one so much- I can't wait to read book 2.

I stumbled upon this adorable activity to do with our kids at Family Fun Magazine.

(CLICK HERE to be directed to their site~.)

Magnets hold their features in place. This is a metallic equivalent of a Mr. Potato Head.

I plan on preparing the cans and gluing magnets on items (bolts and nuts, etc.) BEFORE book club, since you have to use a hot glue gun.

But I will also invite them to bring items from their junk drawers. That way while they play- I can glue more magnets onto their items also. (Hot glue dries quickly so they can incorporate their pieces too in their robot.)

I think this is a great project! And I love that all the extras can be stored IN the can when not in use!

AFTER they make a robot and get there's looking "just right" we'll go around the table and talk about the book.

What was the name of Reese's' robot?

What are you going to name your robot?

What kinds of things does Reese have to teach his robot?

What kinds of things will you teach your robot?

etc...

Animal Hide and Seek by Penny Smith

This is a great non-fiction book about how animals hide to protect themselves. This is a level 1 easy reader with a few challenging words.

Our Energy Game:
Play hide and seek until all book club members arrive.

Our Book Review:
We sat in a circle and I turned pages and asked questions about the book. I had a small cap full of water and if the child answered right- they splashed the water in my face. If they answered wrong- they were splashed in the face. (it's just a silly game)

Types of questions below:
Why do some animals hide?
What is it called when an animal looks like it's surroundings? (camouflage)
What does the fawn look like? (pg 7)
Who do the gray fur chinchillas hide from? (pg 14)
What do the dots on the butterfly wings look like? (pg 17)
What do the crabs add to their bodies? (pg 21)
What can a chameleon do? (change colors pg 22)
What are these seeds really? (pg 25)
Can you find the hidden animals on page (30-31)


Treat: Before the kids come, hide a treat and then make clues (scavenger hunt) that the kids can run around, read clues and find their treat. (I had transformed M&M filled candy canes into reindeer- with construction paper antlers.... )

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Short Summary: This is the first in a series of books about a boy who realizes he is a "half blood". (Meaning= one of his parents is a Greek god.)He thought he was just a troubled kid with ADHD and dyslexia. That those labels explained why he was such a poor student and had the worst luck of switching schools every year up to 6th grade. Now that he knows his biological father was none other than Poseidon, and his "learning disabilities" really are because he's wired to read Greek. His ADHD/ high energy is a must for survival in battle. And his bad luck? Well that is typical for heroes too. I mean, if monsters were stalking you since birth you might have a few mishaps yourself!

I recommend this book for Confident Readers for the sole reason that there are some pretty challenging words from Greek Mythology. (This would be a great story to read aloud- at bedtime and read together for independent readers.)

My sons and I ended up buying a picture book about Greek Mythology so we could look at the traditional stories about these gods and monsters and see what they look like. (Who are Titans? The Fates? What is a Centaur? etc.) I was actually really happy this contemporary story motivated my 12 and 10 year old to learn about the actual mythology of long ago.

With all great Movie/Book Clubs- I love to introduce the book with a clip.
Watch the Movie Trailer {HERE}

It's a nice sneak peek and helps the kids get a general feel of what to expect from the book.
I am planning on hosting my book club at the book store in the Mall: Borders has graciously offered to let us use their store.

We'll have our book club discussion there, do a quick craft and then GO SEE THE MOVIE!

Craft: We are going to paint a "camp bead" and paint a trident on it to make a camp necklace, like all the Half-bloods at camp. (Hopefully boys will want to continue with the series and their camp necklaces will gain beads with each future book they read!)

I am still gathering my supplies but I am thinking those thin leather strips as the necklace part and a simple wood bead with craft paint.

For our book club- I made these TRI FOLD book marks. (Be sure to download both A and B. A is the outside of the trifold and B is the inside.) and Click HERE for second side.





Included are questions for them to answer, predict and pictures of the different gods and a few monsters to help them keep names and characters straight.

Discussion Questions:
1. When Percy talks about his mom in Chapter 3 he says that sometimes "the best people have rotten luck". Do you think that is true? Is it true in the story?

2. What is Summer and Winter Solstice? When is it?

3. When Percy is confronted by Clarissa in the bathroom, he feels he has to "earn his own reputation". What do you think he meant by that? Have you ever had to earn YOUR own reputation?

4. In Chapter 9 Percy finally has a cabin and knows who his father is- why is he so miserable?

5. Why do you think Percy has so many dreams? What did they mean?

6. While in Vegas Percy and friends find the Lotus Hotel. Would you want to stay there? Why or why not?

7. Did you predict who was going to betray Percy in the end? Make some predictions for the next book!


I just ordered our Book Club T-Shirts! Our boys are getting so excited to see the movie in the THEATER! You can order shirts for your club HERE!
Happy Reading!


HERE is a link- to another book club and their ideas for this book!

Slob by Ellen Potter

What a great book!

If you would like to read an interview with Ellen Potter- click here.

Summary:

Owen might be the fattest kid in school but he’s a genius. While some kids might be tempted to run away from their fears- Owen decides to face them head on. Be that fear the school psycho who is stealing his cookies from his lunch or the next period PE class. He’s learned from the past that some fears you can never run from. Owen has a great sense of humor and my boys quickly related to his story.

Basic Outline:

Obstacle Course
Build a Catapult

Book Talk

Snacks: Oreos- but good luck rationing them to 3/boy!

Prepare: Gather items for your catapults.

I found a few videos. Here's a complex "spoon" catapult- HERE
For a simple one- Here's a different kind of catapult- HERE

(For boy scouts this would fulfill a Webelo Engineer Requirement pg 224-225)

Gather marshmallows and plastic cups or bowls for the catapult game.
Oreos
Set up an obstacle course in your yard.

Gathering Game: Obstacle Course.

Dress up as Mr. Wooly (or any other stereotypical gym teacher with whistle) and set up an obstacle course in your yard. The more absurd the better. Make sure boys have to use a variety of movements- climb over, crawl under , weave in and out, balance, etc…

(pg 80) Of course start off with a little stretching exercise - one where they hop on different feet blowing the whistle. Let each boy take a turn calling out the stretches.

(If your son is in Boy Scouts there are different exercises and drills to do with a buddy that would be fun. Boys could work on their Tenderfoot fitness pg 96, Webelos on their Athlete Requirements pg 124)

Incentive Game: Catapult Fun
Demonstrate how to make a catapult and let each boy make one. (Relates to the story: Owen likes to invent and make contraptions. Here is a "simple machine" called a Catapult. This is actually a requirement for Webelo scouts- so if you have any scouters in your book club- you are full filling one of their requirements!)

Ask the questions below in the book talk and for each right answer they earn a marshmallow. (to be used in a future game.) After you finish the book talk- and the boys have their marshmallows place plastic cups/ bowls in front of their catapults and give them opportunities to make it in the cup/bowl. For each marshmallow that goes in- that boy earns an Oreo.

Enjoy milk and cookies and marshmallows while boys continue to visit.
(Or if you know how to make Momo’s-- that would be a tasty treat!)

Book Talk-
1. Is Andre a friend or foe? (not really a right or wrong answer- they just have to tell why they think he is or isn’t.
2. What are some ways Owen tried to protect his lunch cookies? ( jaws of death and facial hair crème.)
3. Who wrote the note: SLOB?
4. Why did Owen keep it in the beginning?
5. Why did he let it go in the end?

6. How did Andre think Owen could get out of PE? ( The fat exemption, using a lawyer to sue Mr. Wooly for his leash treatment.)
7. In the story did you ever suspect Mom wasn’t his “biological” mother?
When did you first know? (pg 31 she said she had seen pictures of when Owen was skinny)
8. What did Owens parents do for a living?
9. What does his Mom do now?

10. How did Mason know there was a scheduled fire drill during PE class?
11. Is Mason a friend or foe?
12. What does this say about first impressions? What is a “First Impression”?
13. Who can explain Owen’s invention: Nemesis?
14. Ultimately, how did Owen gain respect from his classmates?
15. Why was Jeremy allowed to join the GWAB group-- without cutting her hair?
16. Why does Owen give Jeremy’s friend Arthur his old clothes?
17. Who is Nima?

18. What is a Momo? Would you ever eat one?
19. What is Karma?
20. What was really in Mason’s sock?
21. Name some of Owen’s other inventions. (The momo Ferris wheel, the poop catcher, etc.)
22. What does SLOB stand for?

For Scouts you could also extend the discussion to talk about healthy foods, snacks and what foods are good for you. Boys could complete their Webelo Fitness requirements pg246. While Boys scouts fulfill theirs on page pg 95.

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

This is a perfect Book/Movie book club selection!
WHY?



Well this is actually the first book of a set of four. The movie only covers book one: The City of Ember. I love using movies to help readers connect to characters and settings. Once they get hooked to Doon and Lina I know my reluctant readers will be more likely to read the following three stories to continue the adventure.


Summary:


The city of Ember is a civilization encased by darkness. NO sun, moon or stars. Only the city generator provides lights and life to this people and now it is breaking down. The city was built and stocked with provisions by "The Builders" hundreds of years before and now all the knowledge that built this city has been lost. Food shortages and the failing generator threaten their future - but what can be done? No one knows of a world outside of Ember. Will The Builders come back and save them or did they leave a way out? You'll have to read to find out!


Basic Outline:
Preview the book: Before you pass out the book, watch 15 minutes of the movie.
Book Talk
Movie type Snacks

Prepare: Rent or Buy the video City of Ember

Buy movie type goodies kids can earn as they answer questions about the book- to snack on while watching the movie. (popcorn, M&M’s, etc..)

*An alternative to watching the movie- would be to make some simple machines. The Cub Scout books have sample projects like a catapult, lever, pulleys, etc.. This would fulfill Engineer Reuirements for Webelos page 212.

Gathering Game:
Have two simple puzzles and let the boys race to put them each together. Talk about the directions/puzzle Lina and Doon had to put together.

Incentive Game:
Ask the following questions and give “movie bucks” for each right answer. Let kids earn different goodies to snack on.

Book Talk-
1. What is Assignment Day? What is the significance of it? Would you like it if our society delegated work this way? What are the pro’s and con’s to this kind of system?

2. What can be done if you don’t like your job? (trade- like Doon and Lina, or after three years you could be re-assigned.)

3. Why or how did Doon and Lina grow apart as friends growing up? (the dare to climb a light pole- she laughed when he fell. Pg20)

4. What are some rules to being a messenger? (pg 27)

5. Describe the city of Ember (dark, no phones, limited paper, no grass, only plants are at the green house… ) How is it different than our city? How is it the same?

6. What do you think about the advice Doon’s father gave him about (pg 51) “You get what you get, it’s what you do with what you get that counts”. How does Doon use this advice? Can you apply this to yourself?

7. Why does Granny have the secret box?

8. What idea or message is the author trying to make when Doon is caring for the ‘worm’ or Lina the seed? (that there is a power of creation - something outside of generators and canned foods, something real- not man made or created… is just one idea.)

9. Who finds Poppy in the black out?

10. What is the trouble with anger? Why does Doon’s father warn him about losing his temper? (pg 89)

11. What do the “Believers” actually believe? (pg 99 that The Builders will come back and save them.)

12. Why do they not give tours to the storehouses where all the food is kept?

13. What does Lizzie like about her job? ( p105 she is able to taste rare foods.)

14. Describe Ember’s Library- is it helpful or useful to Doon?

15. Why does Mrs. Murdo take Lina and Poppy in? (pg 142) Is she related, is it her job? What do you think about her generosity?

16. Discuss the moral issue about eating the rare canned foods. Is it right or wrong for Lizzie to have extra? Is it fair, right, or moral?

17. Discuss the MANY differences between the book and movie.

The escape from Ember is completely different
The Mole attack

Are to just mention a few…..

Which did your boys like better? The book or movie? And why?


This is our selection for the month of May 2009- so these are my ideas of what we will do.
I am so excited that one of our more resistant readers is loving this book! 5 days after assigning the book - he is already half way through the book!

Story Time about MOM

The Above books are some of my personal favorites about the relationship between a mother and child. (There are plenty of others too- that you can add and use to your story time.)

"My Monster Mama Loves Me So...let me tell you how I know." Such a sweet story about all the ways his monster mama shows her love by baking cookies filled with bugs, taking him to the swamp to swim, etc..." A very silly book filled with love.

What Moms Can't Do... is also clever in pointing out things we moms aren't very good at. Mom's can't wait to wake their kids up in the morning, we can't hear ourselves think, and we can't let go of a hug without a kiss or two, or nine. A very clever and funny book about things mothers aren't very good at. Sure to get some giggles.

The last two books are classics I have loved from my childhood. Are You My Mother? and Just For You.


To begin your Story Time
Start with a game of Simon Says or Mother May I?
- Playing a game will help get the wiggles out and help them with their listening skills.

Then read your selection of books. (More below)
After reading Just For You brainstorm with the children things they can do for their mom- to show her they love her.

Activity: Finger Paint- while kids finger paint pictures, take a child aside one at a time and get a good hand print on a single sheet of paper. There are lots of cute poems about childhood you can print with the hand print or simply use the hand print itself as a gift the child can give to his mother.


Here is the poem I chose but there are more at the site: Can Teach.

Fingerprints
Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small,
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I am growing,
-I'll be grown up someday,
And all these tiny hand prints
Will simply fade away.
So here's a final hand print
Just so you can recall,
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.
I love you!

( I printed this poem out FIRST and then made the hand prints with my little guys.)

NO Talking by Andrew Clements

Summary:
Starred Review. Grade 3–6—Dave Packer's fifth-grade classmates are so boisterous and difficult to quiet down that the teachers have dubbed them "The Unshushables." Dave has just read about Mahatma Gandhi and learned that the man practiced silence one day a week to bring order to his mind. Though Dave likes to talk nonstop, he's determined to give the idea a try. An encounter with Lynsey, another chatterbox, sparks the boys and girls into challenging each other to a no-talking contest for 48 hours. They can answer direct questions from adults with three-word sentences but must otherwise remain silent. The teachers are bewildered at the extreme change in the kids until several of them figure out what's going on. Principal Hiatt demands that the quiet students return to their normal behavior. When the children continue with their silent ways, Dave finds himself at the center of the controversy. This is an interesting and thought-provoking book, similar to Clements's Frindle (S & S, 1996). The plot quickly draws readers in and keeps them turning pages. The author includes the viewpoints of both the students and the teachers, and the black-and-white pencil drawings add immediacy to the story. This lively offering would make a great book-group selection or classroom discussion starter.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Basic Outline:
Opening Game: Charades
Book Talk w/ snacks

Prepare: Print and cut out the actions that they boys will try to act out.
(Action words like: Fishing, cooking, camping, riding a bike, skating, skiing, playing baseball. Movies: Superman, Spiderman, Hannah Montana- just for fun, The Incredible, Finding Nemo, Peter Pan, etc…)


Opening Game: Play Charades
Let the boys one at a time take turns drawing a slip of paper and acting out the word. Remember, NO Talking…

For home schooling families: this book introduces briefly Gandhi and the way India gained her independence. This book would be a great lead into a study about these topics.
　
Book Talk
1. Why did Dave want to try and not talk for a day? (p8)

2. How did his “experiment” of not talking- turn into a competition? (pg 23)

3. Which classes were hard to keep the rule of 3-words only? Which ones were easier?

4. Why did the teachers permit or let the kids continue- even when the principal told them to stop?

5. Why was the principal concerned in the first place? Was she right to try and make them talk? What do you think your principal would do? Or Your teachers?

6. What is the reward of the “head-to-head” competition between Dave and Lynsey? (pg 78)
7. Who won?

8. Why did Dave say the kids had a right to remain silent? (p130)

9. Why does Dave forgive the Principal? Do adults make mistakes?

10. Why did Dave offer the Principal join them?

11. Why did Gandhi have a day of silence? Was he playing a game? Is there any value to listening more?

The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

Charlie West, a typical teenager enjoying his senior year. He likes to instant message, while working on homework and watching re-runs of Star Trek all at the same time. He's a black belt in Karate but gets tongue tied when around girls. An over-all "good kid". He studies hard, trains hard, and always tries to do the right thing. So how in the world does he end up strapped in a chair, tortured with someone outside the door ordering his death? Charlie panics as he asks himself, "WHAT IS THE LAST THING I REMEMBER?".....



Great- FAST moving- Page Turner! {Click HERE} to start reading!

This is the first in a series and is great for boys who enjoyed the Alex Ryder Series. (Older teens who aren't ready for adult suspense/thrillers yet.) So so good!

Everest Series by Gordon Korman

Everest Series by Gordon Korman
Soo-oo Good!
Reading Level: 4th grade
Would be great for older boys with lower reading skills too.
Trilogy and each is less then 150 pages!

Mount Everest: The highest mountain in the world. The ultimate climb. For four lucky mountaineers it will be their chance to be the youngest person to ever reach the summit.
The mountain has claimed the lives of many adults, so the American Junior Alpine Association hosts a competition of intensive training to weed out the real talent from the wanna-be's. This climbing contest began as a competition. Some are not ready for what they face, while others will stop at nothing to reach the top. Once on the mountain things turn life or death where no one is guaranteed to survive!

This series was so good!

And plausible! Info from Wikipedia says,
"The highest mountain in the world attracts climbers of all levels, from well experienced mountaineers to novice climbers willing to pay substantial sums to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb."




In book 3: The Summit there is alot of talk about the Ice Falls.
Here is an actual picture.








CLICK HERE- to read an article of a real 13 year old, reaching the summit of Everest!


How to extend the story:


Take boys to a rock wall to try their hand at climbing. I would recommend this and give your boys some experience with grips and ropes. Introduce some vocabulary of common climbing equipment. (Belaying, crevasses, and crampons).



Go for a hike, climb the biggest "mountain" hill in your area- name it something really gnarly! When I was on my High School Cross Country team we had a regular run with a huge hill- we nicknamed Old Nasty. It really did add to our sense of accomplishment- knowing if we could run up Old Nasty we would be able to handle any hill at the State tournament!


If you have scouters this series would be great for the Boy Scouts Mountaineering Merit Badge and Hiking Requirements pg 263, Webelos Outdoorsman Hiking requirements pg 362, or page 107 for Bears- go on a Hike with your family.







Great Field trips or family trips: This series introduces some popular climbs/mountains like El Capitan in Yosemite

If you ever go on a "field trip" here.. could you invite me! ;o) Just thought the boys might like to see pictures of these mountains mentioned in the story.

The Matterhorn

and Annapurna

Now I'm Reading Series- by Nora Gaydos

I found these books at Borders and reasonably priced. I just posted the pictures so you could see what these books look like. I have the Pre-Reader set called Look Around! and Level 1 series called Playful Pals

Each set has 10 small, simple books. Each page has a short phrase with a strong picture to "help" small children to "read" these books. ( The flower is red, the sun is yellow, etc...)

These are great books to encourage, build self-esteem and confidence in even the youngest readers.

Capital Mysteries Series

Reading Level: 2.5
Each book is less than 100 pages- GREAT for Reluctant Readers!

What a GREAT SET OF BOOKS!
I stumbled upon these books at the Library and instantly fell in love!
(It might have a HUGE soft spot for Washington D.C.. I grew up a mere 25 min metro ride from our Nations Capital so I relate to romping around the monuments and museums in these stories!)

Meet the Author: Ron Roy has his own site! Ronroy.com

Each book would make a great field trip of its own.
Book 2: Kidnapped at the Capital would make a great field trip to the Air and Space Museum
Book 3: The Skeleton in the Smithsonian is suspenseful and sure to peek interest in visiting the Smithsonian Castle on the Mall
Other books include plots at the Lincoln Memorial, The National Treasury, The FBI building, Washington Monument and National Zoo.