Erika+K

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 * [[image:4eef752ea3cd47c5a2c30522185efebb_0.jpg width="365" height="302"]]What's on the news? **[[image:Rice_ball_Zz.gif]] ★☆

June 8th. 2009 **
 * Artemis



**Chat with Sarah June 3rd. 2009**

Sarah: **so....about the novel... you read conch bearer right???** Sarah: oh yeah me: **so was it good??** Erika: well Sarah: **i thougth it was pretty...ok. but!** Erika: it was pretty touching Sarah: **it was really sad...** Erika: yeah yeah Sarah: **i finished it yesterday. i don't really like anand tho for some odd reason ok.. haha bye** Erika: hmm yeah Sarah: **we have to go**
 * and touching...like u said.**

May 21. 2009 **
 * Score for Word Confusion


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 * [[image:http://www.funbrain.com/correct.gif width="58" height="14"]]
 * 20 ** || [[image:http://www.funbrain.com/incorrect.gif width="72" height="14"]]
 * 20 ** ||

May 20. 2009 **
 * First Ten Chapters Summary of Conch Bearer

In Kolkata, India, Anand, who was a kind, but poor 14-year old worked at a tea shop in order to have enough money for his family. He lived with his mother and younger sister, Meera. His father left for Dubai to work two years ago and it was too good to turn down. His father sent his family money every month, and the three were happy, buying wat they wanted, and Anand wet to a good school. However, after a few months, his father stopped sending them money like he always did. They grew poor and now live in a shack. The tea shop owner, Haru wasn't a nice man, and ordered Anand around. One day, he met an old man, who looked poor. When Haru ordered Anand to kick him out, Anand just gently lead the old man out, and later gave the old man his food for the day. The characters were Anand, Meera, the old man, Haru, and Anand's mom. The plot in this story is that Anand got off work way later than he should of gotten out. Haru ordered Anand to clean the tables over again. He went to the vegetable market, but there were no vegetables. They were all sold out. He saw a pile of mangoes, and decided to buy one, which was quite expensive. He bought one, but then lost it on his way home. He finally arrived home, and met his family. Then, the old man knocked on the door, and Anand let him in with some hesitation, since couldn't see whether if it was the old man or not. Anand began to cook some lentil stew. The characters were Anand, the old man, Haru, and Meera.The setting is Anand's house. The old man decides to tell Anand and Meera a story, a real one. There was a place called The Silver Balley, the most beautiful place in the world. There were such things as magic, evennow. So the old man told the two that there was a conch. The conch was a very special thing, it can heal poeple, and cure the land of famine and drought. later, the conch was found. What the old man wanted was for Anand to come with him on a journey to put the conch back where it needs to be. The main characters were Anand, Meera, and the old man. The setting is Anand's house. What Anand wanted to do was to see the conch the old man was so fantastically describing. He asked the old man if he had it right now, and the old man nodded. The old man said a spell so that evil Surabhanu wouldn't old sense it. Anand saw it, and he was amazed and wanted it so badly. He loved it so much that he was outraged when the old man pulled a cloth over the conch. Later, the old man lets Meera forget about what happened a long time ago, and soon their mom came. Their mother said that the old man was a trickster and everything and wanted him out of her house. The characters were Anand, Meera, the old man, and Anand's mom. The setting is Anand's house. The plot of this chapter was that Anand's mother changed her mind of the old man. The old man really healed Meera, who was her old self again. Anand got perminssion to join the old man, and he was really happy. However, he felt guilty and bad since his mother didn't believe in what the old man said. He asked a man whether if he saw the old man. Anand had to give a rupee note, but ended up with no information. He also met this girl who was sweeping. Anand asked her if she saw the old man. She said she did and told him the old man's message, and in return, she wanted to go with him. While they were on their way, the girl told Anand about the other person who passed this street. The characters were...Anand, his mother, Meera, the old man, Panchu, and the girl from the stall who was sweeping. The setting was the Anand's house, and other place. The girl and Anand were at the train station. All they had to do was to slip past the ticket checker by slipping through with a crowd of rich people. The girl suceeded, but Anand didn't. He was caught, but then later was claimed to be a nephew by an old man, but not the one who told Anand about the conch. Anand had to follow the old man to a train, and it was first class. The old man gae Anand food, but the girl from the stall motioned to him to not eat the food. Actually, the man revealed himself as the evil Surabhanu, and forced the sweeper girl to come, with his magic. Luckily, a boy who selled lozenges came. Surabhanu put his attention to the boy who sold sweets that the two kids were able to move. The sweeper girl and Anand escaped when they saw the chance to. The characters were the sweeper girl, Anand, Surabhanu, and the boy who sold lozenges. The setting is the station, and the train. The sweeper girl and Anand got some food to eat. They were about to get some tea, but Anand stepped on an old wonan's foot/leg. Well, that's what the old woman said, but it was a lie. However, Anand put a rupee note on the old woman's bowl because he felt bad. The old woman walked away, but gave a hint to Anand where Abhaydatta was. They went to the meeting point, and there were a lot of travelers there. There was also a pitcher of water and dipper. The girl was about to drink the water, but Anand stopped her, saying that they had to do some things before they drank. They did, and soon saw the old man. The sweeper girl soon chose the name Nisha, and liked it a lot. They rode a bus, and Abhaydatta sat next to Nisha since she wanted him to. They had a break and ate delicious food. They went back on the bus, and saw birds flying at the same pace as the bus. Abhaydatta woke up when Anand pat him, and moved his lips as if he was saying a prayer. The characters were Anand, Nisha (the sweeper girl), the old woman, and Abhaydatta. The setting is the station and the metting point. The three, Anand, Nisha, and Abhaydatta got off the bus at a stop. They were going to be staying at a once a grand place to stay in. They ate a good meal and talked privately later on. Abhaydatta told the two children what to do when he vanished or was fighting off Surabhanu. Later, Nisha went to the bathroom to wash herself. Abhaydatta then told Anand that he wanted him to keep the conch shell from now on. He didn't want Anand to tell anyone about it, either. Anand has a nightmare, and soon turns into reality, almost killing Abhaydatta. The setting is half in the inn, and half in the bus. Anand felt really bad about the incident last night. The three left the inn, and ate breakfast at the station. They bought warm clothing to wear since their destination had snow and was really cold. Abhaydatta told Anand and Nisha a story about a deer who whas shot. They arrived at Ranipur and bought their clothing there, which was a market day. They walked and walked. One time, Abhaydatta suddenl disappeared. Later, they found him, and it was a test. Anand soon blurted out what happened last night about his nightmare and said that he needed to go somewhere far away so he owuld not hurt Abhaydatta, Abhaydatta silenced him and said that he needed him. The setting was the hillside, and Ranipur. The characters were Nisha, Anand, and Abhaydatta. Anand, Nisha, and Abhaydatta kept the fire going. Later, Abhaydatta put some herbs in the fire called oceanweed, which smells like the sea. It cleanses you thoughts, which blows away bad things in you. One person had to keep the fire going and stay on watch while the other two slept. As soon as the person on watch was tired, he/she would wake on person and switch places. It was Anand's turn after Abhaydatta, who was after Nisha (the first one to watch the fire). However, Anand soon heard his mother's voice, and said some things that Anand wanted to go out of the cave and reach out to his mother. Anand couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the cave. He made a path and wind rushed through the cave. Anand soon found out what he had done and foud Abhaydatta missing, and a terrified Nisha. The setting was the cave in which the three stayed in. The characters were Nisha, Anand, and Abhaydatta. In this chapter, the two kids, Anand and Nisha were miserable because they lost Abhaydatta. Anand told Nisha that Abhaydatta gave him an important thing to carry, and ended up showing the conch shell to her because she wanted to. However, all she saw was a broken shell. They started traveling without Abhaydatta, and soon found the first obstacle after finding a thing that looks like a crouching dog. Nisha tried to put her foot in the water, but the water was too cold. She got a stick and put it in the water, and then something pulled the stick, so Nisha fell in the water. Something caught her foot and oulled her deeper into the water, but she was saved. Anand tried to get through, but he also failed. The two kids, Anand and Nisha sheltered in a cave, too tired to carry on thep lans to cross the river. THey had no hope, in fact. They soon found Abhaydatta's puch. Anand talked to the conch without Nisha really noticing, and soon found out that the conch can hear his thoughts, and talk to Anand without other people hearing. Anand found match sticks in the puch and they lit a small fire. A small creature came to Nisha and she kept it and called it Rajah (king). However, apes came and captured Nisha and Anand, and carried them to the place where they lived. They took them to their king, Grisham, and he demanded to give him the conch if they don't want to be harmed. They didn't find it and soon escaped when everyone was asleep. The creature lead them to the river, and as the creature stepped on the water, the water stood still, so that Nisha and Anand can walk on it. They began to run on the smooth surface. The two children and the creature rested on the far bank of the river. They were starving, but the creature brought one nut, which didn't taste so bad, and lead the two kids to the place where it found the nut. They ate as much as they could, and started to go and find the second obstacle. The second obstacle had a mountain and it threw boulders at them when they came too close. However, Rajah found something and the three uncovered boulders and some kind of handprint. As soon as Nisha put her hand over the handprint, a faint line appeared, which Anand could only see. They found a solution so that all of them could pass, but as soon as Nisha ran to Anand so she could pass, a boulder rolled directlyat her leg. With Nisha hurt, Anand grew troubled and asked for help to the conch. However, Surabhanu came, his form in a snake. Nisha was possessed by Surabhanu. He was about the attack, but Rajah stopped him. The creature turned out to be a mongoose. Surabhanu and the mongoose fought. The mongoose was Abhaydatta. Nisha was about to kill him, but her own soul came back to her. Nisha took the boulder, and threw it to Surabhanu. Anand ran for it when Nisha told him so, but looked back when he was at the foot of the peak. Nisha was lying on the snow, right next to Abhaydatta. Surabhanu was now a dark gas-ish cloud, and went to Anand and forced him to give the conch. Now, Anand was able to use the conch. He blew it and a power blast came out, which knocked Anand down, off his feet, and went unconcious. Anand awoke, with Nisha right beside him. He had the conch on his chest. He had to bring the conch to the foot of the peak without Nisha because her leg still hurt. He called out to the Brotherhood, and they told him to put back the conch and go away. He felt angry, but the conch reminded him to stay calm. The Brotherhood told him that they will let him pass if he answered a riddle. Anand agreed and the Brother put on a sleep cloud on Nisha and Abhaydatta to ease Anand's mind. He has until daybreak, and if he gave the wrong answer, he must give the conch and leave. Anand paced around, thinking what virtue was more important: love, loyalty, or compassion. he didn't know, and the conch didn't answer Anand. Time passed quickly, and it was now daybreak. He told the Brotherhood that he didn't choose. The Brotherhood told Anand that he must choose, but Anand shook his head. Anand said that the three virtues were connected, so he couldn't choose. He thought the answer was wrong and put the conch on the ground and told them to take care of his friends. However, the Brotherhood told Anand that the answer was correct. The didn't allow Nisha and Abhaydatta who was unconcious to pass. Anand chose to stay with his friends, and that's what the Brotherhood expected, allowing Anand and his companions to pass. Anand looked at the halls of the Brotherhood, which was really beautiful and fascinating. He loved it, and even made friends with an apprentice named Govinda. He watched apprentices working, picking fruits such as mango and others. He heard the story about Nisha and Abhaydatta, angry since he wasn't allowed to visit them. He met Nisha along the way, and she was about to go and meet Abhaydatta. Nisha knew the way where Abhaydatta was. They went int the room, and Abhaydatta was awake. He didn't make a sound. Anand told the old man the whole story, afraid that he didn't remember a thing. However, Abhaydatta came back to his senses and told the two worried children what had happenend to him. There was a ceremony about to begin, and Anand was sitting at the back. He saw Nisha, and next to her was the Conch. Nisha wanted to tell him something, and so she did. She told him that she was allowed to stay, so now it was a Brotherhood and a Sisterhood. Later, Grovinda came to him, clearly he was searching for Anand all over, and told him that Abhaydatta was looking for him and he wanted him right away. Anand went to Abhaydatta and he told Anand that he had to choose the Brotherhood or his family in order to become an apprentice. Anand saw what happened to his family, and they were happy, except for the fact that Anand was gone. His father came back and they were rich. Anand went away, thinking what to choose, and he talked with the conch in it's crystal shrine. Anand made his choice. Anand was with Abhaydatta, and wathced what his family was doing. He chose to stay with the Brotherhood, and his family forgot about him, thanks to Abhaydatta's power. He was really sad, and only a bit of regret. He weent to the meeting, and the Chief Healer splashed water on his head, making Anand feel lighter. His clothes were changed into apprentice clothes, with a picture of a conch on his shirt. He was assigned to be the Keeper of the Conch. Nisha congraulated him, and now Anand spoke privately with the Conch.
 * Chapter //One//**
 * Chapter //Two//**
 * Chapter //Three//**
 * Chapter //Four//**
 * Chapter //Five//**
 * Chapter //Six//**
 * Chapter //Seven//**
 * Chapter //Eight//**
 * Chapter //Nine//**
 * Chapter //Ten//**
 * Chapter //Eleven//**
 * Chapter //Twelve//**
 * Chapter //Thirteen//**
 * Chapter //Fourteen//**
 * Chapter** //**Fifteen**//
 * Chapter //Sixteen//**
 * Chapter //Seventeen//**
 * Chapter //Eighteen//**
 * Chapter //Nineteen//**

May 12. 2009 **
 * Poems

LANTERN POEM Pretty Or weird Very creepy nice ||
 * Hat

Blue Dolphins that swim Some birds can sing The sky above The waves of the ocean The soft words of poets Those soothing lullabies Fresh water Blueberry cheese cake Cold fresh cool-aid Liquid that can't be touched Slippery felt Dark board markers Blue can keep you unconcious and let you in an endless world Good Clock. Good times. Good poems. Good rhymes. Good lines. Good ends. Good person. Good friends. Good teacher. Good facts. Good venture. Good acts. Good poems. Good rhymes. GOOD Clock. GOOD times.
 * BLUE COLOR MY WORLD POEM**
 * GOOD TIMES POEM**

**Haiku Poem May 8th. 2009**

UP-COMING SPRING

The sun glows brightly Grass rolls miraculously The snow starts to melt

May 8th. 2009 **
 * Evaluating Haikus

Graded Person: Steve N Haiku: The breeze gently blows A **variety** of smells Flowers start to **bud** Grade: 3.5 Evidence: E. The words and phrases are functional with only one or two fine moments. Example: (In bold in the Haiku)

Graded Person: Jon B Haiku: Clouds **came** into the sky a **drop** of rain gently fell on the **dirty** silent foor. Grade: 3.5 Evidence: B. Familiar words and phrases communicate but rarely capture the reader's imagination. Example: (In bold in the Haiku)

May 7th. 2009
 * Haiku

Flowers bloom all day People sneeze all the time here Spring, how lovely

Pink, red , and yellow The warm breezes are running Everyone loves spring **

** Literature Reading May 7th. 2009 **


 * Questions **

**1) How does the main character use his inventiveness to find food and shelter in the woods?** He used the maps that he got from his librarian. Also, he made things like a fire, and made a cup with a big leaf. He used some things to make it into a whole new thing that can be a good use for life and other things for example household purposes. I don't really want to live in the woods just like the main character. At least he wants to live in the woods. He chose to. I'm quite lazy, and I want to use things that are already done for me. For example, the boy which is the main character made a cup with a leaf. I would rather use a normal glass cup than a leaf. It makes my life easier. She describes how the woods looked like. She described how the trees that the boy has seen looked like, whether they were strong, tall, short, etc. She described how everything else looked like, smelled like, all those other things. ** Vocabulary **
 * 2) Would you like to live in the woods, as the main character does in the story?**
 * 3) How does the author use descriptive languages to help you picture the story's setting?**

1) Beech- any tree of the genus //Fagus,// of temperate regions, having a smooth gray bark and bearing small, edible, triangular nuts. 2) Crotch- the area of a tree at which a main branch joins the trunk. 3) Nourishing- promoting or sustaining life, growth, or strength 4) Starchy- stiff and formal, as in manner. 5) Coltish- not trained or disciplined; unruly; wild.

**Blues Song May 7th. 2009**

Nothing obtained, nothing was earned Oh, you sadness is there You scream and scream but doesn't go Your sadness is still there

You shake an turn and cry all night It doesn't budge a bit You pray and pray before you sleep It stays there like a pit

April 29. 2009 ** Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. His full name was James Langston Hughes, and was a member of an abolitionist family. He wrote poetry when he was in eighth grade, and was also even selected as class poet! However, his father didn't approve of him writing poetry because he thought that Hughes wouldn't make a living out of it. Hughes wrote poems, essays, short plays, and even short stories, which some became famous and was on magazines. One of his favorite pastimes was when he went to clubs and listened to blues and jazz while writing poems. He got a scholarship to Lincoln University, and got his B.A degree. In total, he wrote sixteen books of poems, two novles, three collection of short stories, four volumes of "editorial" and "documentary" fiction, twenty plays, children's poetry, musicals and operas, three autobiographies, a lots radio and television scripts, and lots of magazine articles. Sadly, Hughes died because of cancer on May 22, 1967.
 * Langston Hughes

**Poems April 24. 2009**

**Earth Day** Who even made up Earth Day here? I'll tell you, so lend me your ear Gaylord Nelson has made that day How amazing, that's what I say You clean and clean 'till Earth shines bright So no one will scream in such a fright Earth day was such a success for the world Everyone can't just stop but twirl It's such a great day, Earth day that is It's a day that no one can miss 
 * Synonym Poetry **

SADNESS Unhappiness, gloominess, dejection, grief All these feelings are worse than a thief.


 * Earth Day **
 * April 23. 2009** 

What is Earth Day? Earth day is a day when you show how you appreciate Earth. Or it is a day to show it. Earth day happens on every April 22nd of each year. To be precise, U.S Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was the one who made Earth Day, or, well, he announced that they will have a day when they have grassroots demonstration on the environment. That eventually became Earth day. A lot of countries and states celebrate Earth Day. There are even Earth Day Network campaigns, and billions of people participate in it every year. There's a specific symbol for Earth Day, which is a green circle and a green minus sign in the circle. Also, there are different logos for Earth Day for different states or countries.

April 23. 2009 **
 * List Poem

--I'm fine, dad, how are you? --Huh? NO...it didn't come yet --That's THEM, but not me --But they are close to school! --Dad, it didn't come! --I'm not sweating...wait, I am. --Why? Uh...I did P.E today --Dad, just drop it --My face is fine, thank you very much, its not pale --The school just sent that message because they don't care! --Why would I lie to you? --I said that it didn't come today! --Dad, I have homework to do. --Yes I'm going somewhere since I told you that it didn't come today! --You're really persistent dad, aren't you. --Fine, here! It came! Man... --Huh? NO, I'm not staying here. --God, DAD

My Self Portrait April 23rd. 2009

My body is like an ox. An ox is big, fat, and happy. My hands are like iron. They are silver-colored, unedible, but useful. My legs are skinny french fries. They are yellow/brown, full of potatoes, and good. My head is an <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">ap <span style="color: rgb(107,255,46);">pl <span style="color: rgb(255,217,0);">e. They can be the shade of <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">red, <span style="color: rgb(10,219,18);">green , or <span style="color: rgb(255,217,0);">yellow , and is <span style="color: rgb(255,93,0);">healthy. My heart holds happiness that is <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">blue like a <span style="color: rgb(0,255,239);">dolphin. I live in a __<span style="color: rgb(213,32,188);">house __.

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255,0,149);">**Short Story Reading** **<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255,0,149);"> April 14th. 2009 <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(128,128,0);"> <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,0,255);"> Number the Stars **

<span style="color: rgb(61,145,255);">This book's author is Lois Lowry, who had gotten several Newbery Medals for her books. She has written many award-winning books for different readers. What made her to have some inspiration to write Number the Stars was when she went on a vacation with her friend. They began talking about her childhood, which was about World War II. Her friend shared her feelings and what it felt like when the people she liked disappeared. Her friend told her more about what happend with some detail, and Lois began to think that all these stories would be made into a great children's book.

The major event was that Ellen Rosen had to stay with the Johansens to cover up herself from letting the German soldiers know that she was Jewish since they were looking for her family. Ellen's family was somewhere else, putting Ellen in the Johansens' care. The German soldiers came to their house to look for the Rosens since they knew that those two families had a good relationship with one another. The German soldiers looked for the Rosens, and even became suspicious of Ellen since she was different, but Annemarie's father somehow covered for her using Lise's baby picture, who died. The soldiers were furious, but they left the house and relieved everyone. Minor details were included such as Ellen and Annemarie playing togethor, along with Kirsti, Annemarie's younger sister.

The setting is in Denmark, about 1943. It was a time when German soldiers were mean and looking for Jews not for good reasons. You can also say that they were "relocating" Jews. To be more specific, it takes place more in the Johansens' house. It adds to the story since the readers can understand that it wasn't much of a happy sort of place since serious business or things were happening in Denmark because of the soldiers looking for Jews.

The main characters were Annemarie, Ellen, Kirsti, and Annemarie's parents. Annemarie Johansen is the older sister of Kirsti, and has blonde hair. She is not much of a calm type of girl, but not so hyper like her younger sister, Kirsti. She has a liking of her best friend, Ellen, and wants to help her friend with all her might. She cares about her family, her friends, and other people she knows. Ellen Rosen is the best friend of Annemarie, and has black hair. Her family is Jewish, which causes problems later. She likes her best friend, Annemaire, and is probably thankful for her best friend who is trying a lot of things for her. She is the type who doesn't really want to cause problems. Kirsti Johansen is a hyper younger sister of Annemarie, and also has blonde hair. She is still young, so she is quite spoiled, or more careless and annoying. She does seem to be annoying and irritates Annemarie a lot of times since Kirsti causes a lot of troubles, being unaware of her actions. Annemaries's parents, Mrs. and Mr. Johansen care a lot for their children, but they feel sad about their eldest child's death, who was engaged.

My favorite part of this story was when the German Soldiers came to the Johansens' house. It made me really excited, curious on what would happen next. Although I read this book, I forgot a lot of details, and it would be nice to read it again since I forgot most of it. I really didn't want the soldiers to find out that Ellen who was disguised as Lise was Jewish. I felt really nervous when the soldiers were heading to the room where the two friends were.

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255,93,0);">**Old Yeller**

<span style="color: rgb(255,159,77);">This book's author is written by Fred Gipson. He was born in 1908, but died in 1973. He lived in Mason, Texas, and even worked with on his family's farm there. His father used to tell the family about stories. Later, when Fred Gipson grew up, he worked as a reporter. later, he began to write fiction stories, and he used his experience or what was in Texas to use in his stories. Old Yeller was the most popular book of Fred Gipson. In an interview, he said that he like adventure tales and thought that he learned more about history in his country than history books.

There was basically only one major event that happened in this story so far. Travis was just doing his chore, chopping log. He heard screams from his little brother, Little Arliss. When Little Arliss first screamed, Travis didn't care about it. However, when Little Arliss screamed the second time, Travis ran to Little Arliss to see what was going on. He saw a big female bear which was chasing Little Arliss. Travis didn't know what was going on, but understood when he saw a little bear cub in Little Arliss's arms. Little Arliss was in deep trouble, but a yellow dog saved Little Arliss.

The story takes place in Texas. To be more specific, it takes place in a hill country, near Birdsong Creek. It adds to the story because not all countries or states have such of an enviroment that was explained or shown in the story. The way people talked and how the setting was explained makes the reader understand a bit more how Texas was like. Basically, a lot of people know what Texas is really like, and would probably guess that this story takes place in Texas.

The main characters in this story were Travis, Little Arliss, their mother, and Old Yeller. Travis is the big brother of Little Arliss, and is the oldest son, basically fourteen years old. Travis is a bit smarter and logical than Little Arliss, which is a bit obvious. Travis doesn't really get in trouble that much, and does most of the chores. Little Arliss is the troublesome youngest son, and is the little brother of Travis. He likes to find things and stuff it in his pockets, and empties his pockets later. Who knows what would be in his pockets, because he puts in all those weird stuff. Their mother is a nice,caring mother of Travis and Little Arliss. She cares for both of her sons. Old Yeller is a stray yellow dog, who stole Travis's family's meat. Little Arliss loves Old Yeller, but Travis isn't too fond of him. Old Yeller likes everyone, even Travis.

My favorite part of this story was when the female mom bear attacked Little Arliss. The female bear didn't really attack Little Arliss, but was trying to since he took away her cub. Since Little Arliss took her cub, she chased him to get her cub back. Travis and his mother watched since they knew that they wouldn't make it even though they ran. When the bear was about to attack, Old Yeller saved Little Arliss. Everyone ran away, of course leaving the cub behind. I thought that it was an exciting part.


 * <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,235,11);">Saving Shiloh **

<span style="color: rgb(83,202,88);">Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the author of this book, Saving Shiloh. She has almost wrote one hundred books for young readers! Naylor started her writing career because she loved to make up stories herself. Her parents read aloud to her family every night. When she was sixteen years old, her teacher was editing a magazine, and asked Naylor to write a story for the magazine for children. Naylore wrote her first baseball story, and bought it for $4.67. Naylor thought of the story Shiloh when she saw a female abused dog, and couldn't forget about. Later, her friends adopted it, and its name is Clover.

The major event for this story was when Dara Lynn fell in the river. Of course, the things that came along with this even was important, too. Since Dara Lynn fell in the river because she was trying to show off in front of David, or she was just playing, everyone grew scared and worried. Shiloh went in the water and tried to save Dara Lynn. She was saved, but not by Shiloh. No one even knew that he was in the water when Dara Lynn was in there. After they found out that Shiloh was still in the water after Dara Lynn was saved, Marty ran to Judd Travers and told him what was happening. Judd got a rope and tied it around his back and the other end to a tree. He went after Shiloh. Shiloh paddled away from Judd, but went paddled back to him when Judd made a whistling sound. They were both saved in the end.

The setting was mostly about Middle Island Creek. The Middle Island Creek was where Dara Lynn fell in. David and Marty came to the creek in the first place becase they got a phone call from their friend that there was a dead man floating in the river. There was also another setting, but not so important. The first setting was in Marty's house. David and Marty played monopoly there, and where Dara Lynn and Becky was trying on all the jewelry Grandma Preston gave them.

The characters were basically Marty, David, Shiloh, Dara Lynn, Becky, Mrs. Preston, and Judd Travers. Other people were minor characters. Marty is basically the owner of Shiloh. He loves and really cares aout his dog, and would do anything to save it. David is the best friend of Marty, and often hangs out with him. Dara Lynn is the annoying sister of Marty. She often gets on Marty's nerves, but Marty still cares about her somehow. Becky is also the younger sister of Marty, but not so troublesome like Dara Lynn. Mrs. Preston is the mother of Marty, Dara Lynn, and Becky. She is caring, but she does show how to be polite and have manners, especially to Dara Lynn. Judd Travers is the ex-owner of Shiloh. He abused Shiloh a long time ago, but gave the dog away to Marty. It still seems that somehow he cares about Shiloh since he saved Shiloh from drowning.

My favorite part of this story was when Judd Travers was trying to save Shiloh. I know that Judd abuseed Shiloh, and I definitely don't want Shiloh to be abused again, but Judd actually tried to save Shiloh. When I read about his part, I felt so moved. The ex-owner still cares about his dog even though he abused it. I'm nots so sure whether it is so touching or not to you, but it sure is to me. I was really moved when Judd actually thought of ways to make Shiloh come to him, resulting that he saved Shiloh.

<span style="color: rgb(128,0,0);">**<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(128,0,0);">Grade for Word Choice March 19. 2009 ** <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">**WORD CHOICE** The Graded Person: Jin Jung Word Choice Grade: 3 Evidence: **B**-Familiar words and phrases communicatae but rarely capture the reader's imagination. Sample:It had gotten smaller a little but it is still big and disgusting.

Word Choice Grade: 4 Evidence: **B**-The writer seems aware of a purpose, and attempts to select content and structures that reflect it. Sample: "AHHHHHHHHHH!" that's how I shouted. I had wings on my back!!!!
 * VOICE**

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255,0,0);">**<span style="color: rgb(83,202,88);">Tips on Word Choice April 1st. 2009 **


 * <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Mundane || <span style="color: rgb(255,93,0);">Striking! ||
 * bad || direful ||
 * saw || spotted ||
 * make || construct ||
 * strange || bizarre ||
 * normal || ordinary ||
 * creepy || hair-raising ||
 * little || microscopic ||
 * like || adore ||

March 30th. 2009 **
 * <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(231,24,24);">Writing Gym Station #2

you a wrapped present. You rattled it. It made a noise. Write a story about this present.**
 * 8. On your birthday, a strange-looking lady came to you door and handed

Yesterday was my birthday. I thought that it would be a normal stupid day. And of course, my arms would be overloaded with presents. However, it was somehow hard to forget. This year's birthday memory was somehow absorbed into my mind. The reason was because an old, anxious, peculiar looking lady knocked on the door, right when I was about to blow out the candles on my caramel frosted chocolate cake, with a really long candle and three short candles glowing dazzlingly. I opened the door, and there stood the old lady, holding out a tightly wrapped present with a appealing look with her trembling hands. The present had a red ribbon, tied into a neat flower, and was gracefully stuck onto the top of the present. I was dumbfounded. I didn't even know this lady, but there she was, just standing there, with a crooked smile, and she also bowed humbly. " Do you need anything?" I asked her nervously. She shook her head stupidly. She shoved the present in my hands and ran in an amazing speed. I just just stood there, gawking. I later went inside the house, and opened all the presents, saving the mysterious present for last. I got three books, a laptop, a new cellphone, and a very plump penguin shaped pillow. So far, so good. Now, it finally time to open the mysterious present. Mom, Dad, and Bro went to go shopping for dinner.

I gulped and I sweated a lot, nonstoply. Not exactly, but it felt like it. With trembling hands, I slowly untied the beautiful red ribbon. It untied quite well, sliding off smoothly like silk. I carefully placed the ribbon next to the present. I was dying with curiousity of what the present might be. So, I just carefully rattled it, and shook it. To my surprise, I heard a squeak. Not like a rubber ducky squeak, but a squeak like the sound that mice make. I quickly dropped the present on the table. It made a louder squeak. I ripped the wrapping because I grew more curious. I opened the box, and there it was. What was it? It was an emperor baby penguin. It was cute and cuddly. When my parents and Bro came back, Bro ran and his eyes widened when he saw my penguin. Time passed, and I grew really got fond of the penguin. I named it Pengy. I even learned form it, too. I learned that penguins **look** cool, **act** cool, and **is** cool. Even now, I think that it is an obvious fact.<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(233,222,63);">**6 Traits of Writing---VOICE March 19th. 2009**


 * Mac & Cheese**: We //definitely// need Mac & Cheese. No other main courses are suitable for this one. Remember, this is the way I want and a whole lot of other people want this too, I think, at the party. The kind of with sticky cheese all over the macaroni is unacceptable. Mac & Cheese is the best without ooey and sticky cheese all around the macaroni. If you can, try to get the one with about a kilogram of macaroni and cheese! Well, maybe not a kilogram since I can't eat all that in a day, but close to that. Whenever I think of Mac & Cheese, this hits me. My friend in California told be this catchy phrase since she knows how much I like them. 'Yellow as macaroni, happy like cheese, put that all togethor, here comes Macaroni & Cheese!' Maybe I don't really think of that catchy phrase, but something like that does hit me. If you think happily, you will like it more, right? Oh, and remember, don't get the ones with the big macaroni because if you eat it for dinner or something, it seems like your not eating a lot. If you get the small ones, it's as if your eating a thousand macaroni!


 * Mango**: If I had to choose a mango I like, I won't choose the yellow one. Yellow mangos are totally unacceptable. Yellow mangos are from...Philippine? I don't know, but who cares. It's not like they are ugly and disgusting or anything, but red mangos are totally the best. The red mangos that I think of are from America. To be specific, California. Yum yum. I can almost taste it. Yes, it's that good. I don't want those green mangos either. I never tasted them, or even looked or saw them in real life before, but I looked in the pictures and I don't think I'm curious on how it would taste like. I'm pretty sure YOU like it too? Red mangos are just so juicy and I feel like that they are the fruits of heaven. I'm not stretching anything here. I'm deadly serious. It's so good. It's rich, juicy, the colors are kind of cool, and they are delicious!


 * Anything with Caramel (Dessert):** Caramel...who hates it? Maybe people with braces don't really like it, but I love it. In fact, I adore it. Not that much, compared to penguins, but I just love it. Those caramels that have the color of rich tan kind of color...it's so good. Any dessert that has caramel are super good. Well...bananas with caramel won't be that good would it. Ok, I will say this. DON'T GET ANYTHING THAT ARE VEGETABLES SOAKED WITH CARAMEL! Yuck yuck. Even when I think about it, it makes me sick. Buy the ones that is PURE caramel. You can buy chocolate that has caramel only inside, but nothing else. Caramel is the best without anything with it I tried caramel apple once, and it was so good. Whenever I think about it, my mouth waters. I want to eat it again so why don't you buy it?

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(10,219,18);">**Writing Gym - Word Choice March 16th. 2009**

Sentence: What could a terrified carrot do in a kitchen?

There were two carrots that were great friends. One was named was named Car, and the other one Rot. Car and Rot grew up togethor in huge fields, and they also traveled togethor to New York where people will adopt them. I'm talking about human people that adopt the carrots, not carrots that adopt carrots. They were adopted by a huge lady who had white hair. They were taken home, but they were put in a icey cold place. And worst of all, they were all squished in such a small place. Car and Rot had other friends squished with them. One day, Car, Rot, and a few others were let out of the cold place. They all sighed with relief since they were all squished togethor, and they had cramped bodies. The huge lady grabbed them and showed them a sharp knife. The telephone rang and the huge lady went away. Car and Rot quickly ran for their lives togethor in terror. The huge lady came back and continued what she was doing. Car and Rot felf guilty because they left a few of their friends, but they were too terrified to think. They crawled quietly across the floor. They heard a purr, and it was a cat. The cat chased them all around the table. Car and Rot were so scared that they bumped into a leg of the table, and soon, both of their minds went blank, then a loud "CRUNCH!"

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(128,128,0);">**Journal Entry**

March 13th 2009** Sitti, Omer, Rafik, Mom, Poppy and I went to eat at Galilee. When we drank all the tea in our cup, Sitti gathered the cups to read the grounds. Sitti said that Rafik had to study harder, and said that Omer had to be brave. I'm not so sure if Rafik was right, but Sitti did kind of tip the cup and tapped it, and she said a lot of compliments and other positive stuff. Poppy told the waiter that his fish wasn't that delicious.
 * Journal Entry #5

March 12th 2009** Nadine, Khaled, Rafik, Omer, and I decided to got hiking. We had to go slowly because of Khaled's leg. We ate dinner, and when Omer said something in Arabic, Sitti said that they were waiting for him, and thought that he was an angel of her friend in the '67 war. Sitti told us about a story about a sheperd that she used to like. When Omer went, Sitti told him to come back again like a thousand times, and then Poppy drove him home.
 * Journal Entry #4

March 11th 2009** Poppy was in a good mood, and so Rafik, Omer, Nadine, Khaled, Poppy, Sitti, mom, Poppy, and I went to the village. Poppy bought a lot of stuff, probably for the people in the village. We all talked in the car while we were oging, and I guess even Poppy enjoyed it. Everyone or just me knew that Sitti really like Omer. I guess Omer is pleased with such feeling.
 * Journal Entry #3

March 10th 2009** Nadine, Rafik and I visited Khaled in the hospital. We all talked about Poppy and other stuff, too. Mom called and said that Poppy will be home tonight, which made me really relieved, and of course everyone else as well, except Sitti, who didn't know anything. Poppy came, but he was with Sitti who knew everything becasue the governer told her. I sked my parents if Omer can go to the village with us someday, and Poppy was against it, but later on, it turned out that he agreed, reluctantly, though.
 * Journal Entry #2

March 9th 2009** It was like a nightmare. Rafik told me that Poppy was in jail, Khaled was shot, and Mother went in a Palestinian car. Rafik and I got more details from Nadine and went to visit Poppy in jail. However, I was only allowed to visit Poppy, not Rafik. Poppy told me the whole thing, which was a total misunderstanding, and he also asked me questions. I had to go out, and my inside was bubbling, so I screamed at the two gaurds guarding the jail who looked pretty surprised when I did.
 * Journal Entry #1

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,128,128);">March 5. 2009 **
 * 5 Paragraph Essay For Writing Gym [[image:PENGUIN132.gif]]

Q: **Most people like one particular animal more than others. Explain why your favorite animal is your favorite animal.**

Penguins can be so cuddly, cute, cool, and fast at swimming all at once. My favorite animal, something that I like more than any other animals, are penguins. I like them for various reasons. I like them of how they walk, I like them because of their looks, and I like them because they swim fast. Now I will tell you my details of why i like penguins.

Penguins waddle around because they don't even have legs. They only have feet. I think it is really cute when they waddle around since they don't have legs to bend. I don't think that there are many animals that can do that, or even have any legs, even though they can waddle. So, even if there are animals that have legs and can waddle, that's not what I look for. Also, I think it is quite interesting on how they walk like when their body walks one side farther front and then the other side is farther front and the other side is farther back. I like it how they do that and how they waddle around.

I think that penguins look really cute and adorable. I like emperor penguins the most since I know them the most. They are black and white, they have a bit of orange, and I really like the baby penguins because they are fluffy and cute. Baby penguins have fur, but the adults don't. That's why it is special to be a baby penguin. Penguins kind of have big eyes, and I like big eyed animals, but not too big. So, I like how their eyes look like. There are other things on how penguins look like, especially their colors, which is normally brown, black, grey, or white, but what I have mentioned are most of the facts why I like how they look like. The colors of penguins differ, but on type of penguin is always the same color. Maybe not always, but mostly. Of course, Penguins look different. Some penguins have black dots in their bellies. Some penguins have only the color black and white. It really is interesting.

I really like how penguins swim because they are pretty fast. They kick their feet like we do, but of course, they are probably fast at swimming. Of course, there are other animals that can swim fast, but I guess I like how penguins swim. Somehow, I feel that penguins swim in a special way. Different animals swim in different ways. Dolphins jump up and down, up and down since they have to breath. There are some aninmals that swim really slowly, and some animals that swim really fast. However, penguins also swim differently, and I like how they swim.

I like penguins the best because of how they walk. Since they dont have feet, they waddle. I also like penguins because of how penguins look. I think they look really cute and adorable. Finally, my last reason is that penguins can swim fast. Even though there are other mammals that can swim fast, I think that penguins swim in a special way.

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,0,0);">**Habibi pg. 189-199 March 3. 2009**

<span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(0,255,255);">**3 Questions** Q1: What did Liyana dream about? Who were in it? Q2: As a present, Omer gave something to Liyana. What was it? Q3: Diane, the author, wrote some memories of kissing in hight school. What were some memories? <span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(51,12,166);"> <span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(255,0,255);">**3 Sentence Summary** It was Liyana's birthday, and she got all sorts of presents from people, and she also got a present from Omer, who gave her the green lamp that she wanted. Liyana and Rafik went to the American Library, and Omer soon came to the Library, too. Liyana and Omer kissed, and Liyana looked up about kissing in books, and wrote about it, too.
 * 3 Vocabulary**
 * dourly- gloomly, grim
 * waterlogged- saturated
 * furtively- underhandely

<span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(213,32,188);">**Prediction** I think that Liyana and Omer will meet quite often because of the incident or event that happened in the library.

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,199,87);">Habibi pg. 173-183 <span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,0,149);">Feb. 26. 2009

**<span style="color: rgb(244,11,11);">3 Questions ** Q1: What did Liyana and her family do on Christmas Eve? Q2: What sign did Liyana see at church? Q3: What does Poppy do whenever it was Liyana's or Rafik's birthday?


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(61,145,255);">3 Vocabulary **
 * Kernel- the softer, usually edible part contained in the shell of a nut or the stone of a fruit.
 * fundamentalism- the beliefs held by those in this movement.
 * vagabond- wandering from place to place without any settled home; nomadic: a vagabond tribe.
 * <span style="color: rgb(107,255,46);">3 Sentences for Summary **

Liyana went to church on Christmas Eve with her family and sang songs. Liyana meets with Omer, and they talk about religion. Liyana and her family also talk about religion, and what they actually believe in and what they don't believe in.

Writing Gym **
 * <span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(51,12,166);">Feb. 26. 2009

** 14. Most people like one particular animal more than others. Explain why your favorite animal is your favorite animal. **

My favorite animal are penguins. Even though I like many other animals, I really like penguins. It doesn't matter which type of penguin, because I like all of them, but I like the Emperor Penguin the most. They are the only penguins that I have seen quite often. They also look really cool, too. The baby penguins look really fluffy and really cute. Penguins eat fish. They don't eat meat...I think. Anyways, they eat fish. And they catch fish with their beaks. I find that really nice, even though almost all birds catch things with their beaks. Penguins are fast swimmers, which I find really interesting. And what makes a penguin a bit different from others, is that they are fast swimmers and they can'y fly. Of course there are birds that can't fly, but can they swim fast? I don't think so... Maybe there are some birds that can't fly and swim, but I don't thinkn they actually put their heads in the water. Ducks and geese can swim, but a few of them can't fly. Penguins **look** cool, **act** cool, and **is** cool. So, that's why I like penguins a bit more than others. However, I like puppies, kittens, bunnies, but I like penguins a bit more.

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(10,219,18);">Recipe For Disgust
 * <span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,217,0);">Feb. 26. 2009 **



<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(213,32,188);">**Feb. 13.2009** <span style="font-size: 180%; color: rgb(255,93,0);">** English Powerpoint Project Israel-Palestinian Conflict **