Hey ladies,

If anyone has a dress they would like to donate to Cinderella’s Closet it would be much appreciated. Cinderella’s Closet is an event that the Student California Teachers Association sponsors. This event is for high school students to get a prom dress for free. Donations can be dropped off in the Liberal Studies Office Tehama 211.

The series is about a dystopian world in which there are five fractions: Amity (peace), Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (bravery), Condor (honesty), and Erudite (knowledge). On a chosen day all sixteen year olds take an aptitude test that tells them which faction would be best for them. Choosing Day is when all sixteen year olds have to choose to stay with their family or choose a new faction. Beatrice (Tris) was born into Abnegation but chose Dauntless. This means she chose faction over blood.

I love these books. Sex is not in the forefront. Understanding who you are and where you fit in is what is important. Beatrice’s character is such a strong independent woman for the most part, but we all have are weak moment. I love the idea of a society and people who are supposed to exhibit only one trait. I am surprised that it took so long for there to be a larger percentage of Divergent (those who have an aptitude for more than one fraction). People should strive to be all things not just one over the others. The only part I didn’t like about the books is Tris kept putting herself in unnecessary danger.

I believe that anyone that likes adventure and action would enjoy these books. Girls who like reading about strong female leads would love these series. This series could be used in the classroom to show how school cliques operate. These factions are like cliques. The different factions do not talk to the other factions and within a faction there are also cliques. This is so much like high school and perhaps middle school cliques. I would probably not use this book for students younger than 7^th or 8^th grade because of the violence. The class could do short writes about how they would have the government/society if it were up to them. Do they think this type of society could last in today’s world?

Discuss abandoning a book with the class. I have this weird guilty feeling if I even think of not finishing a book. I have spent time reading it and even when I am not enjoying the read I feel that the end will be better. Discussing why students abandoned a book and finding books they will finish and enjoy reading is important. Starting reviews of book from students is a way to help recommend books. I like that Miller give a tip to remember the rule of thirds. She recommends diving the class time into thirds with one-third independent reading, conferring and small groups; one-third direct instruction and guided practice with your whole class; one-third independent practice where students spend additional time reading or writing. I am excited to start my own community of readers. I am worried that I won’t have enough time to teach what my students need to know for next year. I’m also afraid that I won’t be able to help my students grow into more confident readers, that I won’t be able to connect and offer books that will appeal to them and make them want to read.

1. One of my favorite stores is The Tale of the Handkerchief. The maid in an unorthodox way decides to change her own fate. It works out for both the princess and the maid. Both in the end, want the life of the other. I feel that The Voice best captures the situation of women. I feel that at some point of everyone’s life people are trying to impress others. Today there is plastic surgery that women endure to change their appearance. This is just like going to a witch to change yourself for what you think someone else wants.

2. The story began at the end with the woman who lives in the cave. The villagers assume that she is a witch. She is content living alone and being with her thoughts until a young woman comes to thank the witch for helping her live her life without her parent’s push. The witch asks for a kiss for pay. It makes sense to name the book based on the how the story begins.