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The Final Discussion (Sad :()

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1.  I choose The Book Thief by Markus Zusak to justify and bring into the district’s curriculum. School Board: Hi Ms. Maddie, I don’t believe you should be able to bring this book into the district’s curriculum because we teach only the greatest literature, and that automatically eliminates children’s and young adult literature from consideration. We don’t demean our students. Also, why have kids spend time in class reading something they can easily read on their own?  My Response: I understand your concerns however I feel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a great read for students not only because of the plot but because of theme, morals, and character development. Students can connect with some of the scenarios and even learn more about events such as World War Two. It’s a great read and overall it’s easy to connect to the characters and feel emotion and sympathy for them while reading. As to address your concerns why aren’t all books considered to be great literature? Child...
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The Human Card/ Rite of Passage

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Are you ready to be an adult? This session is for the individuals who have chosen to move out or are moving out soon. With that said, you have to complete the questionnaire below and submit it then you will hear in 2-3 business days your results. If this is your first time, don't be nervous. If you have done this more than once make sure you have changed something from the last time. Are you ready? I will hand out the questionnaire.  Questionnaire without your parent's help!:  1. Are you really ready to live by yourself if you aren't already, with no help with money from anyone but yourself?  2. Did you eat today? Do you have enough food for groceries? Can you cook, something other than a pizza or mac and cheese? 3. Do you have enough money to pay for bills? How much do you think is enough?  4. Do you have a well-paid job?  5. Do you know how to do laundry without a parent?  6. Do you know how to do your own taxes without a parent's help?  I picke...
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Color or No Color?

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            There is already a movie out there that is in black and white and it portrays and communicates feelings, emotions, and more! It's very strong in that area, as well as the book is. I feel the story is best in black and white and I feel the movie is as well; however, I do question if adding color would take away from the story and the emotions, what do you think?      This is what I think, I feel the black and white covers both the book and the movie very well, as it's supposed to create that sense of emotion and that sense of feelings that may be overwhelming to some. They also add that humor piece as well to help assist with the events occurring through Satrapi's childhood. I am however curious how the color would change that, would it have the same effect? Would things have to be changed from the book to the movie? Is anyone else curious? I feel if it was in color we as viewers would get distracted or not feel as much emotio...
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Dear Future Me (Ari)

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  I decided to take a different approach for Jazzy Journals this week and write a letter from the perspective of Ari. This letter simply will bring up how Ari would change an aspect of her life or simply what she hopes her future life to be. Wanted to change it up and do something different, hope nobody minds!  Dear Future Ari,       Life has always had its ups and downs. From my relationship with my family to making friends, to change, and simply the accident itself. Things I wouldn't change from the past to now include: I would never change meeting Dante as he is one of the most caring individuals in my life, we may have had our ups and downs but look at us now. We kissed! It was magical! "How could I ever be ashamed of loving Dante Quintana" (Sáenz 359). We are so close and so much more than friends, which is what I wanted all along (don't tell anyone) HAHA. I also wouldn't change who my parents are. Although we get into fights or don't always agree or s...
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The Book Thief- Brainstorming Unit Plan

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Questions I have:  1. How many learning standards should we have? (I am only including two in my unit lesson plan, as this is what I could find to fit my ideas) 2. How should we go about setting our unit plan, presenting wise?  3. Is there something I'm missing or something I need more of?  What grade level do I want to focus on? Academic standards?  The grade level I want to focus on is fourth grade. A few academic standards I found that would fit into my lesson very well include standards 4.1.2.2 and 4.2.9.9.  4.1.2.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.  4.2.9.9: Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.  Resources Found:  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7B8ioiZz7M (Video Link)- Talks about why Markus Zusak wrote the book and more!  2. https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/holocaust.php (Article)...
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Unit Plan (ROUGH DRAFT)

  I choose the book, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. With this book, I have many activities however they may change as I begin to brainstorm more. This is a ROUGH DRAFT. I need better ideas and activities I can do as I’m struggling a bit. Any ideas? Feel free to provide ideas, I am flexible and willing to take any at this point.    Week 1:  Introduction Activity (Background Knowledge)- This is where students will find a song, poem, or picture from the holocaust and make a mini-presentation for small group presentations. I want to create a variety of different types of material from the Holocaust and learn more about it so students can create and have that background before reading.   Read 2 Parts Week 2: Read 3 Parts  Discuss what we have read, any questions? (More of a reading-focused week! Chill week)  Week 3: Read 2 Parts Identify themes in the book so far and how certain characters I assign to them fits within the theme of the book. (Poster Bo...
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The Book Thief

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Passage 1:  "'Earlier, there had been a minor calamity. The Hubermanns couldn't find their flag. "They'll come for us," Mama warned her husband. "They'll come and take us away." They. "We have to find it!" At one point, it seemed like Papa might have to go down to the basement and paint a flag on one of his drop sheets. Thankfully, it turned up, buried behind the accordion in the cupboard" (Zusak 103).  (The Führer Flag/ Flag of Nazi Germany) I choose this passage as it stood out to me. It stood out to me because of how fearful they were that they didn't have a flag outside and how they feared for their lives when welcoming the Führer. They were coming to visit and everyone had to have their flag out and decorate, and that's simply what they did. However, the amount of fear if they couldn't find something was very high. Something so simple could get them killed and that's truly saddening. While reading this I was s...
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