Current Connection #1: Once in a Blue Moon

Assignment:  Choose a current event.  Identify the author's purpose;  Then provide evidence and commentary on that evidence.

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In a recent article by Rene Lynch in the LA Times entitled "Blue Moon:  Wink at tonight's moon in tribute to Neil Armstrong," Lynch informs her readers of two purposes in writing this article:  1) pay tribute to the passing of Neil Armstrong and 2) inform the public about blue moons.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, the man who placed the American flag upon that massive circling orb, was buried last Friday.  What a coincidence that he was laid to rest on the same day as the moon shone in the Heavens for the second time in one month.  Yes, that step he made for mankind was again honored as the moon shone so brightly that evening.

A blue moon?  Could the moon also be sad at the passing of this favored astronaut? 

As reported in the article, this "blue" moon simply signifies a second full moon in one month, a somewhat rare occurrence, occurring about every three or four years, thanks to the variance in the lunar calendar and the monthly calendar.  Interestingly enough, I have heard the saying "once in a blue moon" for years, yet never realized, until reading this article, what that idiom actually meant (just became an active participant in my own learning!).

As I read this article, I could not help but think of the story that I used to read my daughter..."Guess How Much I Love You" containing the famous line "I will love you to the moon...and back."   This is how we remembered Neil Armstrong last year..."to the moon...and back"

Finally, Neil Armstrong was a role model for us all, as he truly was an active participant in his own learning as he modeled initiative, courage, and patriotism.  As he himself said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (Or did he say it?  Read here for more info!)

3B: Blog User Agreement

Using and maintaining a blog requires your commitment and responsibility as a citizen of the digital world. My ultimate goal is to ensure your safety in this online mode of communication.

Please be aware that you are publishing for the world wide web, for everyone online. Ultimately, this makes us more responsible and, at the same time, better writers.

Your blog will be added to the class blog roll here, so everyone's creations may be accessed from that page. While I encourage you to peruse each others' work and to leave comments, what you submit/publish should be your own work.

Your blog, a part of your education at Batesville City High School, should personify the high expectations I have of you. Remember, any activity on your weblog should be considered a school activity, even if the work is completed outside of school. You should also feel free to create posts that are not school related, but these posts, too, should not include anything that could be considered inappropriate, including inappropriate language and inappropriate comments about peers and those in authority positions here at school (teachers, administrators).

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

Please go here to read the Batesville High School Blog Code of Conduct.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

I agree to submit original work to my blog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question with no option to redo the assignment in question.

I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Batesville School. I understand that if inappropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my blog being removed from the class roll.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I, Jane Doe, agree to Mrs. Gillmore's Blog User Agreement.

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Source for inspiration of this User Agreement

Mrs. Gillmore's Reading Bucket List

ASSIGNMENT:  Create a Reading Bucket List of ten books you would like to read.  Include a 50-Word commentary on why you would like to read the selected novels.  Caution:  the commentary should not be a summary.
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Listed below are ten books, in no certain order, that I would really...I mean REALLY...like to read.

1. Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgin - by Richard Paul Evans:  Last summer, I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of the first novel in this young adult series...very exciting!  About a young man who suffers from Autism, which results in bullying, this novel is one that I hope to use this as a support piece for my Beta Club's platform this year against bullying.  On another note, I also just really enjoy reading all books by Richard Paul Evans, and so far, he has not disappointed me with this series, either.
2. Anna Korina - by Leo Tolstoy:  It's coming to the BIG SCREEN, so, yes, I must read the novel before watching the movie!  I obtained a free copy of this novel a year or so ago when our school library was discarding books and realize that this is a very looooonnnnng read, but I keep hearing a fellow teacher say a few years ago in  Pre-AP workshop, "It's actually really good."
3. I Am Number Four - by Pitticus Lore:  About this time last year, a student in my newspaper class asked if I had read this novel.  I said, "No."  He then convinced me to purchase a copy, which as since sat on my book shelf.  Everyone says the movie is great, so, again, of course, I must read the book before watching the movie!  I do enjoy science fiction, so I look forward to finally reading this novel.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - by Stephen Chbosky:  Yes, another novel that is coming to the big screen!  While watching the previews on the just-released The Hunger Games movie, I saw this preview, became intrigued, looked around half.com, and purchased this novel.  From the previews, this novel might be one we could use as part of the Beta Club platform against bullying.  Plus, Heromonie...well, the actress who played this role...will also star in the movie!
5. The Hobbit - by J. R. R. Tolkien:  I must give this novel the credit for introducing me to fantasy when I read it along with my students more than a decade ago.  Then, this year, I noticed a student of mine reading this novel, and she reminded me that yes, The Hobbit, too, will be coming soon to the big screen!  Yes, you already know...one must read the novel before going to see the novel come alive on the big screen.
6. The Book Thief - by Markus Zusak:  This one I have intended to read for some time, for everyone that has read it gives the novel excellent reviews.  Set during the Nazi time, this novel's author chose a very interesting narrator:  Death.  Interesting, uh?  Plus, embedded in the novel is a love of books, a love reading.  Yes, interesting.
7. Gone with the Wind - by Margaret Mitchell:  In the words of my daughter, "It's a sin for an English teacher from the South to not have read Gone with the Wind."  Not wanting to be a sinner, I really should read this novel!  Yes, following her words, I then purchased a copy, and it a very thick copy, too!  Here's hoping for a few extended snow days...then for enough time to watch the movie afterwards!
8. The Clockwork Angel/Prince - by Cassandra Clare:  Clare, the author of my very most favorite vampire (and other fantasy-type characters) series The Mortal Instruments, then wrote this series, The Infernal Devices, and according to a teacher friend is very good, even better than The Mortal Instruments.  The Infernal Devices takes place 150 years prior to The Mortal Instruments during the reign of Queen Victoria.
9. Kisses from Katie:  A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption - by Katie J. Davis and Beth Clark:  I am not sure where I discovered this book (think it might have been in my Wednesday evening WMU monthly magazine).  I do look forward to being inspired by this young lady's story of faith.  A missionary trip to Uganda resulted in a life-long goal, which has now resulted in Katie's currently attempting to adopt thirteen little girls...yes, thirteen!  Wow!
10. Calico Joe - by John Grisham:  Our BHS Reads faculty book club has chosen this novel for its first book-of-the-month read.  This novel, relates the story of Joe Castle, a Cubs baseball player from Calico Rock, Arkansas...yes, my home state.  The husband read the novel earlier in the summer...in one evening, so this will be a great, quick read to begin our school-year of reading.

Yay!  Ten great reads!

Just this evening, I signed up for the RIP....R.eaders I.mbibng P.eril and hope to complete four to six novels for this online personal challenge, which qualifies me for Peril the First.  Coincidentally, four of the above ten will assist in my completing the RIP (my fourth year to participate!).  

You may visit my personal blog here to read more about my choices.

Happy reading!