Welcome to the Book Club for Lewisburg's Fifth Grade!

We are about to embark on a journey. A journey through the pages of books. You might find it adventurous, or humurous, scary, and maybe even suspensful, but rest assured you will enjoy the venture. Hang on for the ride that will take you everywhere but you won't have to leave the room...

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Maniac Makes a Friend

Wow, let me first say that my new fifth graders have not let me down and I never expected you to, but you all have went above and beyond what I expected for these first few weeks of school. Your blog comments on our first post are proof that this year is going to be great!  They are top notch!

We have just finished the first 4 chapters of our first book in our book club and we have already found some very interesting things about our main character.  What kid would not want to acquire the abilities that Maniac has?  However, most of us would not want to be in his situation!  An orphan, homeless and running...

We have discussed previously what theme is, but we haven't found a theme interlaced in our new story yet.  After reading chapter 3 we should have an idea of a theme that is beginning to develop in our story.  Maniac meets Amanda Beale, who he borrows a book from.  What is different about Amanda?  Well we find out that she is not white as Maniac is and because she wonders why a white kid like Magee is in the east end of town where it is primarily black, we can assume that there must be segregation.  What is Segregation?  If you are not sure click the word segregation within  the blog and research it.  Racism is a dominate theme throughout Maniac Magee and a major part of our story.  Have you ever been discriminated against in anyway-on the basis of race, religion, or social class?  What do you believe was the root of this discrimination you experienced?  What emotion may have been the cause?  Share your experience of discrimination if you wish. 

Once you have finished reading to chapter five in the book, during class take a quiz over these chapters.  Click here to take the quiz.
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 20, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I agree Mrs.Simmons.But if we were all to infer we could all probably assume that Amanda was black.But if this book is about segregation I would love to hear how Jerry describes how Maniac might have felt about segregation.
    -Madison-

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  2. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    Madison,
    You are correct to assume that Amanda is black and we will find out through inference how Maniac feels about segregation. I think you will like what you find out.

    I am so glad to have you in my class this year! You are such a great addition to my class and you have a lot to offer! See you on Monday!

    -Mrs. S

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  3. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Thanks Mrs.Simmons I'm Glad to be in your class too!See you tommorrow!
    -Madison-

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  4. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    HEY Mrs.simmions its olivia filler!!!!!
    im being home schooled i rembered a bout this blog so i just wanted to say hi!!!!!~(:
    miss you!!!!
    ~olivia
    ps: you dont half to post this

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  5. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Hi Olivia! We all miss you here! Hope you are reading lots of really good books! Keep me posted on what your reading...
    P.S. you can join in our discussions if you like, we don't mind!
    -Mrs. S

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  6. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    segeregation is when people are divided into groups by there color.yes i have been discriminated by other people.because i was not like them.very sad and disipointed.someone said i couldnt play with them because i was not pretty.

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  7. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    1.Segregation means that you are divided in to certain groups.
    2.Yes I have
    3.That i have a high voice.
    4.It made me feel mad.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    I am segragated about social class because half the grade thinks im wierd and probably most of my friends are only there because they feel sorry for me...

    Segragation of any type is cruel...

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  9. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Well,I am only friends to some people because they think i have some cool stuff and they just like me for my stuff if makes me some mad that that would be that rude. i will not name names they know how they are! love, Cheyenne N.

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  10. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    I think amanda is black and segragation means to be unkind to people who are diffrent ao just mean and thanks Mrs.Simmons i love reading and with a funny and nice teacher like you reading is my favorite subject!!! i cant wait to keep reading Maniac Magee! love,Callie :)

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  11. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Calllie,
    You are a wonderful addition to our last class! I enjoy having you! Keep up the great work reading!
    -Mrs. S

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  12. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    I agree with every one.But..Mrs.Simmons doesn't know whom should recive the credit.Please remember your names!

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  13. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I think segregation is where blacks and whites are separate and i dont think that it shouldnt be legal because and think that separating blacks and whites is spliting up familys and spliting up familys is like someone dying.So segregation is something that the earth doesn't need!
    (Ana)

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  14. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    I think Segration is wrong because black and white people should not be seperated and it is not nice to the black people and caused them to be sad and alone and also very left out. -Kaitlyn A.-

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  15. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Maniac magee is a wonderful story and i would only know that beacause I have read the book before and no nobody is getting any ansers ;) owen sitz

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  16. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    sorry i for got to tell u what segragation means is that people have to do things diffenrtly because of their race. ~cheyenne .n.

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  17. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    segregration is when someone has to do something different beacause of their race ;) owen sitz

    ReplyDelete

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