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Monday, September 27, 2010



I am excited to announce the third annual Celebrate Literacy Week PSA Contest.

www.justreadflorida.com

Celebrate Literacy PSA Contest Information - 2011

2011 Celebrate Literacy PSA Contest Entry and Release Form

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A Novel Study

Touching Spirit Bear-1

Taken directly from: www.sd70.bc.ca/_Programs/Ab.../Touching%20Spirit%20Bear.pdf

Touching Spirit Bear Reading Guide

TSB Reading Guide Packet

Taken directly from: www.benmikaelsen.com/TSB_Reading_Guide_Packet.pdf

Sample All-School-Read from Milwood Magnet School

All School Read - Touching Spirit Bear

Taken directly from: www.benmikaelsen.com/All%20School%20Read%20-%20Touching%20Spirit%20Bear.pdf

Student Made Trailer - Touching Spirit Bear

Three Words Project - Touching Spirit Bear

Sneak Peak




Taken directly from Amazon.com
Copyrighted Material

September's Book of the Month


Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mickaelsen



Everything in life is a circle. Fifteen-year-old Cole was beaten by his father, just as Cole's father was beaten by his father. Now Cole himself is turning violent. In a fit of rage, he pummels his classmate Peter so badly that doctors question whether he will ever be the same again. Instead of feeling remorse and fearing the consequences of his actions, Cole blames everyone around him for the incident: his parents for being alcoholics who don't care about him, and Peter for tattling on him in the first place.

When Cole is offered the chance to take responsibility for his behavior and heal himself and the community through Native American Circle Justice, he grabs it, but for all the wrong reasons. While Cole cons everyone who is trying to help him into believing that he sincerely wants to change, he fully intends to escape their brand of justice, and to continue being in control of his own life.

As he attempts to run away from the island in Alaska where he is banished, Cole continues to blame everyone but himself for the situation he is facing. He even blames the huge white bear for the attack which almost kills him - the bear should have run away. Nevertheless, it is his brush with death that ultimately saves Cole from himself. On his journey, he learns to deal with his anger, to respect nature, and to take responsibility for his actions. Each action he takes has an impact on the world . . . Everything in life is a circle.

This book is a fascinating look at a young boy's journey from self-destructive anger to forgiveness. Indeed he changes so dramatically throughout the book that it is hard to believe that the Cole who leaves the island is the same boy who was so incredibly angry at the start of the book. Mikaelsen also gives us a wonderful glance into Native American wisdom, especially the notion that everything in life is connected. There are many lessons within the pages of this book, but it is the story that will captivate readers.

Source: http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0380977443.asp Betsy Pabrinkis

Book of the Month

Every month a high quality children's book with a powerful message is chosen by the district. The intent is to develop a school community understanding of the book's theme or the author's message. The books contain character traits that align with our school-based leadership theme. The Book of the Month also sends a powerful message about the importance of reading. Teachers, using the Book of the Month can serve as explicit models for fluency, intonation, and pacing for the students. Read Alouds strengthen vocabularies, reading comprehension, and listening skills. Writing also improves because teachers can use the Book of the Month as a model for author's craft when they teach mini-lessons in the workshop.