The Lightning Thief Introduction

As we begin our literature journey into Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief create a new blog dedicated just to your assignments associated with our novel study. You should title your blog: [Your name] And The Lightning Thief (your url will read - [yourname]andthelightningthief.blogspot.com) After creating your new blog, go to my Lightning Thief blog: smittieandthelightningthief.blogspot.com and scroll down to follow this blog. This is where I will post all assignments from, along with my own thoughts while reading the novel.

Once this is completed, create your first post by responding to 4 of the 7 following prompts. Choose any 4 you like but only make one entry to answer all 4 questions. Make sure that you retype the question prior to answering; include the question number and then make sure there is a space between the question and your response.

Here are the questions:

1. Have you ever been treated unfairly by a teacher (or parent, or other adult)?
Describe the circumstances and why you considered the treatment unfair.

2. What do you know about learning disabilities such as ADHD or dyslexia? Do you
know anyone who has a learning disability? Do you think a person with a learning
disability should receive more time to complete tests or less homework than a
person without a learning disability? Explain your position.

3. In Ancient times, the Greeks had gods for many important forces in their lives --
the sea, thunderstorms, farming, music, medicine, poetry, archery, etc. Why do
you think they imagined many different gods rather than just one? Would this
make life more confusing or less confusing?

4. Young children often imagine that their parents aren’t really their parents. What
would it be like if you suddenly found out that you had a “real” father or mother
you never knew about? What if this person was extremely rich and powerful –
would you accept them as a parent?

5. Do you believe in anything that science can’t prove -- such as magic, or ghosts, or
creatures like the Loch Ness monster? Why or why not?

6. Have you ever been to summer camp? If so, describe what you did or did not like
about it. If not, imagine and describe what you think a typical summer camp
would be like – any impressions from television or movies?

7. You have been granted one magical item of your choice. What would this item be,
and what power would it have? Explain your choice.

Happy Blogging

Wow What A Revolution!

The war is over and the Americans have gained their freedom when the Prime Minsiter of England, along with Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams placed their signatures on the Treaty of Paris in 1783. You are back home (or the one who fought for you family) and things are going to be different now, however you still harbor feelings about the war. Using what you learned about the particular battles during the Revolutionary War along with the clips from "The Patriot" to explain how you feel about coming home from the war. In addition to coming home, how has your world changed due to the American victory. In this entry be as detailed as possible to take us through your thoughts about what is going to happen now that the Revolution has been won. Questions to ponder:

1. How will you make money?
2. Will you buy land?
3. How much rebuilding of the cities will need to take place?
4. What will be your role in the rebuilding process?
5. What is going to happen to the land won in the French and Indian War?
6. What are you going to do the next Independence Day (4th of July)?

Here are some links that will help in bringing realism to your blog entry:

American Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution

Post Revolution
http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/coakhist/amrev.html#POST

Happy Blogging!

I'm Off To the War Mom....

You have just been summoned by your colony to go fight in the war against Britain and you just got to the point where your life was where you wanted it. However, you agree with why the war needs to take place. In a blog entry explain your last 3 days that you will spend before you go to war. Please include the following:

* Reflections on your feelings about the events that lead up to the war
* What you will say to your family and friends (it's fine to pretend you are an adult with a family)
* What activities you will participate in considering this may be your last chance to do some of the things you've always wanted to do.
* Explain your emotions about going to war
* Include important people involved in the fight for freedom that either have an impact on you or on your decision to join the continental army.

You may include a any additional information, but make sure you use your background knowledge to make your blog entry as realistic as possible as if you were actually there in the 1700's. You can refer to your notes to provide details for your entry.

Please title your blog: I'm Off To War...

Special Note: For you ladies, considering women were not allowed to fight in the army you may not want to pretend to be a boy going off to war. So, in light of this fact, you can reply from a mother's perspective who's husband or sons are going off to war.

Happy blogging.

If you need some help with background information, you can watch this video about the Road to the Revolution.

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=144117&title=Road_To_The_Revolution&ref=imaginebeingbetter

The Voyage

Pretend you are a West African living in the early 1700's. Write a blog entry describing one day of your life in West Africa; A day in your life during the Middle Passage; and a day of your life after arriving North America.

Your entry should include:

1. An accurate description of what happened to you on that day.
2. An explanation of the dilemma you faced
3. An explanation of how you dealt with the dilemma and why you reacted that way.

Dream Makers vs. Dream Breakers... A program with a REAL Message!

Today you witnessed a truly inspirational presentation about understanding what it took to be a Champion and how to live that life every day. Mr. Lowery, of Commandos! USA presented a notion to us after demonstrating his amazing strength, and that idea was about differentiating between a Dream Maker and a Dream Breaker. In your blog response today, I would like for you to express yourselves openly in regards to this idea. Include these thoughts in your response:

1. What is the difference between a Dream Maker and a Dream Breaker?
2. In which category do you fall?
3. What personal experiences have you had with either Dream Makers and/or Dream Breakers?
4. How can you either change from a Dream Breaker to a Dream Maker or what example can you set, including what things you can do that will encourage yourself while influencing others to hang out with Dream Makers or become one themselves.

Don't hesitate to put yourself in a vulnerable position with this entry. This is our moment to understand who we are and as it was said, you are fearfully and wonderful made. That means, you are a Masterpiece and no outside labels should be able to convince you any differently.

Happy Blogging!

If I Were Astro Boy...

There will not be a reading blog this week. Hold your applause, instead you will concentrate on your creative writing piece regarding Astro Boy. You are to watch the video, (a larger version available on our media website) and then respond by creating an adventure as if you were Astro Boy saving the world. The idea is to be the actual creation and come up with the mechanical devices that would be apart of your framework. Anything from extra strength in some form, rockets on your feet, to super breath; anything goes as long as each item has a purpose in helping defeat all odds in saving the world. The movie clip is to serve as you inspiration as you begin to write. Each story must:

1. Have a beginning, middle, and end.
2. Involve an antagonistic villian that is trying to destroy Earth.
3. Contain two additional characters that aid in the quest.

The adventures will be submitted as a blog entry and must have an illustration of the main character posted as well.

The best story, as voted on by your peers (may include some 5th graders from other classes), will receive two (2) movie passes to see Astro Boy at the AMC Theatres. The best illustration will also be decided by peer vote and the winner will receive the same prize.

Questions to ponder while writing:

What is my main idea?
What is the setting of my adventure?
What adjectives will help the reader visualize my adventure?
Who are the characters involved and in what manner do they affect the story?
What is the conflict?
Why is their conflict?
When does this all happen?



Just a few questions to get your story web started. Have fun with this. You have until Wednesday, October 28 to complete this assignment.

Happy Adventuring!

Here is another clip to inspire you!

Tearing Off The Labels: Assignment #2

I notice that many of you are having a ton of fun being creative with the Tearing Off the Labels lesson. However, it's time to move on, so you need to get serious about finishing your project and getting it posted on your blog. So, here are the directions given on Tuesday to guide you in completing your work.

1. Finish your "Tearing Off The Labels" music.
2. Write lyrics to fit your music that deals with tearing off YOUR labels.
3. Place your music in a blog and write your lyrics as a new post and publish so others can listen to your music and read your song at the same time. (Go to smittieskids.com and click on tutorials if you don't remember how to do this. Title your new post: Tearing Off My Labels Song
4. Read other entries posted by your classmates and make a comment on at least 2 blogs. (make sure your comments are appropriate and positive)

Also, don't forget to add to the sidebar of your blog and "follow" my blog in order for you to make sure you get the assignments when they are posted.

Along with that, for your listening pleasure, I have added the Reality Ride and Defense Mechanism songs to my blog. So enjoy.