Update from Moretown - Post Flood

View from kitchen window 6:00PM Sunday - Evacuating

Morning after - Day #1 Recovery

Hello to all. Thank you for your love and support. We are all doing fine. The community here has been amazing and I have all the help that I need. Please know that while I am unable to receive or return many of your communications at this time, I am moved by every text. I have posted some photos of the flood and aftermath here on the blog, as well as at the following link

https://picasaweb.google.com/dlbolger/MoretownPostFloodSept22011?authuser=0&feat=directlink.

Thank you so much to the team Donna, Kim, Ali and all of you. Thank you Liz Neeld, Carly, Lily, and Julia for setting up my classroom and getting things underway. Thank you John for understanding. Thank you dear colleagues at ABS and WCS. Thank you to all my former parents and students for the e-mails. Especially thank you to all of my new students and parents for your patience. I cannot wait until next week.

Our Book Club Mascot Sends His Best!

Page 1-Pg. 50 in Martin Bridge

Dear Book Club,

We will have our final meeting of the summer at 5:00 p.m. next Wednesday the 24th (see schedule).

We'll be talking about Martin Bridge Onwards and Upwards. I have read up to pg. 50 so far. Martin loves a  TV show called "Zip Rideout", his mom loves to get good bargains at yard sales, and she also likes to learn new instruments.
 
I would like everyone to make a comment about this question (it could even be just one sentence): 

Q: Name one problem that Martin faces in the first 50 pages of this book.

Second, I noticed that the author uses a lot of hard words in this book. 
I would  like everyone to pick one of the following words/sentences and explain to us what it means:


Example:  "The boys stopped fighting and sheepishly scuffed at the ground"(pg. 9)
Sample comment:  If you are sheepish, it means that you are embarrassed. You might act sheepish if you take the last cookie and your sister asks you what happened to it.


1. "Alex was always full of harebrained ideas."(pg. 11)


2. "Listening to his mom negotiate was excruciating."(pg. 11)


3. "She was ruthless and could bargain almost anyone down to almost nothing." (pg. 14)


4. Martin made fun of his mom's playing. "Very funny," she said, undaunted." (pg. 21)


5. "He felt a smidge of sympathy for Mrs. Baddeck, his school's music teacher..." (pg. 21)


6. Her enthusiasm for music was infectious. (pg. 22)


7. Play something for us!" Mr. Bolger said jovially (pg. 24)



8. "That doesn't sound very good," he said, bluntly. (pg. 35)


9. His tree fort was a sanctuary. (pg. 36)


Please comment as soon as possible so that your explanation can help the rest of us as we read :)


More later,


Mr. Bolger

Ps: for those of you who feel ambitious,  you may earn three Skittles for each comment you post!
The more you comment... the more Skittles you can earn. 
(And I owe some of you Tootsie Pops.... ) 

:)

One last book to get./Two last meetings to set...

Hello Radiant Readers!

Please take a look at the updated schedule (in the side bar to the right). My updated information is in blue.

I am hoping we can all meet next Tuesday the 16th (I am checking to see if  the library Community Room is available.) Are you available? That would make up for the meeting we missed last Tuesday.

Also, it turns out that Amy and I need to be in Maine on the 23rd to scatter Amy's dad's ashes on the lake he loved. Consequently, I am not available for book group on the 23rd. I wonder if people are available for the 24th, the 25th, or the 26th? That would  be our final meeting. Let me know.

A note about the books: As you know, I suggested the "River Rafters" group not read  Horrid Henry  Instead, I am hoping that all the kids  from "The Mountaineers"  and "The River Rafters" can get Martin Bridges Onwards and Upwards by Jessica Scott Kerrin (I'm sure it's in the library -- or you can buy it for $6.95) the younger kids can read  it with their parents, while the older kids can read it on their own.

Then, at our last meeting, we can all meet as one group at 5:00  p.m. and enjoy talking together about this  book's theme of boys and girls, prejudice, courage, and friendship. 

I hope  to hear from you all, and I'm looking forward to seeing you (hopefully this coming Tuesday!)


- Mr. Bolger

Can you meet today?/ Change of books

Hi Everyone.

Back  from San Diego. I am wondering if people are available to meet today at the usual time (4:20 p.m. for Adia, Tyler, and Yoni; 5:00 p.m. for Evan, Samantha, and Sierra -- and Adia and Tyler and Yoni if you'd like). The Roys are out of town -- as well as the Mitchells and the Lis.


Also, for the older kids, I would like to make a change of books. Even though Horrid Henry got rave reviews -- and that's why I picked it -- I finally read it all the way through, and I was surprised and disappointed with its message: Isn't if fun and funny to be  a jerk to people?  Whereas Alvin Ho, Clementine, and Marty McGuire all face their doubts, take on challenges, and triumph and learn important life lessons, Horrid Henry is, well, horrid. Period. No lessons. No learning, And that's somehow supposed to be good for kids to read. So, I encourage you to not have your kids read it. I'm sorry I had you buy it.  It's a lemon.  I am going to look around today for a replacement book (I'll look in my classroom too -- for multiple-copy books), and I will also work to find, today, the final book for the River Rafters. In the meantime, the Mountaineers should have finished My Dog the Dinosaur by  Jackie French and be reading Stink and the Incredible Super Galactic Jaw Breaker  for our last meeting in two weeks.

Ok. Happy reading, Everyone!


Fondly,
Mr. B

August 7, 2011

Hello Mighty Readers!

Mr. B here. I am writing to you from San Diego, California. I am sad to say that my father-in-law (Amy's dad) passed away from old age (he was 89 years old!), so we came to be with family for a week. We are all sad, but we are happy to be together and happy to think about how much Amy's dad, Wally, brought to all of us during his life.

We will be flying back on Tuesday night, so I'm sorry, but I won't be able to host our regular Tuesday book club this week. I wonder if people are available on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoon (4:20 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.)? If not, we can maybe look to the following week to add a book club meeting.

Now for my questions....

River Rafters (you guys who read Alvin Ho and Marty McGuire):

I will give a Tootsie Pop to the first kid who answers this questions correctly:

Some place deep in this book, Alvin Ho makes a list of directions for how to pitch a tent. Find the list. What is step # 15?


Mountaineers (you guys have read My Dog the Dinosaur) this week:

I will give a Tootsie Pop to the first Mountaineer who answers one of the following questions:
1) What did you like most about My Dog the Dinosaur ? ......   or.....
2) Write the name of  all the books you have read since our last meeting!

Can't wait to hear from you.

-- Mr. Bolger

July 24, 2011

Hello Mountaineers and River Rafters!

FIRST, here is a list of questions for the River Rafters (the group that read Clementine - 137 pgs). For each book, I have put the questions in order from easier to harder. Pick at least one question, and post a comment by MONDAY that answers it (remember that good readers read the book again to answer the questions.)

1) Pick an illustration. Tell us what page it's on and why you like that illustration the best.

2) Clementine was afraid that she didn't have a talent for the talent show. Read pgs 124-127 again. What was Clementine's talent in the end? Do you think that was a good talent?
 
3) Clementine has lots of insightful and humorous things to say about the people around her. For example, on page 41, she says,  "Margaret's teacher wears her hair swirled up  like a tornado, and I think if a bobby pin ever came shooting out of it, it would look like lightning. I like watching for that." Find something else Clementine says. Tell the page number, and tell why you like it.

4) Pick a character (like Margaret or Mitchell, or the principal, or the O'Malley Twins,) Find a quote from that character -- or about that character -- and then tell how that quote tells us something about that character.

Here is an example:

On page 55, it says, In Margaret's closet, you expect to see big signs saying "Big Sale on Sweaters! or New Fashion Arrivals!" There was a whole wall of cubbies just for shoes, and every pair was in its own plastic bag. I pointed to the bags. "How come?" "Germs!" Margaret shuddered and made a face like she'd just swallowed a toad" .

I think that this quote shows that Margaret has lots of things. It also shows that Margaret is a real perfectionist, and she can't stand germs or anything else that is not perfect.

5) Explain how you are similar to one of the  characters.

6) Explain how someone you know is similar to one of the characters.

7) Usually in books, the main character learns something. What did Clementine learn by the end of this book, The Talented Clementine?  How did she grow?

8***) If you were the author, how would you change the ending for The Talented Clementine?


SECOND,  Hello, Mighty Mountaineers (Last week, you had to read four books -- 166 pages in all! Congratulations!  

Here is a list of questions for you about your four books. Cork and Fuzz, Mouse and Mole, Houndsley and Catina, and Owl Tree. I have put them in order from easier to harder. Pick at least one question, and post a comment by MONDAY that answers it (and remember that good readers read the book again to answer the question.)

Cork and Fuzz

1) in Cork and Fuzz, Cork is a muskrat and Fuzz is a possum. What does Cork like to eat? What does Fuzz like to eat?

2) What do possums do when they are afraid? Do they run away?

3) Cork and Fuzz are different in a lot of ways. How many differences can you think of?

***4) Is there someone you are friends with even though you are different in some ways?
Explain.

Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole


1) In Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole,  Mouse and Mole are neighbors. Mole gets mad at Mouse. Why?

2) Do Mouse and Mole like to eat dinner at each other's house? Explain.

3) Mouse and Mole get each other gifts for when they visit each other. What do they get and why?

***4) Some kids say that Mouse and Mole are like Cork and Fuzz. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time

1) Why is the dog named Houndsley and the cat named Catina?

2) Catina is worried about something. What is Catina worried about?

3) Houndsley says on page 7, "What will be will be. Let's  enjoy the day..."  Is  Houndsley worried or is he not worried? Explain.

***4) On page 36, it says,  "Without saying a word, the musicians picked up their instruments and began to play so softly that the notes  fell on the listening ears like snowflakes on waiting tongues, gently softly, there, for a flicker before melting away."  Explain what is happening at the end of this story.


Owl Tree - Choose Your Own Adventure

1) Did you like doing a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book?  What did you like about it or dislike about it?

2) At the end of the book, there is a page with many other Choose -Your-Own-Adventure books.
Look at them. Which one would you like to get next? Explain why.


THIRD...Chase, Sierra, Sophie, and Amanda Li, I have a second assignment for you to do by Tuesday:  choose  one of these two assignments: 

1) please tell briefly what other books you have been reading. Then, in 100 words or more, pick one you really liked and tell us why you recommend it. 

or 

2) instead, pick any character from a book you have been enjoying. Have that character post a comment on our blog that begins, "Hello. My name is ________________. You gotta help me!.... (this is a chance to have fun with your imagination. Make it at least 100 words.)


FOURTH, REMEMBER, WE MEET THIS TUESDAY!

Mountaineers meet at 4:20 p.m. for soda, chips and  a chat. Read Birthday for Bear, Mercy Watson, and Harry Cat  by then.

River Rafters meet at 5:00 p.m. for soda, chips and a chat. Read The  Amazing World of Stuart by then.

Happy Reading and Writing, Everyone! And remember, I know it's real hard in the midst of all the summer activity to sit down and be still enough to read and think and write, but it's a very healthy thing to do at least once each day. It feels good too. 

Anxious to hear your thoughts,


- Mr. Bolger



  

July 19, 2011

Hello Summer Readers!

I hope you all are having a great summer so far.  I also hope you've got a comfortable summer reading spot. I like to put a chair on my little wooden raft and read out in the middle of my pond.
What is your summer reading spot?

I haven't posted since we last met because I wanted to wait 'til everyone had their books from the book list. Now we can get started!

My beavers are big and healthy and happy, and now we also have a couple of snapping turtles in our pond. They come out at midday, and they float around just to soak in the heat from the sun. If only they could read, they'd really be enjoying themselves.

Liam, Sadie, Amy, and I are also really enjoying hosting two soccer coaches from the Challenger Soccer Camp. One of them is from Scotland and one of them is from England. We're having a blast  playing Beatles songs  and reading from The Twits with British accents!  

Amanda Li, I hope you are reading this and you can post a comment to us from China.  

Grant and Chase, I know you are on vacation, but I hope you can also check in and tell us all what you are up to.  

Tyler, Adia, Kyle, Sam, and Ruben, your reading group is called The Mountaineers. I hope you've been able to find the books on the reading list for this week and next week. There are seven of them! Please read them with your parents first (and they can help you with the hard words). Then, you should read them once or twice to yourself. Finally, try reading them to someone smoothly --all on your own.

Samantha, I've been thinking about you and  Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. I wonder if you finished it or if you maybe got into another book. What have you been reading?

Sierra, let me know what good books you have  been reading since we last met.I have a couple of  suggestions for you -- books I came across last week.

Sophie, you are probably done with Phillipa  Fisher by now. I called up the library to request it along with Every Soul is a Star and I am going to read them this week.  I look forward to  "talking" with you about them.

Carlie,  have you liked The Talented Clementine? I can't wait to read your comment. I am going to finish it tonight, and I'll post a couple of questions for everyone tomorrow. Then it's on to  The Amazing World of Stuart.


Evan, what are you reading now? And how did you like Clementine?

Ok, I'm off to a Mountaineers baseball game with my British coaches. I will try to post every day now.  I  can't wait to hear from you all.

Yours  in Reading,

- Mr. Bolger

July 7, 2011

           Shhh... Beavers

Mmmmmm, it's Summertime!
Trees to climb
Two candies for a dime
Oops
Lost track of the time.

Ripples on the night water
"There's the beaver!"
Whispers my daughter
 We crouch and watch
And listen
And don't think about the show
We're missing

Now the male has come
They chortle
And they hum
A beaver hum
Big as a dog, he preens her
In the flashlit fog

But my cough startles them
And suddenly
With an awkward flurry
They're gone
And there's nothing left
But silent ripples
On this dark
Silent
Pond.



Dear Amanda, Kyle, Tyler and Adia,  Sam, Sophie, Carlie, and Samatha,  Grant, Ruben, Evan, Chase, and Sierra,

1st: I need a title for the poem. Any suggestions? 

2nd:
Happy beginning of Summer!  I really enjoyed  getting together with you and your folks at the library last Tuesday. You  all took home some great books - What are you reading and what are you thinking? 

 Adia, are you finished with My Father's Dragon?  Have you enjoyed it? Didn't you say you had read a couple of other dragon books from that series?  

Carlie,  I see you took The Twits. That is such a fun read-aloud book, I wonder if  it has felt different reading it for yourself vs. listening to it during read-aloud. Was it fun to be able to take your time and read about the eyeball and all the other stuff? (!)

Sophie, I don't know you as well, yet,  as a reader, but I'm curious about City of Ember: did you decide to read it? If you did, how far are you, and what have you liked about it so far?   

Grant, my bet is that you picked up Bunnicula first. Am I right? Or was it Perilous Road? 

Samantha, you took Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. You have to try The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles. That's also a fantastic book. It has kids on a mystical adventure and it has mystery and cool, talking animals. And Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) wrote it. 

Evan, what did you like better, My Side of the Mountain or Brian's Hunt? I think they are kind-of similar and kind-of  different. 

Chase, I am anxious for you to read The People of Sparks, because I think it's the best book in that series. It's more of a 6th or 7th grade book with it's themes, but I would  love to hear what you are thinking about it as you read it. Also, I haven't yet  read Return of the Homework Machine. I wonder if it's as good as the first one.  

Sam, you truly are a Diary of a Wimpy Kid fan. I think the author is pretty brilliant. That is some funny, funny writing. I wonder what part you liked the most.  

Kyle, you  just love humor books, don't you?  Did you like The Cat on the Mat book? You should hit the library and look for the other ones in that series.  

Tyler, I am so glad that you joined us last Tuesday! Have you read a lot of the Mister Putter and Tabby books?   I haven't read Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill the Beans yet.  Can you tell me what happens? I love Mr. Putter.

Sierra, what book are you reading now?  I like to have older students like you and Sophie and Chase, in the book club, because you help me by advising me on good books for my read-alouds. What are you reading right now? Are you enjoying it?

And last but not least: Amanda Li. You probably finished The Year of the Dog by dinner time, and finished Emmy and the Incredible  Shrinking Rat by bedtime. Am I right?  Tell me about those two. Would either one of them be good for a read-aloud? And what book are you reading now?

Please, everyone, keep reading at least 20 minutes each day. And please be generous! Share your thoughts with me and with each other by posting a comment at least once a week. (or as often as you like). You can answer a question I've posed to you, or you can post comments to each other (maybe you have read the same book as your friend and want to add a thought.)  Remember, parents, it's so great if you can grab another copy of the book your child is reading and read it too. It gives you lots to talk about anytime...anywhere.  You may also read aloud to your child. That counts.

Our Shared Reading Books: I am a little behind due to having family in over the 4th, and putting that roof on (nearly done!) My apologies. I am trying to make a decision between two great books for us all to get started on. I'm also trying to find copies we can use. I will have the first title for you to begin by Sunday. That'll give us a couple of days to get into it before we get together again on Tuesday (5:00-5:55 p.m).  

I can't wait to read your comments. Happy reading, Book-clubbers!

Mr. Bolger

ps: I'm serious about needing your help for a title for my poem.  I can't think of  what it should be... Maybe  Night Pond or Beaver Pond at Night or  Big as a Dog? If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. We can vote on the titles on Tuesday, and I'll pick the one that you all choose. 

pps: Ruben, welcome back to Williston! See you on Tuesday.