Small as an Elephant (cont'd)

This week students were to read Small as an Elephant.  Our snack included marshmallows and trail mix.  Foods you might eat while camping.  Additionally, we reviewed vocabulary from the book and practiced drilling questions.  Most of the questions we reviewed came from quizlet.com, like why should I re-invent the wheel.

Quizlet Flashcards




Discussion Questions:
  Why does Jack’s mother leave him? Why does Jack worry that it is his fault?

 What do you think Jack means when he describes his mother as "spinning"? Why doesn’t he get help from someone like his grandmother when this happens?

 Why are elephants so important to Jack? What memories and/or stories from his past contribute to his love of elephants? Why is he determined to see the elephant, Lydia?

 What are some of the strategies Jack uses to survive on his own? Who are some of the people who help him along the way? Why do you think that they help Jack?

 Is Jack’s decision to look for his mom on his own the best choice? What would you do in this situation?  

Author on the Internet

http://jenniferjacobson.com/ 

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson

"Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it's over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before DSS catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all." (Titlewave) 

Teacher Resource

Overview

This blog is dedicated to our school's Battle of the Books team.  The blog will go into detail as to what the Battle of the Books is, how to make it on the team, and events leading up to the day of the battle.  The blog will keep you, the reader, informed as to what we will be reading each week and provide you with details as to how we are preparing for the event.  Our Battle of the Books competition is scheduled for May 2015 and you will now be able to follow along.  So join us on our journey to the district competition.

Battle of the Books
2014-2015

What is it?
A team of sixth, seventh and/or eighth grade students who have read 15 books and answered questions from them.  A team can have no more than 5 members.
Teams compete with other middle school teams throughout the school system in May 2015. This will be a day-long field trip.

How do I become a member of the team?
All students are invited to participate in the Battle of the Books. KMS will use a point system to determine which students will be on the competition team. Dedication is the key to making it on the team.

How are points earned?
Students have ample opportunity to earn Battle of the Books points:
1. Students earn 10 points for each meeting they attend prior to the first cut.
2. Students earn 20 points for each meeting they attend after the first cut.
3. Students earn points for passing an AR test on a Battle of the Books book. They must make 80% or higher on the quiz for the score to qualify. Whatever they score will count toward their points (ex. If they score 90% correct on the quiz, it counts as 90 points). **This step is extremely important and is a quick way to earn points.
4. Students will earn points based on Quia quizzes. Their number grade will count as points (if they score a "90", then they will receive 90 points).
5. Graphic Organizers. This must be filled out for each book with detailed information. Each one is worth a maximum of 20 points.
6. Teacher competition. In April there will be a student vs. teacher Battle of the Books competition. During the competition students will have the opportunity to earn points based on active participation within the event. The more they participate, the more points they can earn.

How can I get started?
Begin by reading from the list of SSYRA Titles. The list can be found at SSYRA Book List


How can parents help?
1. They can volunteer to read the books and write questions.
2. They can volunteer to sponsor a meeting by bringing snacks.
3. They can quiz their child on the books they read.
4. They can encourage their child and cheer them on!