Mrs. Burnham's Classroom

 Click on the back of the Corvette to look at the images in the Gallery. Use the numbers at the top to guide you through the images or click to the right on the folder labeled "Classic Cars". Examine the pictures carefully while you ask yourself these questions:

Why do you think these cars are considered classic cars? How are classic cars and classic books the same? Write your own explanation of "what makes a classic a classic?"  

( You may want to think about other things that are considered classics, like classic rock or classic clothes.)

Go to the links list at the top of the page and find the article from U.S.News and World Report titled "Do kids still read classics?" Read the article and then return to the blog and post your response to this article.

You have had the opportunity to read three classic books this year but you only participated in the blog for one of these books. How was blogging about your book different from writing a report? Did blogging change how you read your book?

Update:

No doubt about it, blogging is much more fun than writing a book report. Everyone is still reading and studying the literary elements in their books. Best of all we are sharing about the books we are reading which gives us all a chance to learn about other classics. Thanks for your opinions!

In your book the main character is experiencing a conflict and has come to you for help to solve this conflict. State the main character's conflict and give advice as to how you feel they can solve their problem. You may write this like an advice column.

Notice:

Readers need to be able to understand what you have written. Please remember to read your entries and edit your work before you post. These entries have some good ideas for helping the main character solve their conflict, but they are a bit of a challenge for the readers!

You have been hired by Universal Studios to make a movie of your book. Who are you going to choose to play the main character? You will need to give several reasons if you want to keep your job as director of this film!

Notice:

Universal Studios is still looking to hire directors to direct a film about a classic book. When you submit your application please be sure to include the book and who will play the main character (be sure to name the main character) and give several reasons why you want this person to star in your film.

When good readers read they make connections between their own life and the characters, places, and events in the book. Tell about a connection you have made to the book you are reading.

Notice:

Please notice when a writer takes the time to offer rich details in their writing  and uses correct grammar and punctuation, the reader enjoys the reading more. Before you post read these entries for ideas for your own entry. Remember you can always  submit again if you wish to revise your writing!

What do you think is the author's message in your book? Have you ever read another book with a similar theme?

Update:

Readers need to state the book they are reading to help the audience connect to the theme or message in the book. Most of you have a good idea about the author's message, but can you remember another book with a similar message? I'm looking forward to more posts on this topic! 

Write seven events that have happened in your book. Make only six of them true and make one event false. Do not put your events in order. Stand by for our next blog where you try to figure out another Book Bloggers mystery by putting their events in order and leaving out the event that does not belong!

Update:

Not enough readers have posted for others to respond, so please post soon. When you post remember to number your events to make it easier for others to respond, and please include the title of your book! 

Find a sentence in your book where the author uses a word that is new to you. Write the quote using correct punctuation. In parentheses,include the page number from your book where you found the quote. Be sure to write the new word in bold type so we know which word you are sharing in the quote. Be ready to help others learn about their word in our next blog entry!

Update:

It is good to see that so many writers remembered how to correctly use quotation marks, and that you remembered the page numbers. Now let's help each other out by looking up the words and creating our own sentences to clarify the definitions!

You have been hired by CNN to do an interview of your main character. Post three questions you will ask in your interview.

A Final Word:

The CNN news team is very impressed with your questions, the only problem is they are not always sure who you are interviewing. Please remember that your audience does not know what book you are reading and the name of the character that will be interviewed.

 

As you start to read your book you will have a first impression of the characters, the setting and the plot. What is your first impression of your book?

A Final Word:

Hopefully you can all see that most people have a hard time 'getting into' their books. The nice part about classics is that they are guaranteed to be a pretty good read and most of you have read far enough to find that out. Enjoy your book and be ready to dig out some details for the next blog entry.

 

Choose a favorite picture book that you enjoyed reading when you were younger. Write the title of the book ( Please use capitals and underline) and tell why you enjoyed this book. Post by the end of the day on Friday. Respond to at least 2 posts by the end of the day on Monday. Be sure to sign using your pen name so you will get credit for your work. 

A Final Word:

You all got to enjoy many different books as kids and how lucky you are to have had books read to you. Many of your choices would be considered classics for children. Remember, when you read a great book it can stay with you for a lifetime.