MORE SUMMER READING PROMOS: Book Domino Chain World Record

This is a fantastic video. I'm sorry about the blocking at school - watch it at home!

Get ready for summer reading

Summer is almost here and I hope you conitnue to READ this summer. Here's a few helpful websites that might help you with some summer reading ideas:

Penguin Book suggestions for high schoolers

Mackin Via and Tumblebooks!  Using Mackin VIA Cashmere School District students can read ebooks and test drive TumbleBooks at no charge through September 30, 2013. The Tumblebooks would be great for younger siblings or little ones you babysit.

North Central Regional Library offers many reading opportunities and a fun summer reading program as well. If you don't have a public library card, click here and get one now.

If you never have looked at Good Reads, do it now! This site overflows with many great book lists.

The CHS Library contains many of these books, so come next fall with your list if you don't have a chance to read all of your books this summer.

Ender's Game movie is almost here!

CHS junior Jacob holds a CHS copy of Ender's Game and admits he's reading this book right now.

I am so excited the 1991 YA sci-fi classic written by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game, is finally coming out as a movie! November 1st is the release date. My nephew Ben posted this trailer link on his FB this morning. I think the folks who bought the movie rights years ago were just waiting for the technology to catch up with the book and make producing the movie affordable. This is BIG news to fans of the book and hopefully to all new readers. If you haven't read Ender's Game yet, you need to RUN to the library and check out a copy. It's one of my very favorite books at the CHS Library and I hope it will become one of yours too. And in November we can go to the movie - YEAH!

I am so sorry that the page doesn't load correctly at school for the above link to work correctly.  Due to our school's filter the YouTube video trailer is blocked and that affects the whole page loading process - it's not my call .  Please see Mrs. Hightower and she will log you on so you can see it.  Meanwhile, log on at home or on your smart phone and watch it, you won't be disappointed.

Have you tried EASEL.LY ?

I just discovered easel.ly, an online infographic tool. Easel.ly could be used for posters, classroom projects and timelines. Please give it a try, I think you'll like it.   Beware, it doesn't work with Internet Explorer, so download Chrome and give it a try. 

Here is a sample I made and if you need to check out a book, it might help you :-)  

May is Digital Citizenship Month!

Recently I met with two 9th grade English classses and we talked about "Online Safety" and our "Digital Footprint". There's a lot to be learned about this subject and I recommend Common Sense Media as a source of more information. Here is a poster from Common Sense Media that can help you make good decisions about sharing your photos of all your friends.

poster from Common Sense Media

April is POETRY MONTH!

April is here and that means it's "Poetry Month" at CHS!

Please take a moment out of your busy day sometime this month and savor a poem.  Find a poem here:

• Poetry 180, a poem a day for American High Schools http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/p180-list.html 

  
• Academy of American Poets    http://www.poets.org/

 

• Schmoop poetry  http://www.shmoop.com/poetry/



Did you know Shmoop is currently offering free SAT & ACT prep? 

Just click this link and you'll find comprehensive SAT and ACT prep classes (normally a $23 value) for free! In addition, through a partnership with Zinch.com, a free scholarship and college search website.  Click here to claim the free class by March 31st, 2013.
There are only a certain number of free guides - so act quickly!