Stuck in Neutral Riley Teare

The book I read was Stuck In Neutral. It is about a boy who has a condition. He can't walk, talk, or even control himself. He thinks his dad is, going to kill him but he can't tell anyone or show any signs of it. He just has to wait.
I can relate to this book in some ways like his dad because sometimes I think stuff like I think of what people want and asume they want it even though they don't. The dad does this to because he asumes that Shawn wants to die but when really shawn wants to live even though theres no way to find out.He should'nt go saying that till he has some sort of proof.
I also thought shawn was normal guy buy he couldnt show it. I liked this book but if I was to rate it I would give it a 8
When I read this book I wondered what Shawns dad was going to do to Shawn. Would he kill Shawn or no. Another thing i wondered was why shawns brother was so protective because he always protected shawn.
Do you think shawn died at the end? How old was shawn? 

Night Hoops Josh Miller

Night Hoops by Carl Deuker

Nick Abbot was a kid that had a difficult life. Nicks, parents got divorced and it made things a lot harder for him. He got bullied by the same two kids, Trent and Zack. He got sick and tired of it, but the only thing he can do is play basketball. He plays basketball, so he can get things off his mind and take his anger out. Playing basketball all the time got him better and stronger. Now he's on the basketball team.

When I was reading this book, It made me think of my self. My mom and dad were divorced and I got bullied when I was younger. I did similar things Nick did, when I was angry and needed to take all my anger out. I went out and played sports. But all in the end, I felt like Nick, much happier and calmer than I did before. To me when you do things that you like, it makes you a different person, in a good way and you forget the bad things and that makes me connect how Nick felt.

I think this book is a really good book for kids in middle school and high school. This book can make you have a really good connection with Nick and what happen in his life. This book is a non fiction book, mabey people like real stories than fake. This story is based on a real story, wich means this could have all happened.

Readers:
How do you think nick can face his problems other than sports?
Have your parents ever been divorced? How did you handle the problem?

Night Hoops Alex

  In the story Night Hoops Nicks going threw problem with his parents cause there fighting a lot then they get divorced.Nick likes basketball so he's going to join the basketball team. Nick then becomes friends with the kid he hates the most they become friends Trent goes over to Nicks house everyday and they play basketball together. But then Trent's brother shoots this kid Micheal and then it causes a lot of problems.

 When I read this book, it reminded me of me but in only some parts in the story. There was some things in the story were I was like I do that sometimes. But Nick is also having problems with his parents because they fight a lot and then they get divorced.

 My opinion of the book was that it was a good book. Even if you don't like basketball it's a good book but if you like basketball then this is the right book for you. The two main characters are nick and Trent nicks a good kid and trent is the bad kid he gets in trouble a lot. But the end of the story's good because they stay friends after basketball season.

Have you ever been on a basketball team?
Have you ever became friends with the kid you hate?

Stuck in Neutral by Natalie

Shawn McDaniel is a very smart boy in his mind, but he has CP. His father might be planning to kill him because he thinks he's the problem to the family with the disease, that he's the reason that his dad moved away. What do you think would happen next?

 While reading this novel, I was sort of connected to Shawn. I've never been in a wheelchair for so long or have seizures. But I am the youngest with girl and boy siblings like Shawn. The're very protective over Shawn like my brother and sisters. I felt like Shawn how he felt the problem to the family. Shawn's family stopped doing fun things when they found out Shawn had CP because they had to take care of him. Also my family stop doing fun things with me when they found out I needed surgery because they had to be carefull where they go so they just didn't go to not take any chances. Both Shawn and I felt like if it wasn't for this problem we had with our bodies we would have done more fun things.

I thought this book is good for middle school and high school students. Even though it might be easy for others to read, it's good to learn about children with disabilities like Shawn. I thought, "What if they do understand what we're saying to them?" The author did a great job putting this book in Shawn's point of view. He had great details about places he was and what was going on. I'm curious to see how Shawn spends the rest of his life, or what happens with his dad.

Readers:
What if your dad was trying to kill you?
Have you ever thought you were a problem to the family?

Stuck In Neutral By Gianna

 Stuck in Neutral is about a boy named Shawn that has a disease called CP. Shawn can't talk or move his body. His family is going though a rough time dealing with this disease. Shawn's mother talks to him like he is a baby and Shawn hates it. He can understand everything but most people think he can't. Also Shawn thinks his father is going to kill him. Every little thing his father does Shawn things thats a sign of him getting ready to kill him.

While I was reading this novel, I really connected with Shawn in this situation. During the book Shawn was having troubles with his family and with his disease. How I connect is whenever I get sick my mom thinks I'm going to like die because she thinks I'm really sick that I need to go to the hospital. My mom always over does it. One thing that I cannot connect with is when Shawn thinks his father is going to kill him. I would never think about my father killing me because of a disease I had, I think he would be in the situation with me.

I thought this book was good for middle school students to read because it involved a boy that was my age and I can understand where he is coming from. In this book Stuck in Neutral I thought it was interesting because it gave good clues and great details like describing the situation or part in the story. In the story my favorite part was when at the end the dad and Shawn had a talk and they actually got to understand eachother. The author did a great job writing the book I really didn't have any troubles with it and could understand it.

Readers:
How do you think Shawn dealt with the disease? How would you feel about this situation?
How would you get your mind off something that was bothering you?

One Handed Catch by Matt

Norman had an accident and lost his hand. He must learn to do every day things. This is challenging for him. He can't even cut his food or tie his shoes. Will he ever learn how to do this? That doesn't mean anything to him. His dreams of becoming a baseball player are ruined but he doesn't give up. Will he ever teach himself to play baseball?    Could he even have a chance to get into a summer baseball league? Without support from his dad and friends how will he ever teach himself? With people who keep discouraging him when he tries, will he ever be able to live life normally again?

I had some connections to this book. I never was around in the  forties so I don't know what it was like. I have two hands and he has one. I thought he must have had a hard time. I never had an experience like that. I had some things in common with Norman. I had to do chores around the house like Norman. Sometimes I don't want to do them but I do them anyways. I have also been disappointed in things like Norman when he thought they would make new cars but they didn't.

I thought the book was good. It had an interesting ending and was different than any thing I read before. The author did a good job writing this book. The characters and problems were realistic. Norman had lost his hand and responded to it the way a normal person would try to deal with it. The way people acted towards him was realistic. Some people were nervous. He would try to do a simple task and hurt himself. Others tried to be really nice to him. Some pushed him so he would force himself to learn to live with one hand. The book was easy to follow. Sometimes it went from the first day to a week later and explain what happened during that time.

Readers:
Do you think Norman will want to have a hook?
Do you know anyone who had to deal with a losing a limb?

The Young Landlords by Joe

The Young Landlords by Walter Dean Myers

 In The Young Landlords friends in the ghetto get a apartment to take as their own. Paul the main character finds out that his friend Chris has been stealing stereos. Now Paul, Gloria, Bubba, and more are trying to prove him innocent.

 While they have an apartment they have to deal with their problems,such as crazy people in there that no one could deal with. This story could happen except for owning a apartment at a young age. But I can relate to the problems they face because sometimes I have to bail my friends out of trouble. This reminds me of other people that do bad things that I rarely see around here.

 This book was pretty interesting. I honestly couldn't stop reading it during the class period. I just wanted it done with until I came to a terrible ending. It wasn't the ending I was looking for it just ended at a point where they could have done better. It give this book mostly a 5/10 it wasn't that great of a book. This book is half way to being awful I kind of wish I read Stuck In Neutral. But all in all this book wasn't very bad. It is just something I would never read again. The book is just not what I was expecting I was thinking it would be a little more law breaking group of kids other than Chris. They were not very law breaking kinds of people but they did run into trouble a couple of times. But they needed more exictment in the story.It just was everything i was expacting I knew it would happen so there was no twist. I wouldn't suggest reading it because it wasn't good like I said before. But that is just my opinion on this book other wise the author did a great job.

Readers:
What races do you think that the young landlords are?
Have you ever done something you might later regret?

The Young Landlords By Xiomara

The Young Landlords is written by Walter Dean Myers. Paul Williams is the main character in the story  as well as the Action Group. The Action Group; Gloria, Bubba, Dean, Paul, Omar. The setting of the book is in New York, Central Park, In a old and lonely apartment. Still, when Paul Williams and the Action Group got the Arms for one dollar, they thought they had it made. But things get out of hand, It wasn't as easy as they thought it would be.

While reading this novel, it was easy to connect to Paul and the Action Group because they had to look over something that was too much for them. The building is something  that not some high school kids should be taking care of. When I was younger I had to take care of a little girl, and I don't know what do. But I thought I would do it, like that I would know what is doing, that I would get through it by myself even though I knew that I was not suppose to be taking care of a little kid when I was a kid as well.

I thought this book was okay in a way. It's not really the type of books I read. But besides that it was a very interesting book. Sometimes I wouldn't understand what was happening, because the author would switch the seasons in one part so I would get confused. I didn't like the way the characters would smetimes talk about each other, or they wouldn't work together in fixing the building. I really didn't understand what the theme of the book was nor the point in this book was. Personally I wouldn't recommend this book to my friends. I think if I was in the place and they had sold me a building for a dollor I think I wouldn't take the chance of taking it. I would sell it to someone that can have it.

Readers:
How do you think they all felt after everything happen?
What would you have done if you had a big reponsublity?

The Young Landlords by Luke

In the book The Young Landlords there were a lot of good and bad things happening to the action group. The action group was a group of people that did things together. It was like a group of friends. In the story Paul, the main character, pays for an apartment for $1.00! Now they have to try to keep the apartment open and from going under.

In this book I connected to Paul and all his friends a lot. I have never lived or been in the hood or a slum, but my life is like theirs in many ways. When I was ten I had to take care of my house for 2 days. I had to clean and do a lot of things. Like Paul, I got my friends to help me do it. Unlike Paul, I didn't have to be scared of people that might shoot at me.

I thought this book is better for an older person, like people in high school. This is because I can't really understand what it would be like in a slum. I could understand the character's life easily because I have had a problem that I couldn't do alone so I needed my friends and if they quit I don't quit on them.If I was going to rate this book I would rate it a 6/10. This is because it would get boring at times but it was good in small parts of the book. The message in the book was don't give up and stay by your friends. He didn't give up on the apartment.
Readers:
What would you do if you owned a apartment and you have nothing to do with it?
Do you know what it is like to live in the slums of New York City?

Night Hoops by Juan

Nick Abbott has a dream of becoming a basketball player. While he has to deal with bullies, school, and family problems, he still goes forward. He gets bullied by Trent Dawson, and Nick tries to get along with him by playing basketball. Will Nick and Trent play basketball as a team?

While I was reading this novel I thought that it would relate to a lot  of kids because it's as if it was real. I can relate to Nick by not giving up on soccer although my parents didn't make an effort to sign me up on a team. Having my friends have the opportunity to play on a team when I couldn't disappointed me. Just like Nick, I had that friend who I would play soccer with in the field. I notice that all Carl Deuker books were all about sports. Every time I read his books, they really get my attention and entertain me. I also can relate this book to the novel Tangerine. They have the same concept and the main characters are almost the same.

I thought this book was a good choice for kids in middle school. It had a strong message about how to treat people and just to go for your goals. I like the characters because each one had their own background. I like the suspense  and the excitement that the novel had. It's one of my favorites books so far. I also like how Nick didn't judge kids by their background and really tried to get along with everyone.

Readers:
How do you think Nick would do in basketball.
Have you ever reach a dream/goal? Were there any difficulties to reach it?

Somewhere in the Darkness by: Justin

This novel is about a boy named Jimmy who never had a father growing up. Once his father gets out of the slammer, he tries to be a part of his life. His father wants to take Jimmy around the USA and get to know him. The problem is that Jimmy doesn't seem to like his father, and there's many conflicts yet to come. Also it seems like they could never be a family again.
While reading this novel, I really connected to Jimmy's life. Jimmy never really had someone to guide him in school to do good. He basically just did what he wanted. When growing up, I didn't really have people to guide me either. I had to just go through school and do my best, and I usually did good without anyone. Also when Jimmy was growing up he didn't have everything. Unlike most kids, I also have to work for everything. Jimmy has a lot of family problems like me so we're kind of similar.
This is a fantastic novel with adventures. The story has great lessons to learn from like how to go through life with some hard things and times. He never gave up when it got real hard. He's a respectable character and has a rough time in life. He had to make many choices which impacted his life greatly! One time he had to choose between his dad or staying with a woman he calls mamma Jane. Overall a novel worth reading and you won't regret it.
Readers:
Do you think Jimmy will pass the grade he's in from being out of school for so long?
Has one of your parents left your life, and then come back to try to be a part of it again? If so did you accept them back in your life?

One Handed Catch by Mike

One Handed Catch was about a kid named Norm. His hand got cut off in a meat grinder and he went to the hospital. Norm likes to play baseball, but he doesn't think he can anymore because he lost his hand. Norm faces challenges while trying to play baseball and doing work in the store. His parents are being even more strict after he lost his hand to try and make him tougher. He doesn't agree with them at all.

While reading this novel, I couldn't connect to this story at all. I play baseball in the summer and the spring but I haven't recently gotten my hand cut off in a meat grinder. Norm faces challenges by playing baseball while using only his right hand. I play baseball using both hands so I have never experienced playing baseball with one hand. I can connect to this story because one game I had a sprained ankle and still had to play because we were short players. I played through the game though.

I think this book is good for middle school kids because it was a short and an easy read. I really liked the book. It showed that if you want to do something,then you can if you try. I think the author did a good job of explaining what it would be like to have one hand as a kid. I enjoyed how Norm did everything that he could to do what he loved to do, baseball.

Readers:
How do you think Norm was able to ignore the rude comments about how he couldn't do it?
Can you play baseball with one hand? Would it be difficult?

Miles From Ordinary by Aileen

Lacey is a 14 year old teenager going through a lot. Lacey's mom has mental illnesses. Her aunt left her and her mom, causing Lacey to take care of her mom but she's all alone now. How do you think Lacey will deal with her mom?

The things I learn in Miles From Ordinary was about mental illnesses. I've never thought it can be serious that you can't stay home. In my life, I don't have any connections to the book. I know someone who has delt with depression and it helped me understand Lacey's mom. In the future, if I have to care of someone with a mental illness I will take care of them and keep them calm down and protect them.

I thought the book was a good choice for middle school students. I think people have to read a book like this because I don't think people really know about mental illness. This can actually happen to someone, So it's realistic.

Readers:
How do you think Lacey will take care of her mom?
Have you ever taken care of someone? Were there any problems?

Conformity or Comfort?

Recently I read a blog post by one of my favorite education bloggers, The Nerdy Teacher.  Mr. Provenzano, the Nerdy Teacher extraordinaire, posted a blog about the way we set up our classrooms.  If you haven't read this blog post, go ahead and visit his blog.  Really.  I'll wait.

Now that you've seen his vision of an ideal classroom, I'll let you in on mine.

I have never been a fan of desks.  Even sitting at my own makes me a little uncomfortable.  I feel like it screams of the unspoken imbalance of power in an institution that thrives on just that.  I'd rather have a comfy chair in the middle of a mess of kids.  I think the kids naturally "get" that I'm the teacher and am, therefore, "in charge."  They know I'm the one who deals with their grades, their discipline, and their lesson for the day.  A formal teacher's desk isn't necessary to send that message.

What would be perfect is the typical coffee house setting.  I love visiting Starbucks or a small cafe with comfy chairs, couches, and maybe a few tables on which to work.  It's an opportunity to give students choices in their education and get away from rows and tables that separate them.

Here's a few images of my vision:

Comfy chairs, separated work spaces

Ideal for partner work - space to relax and chat

Spaces for tables and chairs

I can anticipate some of the problems this may cause:

1) How do we deal with students when they "fight" over who sits where??
I'm not quite sure at this point.  I don't know if there's an answer to this without knowing my kids and their needs.  It could be as simple as assigning "first choice" groups.  Those in this group choose first, and then others fill in, much like the "line leader" job in primary grades.

2) What about standardized testing?  Don't we need desk surfaces on which to write?
Yep, we do.  But in my dream, standardized tests don't exist.  If I had to find a solution, I would hit up my wonderful maintenance men for tables and chairs for a week.  I can't let a few days out of the year dictate my entire being.  Hmmm... what a profound thought.

3) Is there enough space?
I'm really not sure.  It would take a great deal of planning to find the right fit.  Oversized and overstuffed is not an option here.  Smaller, more compact pieces would work better.  It's just a smarter use of space.  I wonder if the district could just push my wall back about twenty feet?  Simple fix, right?

4) Will this really work?
No idea.  People probably questioned dry erase boards, smart boards, computers, and ereaders.  Now, it's simply a part of culture.  Why not try it and see what happens?

Conforming to the public school's way of thinking is not necessarily bad.  I just know that if I'm uncomfortable at my desk (with a padded chair, no less), students probably are, too.  I just have the luxury of being able to get up and adjust when I want.  Unfortunately, a classroom full of kids cannot do this.  A change in furniture is a complete change in the way we plan lessons as well.  We're asking kids to create content in a space that may not encourage creative thinking.

My philosophy is simple:  If kids are comfortable in their environment, they'll be more willing to work in it.

Now, where do I plug in the coffee pot??

Student Choice - Book Trailers

In a classroom of iPads and netbooks, I have a great deal of choice.  My students, therefore, also have choices when it comes to creating projects.  Personally, I prefer iPad apps to complete my projects.  My students, however, sometimes pick what they're most comfortable with or have the most experience with when creating projects.

My last assignment was to create a book trailer for their lit circle novel.  Students could choose from iMovie, Keynote, PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, and Photostory.  Students who chose iMovie were limited in their choice of music because they could not access their own iTunes accounts.  Wouldn't it be great (if we go 1:1 with iPads) if students could access their own music for presentations?  They could take so much more ownership in their projects.

One drawback to using Keynote is that students were not able to put music or sound into their presentations.  After doing a little research on the topic, it seems Keynote presentations can have sound, but the steps are rather laborious.  If anyone knows of an easy way to accomplish this task, PLEASE let me know!

The students who used PowerPoint for their project were comfortable with certain tasks, but many were clueless when it came time to animate the slides so it was a continuous show.  I wasn't able to replicate myself throughout the classroom, so students taught each other how to animate.  I highly recommend this model if you're not doing it already.

Here is my all-time favorite book trailer.  It was made with PowerPoint, but this student effectively used transitions and music to convey the emotions and conflict in the novel.

I'm looking forward to the day when students have their iPad to work on projects at home, but until then, offering choices and empowering students need to be at the forefront of any assignment.