Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling April 14, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Fantasy, Magic Fiction , 3comments
It’s Harry’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Even before he leaves to go on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, a House Elf is in his bedroom and dropping cake on Harry’s mean uncle’s guest. When the House Elf tells Harry that Hogwarts is too dangerous for him to go back, Harry is shocked! Harry feels out of sorts at his uncle’s and aunt’s house without his new friends, Ron and Hermione, and his broom and wand locked up in a cupboard. The weird thing is he starts to think that being a wizard was just a dream because his friends haven’t written to him. Not only that, but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia have put bars on his window and locked his door because of the incident with the House Elf.
Harry gets a wonderful surprise when Ron and a few of his brothers come and rescue him with the one and only Flying Car! When they get to Ron’s house, the Burrow, he learns about the life of a wizard. The Weasleys teach him how to use Floo Powder to get to Diagon Alley. (Floo Powder isn’t all that great, so I wouldn’t advise for small children to do it.) Once Harry’s got all his books and met the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Lockhart, no one can stop Harry from going to Hogwarts now.
Unfortunately, the House Elf was right. Weird things are starting to happen, and Ginny Weasley, Ron’s sister, is caught in the middle of it. It’s up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. They are on the case! They have help from other people. Moaning Myrtle helps a lot, and even the sinister Draco Malfoy helps. They find clues like an old diary and the trail of spiders, but will they save Ginny before it’s too late? Read this adventurous book to find out.
~Jenna, Fifth Grader~
The Darkest Hour by Erin Hunter April 14, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction , 2comments
Now since Bluestar has died, Fireheart is the leader of ThunderClan. Ever since Tigerstar has become the leader of ShadowClan, Fireheart feels danger in the air. StarClan has given him a prophecy. “Four will beome two. Lion and Tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest.” Will Fireheart uncover the meaning and save his friends? Read this awesome book to find out.
~Tatyana, Fourth Grader~
Comic Strips about Books April 9, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Podcasts , 1 comment so farJenna and Catherine in third grade joined Mrs. Carlson in writing comic strips about books. Click the button labeled Video WMV to see a full screen photo story with their comic strips.
A Tribute to Dr. Seuss April 8, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so far
To watch a video about Dr. Seuss, click on the link below.
http://animoto.com/play/zpxAxoHqtOAhSsvMl4gL1Q
Popular Books for Fifth Grade Students April 7, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Uncategorized , add a commentTo watch a Voice Thread about popular books at our school, click on the link below. 
http://voicethread.com/share/1025271/
Extra Credit by Andrew Clements April 7, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Realistic Fiction, School Fiction , 4comments
Abby doesn’t like doing schoolwork, and she’s about to fail sixth grade. She makes a deal with her teachers that she will do all of her homework for the rest of the school year, get B’s on all the tests and quizzes, and do an extra credit project. Her project: find a pen pal in another country, share the letters with her classmates, design a bulletin board, and give a final report. Abby begins exchanging letters with Amira in Afghanistan. Or is Amira’s brother Sadeed really Abby’s pen pal? Read this realistic book to find out what happens when Abby tries to get extra credit and the traditions of two countries clash.
~Mrs. Carlson~