Willow Horne - Middle School Teacher

In case any of you are checking my blog out this summer, I wanted to offer up a brief review of the books I read, as I go. Feel free to post your own reviews if you wish!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows

A novel written in letters makes for an easy turning of the page. I picked up this book on a friend's recommendation and was drawn in by the varied letters at the start of the book. Set in England soon after World War Two, it introduces a cast of true characters on the small 7 mile long island of Guernsey. An author from London begins correspondence with one of the members of a book group and is drawn into their fascinating story as they struggle against German occupation. And the struggle is often humorous, which makes for a good read. Eventually she goes to the island, befriends the book group and joins their community, whilst fending off the romantic advances of the "American" suitor, and keeping up with her childhood best friends, one of whom happens to be her editor.

I got a good idea of the community the authors were trying to build in this book, and appreciated a small glimpse into a period of history that I know little about. One theme present in the book was appearance and reality, as the characters unveil themselves to be who they truly are. Even the German soldiers, set out as ruthless bullies, have moments of kindness.

The Hearts of Horses, by Molly Gloss

A young woman, just past her girlhood, rides into Eastern Oregon on her fire-scarred horse Dolly, looking for work breaking horses. She would say gentling them, but the year is 1917, and bronc busting is far more common in the male-dominated world of ranching. However, with the majority of the menfolk off at war, women rose to ranch work - baling hay, roping cattle, and training horses. Martha Lessing leaves her dysfunctional family to seek a life for herself and finds a lonesome community of ranchers scraping out a living from sheep and cattle. Slowly she makes her way into their lives, and we see the interconnection of all these families through her work with their horses.

I liked how this book brought me right into the place of the harsh winters, and heartbreaking realities of rural America in the early 1900's. This was the west before it was "modernized", and I like setting my mind in that space. I think I am drawn to books about the American West for this reason - it affords me a glimpse into a past I wish I could have known first hand. What would it have been like to ride a horse everywhere, and depend on the train to bring you in things you couldn't make yourself? How painful it would be to watch your children die from illness, and your farm shrink away due to a drought.

Howdy folks! Happy summer! May there be many popsicles, bodies of water, and good books in your future.

Willow

DUE Wednesday 6/2

Answer the following:

1. What are some of the things that you have learned this year?
2. What are the best memories of the year?
3. What are you going to need to know for 8th grade? For High School? How will you learn/acquire these skills?
4. What are you most looking forward to in 8th grade? Why?
5. What are your prejudices about 8th graders? How do you think they are supposed to act? Do you think other people think they are scary/smart/crazy/???
6. What can Don and I do to help you next year?

Choose one question from the attached study guide, run it by me, and research it in preparation for Ashland. You should prepare a written response recording your findings.

6/8: A paragraph reflecting on a theme in Hamlet. Refer to your theme list or the four common themes in Shakespeare's work. DUE 5/20

Sonnet recitation and translation on Friday.

Math One: page 454 2-24 even, PLUS quiz corrections

6/8: Shakespeare Theme worksheets; Sonnet assignment DUE Friday

Using the above website find a sonnet, memorize it, and be able to recite it in front of the class. You will need to turn in a copy of the sonnet, a written translation in your own words, and be able to talk about the meaning of the sonnet. What is the main idea?

DUE Friday May 21

Math One: page 438 7-16, 28, 29

6: Samurai Final Book DUE 5/18

6/8: Write your own sonnet DUE Tuesday 5/13

8: Hamlet research DUE Friday 5/14

Using the above website and your textbook, draw a map of the oceans and continents that reflects the following voyages:

• Vasco de Gama
• Pedro Cabral
• Columbus
• Magellan
• Hernan Cortes
• Francisco Pizarro
• John Cabot
• Giovanni de Verrazano
• Henry Hudson

8: Select one question from the study guide to research. Write at least a one paragraph summary and be prepared to be the expert on this topic to present to the class and your parents in Ashland.

6/7/8 Second book Review Due 5/11

6/7 Samurai Final book DUE 5/11

Math One:

Math One: Test Prep Packet

8th Grade then & Now Worksheet Due Thursday

Then Print This:

Pause and Whole Class Discussion

Then Watch These Video Clips:

Worksheet Due at the end of class tomorrow, Wednesday.

Math: p 300 10-39 all

PBS: US-Mexican War Prelude A great site for lots of background information

Math: p 287 2-40 even.

7th: Japan geography challenge