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.