After experiencing half a year in 5th grade, how does the song / video "Someday" by Flipsyde make you feel?  What do the images make you think of?  How is the struggle of the people in the video similar AND different to that which you face in school?

X-Mas break

     Space, the final frontier.  These were the words that started each and every episode of the original "Star Trek."  I thought of these as I was perched at the precipice of the Kingdom Come run, at Shanty Creek.  The height and view were breath taking.  I thought of stopping to take a picture, but decided not to, as I had no flash on my phone camera.  I could see for miles around in each direction.  I found it fascinating to see the ski runs, like white bowling alleys nestled among the copses of evergreen trees.  The wind was blustery scratching my protected face, which made me thankful that I wore two layers of protection.  My heart was racing, the excitement building, and I was thankful that Tina decided to take a break. 

    My friend Todd and his family had taken us up on our offer to come up skiing, and luckily, with my boots and skis his wife was able to borrow and do some skiing.  I'd been snowboarding all day and was eagerly anticipating the chance to ski.  I would never have dreamed of going down such a steep hill on my snowboard, because I'm still a noob on it.  I'd probably break my neck just trying to get down the first pitch.  On skis however, I was excited about the shushing of going side hurtling down the mountain at breakneck speed while still under "control".  The rush of pushing off and that "Oh $&!#" of what did I get myself into was an instant adrenaline rush.  I careened down the hill, going side to side grinding my skis and ankles against the crunchy frozen snow.  I wished for a lite powder to blow through on my journey downward, but at least I was thankful that it wasn't frozen ice instead.  I'd felt the pain of that face wipe weeks earlier, and didn't look forward to it again anytime soon. 

    As I was about halfway down, I stopped going side to side, which slows your momentum, and simply held the course.  My knees felt like jelly and I bounded down the hill, going over bumps and humps of snow.  My quadriceps were screaming at me like a mother who discovered her son was busy playing video games instead of doing chores, they felt like they were on fire!  The rush of speed as I zoomed onwards made it all worth it as I was that Speeding Bullet racing Superman.  I love the feeling of speed, but that little voice in the back of my head always squeaks, "Hey this is fun but what if you wipe out?"  I try to blot it out as I approach the lift.  A hard bank of my skis, a shower of powdery snow, and my journey is complete, another safe sojourn in this majestic winter wonderland.

• What I am most proud of is...


• Things I think I do well are...


• Goals I have for myself second quarter are...


• One thing I WILL DO differently this term is...   because....


• I am most looking forward to...


• One way I think I can help make our class better is by...

As the Hunger Games come to their conclusion, a few things come to mind.

1.)  Was Katniss playing the game all along or did she really have / develop feelings for Peeta?  What is your proof?

2.)  What do you think the future holds for winners of the Hunger Games, especially given the disobedience they showed to the Capital.  Refresh my memory, how did Katniss & Peeta force the hand of the Capital during the Hunger Games?  Given that Katniss and Peeta will be making the rounds of all of Panam, what do you predict will happen?  What new conflicts may they face?

Overall, give your honest feedback on the Hunger Games.  Did it live up to the "hype" that I gave it?  What was your favorite part?  Are you going to read book 2?

Day11 brought about the introduction of a new element into the game, strange creatures.  Without reading ahead, and knowing that the gamesmakers continually introduce changes to keep the game interesting.  Describe what you think the creatures may look  like / be like.  How do you think this might change the game with only three players left?  What do you think happened to Thresh?  Could these creatures be involved with that?

Making T-W connections, compare our year of MeyerIsland Survivor to the Hunger Games.  How do you think you'd do in the Hunger Games?  Do you think that if you had to play Survivor again, that you'd be better prepared for the "game"?  Do you think that the tributes who go into the Hunger Games knowing what the games are about, had an advantage in being successful, as compared to you students who "might" or "might not" know the game of Survivor?

Day our blog here!

1.)  What "tween" or pop-culture influences do you think played on the author as they wrote this novel? Explain how you see the influences.  (example -Survivor, there is only 1 winner, American Idol - people watch the behind the scenes, etc.)

2.  What text connections have you made so far? Explain your (2) connections and how they fit with the Hunger Games.

3.  When does Katniss first realize that Peeta does care for her and is trying to keep her alive? When does she realize her own feelings for him? Did Haymitch think all along that he could keep them both alive by stressing the love story? Are they actually in love?

In our recent discussion / podcast, we discussed what a hero was.  Many of you thought that Katniss wasn't much of a hero at all.  Have the events of these two chapters changed your minds about that?  What has Katniss done to show her "true colors"?  Do you believe the "star-crossed lovers" gimmick, or is it really true love that these two players share?  Explain.

These two chapters are a real emotional rollercoaster ride.  Describe what happens to evoke the reader's emotions that the author does well.  Were you affected in some way?  Explain.

Describe a time when you were so upset that you were "Seeing Red" and couldn't / didn't want to be held responsible for your actions.

1.) Why does Peeta join with the Career Tributes in the beginning of the Games? What does he hope to gain? Why do they accept him when they start hunting as a group? Why do groups form in the beginning when they know only one of them will be able to survive?

2.  What makes Katniss and Rue trust each other to become partners? What does Katniss gain from this friendship besides companionship? Is Katniss and Rue's partnership formed for different reasons than the other group's?

3.  Discuss the ways in which the Gamemakers control the environment and "entertainment" value of the Games. How does it affect the tributes to know they are being manipulated to make the Games more exciting for the gamblers and viewers? Does knowing that she is on live TV make Katniss behave differently than she would otherwise?

The games have begun!  Are they quite what you had expected? Children are exposed to tens of thousands acts of violence on television, cartoons, movies, and video games by this point in their lives.  Does the Hunger Games protray violence in a manner that bothers you / grosses you out / doesn't really matter (becuase you know it is fiction) / or some other emotion?

In our podcast round table segment, most of you said you would go defensive.  Would you say this is Katniss's strategy?  Could it be said she is "passive" aggressive. meaning she is being offensive in playing the game, but not "outwardly" being aggressive?  

Think of the example of the trackerjackers and Glimmer.  Who would you say is responsible for Glimmer's demise?  Does playing the game that way make it feel LESS GUILTY for Katniss than what Peeta did?  Would it be possible to "play" the game without taking a life on purpose / accident and still win?