5-Shaw


 * = =Sebastian= ||= =Steeve= ||= =Zach= ||= =Kayla= ||= =Giuliana= || =Annie= || =Maddie= || =Justin= ||
 * = =Tyler= ||= =William= ||= =Ryan= ||= =Will= ||= =Lily= || =Lexi= || =Chloe= || =Molly= ||
 * = =Jacob= ||= =Joni= ||= =Miles= ||= =Cameron= ||= =Danielle= || =Liam= || =Max= ||  ||
 * Click on a name above to go to that student's reading comment page.**

Wiki assignment from Mr. Shaw...
 * May 30-June 5: ** WOO-HOO! The **last** wiki assignment of the year! It's your chance to offer some "friendly advice" to the fourth graders who will soon be the new fifth-grade class. What do you think would be helpful for them to know about fifth grade before they get here? Think back to a year ago, when you were about to begin fifth grade, to help you get started. I will give a house point for each good idea you come up with and share on your page. (Sorry, I cannot give points for "copycat" suggestions; try to come up with your own original ideas.)

Also, read others' entries and **write a thoughtful comment on at least two other students' pages**. Don't forget to check out our "Booklist" page when you need ideas for a good book to read, and add something new to the list, if you have one to recommend.

//(previous assignments at bottom of page)//

5 house points to the first three who send me (shawcago) the answer in a wiki mail message. //**NOTE!** You may not win two trivia questions in a row. Give someone else a chance.//
 * Book trivia! **


 * TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK: **
 * 28.** //(We have two winners so far, as of 5/31/11. Who will be #3?)// **Here's another "pen name" question for you. Which well-known children's author has also used "Sue Denim" as a pen name? (Bonus point if you can tell why "Sue Denim" is a pun - a word-play joke.)**

Previous questions...

 * 27. What do the letters J. K. stand for in J. K. Rowling's name?**
 * Answer (from Maddie, Joni, and Lexi): Joanne Kathleen.** (She published as "J. K." because she thought readers, especially boys, wouldn't be interested in a fantasy story written by a woman.**)**


 * 26. Who wrote The Lucky Baseball Bat, The Return of the Home Run Kid,** and **Soccer Duel**?
 * Answer (from Annie, Will, and Giuliana):** Matt Christopher


 * 25. Name the book that begins with this line: “There is no lake at Camp Green Lake.” You also need to name the author (and spell it correctly).**
 * Answer (from Chloe, Joni, and Maddie)**: **Holes** by Louis Sachar


 * 24. In the tall tale of Pecos Bill, what does he use for a lasso? (Bonus point: what's his girlfriend's name?)**
 * Answer (from Molly):** He uses a rattlesnake for a lasso, and his girl is Slue Foot Sue.


 * 23. For which series of books is author Anthony Horowitz known? For a bonus point, how many books are there in this series?**
 * Answer (from Joni and Giuliana):** Anthony Horowitz is known for the Alex Rider series. There have been eight Alex Rider books published.


 * 22. In honor of Dr. Seuss, what is the title of Dr. Seuss's first published book? (Bonus point: how many times was it rejected by publishers before it was finally accepted?)**
 * Answer (from Liam, Danielle, and Annie):** And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street! was Dr. Seuss's first book. (Nobody got the bonus point. The book was rejected 27 times before it was finally published!)


 * 21. Daniel Handler has written a very popular series of books for kids, except that’s not the name you will find on the cover. What is Daniel Handler’s "pen" name, and which series did he write?**
 * Answer (from Jake, Giuliana, Molly, and Lily):** Daniel Handler's pen name is Lemony Snicket, and he wrote A Series of Unfortunate Events.


 * 20. For which two children's books is author E. B. White best known? (Hint: both have been made into movies) For a bonus point, what do the initials E. B. stand for?**
 * Answer (from Peyton, Liam, and Joni):** //E.B. stands for Elwyn Brooks. E.B. White wrote Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little.//


 * 19. Avi is a popular author of books for kids, but "Avi" is a pen name. What's the real name of this author?**
 * Answer (from Jake, Will, and Giuliana):** //Edward Irving Wortis//


 * 18. Earlier this year, we read Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret. A book by Ivy Ruckman describes another natural disaster, a tornado and its aftermath. What is the name of this book?**
 * Answer (from Joni, Molly, and Chloe ):** //Night of the Twisters//


 * 17. The author H. A. Rey wrote a book called "Find the Constellations." For which series is this author better known?**
 * Answer (from Giuliana, Jake, and Will):** H. A. Rey is the author of the Curious George series.


 * 16: Which is the longest book in the Harry Potter series, with over 257,000 words?**
 * Answer (from Sydney, Liam, and Danielle):** Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix


 * 15. Who is A. A. Milne, and what is he best known for?**
 * Answer (from Joni, Giuliana, and Will):** He was an English author who wrote the Winnie-the-Pooh series.


 * 14. With the chilly weather we're having this week, here's an appropriate question for you. In which classic book does a family turn their living room into a skating pond for the sake of their pets?**
 * Answer (from Maddie, Liam, and Danielle):** Mr. Popper's Penguins


 * 13. Who are the members of the Time Warp Trio? For a bonus point, who is the author of this series? (spelling counts :-)**
 * Answer (from Chloe):** Joe,Sam, and Fred are the members and it is by Jon Scieszka


 * 12. What is the name of the series of books for which author Brian Jacques is best-known?**
 * Answer (from Lexi, Liam, Giuliana, and Joni):** It is called the Redwall series. (By the way, the author's last name is pronounced "Jakes."**)**

**Answer (from Will, Danielle, and Maddie G.):** The Chronicles of Narnia, written by C. S. Lewis. By the way, Lewis was a professor at Oxford University in England, and there he worked with another professor named J. R. R. Tolkien, famous for **The Hobbit** (see question 8) and the **Lord of the Rings** trilogy.
 * 11. Here's an easy one for you this week, for those who requested it. :-) A new movie called "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is coming out soon. What is the "official" name of the book series from which it comes, and who is the author? **


 * 10. In //The BFG// by Roald Dahl, what does the BFG keep in bottles in his cave?**
 * Answer (from Liam and Peyton):** The BFG keeps dreams in bottles in his cave.


 * 9. What is the third book in the Harry Potter series? (Full title, please...spelling counts!)**
 * Answer (from Giuliana):** Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban


 * 8. Who is the author of The Hobbit? Who is the title character in that book? (Answer both parts correctly, including spelling.)**
 * Answer (from Jake W. (5Ha) and Maddie G. (5S)):** J.R.R. Tolkien wrote it and the main character was Bilbo Biggins.


 * //7.// In the books by Judy Blume, what is Fudge's real name? (Full name, please, spelled correctly!)**
 * Answer (from Giuliana):** Farley Drexel Hatcher


 * 6. Stanley Yelnats is the main character in which book? What is his name an example of? //(You must answer both questions correctly, including spelling.)//**
 * Answer (from Miles)//://** Stanley Yelnats is an example of a palindrome. A palindrome is a word or phrase that is the same forward and backward. Stanley Yelnats is from the novel Holes


 * 5. What is the word that Mrs. Jewls always writes on the blackboard? (Remember, spelling counts!) For a bonus point, who is the author of this series?**
 * Answer (from Giuliana):** "Discipline" is the word and the author is Louis Sachar.

//**4. In which book do Jess and Leslie become best friends and create their own magical kingdom in the woods? Who is the author?**// (You must answer both questions correctly to win. Spelling counts!)
 * Answer (from Molly)**: The book is **Bridge To Terabithia** by Katherine Paterson.

//**3. A new movie version of "Alice in Wonderland" came out recently. Who wrote the original book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? (2 bonus points if you can also tell me the author's real name.)**//
 * Answer (from Miles):** Lewis Carroll. Two points to Danielle for giving Lewis Carroll's real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

//**2. In Kate DiCamillo's book,**// **The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane**//**, who or what is Edward Tulane?**//
 * Answer (from Liam):** Edward Tulane is some kind of glass doll made to look like a rabbit that changes hands of its owners. Some people would call it a Miraculous Journey.

//**1. For which series of books is R. L. Stine best known?**//
 * Answer (from Hesther):** Goosebumps


 * Previous assignments...**

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 * May 23-29: ** This week, look back at all your wiki entries and think about your best reading experience of the year. Which book stands out in your memory? Which one meant the most to you? Be sure to explain why.======

=
 **May 16-22 **: Sorry for being a little late with this...let's do one more "free choice" week! I really enjoyed the variety of comments that everyone posted last week. Also, I would like to collect some comments about Google Docs and what you like or don't like about it. ======

=
**May 9-15: ** Let's do another free choice week, and this time it's really free...you may write about any topic you choose, as long as it's "appropriate." It doesn't even have to be about reading (but it can be). Surprise your audience and maybe even yourself! ======

=
May 2-8: Your choice this week--you can reflect and respond to what you've read for your Civil War research, or you can share something about any book you are currently reading. Just make it thoughtful and interesting! ======

**Apr. 25-May 1:** This week, you should be doing plenty of reading on your research topic. Use your wiki page to share new information that you've learned about the Civil War and your subject.

**Apr. 18-24:** Nice work on the causes and effects last week! Because I'm posting this so late, I'm going to make this a "free choice" week. You may write whatever you like, as long as it connects in some way with what you are reading**.** The best responses will earn five house points.


 * Apr. 11-17: ** I'm posting this a little early so that you can get a head start on it if you wish. This week, find and describe at least one cause and effect situation in the book you are reading. For an extra challenge, find another cause-effect relationship that has **more than one cause** that leads to one effect, or one cause that leads to **more than one effect**.


 * Mar. 21-27: ** Earlier this school year, you wrote about someone who is a hero to you. This week, pick a character from a book you've read this year who is a hero. Tell why this person is a hero, and describe two or more character traits that you admire. Use examples from the story to show what you mean.

Mar. 14-20: Free choice week! You may write about anything you like this week, as long as it has some connection to books and reading. Be creative! Write a poem, a play, a game, or something else. Just write something worth reading!

Mar.7:13: You have two choices this week. You can either **revise what you wrote** last week, or you can **start fresh** with two new characters from the same (or different) book. Here's what you need to do: pick two important characters from a book you're reading now (or have read recently) and compare and contrast them. Tell important ways they are alike and different, especially in behavior, attitude, or character traits. **Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the author!**

Feb. 28-Mar.4: Pick two important characters from a book you're reading now (or have read recently) and tell how they are alike and different. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the author! Also, just for fun, what's your favorite Dr. Seuss book? I always liked "If I Ran the Circus" but I like the message of "The Lorax" too.

**Feb. 21-27**: This is a "**free**" week for you (you're welcome), but I will give **bonus points** to your house team if you write about what you're reading this week! This would also be a good time to read other students' pages and **leave them a thoughtful message**. I will also give points for the best comments on others' pages. (Hint: "Good job" or "I like what you wrote" won't win any house points.)


 * Feb. 14-20: ** In honor of Valentine's Day, please tell us about a book or author that you really ** love **. Give at least three reasons why you love it.


 * Feb. 7-13: **As we finish our Revolutionary War novels, think back to the Holocaust novels we read in October. How does this book compare to the one you read before? Compare and contrast them; explain important ways they were alike, and ways they were different. Think about setting, characters, plot, and theme. First, go back and re-read what you wrote in October about your book (you will need to visit the special wikis we used for that unit, but you may have written something on your regular page, too).


 * Jan. 31-Feb. 6:** Once again, we have extra reading and writing to do this week for our Revolutionary War novel groups, so this week's wiki entry is //optional//. You may use it to share your thoughts on the novel, or on something else that you're reading. I will award up to five house points for thoughtful responses**!**


 * Jan. 24-30:** ﻿Since we have extra reading and writing to do this week for our Revolutionary War novel groups, this week's wiki entry is //optional//. You may use it to share your thoughts on the novel, or on something else that you're reading. I will award up to five house points for thoughtful responses**!**


 * Jan. 18-23: ** Let's focus this week on the skill of sequencing. Think of what you're reading now, or a book you've finished recently. Pick out four or five important events from the story. Write a paragraph that clearly shows the sequence of those events. Be sure to use a variety of good transitional words, such as //first//, //in the beginning, then, next, after that,// and //finally.//

** Jan 10-16: ** Can you believe we're almost halfway through the school year already? Take some time this week to reflect on your reading so far. Go back and read some of your earlier wiki entries. Here are some suggestions for your response:
 * How have you changed or grown as a reader?
 * How do you feel about reading? Is it a bore and a chore, or a joy and more?
 * Which book has been the most memorable to you? Why?
 * What's on your future reading list?


 * Jan. 3-9: ** Happy New Year! Let's start it off by telling about what you are currently reading. If you're reading a chapter book, be sure to include something about the main characters and the problems or conflicts they are facing.


 * Dec. 13-19: ** 'Tis the season for giving, and with that in mind, I would like you to give the gift of a book. Not really, of course, but let's pretend. Pick two books that you have read and enjoyed, and "give" each book to someone you (and we) know. Be sure to tell us a little about each book, and why it would be perfect for that person you chose.

For example, I might give **The Scarecrow and His Servant** by Phillip Pullman to Mrs. Hansen. It's a funny and clever story with interesting characters, especially the Scarecrow himself, who fearlessly takes on twenty bad guys at a time and falls madly in love with a broom. There's plenty of action and plot twists along the way. I think Mrs. Hansen would enjoy reading it to her class, just as I am sharing it with you now.

//Here are two truths and a lie about "The Scarecrow and his Servant" :// //1. The Scarecrow has lost his original arms.// //2. Jack found the Scarecrow standing in the field of the farmer who made him.// //3. The Scarecrow is very excited about being a prop in a play.// //Can you guess which one is the lie?// (Bonus: Congratulations to Maddie, Miles, and Will, who were the first three students to send me the correct answer. They each earned two house points.)
 * Dec. 6-12: ** Let's keep the games rolling this week. This time, give us "Two Truths and a Lie" about the book you are reading now. For example...


 * Nov. 29-Dec. 5: ** It's Book Quiz week! Your job is to pick any book that you have read and write a list of four or five clues that will help us guess the book. Try to choose a book that others will be likely to know, and try to write clever clues that will make your readers have to think a little before they can solve your riddle. Then visit other kids' pages and try to guess their books and identify the author, if you can. Have fun!


 * Nov. 15-21: ** Once again this week, focus on the **traits and motives** of a character in the story you're reading. Describe at least **three** of his (or her) traits, and at least **one** important motive. What does this character want? What do his thoughts and actions tell you about him? //Up to five house points will be awarded for thoughtful entries!// Also visit at least two other students' pages and respond thoughtfully to what they have written. (Please look for "quiet" pages that could use a few comments.)


 * Nov. 8-14: ** For your entry this week, please choose a character in the story you're reading and describe his (or her) traits and motives. What does this character want to do or be? What do his thoughts and actions tell you about him? Give at least two examples from the story. //Up to five house points will be awarded for thoughtful entries!// Visit at least two other students' pages and respond thoughtfully to what they have written. (Try to discover "quiet" pages that could use a few comments.)


 * Nov. 1-7: **This week, I'd like you to reflect on //Number the Stars// or //Jacob's Rescue//, and our visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum on Monday. Which character did you most admire? Tell why. Also, was there anything you did or saw at the museum that you could connect with the book? Please visit at least two other pages and respond to what others say.


 * Oct. 25-31: In honor of Halloween, share a spooky story with us this week! What's the scariest book or story you have read? What made it so spine-tingling? Be sure to include the title and author, and tease us with a few juicy details. If you're not into scary stories, then just tell us about a favorite book that you would recommend to others. **


 * Oct. 18-24: **We are doing our Holocaust novel groups this week, and most of you have wiki assignments to go along with your book. //Therefore, this week's reading wiki assignment is optional, and I will generously reward those who choose to write interesting responses!// Here's what I'm looking for: compare your Holocaust book to another book that you're reading now, or have read recently. You might compare characters, setting, or conflict and resolution. Go for it!

October 11-17: Let's focus on characters again this week. Pick another character from whatever you are reading, and use the same pattern to tell about that character. What does he (or she) look like? How does he act? What does he do? What are his problems? What do you think of this character? (You do not need to color-code your response!)

October 4-10: For this week's entry, pick a main character in the book you are reading, and describe that character in detail. What does he (or she) look like? How does he act? What does he do? What are his problems? What do you think of this character? //(see color coding below)//

For example, I might describe the main character from "Mostly Michael" this way: //Michael Marder is an 11 or 12 year old boy in sixth grade. He is the oldest child in his family, with a younger sister, Mindy, and his mom and dad. He describes himself as "average-looking" and is concerned that his new braces are going to make him look ugly. He tries to be a good friend, but sometimes feels shy or awkward around others. He usually tries to do the right thing. Writing in his diary is helping him think through some problems he is facing. He's worried that his parents may be heading for a divorce. He has a "girlfriend" named Carrie, even though he doesn't want one. He's having trouble trying to make Carrie understand that. Another problem is that he is a bit lazy about schoolwork, especially reading. He cheated by handing in a book report that he had already done for another teacher, but he was caught and has been given a punishment. I like Michael, even though he has made some poor choices. I think he is basically a good kid and knows that he shouldn't have cheated. //

**Sept. 27-Oct. 3**: This week, just write an interesting paragraph that describes what's happening in your book. Be sure to include what you think about it, and why.


 * Sept. 20-26 :** You are off to a great start! Don't forget to visit your classmates' pages to find out what they're reading. It might give you some good ideas for new books to read.

In your entry this week, tell us about what you are reading in a well-written paragraph that includes characters, setting, and important plot events (but don't spoil the ending). Up to three house points will be awarded for your efforts. //Vocabulary challenge: For up to three more points, find a word in your book that you do not know, show how it is used in the story, and find out the correct meaning of the word.//


 * Sept. 13-19: ** This week, write a good paragraph (at least four or five sentences) that describes what you're reading right now. Be sure to tell us about the main characters and any important conflicts. Be sure to write at least two sentences that tell what you think about this book.


 * Sept. 4-12: ** Starting this week, your wiki entry will be due by Sunday. We are looking at conflict and resolution in the story "Rope Burn." I would like you to describe a conflict in the story that you are reading, if you are reading a fiction book. Also, see if you can make any connections between your book and "Rope Burn." I am hoping to see connections that stretch your thinking and are creative.

Aug. 27-Sept. 3 : For our first entry of the new school year, first tell a little bit about what you are reading now, and then describe your reading habits. Do you read a lot, or not too much? What kinds of reading do you like to do? Do you have a favorite author or series or magazine? I will award up to 5 house points for thoughtful responses.