Category Archives: Reading Challenges

March Book Madness Begins March 1st!

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March Book Madness Starts Here…#2015MBM

credit: http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/blog

credit: http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/blog

Mrs. Rombach loves a little hoop action. Who doesn’t stare wide-eyed when a player swishes that silent, sinking, nothing-but-net ball?

Well, March Madness is in full gear–on and off the basketball court.  Fifth grade teacher Mark Jones, from Columbus, Ohio, started March Book Madness last year–and it’s spread across the globe in just 12 months. Wondering who besides Eagle Ridge’s awesome sixth graders might be participating? Click here to see Mr. Jones’s map.

In true March Madness fashion, it’s all about the brackets. Every week, we’ll be voting on which Middle Grade books to move forward. We’ll take part in crowning the champion! I’ve inserted the bracket so you can scout out the competition. Whether you’ve read the competing books or not, we need your vote! Scroll down to see my “collage players”. Then, beginning March 4, take the poll to determine which books move on. Come back every week–the competition is bound to heat up. This could be one for the history books (or the romance books, or the mystery books, or the dystopian books, or the adventure books, or the…you get the idea!). Now head to the library and practice your mad reading skills. 🙂

Presenting The Sweet Sixteen

March Book Madness Sweet 16 pizap.com14249691835611
piZap on piZap.com

Here are two book trailers to check out. Want to see more? You know your way to YouTube! 🙂

Vote for your favorite books! Scroll to click done.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

#selfieswithbooks @mrsrombachreads

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It’s a wet and wonderful Saturday morning.

What’s in your hand?

A shiny plastic mouse?

A button-happy game controller?

Or a really good book?

What better weekend to curl up with a captivating title?

Here’s my challenge…

Take a selfie of you reading your book (or have your parents take one).

Post it on Instagram @mrsrombachreads. Add #selfieswithbooks.

I’ve added a new Instagram widget to my sidebar…you’ll see your pic post on our class blog.

 

Be a creative photographer and have fun. Check out my minion-infused selfie. Most importantly, get comfy and lose yourself in the untouchable reading zone.

Enjoy your long weekend, my awesome sixth graders.

I’ll see you Wednesday. Be extra kind to my sub on Tuesday.

 

#readlikeyoumeanit

#bookstalkandilisten

#lostbetweenthepages

#booksruletheworld

#allsquietonthereadingfront

 

Mrs. Rombach

 

Survey Says: More Book Recommendations!

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Good for you, reading is.

credit: alliancecityschools
credit: alliancecityschools

 Wondering what to read next?According to the reading survey most of you completed this week, the number one thing I can do to help you become a better reader is to provide book recommendations. Tonight, I got busy loading this blog post with some videos of much-talked-about titles. Some of these I’ve read–or my son Sean has read–but others are recommendations from fellow teachers and former students. For all but Loot, the newest release of the bunch, I’ve included book trailers to whet your reading appetites. These books represent just a fraction of the thousands of books available to you in the school library. I’ll work overtime to regularly post book trailers and reviews (mine, others, and YOURS) so that we all have that next great book within arm’s reach.

You can help me spread the word about outstanding books you’ve read, the ones you kept reading even after your parents called you down for dinner for the 14th time. If you have a book to recommend, write a review, share it with me on Google Docs, and I’ll post it here for all the world to see. I’ll share more book suggestions on Book Talk Tuesday! 🙂 In the meantime, for more reading ideas, click on the blue links within this post. Do you have a favorite author or series and want to locate similar books? Try What Should I Read Next? website for a roster of ideas.

See you in class,

Mrs. Rombach

P.S. If you haven’t completed the reading survey yet, carve out time to complete that this week. Remember, you must sign into your LCPS Google account and then log in to this blog in order to access the survey.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

This Tuesday October 7 at 7pm in the school library, Gordon Korman, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, will be taking your questions as our school participates in a real-time SKYPE with the voice behind Ungifted, Schooled, Swindle, and The Hypnotists. Whether you’ve read one of Gordon Korman’s 75 books or just want to see the best-selling author up close and personal, come be inspired by Korman. His writing career began at the age of twelve when his seventh-grade English assignment became his first novel, which was then published while he was a freshman in high school. Bring your parents and friends!

(Scholastic – $4)

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles ) by Marissa Meyer

My son six-grade son, Sean, is currently obsessed with this book. He’s about halfway through and I asked him what he thought so far. His response? “Awesome. Really good, Mom.” Boy or girl, Cinder has the goods to deliver an otherworldly reading experience. I will be adding Cinder and Scarlet to our classroom library this week! This science fiction novel is on Mrs. Rombach’s Someday Soon List.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

From Common Sense Media: The Lions of Little Rock is a poignant and age-appropriate book about race relations in the American South around 1958, when Arkansas schools were first integrated. The novel, written from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl who is painfully shy, maintains an intelligent but innocent point of view toward the racial prejudice that afflicted communities at that time. Readers will not only learn a lot about some significant events in the early civil rights movement, they also will really identify with Marlee and Liz’s fight to remain friends and change grownups’ attitudes. Marlee navigates social issues large and small with courage, and her story is meaningful and memorable. 

One of my sixth graders from last year donated their copy of this book–and I bought one–so there are two copies in the library for your reading pleasure. (Scholastic – $4) This historical fiction novel is on Mrs. Rombach’s Someday Soon List.

Amulet: The Stonekeeper series by Kazu Kibuishi (graphic novels)

From Amazon: Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals. Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves. Sixth graders, you’ll be pleased to know that the entire Amulet series is on its way to you! (Scholastic – $8/Book 1)

The Red Pyramid/The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

If you’re a Rick Riordan fan–or are searching for an action-packed, mythical masterpiece — The Red Pyramid could be your next book. It’s the first tome in The Kane Chronicles trilogy. Highly recommended by my son Sean–and available in our classroom library. (Scholastic – $5)

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

This realistic fiction novel stole my heart big-time. Who hasn’t felt like they didn’t belong or that they weren’t worthy of love? This book reaffirms that we all deserve to be loved…and that even the most scarred heart can redefine family. There are now 5-6 copies of this book in our classroom library. In fact, there are enough copies that for a future book club, this might be just the ticket for you and a few classmates. If you can’t wait, though, check it out now. Keep a few tissues handy, just in case. One of Mrs. Rombach’s favorites!

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Review by K, age 12: “OMG! This book is the best book I have ever read. I love it so much I bought the book. I’m going to read the rest of the series!” The entire Hidden series arrives in our classroom library this week. I’ll have them logged onto our computer system later this week. If you like your suspense novel with a little side of scary, Among the Hidden could be your next must-read. (Scholastic – $4)

photo credit: goodreads.com

photo credit: goodreads.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOOT by Jude Watson

This book is so new (released August 2014) that there aren’t any book trailers to share. Maybe you’d like to be the first to create one! About this book, author Rick Riordan wrote, “So many things I love about this book: the ultra-short chapters that keep you turning pages, the pitch-perfect dialogue, the supporting characters Darius and Izzy, the humor, the action, the twists and turns. Cursed jewels, a dangerous prophecy, a crash course in history of thievery, acrobatics and grift . . . this is LOOT you can take to the bank.” This book is on its way to our classroom library, but the ERMS library may have copies on the shelves before we do. Check during our next library time! (Scholastic – $4) This is on Mrs. Rombach’s Someday Soon List.

Ready to add one or more of these books to your home library? Place an online Scholastic order by October 24th. Our classroom code is: MCPJQ.

 

This Week is All About You!

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this-is-the-beginning-of-anything-you-want-quote-2

It’s true. This week is all about you–feeding your brain with parts of speech, setting 6th grade goals, reading like crazy, and writing an impressive All About Me page for your student blog. So, let’s start with a few videos to review what we’re learning in class.

For Monday night, watch the two rocking videos and then leave me a comment showing off what you know: In your comment, creatively write one sentence that includes both an adverb and an adjective. 

 

Let’s start with a little adjective entertainment. Watch as a world of words paints the way…

 

 

Adverb, Adverbs, do you qualify? See why the best readers and writers practice ferociously.

 

On Tuesday night, take the world’s best survey and reflect on who you are as a reader. In order to access the survey, you MUST be logged in through your LCPS Google account. Kindly refer to your homework sheet if you’ve forgotten how to log in. You have until my birthday, October 5, to complete this survey. By the way, did you know that more babies are born on October 5 than any other day of the year?!

 

 

Set aside Wednesday to draft your All About Me page for your student blog. Head back over to Google Docs and log in to your LCPS student account. Open up your All About Me document and start writing. Before you begin, however, take a look at a few samples from other sixth graders:

Sample All About Me Pages from Other Students – Click to Connect

Alice’s All About Me page

Mae’s All About Me page

Krishan’s All About Me page

Kira’s All About Me Page

Remember to study for our Friday vocabulary quiz. Practice on www.quizlet.com. I’ll see you in class, my exceptionally bright students.

 

Happy Monday through Friday!

Mrs. Rombach 

One Book, Two Book, Black Book, Green Book

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Too Many Books…Not Enough Time!

H is for Happy
Photo Credit: martinak15 via Compfight

If I Stay

This is the book I’m currently reading. 🙂

I need another vacation so I can read a book a day. Back at home, there are far too many distractions luring me away from the teetering tower of books I have stacked next to me. Gayle Forman, the first chapter in If I Stay conjured up accident visions that prickled and twisted inside my mind for days. I’m still reading…but I’m also buying dorm supplies for my college bound kids. Later today, you’ll find me seeking refuge on my screened porch, which feels like a treehouse perched among a fluttering sea of leaves. I’m cuddling up on my wicker glider and wrapping myself up in the pages of If I Stay. UPDATE: In the last 24 hours, I finished up both If I Stay and its followup, Where She Went. These books are most definitely PG-13 content, but deliver a gripping, intricately woven storyline that oozes with teen romance. Yes, these two books had me reaching for the tissue box repeatedly. If you loved Fault in Our Stars, add If I Stay and Where She Went to your constellation of books to read.

School starts soon. My friends in Knoxville are back in class next Monday. I wonder…how many books can we (you and me) finish before September 3, our first day back at school?

Maybe you’re perplexed about what to read next. You might read over my posts and check out the trailers I’ve linked to each book cover. (Simply click on the book cover to watch the YouTube trailer). Ask a friend–or your local librarian–for a suggestion. Find out what Fairfax County rising sixth graders might be reading by clicking here. Scroll down and view the books I’ve read lately (click on the book cover to watch the video). I recommend every one of these…

Photo Credit: http://d.gr-assets.com

Photo Credit: http://d.gr-assets.com

 

Photo Credit: Barnes and Noble

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com
This dystopian tale leans towards dark and deadly…so reader beware.

Photo Credit: amazon.com

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Photo Credit: goodreads.com

Photo Credit: www.goodreads.com

 

Photo Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com

Photo Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com
This is the sequel to The Red Kayak. Be sure to read The Red Kayak first…this is the second half of the story.

Photo Credit: www.goodreads.com

Photo Credit: www.goodreads.com
From page one, this is a thriller! I read it in one day and so did my daughters, Shelby (20) and Cady (14). Recommended for girls AND guys!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WANTED: Reading Recommendations…Add Your Comment!

Mrs. Rombach is seeking reading recommendations from anyone who’s willing to share. Leave me a comment with the book title and why this particular book is a definite must-read for sixth graders. Set your phone down and pick up a great book. 🙂 Better still, tweet a selfie of you reading @mrsrombachreads. 

Happy page turning!

Mrs. Rombach

Read The Giver…..before it hits theaters August 15!

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“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.”— Henry David Thoreau

photo credit: www.chicagoparent.com

photo credit: www.chicagoparent.com

Fifteen years before The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins’ dystopian plunge into the Capital’s annual district reaping.

Eighteen years before Veronica Roth’s Divergent marched us into a faction-divided post-apocalyptic Chicago.

Before dystopian novels dominated The New York Times bestseller lists, there was Lois Lowry’s The Giver. I fell in love with this book, the 1993  Newbery Medal winner, because it was the first dystopian novel I read simply because I wanted to read it.

In a stringent society where sameness maintains order and memories have been vanquished, 11-year-old Jonas finds himself struggling to make sense of his new Community-ordained role as The Receiver of Memories. Tasked with becoming the Society’s keeper of memories, past and present, Jonas apprentices under the previous Receiver, now The Giver, and is terribly conflicted by what he learns about his Society. Every memory  — from the painful violence of war to the breathtaking beauty of a winter snowfall — are transferred to Jonas with The Giver’s touch. With every memory received, more of the Society’s hidden darkness comes to light.  Jonas begins to see beneath the deceptive layers of societal mandates, and his life is forever altered because of it.

You must read The Giver before it hits theaters on August 15. Young ladies, you’ll be happy to learn that Aussie heartthrob, Brenton Thwaites, the handsome Prince Philip whose first kiss failed to awaken Aurora in Disney’s Maleficent, snagged the lead role of Jonas in The Giver.

By the way, I LOVED everything about Maleficent! I expected a dark, villainous tale of woe, but was delightfully surprised to find that Disney’s original screenplay delivered stunning cinematic artistry, a magically inventive storyline, and a winsome cast of characters. Thank you, Disney, for giving me every reason to root for Maleficent, whom Angelina Jolie played majestically. Don’t wait for the DVD…Maleficent is worth every cent of the $12 I spent to watch it last week. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again in the theaters. So good!

The Giver – Movie Trailer

In my previous posts, I mentioned two other movies, MazeRunner and If I Stay, both young adult books that will hit movie theaters later this summer. Stuff these two books in your beach or pool bag and read the stories before they reach the big screen. After you do, post a comment here. Let me know what you thought of the books.

Give yourself the gift of a good book!

Mrs. Rombach

Blogtastic Book Club – Vote for Book #2

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library  lived up to my son’s lofty reviews. I ripped through this quirky, extremely readable book on the way to and from delivering my daughter, Cady, to summer camp.  With puzzling twists and winning turns, this fun-to-read novel dips into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s world of naughty, have-it-alls who refuse to play fair against the rule-abiding nerds and regular Joes.  You’ll find yourself rooting for reluctant reader, Kyle,  and his unlikely team of clue-busting cohorts (and wishing brown-nosing Charles takes a royal nose dive). As an added bonus, I loved author Chris Grabenstein’s playful word references to so many other equally awesome YA books. Get thyself to a library and escape in a good book!

Speaking of good books, it’s time to vote for the second book of summer. I’m not sure how many bloggers are in town, but if the votes don’t come in, don’t worry. I’ll roll the dice and pick one to read. I’ve already started A Snicker of Magic and am loving the down-home storytelling that’s floating like Felicity’s words into my brain.

Which of these four books looks like the next Blogtastic Book Club winner? Click on the book cover to connect to a book or movie trailer! I’ve borrowed summaries from others who’ve already read these tantalizing titles. Check them out. Cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of this post. 🙂

If I Stay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Mia is a very gifted cellist. She has everything she could ever want, a loving family, an adoring boyfriend, an amazing best friend, and an amazing career ahead of her in music. All of that changes suddenly. Mia and her family have a terrible car accident and Mia is rushed to the ICU. Mia is caught between life and death, and watches as family and friends come to visit her at the hospital she is in. Soon Mia realizes that she must make the most critical decision of her life – wake up to live a life more difficult than she ever could have imagined, or slip away and die. (credit: http://colleenworger.weebly.com)

 

Photo Credit: GoodReads.com

Photo Credit: GoodReads.com

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Introducing an extraordinary new voice—a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten . . .and your heart sing.

Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.

But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck’s about to change. A “word collector,” Felicity sees words everywhere—shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog’s floppy ears—but Midnight Gulch is the first place she’s ever seen the word “home.” And then there’s Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity’s never seen before, words that make Felicity’s heart beat a little faster.

Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she’ll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that’s been cast over the town . . . and her mother’s broken heart. (www.goodreads.com)

 

Photo Credit: Barnes and Noble

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind. (credit: www.jamesdashner.com)

 

Photo Credit: GoodReads.com

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie Sherman

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Native American is the school mascot. (How timely and topical, given our community’s discussions about the Washington Redskins decision to change or keep their team name.)

 

Cast your vote for the second book of summer:

create free polls | comment on this

Searching for more ideas for year-round middle school readers? Check out this site.  100 Books to Read in Middle School by the AMHS Library.

The First Book of Summer…Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

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Introducing the Blogtastic Book Club‘s

first book of summer…

 

Lemoncello

 

 

The votes are in, and author Chris Grabenstein’s Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library takes home the win. You can order this book online or pick it up from your local public library, but be sure to get Mr. Lemoncello in your summer reading hands pronto. Here’s the teaser found on Amazon:

 

In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters.

Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!

 

This much-talked-about book earned high praise from my rising sixth grade son, Sean, who gave up YouTube, FIFA gaming on Xbox, and Discovery Channel extreme nature shows to dedicate every waking minute of a 24-hour period to finish Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. When I asked him what he liked most about the book, he replied, “Everything! It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.” That’s quite an endorsement from my Rick Riordan-obsessed boy. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the first book of summer. Before you do, take a virtual trek over to Chris Grabenstein’s kid-perfect website.

By the way, all red type indicates an active link. Click and instantly be transported. Once you’ve started reading, post comments here–and in your own blog post. Better yet, post a picture of you reading Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and share it on your blog, Instagram, or Twitter (#ermsreads, @CGrabenstein). If you’re an Eagle Ridge reader, be sure to register for the Summer Reading Challenge (if you haven’t done so already). I encourage EVERYONE (of every age) to enroll in A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon to help raise funds to cure childhood cancer.

Visit author Chris Grabenstein’s ridiculously awesome website to:

(1) watch the book trailer

(2) read the first three chapters (while you’re waiting for your copy to arrive!)

(3) play Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Escape game

(4) read Chris’s interview with Jack and Jill Magazine

(5) visit the school library that inspired Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

(6) buy the paperback or hardcover version of the book (Amazon is currently the least expensive at $5.04 for the paperback).

(7) meet Fred, his retired Hollywood dog

(8) learn about all the other books written by Chris (including Crossroads, a book about zombie hauntings).

Don’t forget to be blogtastic all summer long. Read and write. Write and read. Who knows…maybe someday your 6th, 7th, or 8th grade writing journal will be sitting pretty on your own author’s website. I wonder…what special features would your author website include? Post a comment and let the world know!

Happy Summer! Happy Reading!

Mrs. Rombach

P.S. — Roadtrip on Sunday to deliver Cady to Summer’s Best Two Weeks in PA. Rest assured, I’m bringing Mr. Lemoncello along for the ride.

A Million Books For Hope

Read this Summer to Help Cure Childhood Cancer!

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The Blogtastic Summer Book Club Starts Next Week

Just two more crazy days in a classroom before summer break officially starts. With the countdown nearly complete, I wonder…what’s on your summer to-do list?

Besides digging my bare toes into the sun-bleached North Carolina beaches, I’ll be turning pages in books I’ve been dreaming about reading all year long. Next week, we (as in you and me) officially launch this blog’s Blogtastic Summer Book Club, a way to keep us reading and writing about fabulous, must-read books. (Vote for Blogtastic Book #1 at the bottom of this post.) This summer, it’s time to read for pleasure…and for the promise of a future without childhood cancer. 

A Million Books for Hope – Summer Reading Challenge  

Thanks to Alice, one of my students who knows all too well the tragedy of losing a young friend to cancer, I can share A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon with all of you. No matter how old we are, an adversary like cancer makes us feel helpless. Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States? In fact, cancer kills 7 children every day in the United States. (Source: National Cancer Institute).

How can a parent–much less a kid–do something that actually makes a difference? What if I told you that by reading books you can contribute to the cure? It’s true. Childhood cancers get shortchanged when it comes to federal funding. Grownups are working on that issue, but while they’re speaking out nationwide and lobbying Congress, we can take part in A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon.  Ask your Mom or Dad, Aunt Kathy or Uncle Oakley, or MeeMaw and Grandpa to sponsor you. Whether it’s $1/per book or $5/book, 100% of proceeds go to childhood cancer research. Plus, with Barnes and Noble as A Million Books for Hope sponsor, you’ll earn a $25 gift card if you raise $250. Raise more; earn more! Prizes are detailed on the webpage. Click here to register (or just get more information).

Maybe you know someone who’s living with cancer? We at Eagle Ridge have our own hero, Gavin Rupp, #15, who lost his life to brain cancer on July 30, 2013. Only 4% of cancer funds go to childhood cancer. That needs to change. We will find a cure…one day soon.

 

 

Eagle Ridge Summer Reading Challenge

To encourage and inspire you to read as many books as possible this summer, sign up for the ERMS Summer Reading Challenge, too. Read whatever you want…and keep track of the books you’ve read. If you do, prizes are potentially in your back-to-school future.

On Tuesdays, you’ll receive a text message with book recommendations. You can read one of the recommended books…or any book that interests YOU! 

Keep track of what you read.

On Sundays, you’ll get a text message as a reminder to log any book you’ve finished. Click here to log books. 

Tweet about what you’re reading! #ermsreads

Instagram your books! #ermsreads

 

Pick a Winner…

Which book should the Blogtastic Summer Book Club read first? Click on the book cover to watch the book or movie trailer.

Vote today. Winner announced next week!

Lemoncello

If I Stay

movie trailer for If I Stay

LEGEND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[formidable id=8 title=true description=true]

 

 

Be a goal-oriented reader.

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Ceguera
Photo Credit: Viviana Calderón via Compfight

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

 – Albert Einstein

“The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals, and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

– Michael Jordan

Whether you’re the world’s greatest basketball player, the most brilliant scientific mind to mesmerize the universe, or a sixth grader evaluating your reading accomplishments, it’s important to set goals and work towards achieving them. Tonight, it’s time to set reading goals for the final quarter of sixth grade.

How can you stretch yourself to read more, to read differently, or to read beyond your comfort zone? Tell me…and tell yourself…what you’ve already accomplished and what’s on your to-do agenda.

To complete the Google Docs survey, you’ll need to log into your school Google account. Then, take your time to thoughtfully and thoroughly respond to every question. No erroneous responses please; tell the truth and nothing but the truth! (This is a formative assessment and will be entered into Clarity.) All responses are due by Monday, April 21, the day my daughter, Shelby, runs the Boston Marathon!

Here’s the most jubilant news of all: Spring Break starts at 3:23 pm on Friday! After that familiar bell sounds, I’ll see you on the other side of two weekends!

 Mrs. Rombach

 

I am still trying to figure out how to use www.bitstrips.com, but here’s my first attempt. I’m not sure why it says “By Null.” 🙂