Posts Tagged ‘class novel’

Global Read Aloud

During our last term of the year, 4T will be participating in the Global Read Aloud Project (GRA) where classes all over the world connect with each other and discuss their thoughts and predictions about a chosen class novel. 

Watch this video to learn more about the GRA. 

Front Desk Front Cover

The book that has been chosen this year is Front Desk by Kelly Yang. Read the synopsis below and watch the book trailer, then leave a comment with your prediction for the novel. 

For our international visitors, don’t forget to also tell us where you are from in your comment!

Ten year-old Mia Tang moved to the US for a better life, a freer life, but so far, it’s a life where she runs the front desk of a motel while her parents clean rooms. And she’s not even allowed to use the swimming pool. 

 

Amal Unbound

This term we have started reading a new novel called ‘Amal Unbound.’

It is set in modern day Pakistan and is about Amal who dreams of becoming a teacher, however is unexpectedly forced into a life of servitude for her village’s corrupt landlord. Just 5 chapters in and 4T are already seeing many differences between an average life for a boy or girl compared in Pakistan to our lives here in Australia.

Listen below to hear our thoughts on themes that have popped up so far. 

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Enthralled in our Class Novel!

Together we have been reading our class novel ‘Fish In A Tree’ by Linda Mullaly Hunt. Here is what we think so far:

This book is intriguing. I always want to keep reading because there are always cliff hangers at the end of the chapters. – Mimi and Veda

Some characters are very mean to Ally. – Ava

I find this book inspiring because it makes me want to stand up for myself more. In every paragraph Ally has to make new decisions – Gabby and Raph

All the characters have different personalities just like the many people in our class. – Ophelia and Cooper

This book is based on a quote by Albert Einstein. There is also a character who is very smart called Albert, I am wondering if this was done on purpose. – Susie and Isla.

One of the main messages or moral is to not be scared to tell people how you feel or if something is wrong.  – Veda and Ophelia

To show our deep understanding of the text we have been discussing character traits. 

What traits do the characters in Fish In A Tree display?

Choose a character from the novel and think about a trait that would describe them. Don’t forget to give evidence from the text from a time when they displayed that trait. 

#GRA18 Character Traits

Wow! We are over half way through our first Global Read Aloud Experience. 

We have loved connecting with classes from around the world, learning about Pakistan and its cultures and most importantly we have loved how this book has made us stop and THINK!

Think about contrasts and comparisons to our own lives and think about how we would feel or react if we were in their shoes. 

This week we have been discussing character traits.

Choose a character from the novel and think about a trait that would describe them. Don’t forget to give evidence from the text from a time when they displayed that trait. 

Finish off your comment with a prediction of what you think is in store for Amal’s future. 

GRA Week 3 responses

We have reached the 1/3 marker in our #GRA18Amal book.

So far 4T have enjoyed responding to comments on our own blog and leaving our thoughts about the themes of the book on our buddy class’ blogs from Saskatoon, Canada and Powhatan, Virginia in the United States of America.

Our thoughts so far on what we have read:

  • I think it is unfair that Amal’s dad is keeping her away from her education and pursuing her dreams. – Joanna and Max
  • Amal is like Malala in some ways, they both want to go to school and learn. – Esther
  • Girls are treated unfairly compared to boys. For example, boys get a bigger library and are encouraged to learn more than the girls. – Alex and Morgan
  • I think that it is scary how different Amal’s life is to ours. – Tori
  • The Khan landlords treat others with disrespect. – Lucas
  • I think the author Aisha Saeed has written the book really well because she leaves a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter. – Joanna

This week, we would like you to record yourselves filming a short (20 sec) clip responding to one of the questions in the Padlet below. 

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Click here to open this Padlet full size.

Global Read Aloud

This term 4T will be participating in the Global Read Aloud (GRA) where classes all over the world connect with each other and discuss their thoughts and predictions about a chosen class novel. Click here to read more about classes that we will be connecting with.

This year, the chosen book is called ‘Amal Unbound’ written by Aisha Seed.

In the first chapter, Amal tells us that she dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up. Leave a comment below and share your dreams for your future. 

For our international visitors, don’t forget to also tell us where you are from in your comment!

#GRAWildRobot Reflection

Well, that’s it. We have come to the end of our first ever Global Read Aloud. This book made us laugh, almost cry, question characters’ actions, and link the themes with real world events.

Read the statement below and leave a comment with your thoughts about one of the key themes in the book – CHANGE.

‘Conflict can be a catalyst to cause a character to change and adapt. Think about Roz across the story of the Wild Robot. What incidents have caused her to change Pick one incident and explain how Roz changed, explain why it caused her to change.’

Global Read Aloud Week 5 Reflections

Gosh time certainly does fly! Here we are, our second last week of participating in the Global Read Aloud project.
In 4T, we have come to greatly care for Roz and Brightbill and are drawing many links between how the animals treat each other and how we interact with people on a day to day basis.

In Chapter 58, the animals talk about their purpose in life.
“Everything has a purpose . . . The sun is meant to give light. Plants are meant to grow. We owls are meant to hunt.” 

In your opinion, what is Roz’s purpose and why?

 

Read the instructions of how to leave your thoughts on this global padlet below. Return regularly to see if someone has left you a comment or maybe you could even add to someone else’s thinking.

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#GRAWildRobot Week 3 Discussion

We are almost half way through our first Global Read Aloud experience.

So far we have responded to thoughts on other class blogs, asked questions and even drawn our interpretations of Roz and her surroundings.

Here are the reflection questions for chapters 32-44.Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your answer:

  • What does Roz do during these chapters to integrate herself into the animals’ society and to become a member of this island’s community?

  • How are the animals helping Roz? How does she help the animals?

  • What do they learn from each other? 

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