Vol. 4, #4
January,
2004
Suitable for elementary schoolSuitable for middle schoolSuitable for high school Literary Book Club
Suitable for elementary schoolSuitable for middle schoolSuitable for high school TALK
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Into the Classroom
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Literacy Online
Through a Student's Eyes
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Jeffrey L. Jones, editor
jjones@fayette.k12.ky.us

FCPS Home Page

Literary Book Club

Attention, Teachers! Below is an example review from the Literary Book Club. Have your students submit their own book reviews! All grade levels welcome! Instructions are on the site.

Attention, kids! Students with featured reviews get free books!

Title: The Witch of Blackbird Pond Reviewer: Chelsea
Author: Speare, Elizabeth George Teacher: Bowen, Jane
Illustrator:   School: LTMS

Witchcraft, sorcery, evil. That is what many people thought when they first saw Kit Tyler. She was just a fun-loving girl, but too fun and loving for the likes of New Englanders.

This book is set in New England during the late 1600's.

The main character is Kit Tyler. She is 12 years old and going to live with her Aunt and Uncle in the New World. Some of the supporting characters are Kit's aunt and uncle and her 2 cousins:Mercy and Judith. There is also Nathaniel, whom Kit is in love with. Hannah is another character; she is the real witch of Blackbird Pond.

This book starts in England. Kit's grandfather dies and she is forced to move to America with her relatives. When she gets there, Kit makes her first impression by jumping into the water to save a little girls doll. In America, at that time, if you could swim you were considered a witch. Then Kit meets Old Hannah, who is suppossedly a witch to the townfolk, but Kit finds out that Hannah is the nicest person around. Then people start calling Kit a witch and everything gets out of control. I think the climax is when Nathaniel, Kit's friend, comes to save her at her witch trial.

This was a very good book and i recommend it to anyone 5th grade and up. Elizabeth Speare describes the characters and scenes very well and makes you feel like you are part of the story. The theme or moral of this book is to watch how you make your first impressions and to not go with the crowd. Be yourself and be friends with whoever you feel like. To find out more, read The Witch Of Blackbird Pond.


TALK

TALK

http://teach.fcps.net/talk/lesson_display.asp?lessonID=56

ParthenonGreece

This activity focuses on student literacy skills as they both read and view pictures and drawings. The worksheet guides student through specific websites to locate information about the Parthenon in Greece. Students will be directed to note specialized vocabulary throughout these websites and incorporate them in their answers. You may click on the printer version to print the worksheet for students to complete by hand. You can also download the Word Document and have students record their answers using Word.

  • Submitted to TALK by: Kim Overstreet
  • Grade Levels: Middle
  • Technology Tools: Microsoft Word, Internet
  • Content Area(s): Social Studies, Special Areas
  • Keyword: Greece

We would love to include your technology based literacy activities on this site as well! If you would like to submit your own lessons, use our submission page, or you can contact Adam Brewer by email for assistance with any part of the site.