The Hunger Games

I've had a couple parents email me the following question, "Should my 4th (or 5th) grader read The Hunger Games?"

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Suzanne Collins and the Hunger Games trilogy.  I devoured the books in the same way that I devoured the Harry Potter series, Twilight, and other popular culture fiction.  I've read the books several times.

But would I allow my own 4th grader to read the book?  No way.

The Hunger Games is a tough book to read.  Yes, it's called Young Adult Fiction.  But 4th graders aren't young adults.  In these books reader's encounter loss, alcoholism, death, cold-blooded murder, and betrayal.  Kids kill kids.  Kids betray and murder kids younger and older.  The descriptions are fairly graphic and at times disturbing.  The themes and symbolism in these books, they are absolutely compelling.  But I am a seasoned reader who has the ability to grasp the framework of the story, and to consider the issues Collins is forcing readers to ponder.  I don't believe 4th graders (even MY 4th graders!) are ready to make these connections.  While a reader may or may not be "advanced," that doesn't mean he or she is mature enough to appreciate the many facets of The Hunger Games.

My recommendation?  Give your reader The Gregor the Overlander series.  These books explore some of the same themes Collins writes in her Hunger Games trilogy, and I believe they are more easily understood by 4th graders.  Suzanne Collins writes these books as well.  If your son or daughter is begging you to let him or her read The Hunger Games, read it first.  Then, be thoughtful and ask yourself, "Am I really ready to discuss with my child the themes presented in these books?"  "Am I ready to explain how the characters are used as pawns, how the government became a barbaric totalitarian leadership?  Am I ready to discuss with my child humanity's future in this way?  How elements of the book are relevant to their own lives?"  The last two lines come from Collins herself (from the movie companion book).

I am ready to have this conversation with my 6th grader.  But my 9-year-old?  No way.  We'll get there.  I am prepared for her to love this book and to love Suzanne Collins.  But when she's older and more mature.

And please, don't take your child to see the movie.  When she is finally ready to read the book let her, I would recommend it for a middle schooler.  Then watch the movie together.  Use it to have a wonderful, honest, and sometimes tough conversation with your child about humanity and humanity's choices.

Mrs. Perrien

Moms and Muffins

Dear Moms-

Unfortunately last Friday's snow day interfered with our Mom's and Muffins event.  I was planning to reschedule for this coming Friday, but given my current (and second) battle with the flu I am going to put the event on hold for now.  I'll check a couple dates and get back to you all soon!

At this time I am not planning to reschedule moms and muffins until after spring break.

Thanks for your understanding!

Mrs. Perrien

Preamble to the Constitution

Vocabulary

Today students were asked to study or work with their vocabulary words as homework.  I think many didn't realize the words were not posted on the blog!  Here they are:

potassium
induce
prosper
inconceivable
musing
capillary
hypothetical
extraordinary
compendia
sufficient

***These are words chosen by the kids.  We've been talking about them in class and working with them, too.

REMINDER:  We have a field trip on Friday to the Ford Museum!

--Mrs. Perrien

Poets

Today each student read his or her favorite poem from the recently published anthologies.  These will come home to parents at conferences.

(A few kiddos are missing from the pictures.  They were gym leading.)

Poetry Readings

Valentine's Day Photos

Enjoy!  Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day

Reader's Workshop

Reading & Writing
Students continue to read nonfiction in class and learn about its features and structures. They will learn a few strategies to add to their "strategy file" to make reading nonfiction an easier and more manageable task. However, as this unit winds down they will begin working in small groups to read and discuss a novel of their choosing. This is a perennial favorite!


Students will make their final book selections next week.

Missing Books

Our classroom library is missing many, many books. I have always used the honor system for book checkouts. Students may take a book home and return it when finished. However, sometimes students forget to return what has been checked out.

Please ask your son or daughter if he or she has any books from Mrs. Perrien's classroom that should be returned. My books usually have a genre sticker on the outside and my name or initials on the inside front cover. If you find them on your shelves, under someone's bed, or in a backpack please return the books to school!

Thank you!

Pink Out 2012

Here we are...in pink, beads and hats!  Thanks for all your support.

Pink Out 2012

Pink Out 2012

I'll admit it, I cried a little when I watched this video.  I didn't show this in class, but its message is profound for many.



What a moving tribute to the many cancer survivors and their families, as well as to the many family members of people who lost their lives to this disease.  My thoughts and prayers are always with those who lost their lives to cancer.    Cancer affects many.  Both of my maternal grandparents lost their lives to cancer and it has affected others close to me.

Tomorrow is game night!  I hope to see many of you there...put on your pink!

5th Grade Transition Meetings

Today the 5th graders met with Ms. Owens, an assistant principal at Harbor Lights Middle School.  She showed a video about 6th grade at Harbor Lights and gave the kids the opportunity to ask questions about middle school!

Waukazoo families are encouraged to attend a parent meeting on Thursday, February 9, to learn about Harbor Lights.  The time is 6:30-8:00 p.m.  The meeting will include a presentation for parents, an activity for 5th graders, and a tour of Harbor Lights Middle School.  Highlighted are the following topics:  school within a school environment, opportunities to earn high school credit, and numerous extra-curricular activities.  If you're unable to attend the meeting this Thursday, feel free to attend on Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m.

If you have questions about Harbor Lights you are encouraged to call Dennis White, the principal.  He's also encouraging parents to schedule an individual appointment if they'd like.  Mr. White can be contacted at 616-786-1001.

Cool Teacher is Online

Check out our class photos.  The "Cool Teacher" segment will begin airing in two weeks, how cool is that!?  Thank you, Raveena!

http://www.wgvu.org/coolteacher/

--Mrs. Perrien

Valentines Party Information

Party Date and Time:  February 14 at 3 p.m.

If students bring a valentine for one, they need to bring a valentine for all!  We have 25 students.

***For our Valentine Boxes project this year we will need students to bring in an empty cereal box by Friday!

Thank you!!

Classroom Updates

Read on for two important classroom updates...

Field Trip:  The Gerald R. Ford Museum

When:       Friday, February 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Where:     Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (Grand Rapids)

Why:        To accompany our study of the three branches of government.

**The permission slip will come home on Monday for a signature.

Lansing

This year our students are scheduled to visit Lansing as our culminating social studies BIG FUN field trip; it’s also the final field trip we will be taking this school year (other than the 5^th grade annual trip to see the Grand Rapids Symphony and their May visit to tour Harbor Lights.)

We are scheduled to go to Lansing on April 12, 2012.  Our current plan is to visit the state Capitol and the Michigan Historical Museum, plus the Hall of Justice.  All of the places we visit are free; the only expense we incur is the cost of the charter bus to take us to Lansing.  In past years we have taken a Cardinal Charter Bus to create a sense of “cool” for this trip, but more importantly we need a charter bus because we depart early (8 a.m.) and arrive late (6 p.m.).  In past years we have raised funds for the bus by collecting and returning pop cans.  In 2010 this netted us approximately $150 toward the cost of the $900 (estimated) charter bus.  If someone would like to take over for me and run this fund raiser I welcome your help, but I will not be running this fundraiser on my own this year.  It took a lot of my instructional planning time two years ago to sort and return $150 worth of pop cans and I didn’t have a lot of parent help or support.

One possible option would be for families to collect and return pop can slips from Meijer or Family Fare between now and the date of the field trip.  I would need the help of a parent to organize and return these slips for cash that would then be turned over to Waukazoo.  We would use these to offset the INDIVIDUAL cost of the charter bus expense.  We would then have a final total for you the week of April 12.  Families that want to reduce their expense would collect pop can slips, families that don’t want to collect and submit pop can slips would be charged the divided cost of the charter bus.  (At this time, that estimated expense would be $36 per student.**)

Finally, I will be submitting a reimbursement form to the Waukazoo PTA for a portion of the field trip.  In past years, this has been $5 per student.  At this time, I cannot guarantee this as a reimbursement amount.

Thank you for your time!  Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. 

Mrs. Perrien 

 

**We don’t want any student to miss this field trip due to the cost of the charter bus.  If your family is experiencing circumstances that would make this payment difficult, , please contact Mrs. Perrien.  No one will have to miss out!

A parent volunteer form will come home on Monday night.

Reading Groups Sign-Up--

Sarah...here are the charts!  --Mrs. Perrien

Students will pick at least two groups on Monday or Tuesday!

Market Days are Coming!

Once again, the Waukazoo third grade classes will be having their annual Market Day as a culminating activity to their study of economics. Terrific items will be on sale during the lunch hour on Friday, February 10^th.  Prices will range from 25 cents to $1.00. All money raised will be donated to

charity!