During December, continue reading the 300 pages. The students should include the book report book and also their state book. They should remember to give the author. This is due Tuesday, January 5.

Fifth graders, read a book of your choice. It can be fiction or non-fiction. Plan a speech that is at least one minute long. Do not write the speech out! Make a list of ideas on note cards, if you wish, but write these as a list, not as whole sentences. Speeches should not be read.

In your speech, tell about the feelings you had as you read the different parts of your book. Be specific. Don’t say "I felt good" or "I felt bad." Use words like "angry, frightened, relieved, disappointed, happy, sad," etc. Here’s a plan:

Tell the name and author.

Tell a bit about the story.

Using examples, tell about your feelings.*

Recommend the book (or say you don’t recommend it!) based on your feelings.**

Be sure the speech is at least one minute long. Practice it aloud.

*Examples: I felt angry when everyone blamed Harry Potter for the mysterious freezing spell at Hogwarts…I felt sad when Sounder died…I was relieved when Meg saved her brother Charles Wallace from "It."

**Examples: This book was so sad I would not recommend it to anyone…This book was suspenseful; I would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries…I liked this book and would recommend it for fifth graders, but it is too scary for younger children.

Give your speech on December 16 or 17. You may give it early, but you have to do it on a day when I am here. There are some days in December when I am not.

There is no tutoring in December. New arrangements will be made in January.

Mark your calendar for 1:00 or 7:00 P.M. on December 15!

Merry Christmas!

Sr. Paula