Blog Response #13

This blog is in two parts.  Please be sure to answer both questions to receive full credit.

1.  After you have finished your book, share any lessons or themes that the book has left you with.  When you look back on this book 5 or 10 years from know, what will you remember about it?  Where does this book rank in your list of all time favorites?

2.  In reflection of the class blog, what are you opinions or thoughts about using this tool in class.  Did you find it a waste of time?  Did you enjoy reading what other people thought about their books?  Please share your opinions about the blog, and I expect honest responses.

***When responding to another's blog, feel free to comment on either question 1 or question 2.

Blog Response #12

Each novel has a setting or multiple settings.  How does your author create images of the setting?  If you had to describe the time/place of when your novel takes place, how would you do this?  Does the author use the setting to help develop the plot in your book?  What particular images does the author create that are memorable?  Is there a particular scene you can visualize, and why is this image so vivid?

**In response to the blogs, try to make connections with your novel's setting.  How is your setting similar to that of other books?

Blog Response #11

Take a moment to describe the main character of your book.  Introduce him/her to the blog.  How do you envision him/her?  What physical characteristics does he/she possess?  What does he/she use for motivation in your book?  How does he/she interact with those around him/her?  What does your main character add to the story?  If this person truly existed in your world, would you hang out with him/her?  Would you like him/her?

Blog Response #10

Take a moment to introduce your new book.  What book did you choose?  Why did you choose it?  What process did you go through to find your book?  Was there a specific reason why you chose this book?  Share with the blog you initial thoughts about your new book.  How does it start?  Are you hooked?  When responding to other blogs, if you have read the book, share your thoughts about it without giving away too much.  You could also respond on the way in which the person chose the book, or if this is a book that you would like to read.

Blog Response #9

Upon completion of reading your novel, what have you learned about a different culture?  What shocked you?  What seemed strange to you?  What couldn't you believe?  Take time to give specific examples from your novel that share what you learned about history and a different culture.  Share your feelings about what you read.

Blog Response #8

Imagery is key to capturing the reader's imagination and taking him/her on the adventure within the book.  All 4 authors use several different techniques to paint a picture in your mind of the scenes within the plot of the book.  Share two or three images that have been captured in your mind through the author's word choice.  Why are these images so vivid, and how did the author manage to accomplish this task?  Be sure to include specific details of what you envisioned through the author's words.

Blog Response #7

Each of the stories you are reading deals with heavy topics and extreme hardships.  Take a minute to explain what the main character is going through in your book at this time.  Use specific details to support why these events are traumatizing to the story.  Why do you believe that the author of your book has chosen to focus on these atrocities??  What is his/her purpose for sharing this story with the world in a book?  Make a connection with the events in your book in order to try and come to a better understanding of what the characters are going through.   Is there something that has happened in our world either today or in the past that compares to these tragedies?  Explain.

Blog Response #6

In all five novels, the main character or characters face adversity in one way or another.  Describe how you view the character's challenges in your book, and talk about how your character handles the hardships and struggles.  If you were in your main character/characters situation, how would you handle yourself?  What would you do?

Blog Response #5

With the introduction of the new novel, share in your blog what attracted you to this novel.  After reading the first few pages, what are your initial thoughts about the book?  Slow start?  Jumps right in?  Share your first impressions.

Blog Response #4

Both the ending of Chinese Handcuffs and Stotan! leave the reader with some unanswered questions. Chris Crutcher assumes the reader knows the ending, but he doesn't come out and say it.  You take control and write the overview of one more chapter to these books.  If there was one last chapter, what would it be about.  How would you tie up loose ends, if you were the author?

Blog Response #3

Both Stotan and Chinese Handcuffs involve intense topics that add to the plot.  Talk about the point in which you became hooked into the book you are reading.  What did Chris Crutcher do to hook you?  Describe in detail any moment or moments that you didn't want to put the book down?  What will you always remember about this book?

Blog Response #2

Choose a character from your book.  How do you envision this character?  Use your words to describe how this character looks, acts, and behaves.  Also, discuss the impact this character has had on the story up to this point.  (Remember to give specific details and a complete blog entry, and don't forget to comment on two other blog entries!  Happy Blogging!)

Blog Response #1

Now that you have chosen your book and have started to read it, please share the reasons why you chose either Stotan! or Chinese Handcuffs.  Please give specific reasons as to why your chose the book you did.  Also, please include your initial thoughts on the book, as you have started to read it.  Are you finding the book enjoyable?  Is the reading interesting?  Are you making connections?

**A Reminder.  Please remember to include your name within your blog, so I can give you a grade. Please respond not only to this blog topic, but also please write a comment or a response to two of your classmates' responses.  Only respond to those students who are reading the same book as you are.  Happy Blogging!!

Welcome to the English 4B Blog

Welcome to the English 4B Blog.  On every Friday you will find a new blog question in which you will need to respond to.  Along with your response, you must also offer feedback/comments on two other blogs from your classmates.  Your response does not necessarily have to be to a classmate from your class.  I have opened this blog to both 4th hour and 6th hour this trimester.  All blog responses are due by Monday at the end of the class.  Please make your responses relative to the question provided, and I remind you that your response will be graded.  Have fun!