Wimpy Kid Road Trip is Full of Laughs

So I am picking up this story sort of late in the game.  I've only read Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  The Third Wheel and this latest addition The Long Haul.

Honestly, I never really had a reason to read them since my own kids were too young and it didn't really jive with my normal YA zombie, post-apocalypse, Lurlene McDaniel sappy stories that I loved to explore.  But I have to say, if you haven't picked up on the Heffley family saga, you are missing out.  I have never in my life laughed out loud so many times in the course of a book.

I had a small group of 7th and 8th graders who were really excited for this book to come out. Jeff Kinney and his publishers do such a great job at building up excitement for the release date of the newest title.  November 4th was a day I thought would never get here.  Kids were in here every day asking if our box from Scholastic had arrived.

Of course once the books came in, it didn't take long for the kids to gobble them up.  The Heffley family decides to take off on the road trip adventure of a lifetime.  From piglets to seagulls, from Vet's offices to gas station restrooms, the whole family is swept up in a whirlwind of crazy happenings.

For our book club party, the main event was the Long Haul Bingo.

Then we took a moment to pose with our Wimpy Kid cut-outs.  Even though Fregley and Rowley did not make an appearance in this episode, they still have a place in our hearts.

Until next time,

Amy Hutto, LMS

South Side High School

Mustangs and Madras: An Outsiders Event

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, when originally published, ushered in a whole new genre of books geared towards teenagers.  The struggles of the Curtis family prove to be as accessible to today's young men and women as it was when it was first published in 1967. Rumblings between the "haves" and the "have nots" still echo in communities such as ours.  It is an issue that young people will wrestle with for generations to come.  Though gritty in nature, The Outsiders provides hope. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can survive. You may even learn how to thrive.

To close out this popular book with our 8th graders, we decided to plan an event that would bring parts of the book alive. We created 6 stations as follows:

Station 1--The Drive In Movie

Students were served Pepsi and popcorn as they watched a short film called "On Location in Tulsa" in which S.E. Hinton shows viewers around the various places they filmed the movie and filling the audience in on behind the scenes happenings.

Station 2--Are you a Greaser or a Soc?

Students worked on Chrome books to complete an online quiz that would determine which group they would belong to.  Then they made a "Greaser' or a 'Soc' name tag to wear during the rest of the event.

Station 3--Music of The Outsiders

Students watched videos of the music mentioned in the book including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and the Beatles.  Mrs. Hiegel, our Spanish teacher, led this group in thinking about why the Greasers liked certain artists and the Socials like others.

Station 4--Cupcakes and Cards

Students enjoyed bologna sandwiches as they played poker much like Ponyboy and Johnny did during their time in Windrixville. To top it off, each student got a chocolate cupcake. A special thanks to Coach Bradford and Coach Glover for helping with this station.

Station 5--Blue Mustang

Students took turns taking a short cruise in a 1967 blue Mustang. During the cruise, students are transported back to a time when the rumble of a Mustang meant trouble for a Greaser.

Station 6--Photo Booth

Mrs. Hutto, Mrs. Lankford, and Mrs. Henson

8th graders strike a pose...

Students used props and gathered to take pictures while they were decked out in their Outsiders gear.

In the end, we as teachers hope to create moments that our students will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We don't always have the time or resources to create these fun, larger than life scenarios,  but in those cases where we can, we most certainly should.  I sincerely hope that this day is one that will stick out in their memory for a really long time.

Until next time,

Amy Hutto, LMS
South Side High School

Gettin' Crafty: An Elite Book Club

For the second installment of Kiera Cass's Selection series, students gathered in the Library Media Center to make bracelets that represent her two love interests in the book The Elite. Thank you PINTEREST for this brilliant idea.

"America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide."

(http://www.kieracass.com/books/)

On one hand there is Aspen, her childhood friend and reluctant ex-boyfriend.  Their relationship complicates a bit at his arrival at the Palace as  guard.

"He reached down to the bottom of his sleeve and tore off one of his golden buttons. 'I literally have nothing else to give you, but you can hold on to this--something I've touched--and think of me anytime.  And you can know that I'm thinking of you, too.'" (p. 134)

"Anytime I felt uncomfortable, I'd reach down and and touch Aspen's button, which I'd laced on a tiny ribbon and made into a bracelet. He would get me through my time here." (p. 136)

The other love interest is Maxon Shreave, the Prince himself.  The one that all the other girls are trying to win.  The one who isn't sure America will ever be able to commit to him and the royal life he offers her.

"He found my hand again and started tying something on my wrist.  I recognized the feeling of the bracelet he got me in New Asia as it slid into place. 'I've been carrying it in my pocket. I'm a pitiful romantic, right? I was going to keep it, but I want you to have something from me.'" (p. 301)

So who will America choose?

Stay tuned for the third installment of The Selection series....The One!

Until next time,
Amy Hutto, LMS
South Side High School