New Read Aloud

We are so close to being finished with The Lost Hero.  What should we read next?  Whatever book you choose, please make sure it is shorter than our current read aloud.  This one has taken forever!

Sticky Situation

Rachel has a beaded bracelet that a lot of her friends think is really cool.  One day, she realizes it's missing and figures that it fell off her wrist at school.  A few days later, she sees her classmate Eva wearing a bracelet that looks just like hers.  Rachel thinks Eve may be wearing her bracelet, but she isn't sure. What should Rachel do?

~ Scholastic News

Should Cities Have Curfews for Kids?

Heading to a friend's house tonight?  If you live in certain cities and towns, you'll have to make sure you're home by curfew.  Hundreds of US cities have laws that require kids to be home by a certain time at night, unless they're with an adult.  In Drew, Ohio, city officials recently changed the curfew to one of the earliest in the nation: 8pm.  The law there applies to kids aged 17 and younger.  Supporters of curfew laws say these rules keep kids safe and cut down on crimes committed by young people.  Opponents say parents, not the local government, should decide how late their kids can stay outside.  What do YOU think?
~ Scholastic News

Don't Just Stand By

Kids are learning they have the power to stop bullying | Read this story about bullying on pages 4 and 5 of your Scholastic Newspaper.  What can YOU do if you see someone being bullied at school?  Have you ever been bullied?  Have you ever bullied someone else?  This is a big deal and it needs to STOP.  What can you do about it?
~ Scholastic News 01.07.13 edition

The 51st State?

Read this story about Puerto Rico on page 6 of your Scholastic Newspaper. What do you think?  Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state in the United States?  Why or why not?

~ Scholastic News 01.07.13 edition

The Lost Hero

We are so close to finishing our book The Lost Hero.  Have you enjoyed the book this far?  Write a quick summary of the book so far.  Five sentences should do it!  We should be finishing up and taking our test hopefully next week.  Are you ready?

Sticky Situation

Ben is always getting picked on by Wyatt, the school bully.  Wyatt shoves Ben every time he passes him in the hall.  One day, Wyatt challenges Ben to a fight and tells everyone that if Ben doesn't fight, he's a wimp.  Ben is afraid to stand up to Wyatt, but he doesn't want everyone to think he's a coward.  What should Ben do?

~ Scholastic News 01.07.13 edition

Are Video Games Good for You?

When most people want to exercise, they don't think about turning on a video game.  But a recent study revealed that games like Dance Central and Kinect Sports for Xbox can help kids get more physically fit.  Other research has shown that certain video games can have other positive effects, such as boosting creativity and improving focus.  But many people still say kids shouldn't spend a lot of time playing video games.  They point out that most games make kids less active and less social.  They say gamers should do more worthwhile activities with their friends instead.  What do YOU think?

~ Scholastic News 01.07.13 edition

Thoughts to Think

Answer the following questions with whatever thought first comes up.  There are no correct/incorrect answers.

* Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?


* Are you a good friend? Why do you think so?


* How would the world be different if animals could talk?

Winter Break

What did you do during your two weeks of freedom?  Were you really busy or did you basically just relax the whole time?  Were you productive at all or did you just take time off?  What was the best thing about your Winter Break?

2013

Whoo hoo!!! We made it to 2013!  Now that we all have a brand new, fresh start, what are you going to do with your year?  What New Year's Resolutions did you set for yourself?  What are you looking forward to this year?