Moretown Elementary School

DCF Book Trailers

2012-03-14T08:09:00.004-04:00

A book trailer is like a commercial for a book. We'll be making short, 30 second book trailers for this year's DCF books using Animoto.

Check out some examples from this website - it has a bunch of great examples.

When we are done with the project, please post a link to your book trailer in the comment section.

Read Across America

2012-03-07T08:09:00.003-05:00

On Friday, March 9th, Governor Peter Shumlin and other esteemed guests will be visiting our school for a Read Across America event.

Please share your thought about books and reading - the positive and the negative. Thank you!

Erin Moulton's visit

2012-02-08T08:12:00.001-05:00

We were so lucky to have a full day visit with author Erin Moulton. It's like we know a little secret about her book Flutter - Mooreland could be Moretown! She gave so much great advice about writing, specifically to "write what you know". I hope you enjoyed her visit as much as I did.

Your job is to visit her website and send her a thank you note. You can do this on her "Contact" page. Copy and paste your comment to Erin and repost here.

~Mrs.Allison

Mock DCF voting!

2012-01-25T08:11:00.001-05:00

1. Visit the DCF blog. Make sure to read over the "Posting Guidelines" if you already haven't done so.

2. Find the DCF book that you would vote for if the vote was TODAY and post why you love it. Include as much details as you can (without giving away too much!).

3. Copy your response and post it here.

2012-01-10T19:26:00.002-05:00

Netbook Survey

All 4th, 5th, and 6th graders -- Please take the following survey about the netbooks. It was created by a member of the Moretown Messenger newspaper staff. The results will be reported in the newspaper.
Thank you.

The Indomitable Vermont Spirit

2011-09-28T08:07:00.002-04:00

What do you think of Senator Leahy's speech on the floor of the Congress? What does it mean to be indomitable? How has Moretown and our school shown an "indomitable spirit"?

School Yard Informer June 2011 Edition

2011-05-16T14:12:00.001-04:00

Please tell us what you are working on. Use your first name only.
Thank you. Mrs.Allison

DCF 2011!

2011-04-04T10:33:00.003-04:00

Please share three good reasons why you voted for the DCF book of your choice.

Here's hoping that it wins!

The Book Explosion!

2011-01-03T11:16:00.003-05:00

5th and 6th graders visit here for the Webquest:

http://bookexplosion.weebly.com

2010-12-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

The School Yard Informer

Please take the following survey:
Click here to take survey

Peace

2010-12-13T10:39:00.003-05:00

Today we re-enacted a scene from The Christmas Truce, a true story from World War I and perhaps the most remarkable incident in all of military history.

The world is in need of your optimism and hope. Please offer some suggestions for others to help make our world more peaceful.

2010-12-05T22:52:00.002-05:00

What book do you want to find wrapped and with a tag written out FOR YOU this holiday season?

Newspaper Question

2010-09-21T11:33:00.004-04:00

Pretend that you are meeting someone who has only ever watched TV. They have never seen or heard of a newspaper.

How would you explain it to them?

Recommend your favorites!

2010-08-30T10:13:00.002-04:00

Welcome back to the wonderful world of blogging!

Please answer the following two questions.

What book would you read over and over again?

What are some books you would like to see in the library? Be as specific as you can. For example, "Indian Cuisine" is more specific than "Cookbooks". "Skateboarding" is more specific than "Sports".

Favorite Books of all Time!

2010-05-27T11:53:00.000-04:00

What are some of your favorite books from all time? In other words, if you had to go live on the moon and could only pack a few possessions, which book(s) would you bring?

Tanya Lee Stone is visiting!

2010-05-05T14:30:00.002-04:00

Author Tanya Lee Stone is visiting Moretown Elementary School on Tuesday, May 11th at 10:15.

Did you know she has written over 80 books?

Did you know she is the author of one of the Red Clover books from this year? (Sandy's Circus)

Did you know she likes to eat her dessert before dinner?

What else do you know or would like to find out?
Visit her website to learn more!

We have a DCF winner!

2010-04-14T07:41:00.002-04:00

(Drum roll, please ...) We have a new DCF award winner ... The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins! Over 4,500 votes were cast by Vermont kids.

Moretown kids also voted for the Hunger Games as their favorite. In second place for our school was The Gollywhopper Games and third place was Knucklehead.

For more information about Suzanne Collins, check out her website.

Whatta think, fair readers?

DCF voting is happening ... now!

2010-04-06T21:40:00.007-04:00

Calling all 4th, 5th, and 6th graders! Vote for your DCF book!

Click here to take survey

Which book did you vote for and why?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

2010-02-18T08:13:00.001-05:00

What do you think? Have you read the book and seen the movie? Read just the book? Seen just the movie? Both?

What do you think?

Author Study Pathfinder

2009-11-05T07:56:00.005-05:00

Fifth and sixth graders are embarking on their Letter to an Author unit. You have two tasks I need for you to do before December 3rd.

1. Please add a comment to this post. Tell us the author you will be writing to and why.

2. Visit the author's official website. Please use the links located on the right-hand side of the blog. If you do not see your author's website, please let me know in a comment to this post and I'll add it.

Authors usually have creative and interesting webpages. Read all that you can about your author. You may find answers to some of your questions. Combine what you want to know with the new information on the websites to generate new questions.

Feel free to post those higher level questions here as well, for extra credit.

Scary Reads

2009-10-23T20:39:00.003-04:00

I love this time of year, when the world as we know it starts to darken and deepen. Our worlds constrict as we burrow into our homes, huddling around fires and within blankets. Outside, the twilight comes earlier and brings colder, darker nights.

What was that you saw in the bare branches of the old Maple tree? Did you just hear the call of an owl, or something else? Are you sure your parents locked the doors good and tight?

In the spirit of the season - All Hallows Eve - I'm curious to hear what books you think are especially scary.

Hip, Hip, Hurray! Summer Reading Suggestions by our 5th Graders

2009-05-14T08:48:00.024-04:00

The Mysterious Benedict Society, recommended by Sadie.

Have you ever read a story that you just felt like you couldn't put it down? I sure have! Which one? The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, illustrations by Carson Ellis. When I read this book, I wished it would never end! When it finally did, I found out that there was a sequel- The Mysterious Benidict Society And The Perilous Journey. In the first book, the main characters, Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky get put through a series of mind-bending tests to see if they are worthy of defeating Mr. Curtain, a seemingly good yet bad guy.

So will they get Mr. Curtain and his "whisperer," or are they unready?

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, recommended by Anna

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a delightful tale of two young cousins, Bonnie and Sylvie Green. When their governess, Miss Sleighcarp, begins to rob them of nearly everything they own and, on top of that, sends them to an orphanage where their hair is cut off and they’re treated like slaves. They know they must do something about this. With the help of a loyal maid and a goose boy, they do.

I love this book because of the way it is very suspenseful but easy to put down if the need arises. It’s the kind of book you can read again and again, seeing it differently each time.

The Golden Compass, recommended by Nina

Lyra Belacqua is a ragamuffin wild child living at Jordan College in Oxford, England.
Lyra doesn’t know her parents, and that’s fine with her. She has fun exploring the roofs, wine cellars, and creepy basements at Jordan College with her friend Roger and her daemon Pantalaimon until the entrancing Mrs. Coulter shows up and offers to take Lyra to the North, where Lyra’s always wanted to go. From then on Lyra embarks on an epic adventure to save her friend Roger from the General Oblation Board, all the while accompanied by Pantalaimon, because in Lyra’s world, your soul takes the shape of an animal that changes shape until you finish puberty. I recommend this book to anybody that loves humor, adventure, and fantasy.

Tunnels, recommended by Tyler

This book is a great book that was hard to put down. It has suspense and mystery so be ready to ready the sequel. If you like suspense and mystery, you should read this book!

Kira-Kira, recommended by Aenea

Do you like sad books? If so this is the book for you. What I liked about this book was that the author really made me feel for the characters. She went into such great detail that I could see everything very clear. This book made me think of how special life is because it won’t always be there. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Something big could happen in two seconds but could last for the rest of your life. You don’t live forever. So make your life something you can be proud of. Something you’ll remember forever.

Gilda Joyce #2: Ladies of the Lake recommended by Isabella

If you like mysteries, Gilda's your girl. Mysteries are Gilda's favorite. This mystery might be a little hard for Gilda, ghosts are hard to deal with, but she gets around it. What did I like about it? Well, thanks for asking! I myself love mysteries and ghost stories. Read Gilda Joyce, psychic investigator. (TIP: READ THE BOOKS IN ORDER!!!)

The Lightning Thief, recommended by Ethan B.

When Percy Jackson finds out that his English teacher is a centaur and his pre-algebra teacher is mythical evil creature he has to go to Camp Half-Blood, the camp for half-bloods (half God, half mortal). There he meets Annabeth and Grover, who he soon goes on a quest to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt.

I like this book because it has humor, adventure, and lots of detail. Reading this book and the rest of the series (The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian) made me think, "you never know!".

Kira-Kira , recommended by Meridith

Do you like adventure, sadness, and friendship? If you do, then read this book. Lynn and Kathie are more than just sisters. They're friends, best friends, and can't live without each other. Suddenly Lynn gets hit in the head and changes. She doesn't spend a lot of time with Kathie anymore. She's different, not the same Lynn that Katie knew. Soon, Lynn doesn't get enough iron in her body and gets sick - really sick. Will she get better?

Mercy Watson , recommended by Aaron

Mercy Watson is very funny. I think you should read the book because you would enjoy the book. It's about a pig who is very funny.

Schooled, recommended by Hayden

Schooled was one of the first DCF books that I read and definitely one of the best. The author really dragged me in with all kinds of great detail throughout the book. Capricorn Anderson is not like any person that I have ever met, he’s really the kind of person that likes to keep to himself and doesn’t socialize at all. Although Capricorn is kind of different he’s my favorite character in the book because he’s unique in a new kind of way. Like you would think he gets hassled a lot in school by other kids but he does find common ground with a few other kids by the end of the book. I don’t want to tell you much details because that’s for you to find out when you read the book…hopefully.

Jumanji, recommended by Christopher

I love the rhino stampede. That's the part I read the most. I still get excited thinking about reading it.

Harry Potter, by Emma

You may have seen the movies of Harry Potter. You may really like them. Well, I don't blame you. They were really good. But, compared to the books, the books were better by a long shot. I suggest reading the series of seven with all my heart. You should especially read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince before you go rushing off to the movies to see the new hit summer release. The main characters in this book are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Some very important characters are Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore. The whole series is about Harry, Ron, and Hermione setting out to stop Lord Voldermort.

Little House in the Big Woods, recommended by Sophy

This book by Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of my favorite books because whenever I read it, I go into the book. It is just one of those books that are good, cozy-up books. I want to be in Laura's life, maybe for a day or two. Just to see how it was like. Her books are just so magical to me. But I do suggest that you read the book. Trust me, you'll like it!

Savvy, recommended by Jacquelyn

"... and I let him pull me into the church, straight into the catastrophe that was my 13th birthday party" Mibs thought as Will Junior was pulling her into the church. Mibs ends up sneaking onto a pink heartland Bible bus that was supposedly heading for Selena, Kansas. But, the bus takes a different turn, one away from the Selena hospital, one away from her broken Papa. In addition, it's Mibs' 13th birthday party. On your 13th birthday in Mibs' family, it's time to get your savvy. A savvy is kind of a power that's unique and all yours. Mibs is sure that her savvy is going to be able to fix her broken papa all the way in Selena.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series), recommended by Lily

Looking for amazing books that you just won't be able to put down? Then read this series! This modern mythology book combines mythology, real life problems, and the modern world! It all starts when 12-year-old Percy finds out he's a demigod with Poseidon as a father! As the series goes on he must fight major battles against Kronos, who's looking to overthrow the gods! But as he does it all he also must deal with problems that involve regular life. Like his step-dad. Or the hatred between Annabeth and Rachel. I guarantee that once you pick these books up, you won't be able to put them down.

The Graveyard Book, recommended by Lucie

The Graveyard Book is a fascinating story by Neil Gaiman. This book is about a boy who gets "adopted" by ghosts and lives a fascinating life and has powers that help him in his life. Bod is friends with a girl named Scarlett, but what goes wrong with their friendship? Will Bod leave the graveyard? Does the man named Jack ever find Bod? If you want to find out, read the book.

My Side of the Mountain , recommended by Lucas

Have you ever wanted to run away and live in the woods on your own with no rules? "Yes!" Well, I know a way so you can do that and survive winters, hunt and fish, and make cool contraptions. And all you have to do is read a book.

The book is called My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. It's about a boy named Sam who runs away to the Catskill Mountains and lives on his own. After the first few days, he had found a baby falcon so he decides to keep it and name it Frightful. Over the weeks, Sam has to teach Frightful to hunt for him. Everything is great until winter comes, with problems right around the corner for Sam and Frightful. Will they survive or will they fail? Will Sam have to go back to his house?

Dealing with Dragons, recommended by Olivia

Dealing with Dragons was an irresistible book for me. I got it at a used book sale. Who would give this book away!?! I couldn't put it down! I even read it while I ate at a restaurant. Cimmorene is a not very pretty princess with seven beautiful sisters who are all prim and proper. She can't learn cooking or magic and must learn to sit up straight and eat with dainty fingers and a napkin. Borrrring! When she's doomed to marry a prince who probably doesn't know anything, she runs away. She finds a talking frog who directs her to a cave, where "a fireball lit up and Cimmorene saw five dragons".

The Golden Compass, recommended by Nathan

It all started in The Golden Compass, when Lyra found the magical powers or the golden compass. But soon, she and her friend Will are in grave danger. In Phillip Pullman's third book in the series, they must travel to the world of the dead, help her father against this rebellion against the church, and save the worlds! This book is interesting, has lots of action, and is a great read.

Twilight, recommended by Cory

"He was over me at once, his foot stepping hard down on my leg. I heard the sickening snap before I felt it. But then I did feel it, and I wouldn't hold back my scream of agony. I twisted up to reach for my leg, and he was standing over me, smiling." That's just a small snippet of this action-packed, romantic fantasy book by Stephenie Meyer. Twilight is about a girl who is in love with a vampire. On one "normal" game of vampire baseball, two evil vampires pick up her scent and track her. Her new boyfriend, who is a good vampire, tries to protect her but does he do a good enough job?

Gregor the Overlander , recommended by Josie

Gregor goes to the laundry room and Boots is sucked into a grate. When Gregor goes after her, he falls in a mist to this strange underland world. Giant cockroaches led them to an underground city, Regalia. Gregor and Boots find a world full of giant bats, cockroaches, rats, spiders, and violet-eyed, pale-skinned people. They call him "the warrior". Gregor, Boots, and new friends go on a quest to save the underland. Will he succeed? Read to find out - it's an exciting and funny novel.

War Heroes from Iraq , recommended by Shane

This is an action-packed story, actually ten great stories. Strong, brave army men and soldiers star in this great book! Will they make it? Easy to read and awesome action! It's a fantastic book. I loved it !!!

Seekers, recommended by Kyle

I liked this book by Erin Hunter because it's about three different bear species. Brown, polar, and black bears traveling together and having a hard time surviving in the wilderness with not much food anywhere. It has some "similar" things that are happening today in the 21st century. The three bears are soon on a journey, crossing raging rapids and rivers, to reach high, rocky mountains. It gives a good opinion of what the bears look like, their religion, and what they eat.

The DCF winner is ...

2009-04-23T12:01:00.002-04:00

This just in ...

Congratulations to Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, winner of the 2009
DCF Children's Book Award! Over 5,400 Vermont kids voted for their favorites from
the DCF List. Check the DCF website (http://www.dcfaward.org) for a list of the top ten vote-getters.

And for the Red Clover Winner .... congratulations to Melanie Watt, author of Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, the top vote getter in Vermont.

Thank you everyone for reading and voting!

Time to Vote and Celebrate!

2009-03-30T11:46:00.004-04:00

VOTING BOOTHS WILL BE OPEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, APRIL 8TH AND 9TH, DURING LIBRARY CLASS.

It's that time of year again - time for you to vote for your favorite Red Clover and DCF book! Oh my goodness, which book will be the lucky one to receive your vote? Are you going to vote for a book that your friends like, or are you going to go out on a limb and vote for a book that really moved you? Was there a particular book that surprised you? Did you start off lukewarm about a book but then loved it by the end? Did a book disappoint you that you thought you would love? So many things to consider, but I envy you. I wish I could vote, too!

Job Hunting!

2009-03-05T15:29:00.008-05:00

Imagine peering into a crystal ball and seeing yourselves in ten years, fifteen years time. What will you be doing? Where will you be living? How much money will you be making?

Unlike the students in The City of Ember, you actually have a choice in this matter. I encourage you to continue to explore the Career Zone website.

Please share comments about the job hunt. Are you discovering a job that you had never considered? Is making a lot of money important to you and why? Can you find a job that sounds amazing and interesting? If I can find a job that I love, then so can you ... good luck! ;-)

Virtual Reality

2009-02-11T07:59:00.007-05:00

Books affect emotionally. We laugh out loud, we cry, and we get angry depending upon what we are reading.

I just listened to a fascinating radio interview with a brain researcher who hypothosizes that our brains react the same way whether we are reading about a chase scene, for example, or are actually in a chase scene. In other words, reading becomes a "virtual reality".

What do you think about this? Agree or disagree and why? What are some books that have been like "virtual reality" for you?

DCF Blog

2009-01-08T07:49:00.002-05:00

Hi kiddos!

I want you to check out the "official" DCF blog, http://dcfbooks.edublogs.org. It's a place where students from around the state leave their comments about the books they are reading.

Your job is twofold. First, I want you to leave a comment on the DCF blog, by following the link above. Secondly, I want you to leave that same comment here. You'll have to cut and paste your comment, from Word, and then you can easily leave it in both places.

P.S.
April is fast approaching --- that's when YOU vote for your favorite. Remember, voting is optional, and you have to have read at least five books from this year's list to participate.

Books make great gifts!

2008-11-23T20:59:00.006-05:00

I love the holidays; the woodsy scent of wreaths and balsam trees, the twinkling lights, the wrapped presents chosen with care and love. Some of my favorite gifts to give and receive are books. This should be no surprise, because as you know, I love books!

What are some books that you are hoping to give or receive for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza?

Favorite Picture Book Author

2008-10-01T12:41:00.001-04:00

The votes are in .... Dr.Seuss is your favorite picture book author!

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
-Dr.Seuss

Banned Books Week

2008-09-30T10:04:00.008-04:00

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

September 27 - October 4, 2008

Celebrating the Freedom to Read!
Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982. The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. They object to profanity and slang, violence, among other things. Their targets range from books that explore the latest problems to classic and beloved works of American literature.

According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007.

Do you think our library has some of these books on our shelves? If other so, should we keep them or remove them? Please elaborate.

Authors have great websites!

2008-09-18T17:21:00.002-04:00

I have been updating the "awesome authors" list on the blog. I added most of the favorite authors and illustrators to whom the fifth and sixth grade students will be writing real, "old-fashioned" letters.

I have to say that many of these website are really, very, truly awesome!

Feel free to post a comment about what you think about the websites , your favorite author and illustrators, what you think about writing a letter to your favorite writers.

And be sure to take the "who is your favorite picture book author" survey because it will be expiring in a few days. Any suggestions for a new survey?

Welcome Back!

2008-09-01T21:12:00.003-04:00

Welcome back everyone. Summer is such a special time of year, filled with freedoms, maple creemees from Maynards, swims in the Mad River. I suppose if summer lasted twelve months out of the year, then the three months we do have of it in Vermont wouldn't feel nearly as special. I think Vermonters enjoy summer more than most because we know how limited it is ... in other words, grab your fleece jackets kiddos ... I think I see a snowflake falling!

To help you ease back into the school routine, I'd like for you to spend some time among the picture books. Find the one (or one of the ones) that you love best. Tell the world the title, the author, and why you'd take this picture book to the moon with you.

Moretown Bookworm Wiki

2008-07-16T01:29:00.002-04:00

While most of you have been kicking back and enjoying your summers, yours truly has been knee deep in learning all about technology. One of my projects includes making a wiki page for our library. Click here to find out what a wiki is. The Moretown Bookworms is a place I hope to continue learning and growing ... with you!

Summer Reading

2008-06-25T22:47:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone ... and happy summer to you all. I hope that your days have been filled with sunshine, rain showers, sandy beaches, rocky rivers, and reading! Hmmm.... read any good books lately?

I have different piles of books and can't wait to read my way through them this summer. From the DCF pile, I am just about to start Linda Urban's A Crooked Kind of Perfect. For oldies but goodies (a relative term), I've begun the Series of Unfortunate Events and am halfway into The Miserable Mill (#4) and am loving them. My most recent audio book was The City of Ember (amazing - about an underground city and the story of two kids, Lina and Doon, who dream of blue skies and no more blackouts). And a graphic novel I can't wait to read is Artemis Fowl.

How about you?

Media Literacy

2008-04-28T22:03:00.003-04:00

Please visit the following website, http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/entertainment/ and take some time exploring the entertainment page. You should focus on one (or more) of the following links: "money and music", "tv vs. life", "create a popstar", "cover model" and "are you plugged in".

Then, answer one of the following questions in a comment:
Why do advertisers use music to help sell their products?
Do models look the same in real life as they do in magazines?
How much is TV like real life?
OR, you may respond to the website as a whole, citing specific examples of what you liked or did not like, things learned, questions it raises.

Feel free to respond (respectfully) to other students’ comments and add any opinions or thoughts you have on these topics.

April is Poetry Month!

2008-04-08T07:45:00.000-04:00

Ah .... signs of spring are everywhere! Including poetry! (Those aren't groans I hear, are they?) Your spring job? Please post a favorite poem. Be sure to include the title and author's name. You may comment about your classmates choices, if you'd like.

I'll start:

A Patch of Old Snow
by Robert Frost

There's a patch of old snow in a corner
That I should have guessed
Was a blow-away paper the rain
Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if
Small print overspread it,
The news of a day I've forgotten -
If I ever read it.

Voting!

2008-04-05T14:23:00.000-04:00

A sign of spring is the annual voting for DCF (Dorothy Canfield Fisher) and Red Clover books. All students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade voted for the Red Clover books and all our students in grades fourth through sixth made a choice for their favorite DCF book. Which one will win?

Check back next week to see our school's winning titles. I am will be waiting on the edge of my seat to hear Vermont's statewide voting results.

As soon as I know the winners, I'll share that information with you!