Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler...on fire? or not?

Hi from Florida to all my literature circle peeps. I must tell you I am so impressed by your comments about the books we've been reading. Your questions are so HOT that I think I just got burned!! What are your opinions on Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler so far? Are you excited to be going on a journey through the Metropolitan Museum of Art? I can't wait to find out what Jaime and Claudia are going to do! Let me know what you think!!!

Welcome to my Lit Circles Rock Blog!

I am so excited that you are all finally discussing The Tale of Despereaux in our lit circles class. I know you are going to wow me this year. Your book shares have already been amazing! I can't wait to see what challenging HOT questions you post for us to discuss. Remember this is a school blog so no slang, and keep it focused on the literature! Good luck!!!!

Lit Circles Take 2!

I am about to embark on literature circles with my new reading class and I am very excited. They have been very impressive so far this year and have already tried their hand at writing HOT questions. I think that we will be up and running in no time. While we wait, I'd love to hear what you're all reading and if the books are any good. I'm looking to make some changes this year too, both with what we read and how we keep track of our progress. So if you have any suggestions or comments about what you liked or didn't like last year, feel free to weigh in and wish me luck! It will be a great adventure!!!!

Back to School!

I'm back from traveling to Myrtle Beach, Washington DC, and Paris! And wow! I can't believe summer is almost over and you are all going to be 6th graders. I will miss our discussions, but I know you will stop by to tell me about the exciting things that are happening in 6th grade. I hope you continue to post to the blog to let us know what you are reading. I can't wait to see how you impress your 6th grade teachers. I'm getting ready to set up my room for this year's 5th grade. Do you have any advice for the students in my new reading class? Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer!!

Summertime and the weather is sunny...finally!

I hope many of you are checking out our blog over the summer as you are at home or traveling. I'd love to hear what you've been up to and what exciting books you are reading. Have you read the book I bought yet? I am reading "Al Capone Does My Shirts." I think many of you would like it. Happy summer!!!

Almost Famous!

Sadly, the year is almost over and you are almost famous. Today I'll be sharing some of your insightful comments with the rest of the school staff. If there was one thing you'd like to say about the online discussions or about literature circles, what would it be?

Nearing the end...

We're getting closer and closer to solving the mystery. That brings me to an interesting question...what do you think was the mystery after all? Are you dying with suspense to find out. Keep the comments coming- you continue to impress me!!

In the thick of it...

We're about 1/2 way through "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." I am so incredibly impressed with the discussions we've been having in class. The debate about Claudia's bravery or cowardice was definitely goosebumps worthy! Wow!!:) you have made so much progress this year! The mystery of why Claudia truly ran away is starting to unfold...and what about that Angel statue? Why would the statue seem so important to Claudia? Anyone care to answer? Come on, come on...you kin do it!!

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Curious? Mysterious? Any thoughts yet on our next novel? Are you excited? I am!!! I can't wait to embark on the adventure with Jamie and Claudia Kincaid as they hide out in the Met. Anyone, besides Tyler, care to make any predictions? I dare you!!!!

Interesting Ideas

If you've read the latest comments, Maria and Selena have embraced the challenge and commented on some of the questions I've written. I have another question for you... Maria raises an interesting point, that Kenny doesn't want his family to see him that way. Why would Kenny want to escape his family and not let them see him that way? Also, let's see who is ready for the next challenge...post your own higher order thinking (HOT) questions and see who responds...Good Luck!!!!

The Wool Pooh

How does Christopher Paul Curtis use the Wool Pooh as a metaphor in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham?"

Let's get it started in here...

Hola my lovely students. You've wowed me in the classroom. You've wowed others in the classroom. Now it's time to wow others in the world. It's time to begin our online journey and push our discussions to the next level. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to post an answer to my question or someone else's and then see if you can create a HOT question for us to answer..got it? Good! Think of it like an in-class discussion...but online! Who will be brave enough to go first? There might be a reward if you dare...I look forward to being blown away! Good luck and may the force be with you!!