Dorman Media Center

Mind your social media and online reputations!!

2012-01-07T14:30:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of: Schools.com

http://www.schools.com/visuals/facebook-and-college.html

Across the Universe give away!!

2011-12-11T14:52:00.000-05:00

Casting an iPad vision at DHS!

2011-12-05T21:28:00.001-05:00

We started allowing students to checkout iPads from the library today. Sigh--still having a hard time wrapping my mind around how they can work like this, especially considering students cannot personalize or download apps. But the excitement is palpable. Today's task as our students explored--leave a "note" using the note app on the ipad listing apps we as library staff need to download. LOL App store is available but the install is blocked at school, so I have to bring them home to review student requests and download. Remember I'm on a vision casting mission here. I want them to work so I have to figure out how to keep our kids interested. I want students to use them for research, productivity, leisure, and most importantly, learning! Experience and fun are byproducts!! Oh yeah, have to share that teacher reaction has been incredible too.

December brings new books!!

2011-12-01T14:14:00.001-05:00

The library is sponsoring a book browse from Thursday, Dec 1 through Wed., Dec. 8. Each new book is spread out for face time, as books shelved just do not seem to generate as much interest. Classes are invited to drop in at anytime to browse through. Students are reminded that they may have up to five books at any given time. Books checked out between now and Christmas break will have a due date of January 3, our first day back after the holidays!

November by the Numbers!!

2011-12-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

The Invention of Hugo Cabret; another movie from shelves of the library

2011-11-21T17:04:00.000-05:00

Another award winner book has been released as a movie this holiday season, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, written and illustrated by Brian Selznick. The book, which is a cross between a picture book and novel, includes in its title the description "a novel in words and pictures," was the 2008 Caldecott Award winner, the highest literary award for illustrations.

So it is with interest that I share the trailer, and hope to see this film during the holiday season. Directed by esteemed and award winning Martin Scorsese, the film is 3-d, and sure to please!!

Release Date: 23 November 2011
Genre: Family | Adventure | Mystery
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jude Law and Christopher Lee
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: John Logan, Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret)
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Plot:

Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

The Hunger Games Official Movie Trailer released!

2011-11-21T16:48:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the movie trailer?? More importantly have you read it? Hunger Games and its sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay have stayed in the DHS Library's top ten for practically two straight years. Defintiely a good read!!!

The movie release date is March 23, 2012.

Director:Gary Ross
Cast:Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley, Toby Jones, Amandla Stenberg, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jacqueline Emerson, Paula Malcomson, Dayo Okeniyi, Jack Quaid, Leven Rambin, Willow Shields, Lenny Kravitz
Summary and other facts: Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 16 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following.

2011-11-10T14:16:00.000-05:00

The library has invested in some Digital Reference books available online 24-7 that students and teachers may access to expand authoritative digital resources for curriculum and research needs. These are online, and password protected as a Dorman High purchase from Gale.

If you use our link, you will need a password:

URL: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/paul_dhs?db=GVRL

Please contact the library for a password.

We hope several classes find these resources helpful. We are in the process of finding a delivery method that best meets everyone’s need, but for now you can access using the URL above.

Teen's Top Ten Announced

2011-10-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

YALSA Teens' Top Ten

Teen Read Week 2011

2011-10-13T18:08:00.000-04:00

Dorman's Library is set to celebrate Teen Read Week!! Here is an outline of the activities planned to highlight Young Adult Literature!

Everyday the week of October 17-21 we will have a "Picture It" contest. "Picture It is the theme this year, so this contest capitalizes on it. We will feature a popular DHS YA book in pictures only, and it will be displayed in the cafeteria where students can fill out entry forms to guess the title. All correct responses will be displayed in the library and entered into a drawing. There will be ten students who win a free book, ten students who win a Cavalatte (school Coffee and Dessert shop) Coupon, and three students who win a $10 Gift Card from Barnes and Noble.
Tuesday the library will be hosting a BYOB Book Club! We will be serving lunch to those who signed up, and anyone can come, but the ticket in the door is to "Bring Your Own Book!" We do this in conjunction with our Spartanburg County Public Library teen librarian friends (Thanks Tara and more!!) to cultivate strong YA reading relationships. Symbiotic one for sure!
Wednesday we are planning a "Bookmark Yourself" Day, where students can have their photo taken and made into a customized bookmark.
Thursday, we are letting students take a Hunger Games Quote Quiz! All students who accurately match the quote with a book character from the book is entered into a drawing. One lucky winner will be receiving a movie pass gift pack!!
Friday sorry to report is a student holiday, but we hope our students will join in the activities planned at the public library too.

Cryer's Cross

2011-10-09T16:20:00.000-04:00

Here's a book trailer for one of our new books, Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann.

CRYER'S CROSS, by Lisa McMann from SLJ Trailee Nominees on Vimeo.

So Many New Books!!

2011-10-07T17:31:00.000-04:00

Students, faculty, and staff!! We just received a shipment of new books, and there are many--too many to just roll a cart out for browsing like we typically do. We want to lay them out for browsing purposes for a few days on the lower tables (nearest the cafeteria) starting Tuesday. They will remain laid out like this through Thursday.

This is something we have not done before. Usually we just roll book carts out with a sign telling visitors there are new books. We want to display them on the tables to give them “face time” as we realize many people pick up a book just because the cover grabbed their attention.

Teachers, feel free to bring a class for a stroll through or send small groups (a phone call would be appreciated if it will be larger than four students.) As always, students coming unescorted by a teacher should have a pass. Students are reminded they need a valid school ID to check out books. Come be the first the check out a new book.

Library Numbers to Crunch - September 2011

2011-10-03T14:03:00.000-04:00

September 2011 Data

Celebrate the Freedom to READ

2011-09-26T21:31:00.011-04:00

This week at DHS, we are Celebrating the Freedom to Read. The ALA calls this week Banned Books Week. It is an annual event which celebrates reading and the First Amendment.

2011 Banned Books Week-An Annual Event Celebrating the Freedom to Read

September 24 - October 1, 2011

What does it mean for a book to be banned or challenged? First of all, books are banned or challenged because one person or a group of people feel that they need to protect others. What these people or groups do not realize is that they are restricting access to everyone which is a violation of our First Amendment rights. A challenge is an attempt to remove the book(s) in question. A ban is the actual removal of the book(s).

NOTE: The books available in our collection here at DHS are selected based on recommended reading lists and positive reviews from professional journals.

Here is a quiz for you to try: See what you know, or what you don't know. You may learn a thing or two.

Click HERE to go to the quiz.

Google Vs. Databases - You decide!

2011-09-07T19:17:00.002-04:00

The lesson plan for this presentation is available online here.

The password to use DISCUS is hidden in the slide deck posted above. If you need it, feel free to email me at nelsoncj "at" spart6.org. I will email back (or text provided a number that accepts text messages is given) as soon as I can.

What are Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Dillard Reading?

2011-08-25T09:52:00.004-04:00

I am creating this post because you probably can't see the list of books (to the right) that Mrs. Nelson and I are currently reading (if you are using the library computers). For some reason it is blocked for students. At any rate, Mrs. Nelson is reading Into The Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern and The Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-year Old GI by Ryan Smithson. Both of these books are SC Young Adult Book Award Nominees and can be found in our library on the table across from the circulation desk.

I, Mrs. Dillard, am reading Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (also a SC YABA Nominee). Girls, you will love this book! I am also reading (actually listening) Going Bovine by Libba Gray.

This should answer questions 3 and 4 on your Scavenger Hunt.

The Cavalier is Online!

2011-08-24T08:20:00.004-04:00

We here in the DHS Media Center would like to give a shout out to The Cavalier staff for their new online coverage. Great job everyone!! Looking forward to reading your news online, anywhere! You can read it too at www.thecavaliernews.com .

No Matter What...

2011-08-09T15:20:00.001-04:00

Welcome back to a new school year full of possibilities: new activities, new teachers (and a new principal to some of you) to meet, new friends to make, new books to read! In our annual district-wide meeting on Monday, our 2010 District Teacher of the Year, Kelly Schachner, used the phrase, "No Matter What..." to speak to teachers about how important our roles as teachers, principals, guidance counselors, librarians, assistants, and custodians are to children. So, I thought I would use her phrase to let all of our students here at Dorman know that NO MATTER WHAT, we are committed to providing you with the best library media center we can. Mrs. Nelson and I (Mrs. Dillard) and our assistant, Mrs. Barron, are here to help you find a book, recommend a book, troubleshoot technology issues with you, give you some fresh ideas for new technology (yes, there is stuff out there beyond Google, Facbook, and Twitter!!), give you ideas for research, help you find the answers to your questions, and the list goes on and on. We are not just the keepers of the books. We want all the students here at Dorman to feel like the library media center is a place where they can come relax, read, study, compute, or talk with friends. We are multi-purpose! This year (as always) there will be activities that the library will sponsor that you can be involved with. We will celebrate Banned (Challenged) Book Week, Teen Read Week, National Library Week, and (as of right now) we will have our BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Club meetings again in conjunction with the Spartanburg County Public Library (SCPL). We will also have activities for students who participated in summer reading, and later in the year, we will showcase some poets during National Poetry Month. There is something for everyone here in the library at DHS, and, "No Matter What," you're always welcome!

Dorman High Announces Summer Reading Requirements

2011-05-26T10:14:00.004-04:00

Dorman High School has announced their summer reading requirements for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.

English 10 and 11

(Optional Extra Credit)

Read one of the following suggested texts:

Breathing Underwater, Alex Flinn
Witness, Karen Hesse
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
Extraordinary, Ordinary People, Condoleezza Rice
Alabama Moon, Watt Key
One Second After, William Forstchen

English 12 and English 12 CP

(Optional Extra Credit)

Read one of the following suggested texts:

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
1984, George Orwell
V for Vendetta (graphic novel), Alan Moore and David Lloyd
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (collected stories), Alan Sillitoe
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde
P.S. I Love You, Cecilia Ahern
Where Rainbows End, Cecilia Ahern
The Crossing Places, Elly Griffiths
The Janus Stone, Elly Griffiths

Senior World Literature

(Optional Extra Credit)

Read one of the following suggested texts:

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
The Prince and the Pauper, Mark Twain
The End of the Affair, Graham Greene
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom
The Awakening, Kate Chopin
Kaffir Boy, Mark Mathabane
Cold Sassy Tree, Olive Ann Burns

Assignment for the above classes

The Summer Reading assignment of your choice should be turned in the first day of class.

Write an essay in which you critically analyze literary elements in the text, or design a poster-size collage with graphics, words, phrases and important quotations present in the book. Be prepared to explain the significance of your choices.

English 10 College Prep

Summer Reading is required. Students are to read Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Be prepared on the first day of class (whether first or second semester) to discuss the text and to write critically about it.

English 11 College Prep

Summer Reading is required. Students should choose one of the texts listed below. The assignment will be given on the first day of class.

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
Saints at the River, Ron Rash
The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan

English 10 Honors/Pre-AP

The required works for English 10 Honors are listed below. The texts should be purchased so that you may annotate them. Students in English 10 Honors must be prepared on the first day of class (whether first or second semester) to:

- Write critically about the works during class.

- Discuss the works analytically.

The required works are:

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Great Short Stories from Hawthorne to Hemingway, edited with an Introduction by Corinne Demas (Barnes and Noble Classics)

Read the following short stories from the above anthology:

“Rappaccini’s Daughter,” Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Bartleby the Scrivener,” Herman Melville
“A White Heron,” Sarah Orne Jewett

English 11 Honors

Students in English 11 Honors are required to read the texts listed below. Be prepared on the first day of class (whether first or second semester) to:

-Write critically about the works in class.

-Discuss the works analytically in class.

The required works are:

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
V for Vendetta (graphic novel version), Alan Moore and David Lloyd

AP Language and Composition

The following assignments are required for AP Language and Composition. The texts should be purchased so that you may annotate them.

Be prepared on the first day of class (whether first or second semester) for major assignments on all readings.

Read:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Mark what you find most significant or provocative in the book.
Read the following essays in 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology, 2nd Edition, edited by Samuel Cohen. Annotate the texts for meaning, especially for what each emphasizes about language and its uses.

“Learning to Read,” Malcolm X
“On Keeping a Notebook,” Joan Didion
“Aria: Memoir of A Bilingual Childhood,” Richard Rodriguez
“Me Talk Pretty One Day,” David Sedaris
“Mother Tongue,” Amy Tan
“Learning to Write,” Frederick Douglas

AP Literature and Composition

Students in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition must complete all three reading requirements below. The texts should be purchased so that you may annotate them.

Be prepared to:

-Take a comprehension test.

-Write critically about the works during class.

-Discuss the works analytically.

The required works are:

1984, George Orwell
Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe

Click here for a printable copy (PDF) of the summer reading brochure.

Stay away from the FB photo tag virus

2011-04-20T21:41:00.000-04:00

Many of our student users are on Facebook. So more than likely as I write this tonight, you've seen the same post amongst your friends claiming they are tagged in so-and-so's photo album, and you oh so WANT to see your friend in this obscure unknown person's album. Or it is YOU who is "tagged." Our vanity causes us to need to see it, and once you click, your Facebook account is infected.

Along the same lines as the photo-album post (from you "infected" friends) is promise of a link that will show you a horrifying online web suicide. It is not unusual for some to click through to see the promised morbid scene. Strange yes, but for teens, well, not unusual.

There is also a link that promises to show who is talking you, blocking you, or has dropped you as one of their friends. These tend to come through the message feature in FB.

WARNING: All three of these are laced with viruses that will infect your account, causing you to send out the same spammy posts to all your friends.

What's a friend to do? According to Technotica columnist/technology and science editor Helen A.S. Popkin who blogs at Technolog on MSNBC gives solid steps and a bit of a chastising on how to fix this.

Here's what to do:

Remove any content the rogue app may have posted on your Facebook wall.
Go to the Account Settings drop-down menu in the upper right side of your screen.
From the Account Settings drop-down menu, choose Privacy Settings.
On the bottom right side of the Privacy Settings Page, click the Apps & websites link "Edit your settings."
On the App page, next to "Apps you use," select edit settings.
There you will see the third-party apps that have access to your Facebook profile. Delete any rogue applications. (It's a good idea to check this setting regularly, anyway.)
Now, send an apology to all your Facebook friends who may have been tagged, and advise them to do the same.

Visit her post here. It's written much better there.

Attributions:
Facebook posting image from MSN Digital Life

It's time for the Spring Break Special!!

2011-03-15T21:50:00.001-04:00

photo © 2010 John | more info (via: Wylio)
Starting the evening of GRAD Parent Night (March 16) through March 25 (the last day before spring break) the library will be sponsoring a Spring Break Special. Students who have fines from overdue books may come to the circulation desk and say to the librarians they would like the "Spring Break Special" and all library fines will be cleared. So come on and greet us with a request for the "Spring Break Special."
Sorry--this does not include fines from lost library books.

"I'm Reading a Book!"

2011-01-29T10:19:00.000-05:00

Read and Feed Book Club--BYOB

2010-12-03T08:29:00.003-05:00

The DHS library, in conjunction with the Spartanburg County Public Library (SCPL), has begun a BYOB club. Students are encouragaed to Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) to lunch in the library on the designated days and eat pizza and dessert and tell about books they've read. SCPL Teen Services Assistant, Tara S., coordinates with Mrs. Dillard to schedule the dates and get the students to come. We have had two BYOB sessions so far, and both have had a great turnout. In November, we had 26 students (all three lunch groups) attend and share their books. In December, we had 23 students. The students have also chosen a book to read as a group. First and second lunch students chose the book Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith, and third lunch students chose Liar by Justine Larbalestier. They will each receive a copy of the book their lunch chose compliments of SCPL.

Here is a list of some of the books that were shared:

Homeboyz by Sitomer
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini
Enna Burning by Hale
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Goodman
Hidden Talents by Lubar
Evil Star by Horowitz
Raven's Gate by Horowitz
Ashes of Roses by Auch
Up Country by DeMille
Uglies by Westerfeld
Secret Life of Bees by Kidd
Meridian by Kizer
Thirteen Reasons Why by Asher
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Davis
The Other Boleyn Girl by Gregory
Cry of the Icemark by Hill
Forest of Hands and Teeth by Ryan
Water Seeker by Holt
Forbidden Game by Smith
Bartimaeus: The Ring of Solomon by Stroud
Warriors: Forest of Secrets by Hunter
Gossip Girl by Von Ziegesar
Unwind by Shusterman
You by Benoit
Evil Genius by Jinks
The Pact by Picoult

Books Tara shared:

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Ness
The Book Thief by Zusak
Absolutely Normal Chaos by Creech
An Abundance of Katherines by Green
The Gardener by Bodeen
Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Rennison
How I Live Now by Rosoff
Gone by Grant
X-Isle by Augarde
Rot and Ruin by Maberry

Book Recommendations

2010-09-30T12:53:00.004-04:00

If there are books that you would like to read that are not in our library, you may suggest titles to us (this is for Dorman High School students only--sorry!). To suggest a title go to http://destiny/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home and click on "Make a Book Recommendation" and fill out the form. Don't forget to submit. Please make sure the books you suggest are appropriate for high school readers.

We have already received two shipments of new books this school year. Make your suggestion today!

ATTENTION SCAVENGER HUNT STUDENTS!

2010-08-26T10:01:00.004-04:00

Our Shelfari widgit is not working, so we thought we would help you out with #3 and #4 on your scavenger hunt...

Mrs. Dillard is reading The Condition by Jennifer Haigh and Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein.

Mrs. Nelson is reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

You can see other books we are reading by going to Destiny Quest in the DHS library catalog and creating an account. You will need your entire student number to create an account!

As always, anytime you need a book recommendation feel free to ask either Mrs. Nelson or Mrs. Dillard.

Did you know "Scout the Reading Dog"?

2010-08-04T19:44:00.000-04:00

Ran across this in the online Spartanburg Herald today, and thought some of our students may be familiar with "Scout the Reading Dog." Touching but sad story. Here's a clip. Be sure to follow the link at the end to finish it. If you ever had an dealings with this iconic dog, and even better have pictures, we'd love to share them here.

Article details:

SMC's 'Scout the Reading Dog' at libraries dies

The Lab helped at schools, public libraries

By Gary Glancy
gary.glancy@shj.com

He brought joy to the old and the young, and everyone in between.

The reading dog

At Spartanburg Methodist College, where he was a beloved fixture on campus the past several years, he was everything from a good luck charm to a “chick magnet.”
“Scout,” the lovable Labrador known around Spartanburg as “Scout the Reading Dog” for his role in reading therapy at local elementary schools and public libraries, died at his home of a massive stroke on Saturday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Article compliments of the Spartanburg Herald.
Photo by Mike Bonner

The Last Battle: With ‘Mockingjay’ on its way...

2010-08-01T21:45:00.000-04:00

This appeared in my School Library Journal feed, but I think DHS Hunger Games fans will be interested! Check it out!!

The Last Battle: With ‘Mockingjay’ on its way, Suzanne Collins weighs in on Katniss and the Capitol http://bit.ly/9jCyor

Hunger Games Alert--Mockingjay has a book trailer and a Facebook fan page

2010-07-27T21:59:00.000-04:00

Also, an official Facebook Fan page has been launched--visit here (from home of course!!) Hunger Games Facebook Page

I know why the vampire sparkles!

2010-07-27T21:21:00.002-04:00

Please go read this post on another blog that was shared with me today, as I really think DHS students could appreciate it as well!! It came from a blog title "Science in My Fiction" and is very tongue in cheek, though the observations and conclusions make prefect sense to me!!

Of the contributors , Kay Holt is the actual author, and I'm hoping she is okay with my sharing the post here on our own school library/reading blog! If you feel adventurous, pop on over to the original post and leave a comment! Visit anyway to read the comments already there, as some of the many comments left add to the post. Below is an excerpt! Be sure to visit and read the whole thing!!

I know why the vampire sparkles!
July 26th, 2010 by ktholt

I finally read Twilight, and after hours of internet research, I’ve found a solution to a major problem I had with the story. I know why the vampire sparkles!

Of course, innate body glitter is just the latest thing wrong with vampires at large, so I’ll start with the broader picture and work my way to the answer to that new riddle.

First, I assert that vampires must be giant, highly evolved insects. That makes sense because most of the hematophages in the natural world are bugs.

The rest can be read at the original blog post here!

Ypulse Toolbox: Online Teen Writing Communities To Know

2010-06-10T15:54:00.000-04:00

YPulse has highlighted a few of the teen online writing communities that celebrate, workshop and occasionally even publish teen writing in print. Of course, this is only a small handful of what's out there, so feel free to add more great suggestions in comments! (Either here or over at Ypulse, since I have copied their material here, all in the name of increasing readership in both places.)

Here are their suggested sites:

InkPop – This site makes my former teen self and her novel-in-progress green with envy. Launched last year by HarperCollins, the online teen community and writing platform offers aspiring authors more than just the support and feedback of fellow, young writers. Invaluable as that is, what makes the space stand out is the involvement and interactivity of real editors and authors. And not just because of the promise to potentially get published (although that doesn't hurt), but also for the chance to get a glimpse (and a voice) in the world of professional publishing.

SMITHTeen – For weeks after my visit to the SMITHTeen office, I couldn't stop thinking of my own six-word memoirs. The exercise (as self-explanatory as it sounds: a six word autobiographical story) is totally addictive and oddly cathartic, so it's easy to see how that simple prompt keeps the small, but devoted international network of teens who frequent the site coming back for more (sometimes multiple times per day!). 800 of these were curated for the anthology "I Can't Keep My Own Secrets" last year, but with daily submissions pouring in, there are sure to be more to come.

Teen Ink - Ypulse Youth Advisory Board Member Caro summed up her love for this site (which also publishes a national arts magazine and book series) in a post a while back and I don't think I could say it better myself. So in her words: "One of the reasons I liked it so much was that contributors were encouraged to do whatever they wanted artistically (within reason) in a safe environment. Also, artists and writers are able to get others’ opinions and possibly have their work appear in print! And while adults are involved – articles by teachers and librarians are featured in the magazine as well— in the end, Teen Ink's voice is the teenagers'."

Latinitas – Recognizing the need for a publication that focused on the experiences of Latina youth, back in 2002 two students – Laura Donnelly and Alicia Rascon – decided to take action and transform a class project into a monthly webzine especially for Latina girls. These days the outreach program has grown to include magazine writing, photography, web design, editing and film production, to further its mission of supporting teen journalists, and also cover the shrinking, but persistent gap in teen media coverage.

Teen Voices – As many longtime Ypulse readers know, this is where Anastasia got her start working with teens. Helping girls to amplify their voices and create social change through media, today Teen Voices continues to pursue their mission of turning young socially conscious activists into proficient journalists as well as a means to "achieve personal and community transformation by providing them with the tools needed to articulate what they know, want, need, and deserve." Here, here.

gURL – One of the original ezines, gURL has impressively managed to maintain its edge and signature style over the years, even as they've changed hands and evolved to keep up with a rapidly changing new media landscape. A safe, often snarky space, there's good reason girls are still drawn to gURL not only as a creative outlet where they can post their pictures, comics and stories, but also as social hub for shout outs and advice on everything from body image to sex ed to everything else.

826 Valencia and Girls Write Now – So these final two might be cheating a bit since most of the writing action takes place offline, but both mentoring organizations do an incredible job of spreading the empowerment that comes with creative writing on the ground, so I figured they deserved a mention. Through all in-school and on-site tutoring programs, 826 Valencia (now replicated in centers across the country) gives students the opportunity to publish their writing in an array of publications ranging from smaller chapbooks and ‘zines to professional-quality books with a national audience. And if you've ever stopped by one of their storefronts that house the tutoring projects like the Pirate Supply Shop in San Francisco, the Superhero Supply Shop in Brooklyn) that they do so with a healthy dose of irreverent charm. Meanwhile, a slightly more traditional set up, Girls Write Now has its heart in the same place, offering one-on-one mentoring to at-risk high school girls with dedicated mentors and volunteers includes sophisticated female novelists, poets, novelists, playwrights, journalists, essayists, and educators.

Tired of losing your flashdrives?

2010-06-10T14:49:00.000-04:00

I am here to recommend DropBox as the perfect solution for anyone who needs to access files form multiple locations! If you have a connection, you have your files. Visit DropBox today and set yourself up an account. This is a perfect solution for students who cannot seem to keep up with small flash drives.

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty

2010-06-08T10:24:00.002-04:00

Break out your best Taylor Swift "boy hater" anthem, and prepare for the ultimate revenge against that guy who thinks he's all that!

Another Hunger Games Book Trailer

2010-06-08T10:12:00.001-04:00

Hunger Games

2010-06-08T10:09:00.000-04:00

I love what one colleague said about this book! It's like Survivor on Steroids. A fast paced novel that is amazing and a book you will NOT want to put down! DHS has the sequal Catching Fire and will order the third in the series due out this Fall (Mockinjay.)

SCYABA Nominee: All We Know of Heaven

2010-06-08T09:49:00.002-04:00

Okay yes I enjoyed the story. Just like the quote about the program Law and Order, ripped right out of the headlines. It feels dirty to know though that an author is capitalizing on this tragedy by making a fictional story based on the tragedy. I know, there have been similar tragedies. I did enjoy the story (does that make me morbid or maybe akin to an ambulance chaser or sensationalistic reporter?)

Let's talk. What did you think of the book? Many of the kids at my school have been reading it and say it is good. I did find myself tearing up quite often in the book.

Trailer for ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN - The most amazing videos are a click away

Summer Reading 2010

2010-05-19T14:55:00.021-04:00

Click on the picture below to print a 2010 NBLU Summer Reading Log.

April's Poetry Cafe Memories

2010-04-30T09:41:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all the teachers and students who made poetric contributions!!

Reading 2.0

2010-04-18T14:34:00.000-04:00

This slideshare is from a presentation given at the Pennsylvania School Library Association that was held recently. Dorman's library blog is represented!! Thanks Joyce Valenza for using us in your examples!

Reading20

View more presentations from joycevalenza.

National Library Week at Dorman

2010-04-12T09:20:00.003-04:00

Ok, Cavaliers...time for some give-aways! But first, you have to come to the library to get a book! Wha???? A book, you say??? Yep! Check out a book any day (or every day) this week, and your name will go in a drawing for free Dorman t-shirts and caps. We will give away three items each afternoon this week! So Cavaliers, READ and WIN!

April is Poetry Month!

2010-04-06T14:25:00.000-04:00

And the winner is....

2010-04-06T10:23:00.000-04:00

Friday, March 12, DHS students participated in a statewide election on the SCYABA of the year. OUr students selected Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why as our school winner, though it was not the only title receiving votes. I am happy to report that our votes were sent in to be added to all the rest of the students voting in this annual election, and the title that won for our school ALSO won for the state of South Carolina.To read more about the title, click here. It is available at your Dorman High School Library Media Center.

Awards for this book also include:

2009 - International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice list
2008 - Best Books for Young Adults YALSA
2008 - Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers YALSA
2008 - Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults YALSA

Other Noteworthy Recognitions:

Borders Original Voices finalist
Barnes & Noble - Top 10 Best for Teens
Chicago Public Library Best Books
Association of Booksellers for Children - Best Books
New York Times Best Seller 57 weeks
Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
State Awards (voted by students) in Florida, Kansas, and Kentucky

Some of the information from this post came for the Wikipedia article for Thirteen Reasons Why.
Picture attribution is also from Wikipedia.

2010-2011 SC Young Adult Book Award Nominees Powerpoint

2010-01-29T11:02:00.009-05:00

Thanks to Frank Moore, North Myrtle Beach High School, for the powerpoint.

2010-2011 South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominees

2010-01-29T09:50:00.003-05:00

The new list of South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominees was released last week. Luckily, we have at least one copy of all of them in our library. You should check them out! I started reading them last week, and I have gotten through two of them already. I read All We Know of Heaven and Artichoke's Heart. Both books were more chick lit than for the males. Here is the list:

All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supple
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gerhman
The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Defying the Diva by Anne D. Love
The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan
The Devouring by Simon Holt
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
How to Build a House: A Novel by Dana Reinhardt
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Something Wicked by Slan Gratz
Sunrise over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers
Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein

January LIbrary Contest

2010-01-15T13:15:00.000-05:00

Name the Title

This is the form to submit for the January Book Swap Contest! Entry deadline 9:00PM Wednesday, January 25, 2009. NOTE: Your timestamp will be set when you enter "submit."

I know some students will "Google" the answers but that is okay since the purpose is to expose you to popular or quality literature, and Googling for the answers just MIGHT make you find a book you want to read.

This is a mixture of characters from current and more traditional works of literature. Name the title (and SPELLING counts.)

Coming Soon to the DHS Media Center

2009-12-18T21:11:00.001-05:00

Well we are finally on our Christmas break, and Lizzie keeps wanting to see new content. (I have to show her an aggregator!) So I am posting a few plans that have not solidified yet, but are mixing around in my head and somewhat shared with Mrs. Dillard and Mrs. Barron.

January Book Swap:
I hope to get approved a book swap activity. We might add in some paperbacks that we can order new (Scholastic Bargain Book Boxes come to mind.) But here is the gist of it:

Have announced and post fliers around the building asking students to bring gently used books to donate to the book swap -- looking at the 3rd Friday in January.
Maintain accurate records on the number of books donated per student.
On the big day, bring students into the media center during lunch and/or English classes and then invite them into the bookswap area to select different books based on the dumber of donations made.
Encourage students to share their numbers with friends. (Perhaps issue tickets that match the number of books they can select, and allow the to share their tickets with friends.)
Consider allowing bag lunches in the library for the day so that the book swap doesn't compete with our students desire to eat.
If we can get some Bargain priced book sets for a decent price, consider expanding this t include all English classes, or haps all of one grade's classes.

January Gamer Day:

Have a gamer day in the library (during lunch) and use bag lunches again.
Advertise and have kids sign up
Get students to volunteer equipment to use (waiver forms needed?)
Have sign-ups for time limits in games
Brainstorm variety of games, including board games, card games, video games, etc.
Figure out arrangement. Secure library workers to "work" each game area.
Be prepared for a very "carnival-like" atmosphere.

February Elections:

Figure out date to have our SCYABA Book election. Once a week until then, have specific nominee book discussions to help promote them (5 books a week throughout January?)
Run reports of circulations of nominees
Advertise the election all during January to remind students of criteria for election
Have a Lunch Meeting and invite all who qualify to have lunch and vote in the library
Celebrate our results with announcements and fliers.

Well anyway that's what is running through my mind at this moment. I am not sure everything will fly--we still have to see approval from administration. But we'll see.

Attribution:

Image: 'Mi futura guitarra para el Frets on+Fire'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22915136@N00/486187694

Image: 'Romance'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23806189@N00/1349617167

Image: 'Voting is Patriotic (USA)'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52532834@N00/287817604

November 19 - Meet me at the Equinox

2009-11-13T08:50:00.006-05:00

In honor of the release of the Twilight sequal "New Moon" DHS Media Center is having a small get together for interested students and staff. We will come together to play trivia games, see who knows the characters best, discuss the book before it hits theaters, and enjoy food, fun, movie trailers, and more. There are prizes to win including posters, games, the movie soundtrack, and more. Bring a camera and have your picture taken with our life-sized cutouts of Edward and Jacob.

When? November 19, 2009 from 3:30PM - 5PM
Where? The DHS Media Center
Who? Anyone interested! (Sign ups are going on now--only those who sign up will be allowed to join us!)

Alex Hamilton - Farenheit 451

2009-11-10T11:33:00.001-05:00

New Moon...It's Coming!

2009-10-27T09:37:00.003-04:00

Twilight Movie and New Moon Merchandise

The new movie in the Twilight saga, New Moon, is set for release on November 20, 2009. We are planning to host some activities here in the DHS media center to coincide with the release of the movie. We will announce the date for the event very soon. Brush up on your trivia from the books (both Twilight and New Moon), and get ready...it's coming!!!!

Teen Read Week 2009 @Dorman High School

2009-10-17T17:47:00.000-04:00

Teen Read Week 2009

View more presentations from cnelson.

Wikipedia - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

2009-10-13T15:22:00.000-04:00

So, what do you think??

Banned Books Week

2009-09-24T14:09:00.004-04:00

Did you know libraries everywhere celebrate the Freedom to Read through an ALA Sponsored weeklong recognition called "Banned Books Week?"

What do you mean, banned books? Watch this:

And watch this:

Have you seen the DHS Media Center display?

Find more photos like this on SCASL

Learn more about Intellectual Freedom and the right to read here:
Yalsa Intellectual Freedom Resources
American Library Association

NBLU 2009 - The numbers are in!

2009-09-14T21:18:00.002-04:00

The summer reading campaign came to a close August 31, and students, staff members, and teachers alike have steadily been turning in logs. No Book Left Unread asked all members of the school community to log pages read, including not only books, but also magazines, newspapers, and even websites--practically anything that is read.

We compiled our data, and have our final number of pages read! Dorman High School submitted to the SC Department of Education NBLU Headquarters a whopping 237,004 pages read for the summer! Congratulations all and thanks for contributing!

Noteworthy participants include:
Our top 2 students:
Angel Y, who recorded 35,803 pages
Staci S, who recorded 6,399 pages
Comment from Staci, regarding her success: "I could have probably logged 10,000 pages easily, because I read a tremendous amount online."

Our top 2 faculty/staff participants:
Ms. Bishop, who logged 41,817 pages read.
Ms. Murphy, who logged 8,985 pages read.
Both of these educators turned in multiple page documents of their summer reading.
Comment from Ms. Bishop: "I really do more than just read! I just love series, and am a fast reader. I tend to devour a series once I discover the author. But please realize I really do not just read, though it comes quick and helps pass the time when I am doing things that call for waiting."

The top 20 students and these top two educators will celebrate their success tomorrow morning (September 15, 2009) in the media center at our NBLU Breakfast. We will reward the top 4 with $25 gift cards to Barnes and Noble, and present the rest of the group with a paperback book of their choice dedicated with an NBLU bookplate.

Until next year, gang. Let's see if we can top 237,004 pages next summer!

Image Attributions

Image: 'N Train'
www.flickr.com/photos/92831087@N00/4954822

Image: 'This Photograph Brought to You By...'
www.flickr.com/photos/15923063@N00/33032626

Image: 'L'
www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00/2390158244

Image: 'Boggle Letter U'
www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00/326196696

Image: 'Feb 17 / IMG_6442'
www.flickr.com/photos/58425233@N00/393086823

NBLU Breakfast! Tick-tock...time is running out

2009-09-01T20:32:00.004-04:00

Don't forget to return those reading logs! September 15 we are having a special awards breakfast to recognize 2 students and 2 faculty/staff members who read the most for the 2009 NBLU summer reading program.

Where are the logs? Come to the media center and pick up one--I have plenty!

Who should I turn them in to? You can turn them in to any English Teacher, any staff member in the library (Mrs. Nelson --me--, Mrs. Dillard, or Mrs. Barron), or ask that the office put them in our school mailbox.

When are they due? THIS FRIDAY, September 4, 2009

Image: 'ANIMATRIX'
www.flickr.com/photos/38072726@N00/2069288069

Super searching made easy

2009-07-30T14:55:00.002-04:00

My friend and fellow teacher librarian Dr. Joyce Valenza has the most thorough page for searching. She outlines all kinds of search engines and describes their specific purpose. She freely encourages those in the field of education to copy too--she is so generous. Check out this thorough and complete guide (with links) to all kinds of searches.

Tools for Search

Screening Room - YA Central - Penguin Group (USA)

2009-07-21T10:32:00.001-04:00

Screening Room - YA Central - Penguin Group (USA)

Shared via AddThis

Introducing the SCYABA 09-10 Books!

2009-07-19T21:42:00.008-04:00

This was created by my friend Fran Simpson Bullington. Bravo!

Remixing Books into Book Trailers

2009-07-13T11:30:00.007-04:00

What a fantastic idea!! Making book trailers is a great way to promote a book. I found them here. These area few one our books from the SCYABA nominee list this year. Who wants to make one and contribute?

Summer '09 is in full swing, but don't forget to READ!

2009-07-09T15:59:00.004-04:00

Dorman SUMMER READING '09 Starts June 1st!

2009-04-21T15:38:00.018-04:00

NO BOOK LEFT UNREAD (NBLU) Summer Reading Incentive

The media center is excited to announce a summer reading program in collaboration with the DHS English department. Students and faculty may read books from the Dorman summer reading program, the 2009-2010 South Carolina Young Adult Book Award list, or select their own reading material. June 1 - August 31 keep track of the number of pages you have read by using the reading log. Last year Dorman logged 421,421 pages read over the summer!

Read It!

Log It!

Blog It!

Have summer reading questions? Ask them here!

National Library Week Blog!

2009-04-13T13:23:00.001-04:00

What are your reading?

National Library Week @ Dorman

2009-04-07T14:40:00.014-04:00

Celebrate National Library Week
April 13-17 @ Dorman

Monday: Join the DHS Media Center Blog!
All bloggers will be entered into daily drawings for prizes. Please sign your full name to your blog.

Tuesday: D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day!

Wednesday: Bookmark Day!
Check out a book and receive a cool bookmark.

Thursday: Poem Day!
Share your favorite poem with others.

Friday: Fine Free Day!
Wish a library staff member a “Happy National Library Week” and get your fine forgiven.

Watch for information on Poem In Your Pocket Day!

READ ACROSS DORMAN

2009-02-25T18:51:00.009-05:00

In celebration of Read Across America (Dr. Seuss’s birthday), the Dorman High School media center will sponsor two reading contests.

Contest #1: The student who has checked out the most books from the Dorman media center this school year (Aug. 19, 2008 - March 27, 2009) will receive a $50.00 gift card. Jazmine Alexander won the $50.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble for checking out the most library books so far this year.

Contest #2: The 2nd block class who has the highest percentage of books per student checked out from the Dorman library during second semester, will receive biscuits from the media center. The books DO NOT have to be checked out during 2nd block. The highest percentage of books counted for the contest will include all books checked out by your 2nd block students during the entire school day. Mr. Robert Urban's 2nd block art class won the biscuit breakfast for having the highest percentage of books per student checked out from the library.

All participants must check books out with a valid Dorman ID card in order to be eligible for the contest. Stop by the DHS media center for more information on READ ACROSS DORMAN.

Mrs. D. Cornett's Blog

2009-02-13T14:30:00.000-05:00

Mrs. D. Cornett's Blog
English 11

VOTE for your favorite SCYABA Book

2009-01-27T17:01:00.010-05:00

UPDATE: Dorman students voted for New Moon by Stephenie Meyer as their favorite SCYABA book. All participants were invited to a breakfast on March 10th.

It's that time of year to vote for your favorite South Carolina Young Adult Book Award book. Everyone who has read 3 or more books on the 2008-2009 list is invited to participate in this state-wide reading program. Stop by the media center to get your ballot and vote by February 12. It will be interesting to see which book wins this year's prestigious award since there are so many great books on the list.

Stay Frosty, Read Cool Books!

2008-12-13T07:05:00.007-05:00

It's a great time of year to read some cool books. What are some of the books that you can recommend for a "Stay Frosty" season?

Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight, puts Midnight Sun on hold

2008-09-05T10:40:00.005-04:00

Best selling author, Stephenie Meyer, put Midnight Sun on hold due to a copyright issue. A trusted friend posted the unfinished companion piece to Twilight on the Internet. Meyer unhappily stated, “With writing, the way you feel changes everything. If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story.” Fans may have to wait for Edward Cullen’s version of the vampire story.

Summer Read '08 Starts June 1 and ends August 31

2008-05-12T09:55:00.034-04:00

UPDATE: Dorman students and faculty read 421,421 pages in the NBLU summer reading challenge.

NBLU Winners:

Top Faculty Winner: Mrs. Sheila Curry read 22,888

Top Student Winner: John Whitlock read 29,600

Luck of the Draw Winners: Mr. Lewis Terry and Maisy Bolton won Mellow Mushroom gift cards.

No Book Left Unread Summer Reading Challenge

Participate

for prizes to

Mellow Mushroom & More

Click HERE for more information.

Blogging starts June 1.

Important!

1. Blog at least 4 sentences/book
2. Include your real name.
3. Include the number of pages of each book you read.

4. Blog as many times as you like.

See the first blog example for a sample format.

DHS English Department Summer Reading Ask Questions Here!

2008-05-02T09:38:00.027-04:00

Post questions and comments regarding The Dorman English Department 2008 Summer Reading Program here. Teachers will be online throughout the summer to respond to your comments and to answer your questions. For a copy of the summer reading list, please see the Dorman High School homepage at http://www.dormanhigh.org/.

South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Reading Program

2008-03-25T09:10:00.001-04:00

Dorman students diligently read books on the 2007-2008 SCYABA list and voted for their favorite book. When the votes came in on February 14, 2008 Dorman students chose Twilight by Stephanie Meyer as their favorite YA book. Participants of the reading program will celebrate at a breakfast during National Library Week. Dorman students look forward to start reading next year’s list.

Sharon M. Draper spends the day at Dorman!

2008-03-06T13:07:00.001-05:00

WOW! That’s what I have to say about the day Sharon Draper spent at Dorman High School. Some students said Feb. 28, 2008 was the best day of their lives since they were able to meet the author of some of their favorite books. Mrs. Draper captivated the students in two large group assemblies reading excerpts from her books and explaining how she became a writer. Students and faculty were invited into the media center during 3rd block for a book signing. About 100 students were invited to participate in a small group discussion for an exciting question and answer forum during 4th block. Mrs. Draper left a message with the Dorman students to read as much as possible. The day was fast paced, fun, and filled with book discussion.

February in the Media Center

2008-02-08T14:31:00.000-05:00

February is an exicting month for programming in the DHS media center. Author Sharon Draper will visit Dorman on February 28 and the school is busy getting ready for the festivities. The English department is hosting an essay contest and winners will have breakfast with Mrs. Draper. Many teachers and students are getting ready by checking out and reading Draper's books. One can rarely find any of the 36 media center books by Draper on the shelf. Bulletin boards and displays announcing Mrs. Draper's visit can be seen throughout the school. It is an exciting time for Dorman students to be able to meet the author of some of their favorite books.

December's Book of the Month "Darkness Before Dawn" by Sharon Draper

2007-12-03T09:53:00.001-05:00

The media center’s Book of the Month for December is Darkness Before Dawn by Sharon Draper. Recovering from the recent suicide of her ex-boyfriend, senior class president Keisha Montgomery finds herself attracted to a dangerous, older man. Have you read this book and if so did you like it?

November's Book of the Month "Forged by Fire" by Sharon Draper

2007-11-01T09:07:00.000-04:00

Quoted from Sharon Draper's website.
“As a teenager, Gerald finds success as a member of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team, while Angel develops her talents as a dancer. Trouble still haunts them, however, and Gerald learns, painfully, that young friends can die and old enemies must be faced. In the end he must stand up to his stepfather alone in a blazing confrontation.” Add your comments about Forged by Fire.

English 10 Honors/Pre-AP– Comparing poems of Emerson and Thoreau

2007-10-31T13:00:00.000-04:00

Explain the message of each poem and the basic ideas the poems share.

The Rhodora

On being asked, Whence is the flower?

In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes,
I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,
Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,
To please the desert and the sluggish brook.
The purple petals fallen in the pool
Made the black water with their beauty gay;
Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool,
And court the flower that cheapens his array.
Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
Tell them, dear, that, if eyes were made for seeing,
Then beauty is its own excuse for Being;
Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
I never thought to ask; I never knew;
But in my simple ignorance, suppose
The self-same Power that brought me there, brought you.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nature

O nature I do not aspire
To be the highest in thy quire,
To be a meteor in the sky
Or comet that may range on high,
Only a zephyr that may blow
Among the reeds by the river low,
Give me thy most privy place
Where to run my airy race.
In some withdrawn unpublic mead
Let me sigh upon a reed,
Or in the woods with leafy din
Whisper the still evening in,
For I had rather be thy child
And pupil in the forest wild
Than be the king of men elsewhere
And most sovereign slave of care
To have one moment of thy dawn
Than share the city’s year forlorn.
Some still work give me to do
Only be it near to you.

-Henry David Thoreau

Teen Read Week LOL @ your library!

2007-10-16T11:27:00.000-04:00

LOL @ your library Oct. 15-19. Post a funny story that that you would like to share:)

October's Book of the Month "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon Draper

2007-10-01T11:09:00.000-04:00

In the first book of Sharon M. Draper's trilogy Andy Jackson, the star basketball player, finds himself is a situation where he is responsible for the death of his friend due to drinking. As you read Draper’s book you can hear the sounds of the accident along with visualize the burning of the car. Andy is faced with real problems and must try and deal with his friend’s death and the consequences. Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper is a must read for all high school students.

September's Book of the Month Club Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

2007-09-04T17:18:00.000-04:00

After reading Copper Sun by Sharon Draper, I knew this would have to be our very first book discussion for our Book of the Month Club. Draper tells a magnificent story of Amari's journey in the 1700's from a peaceful life in Africa to a strange place called Charles Town. Her tale intertwines mystery, love, friendships, hardships, and hope into a page turning tale. Although this is a fictional story it brings to light many of the trials and tribulations that occurred in early American history.

Blogs that work!

2007-08-31T18:12:00.000-04:00

What are some of your successful blog stories?

AP Language and Composition

2007-06-07T07:34:00.001-04:00

Any comments on Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or the essays in 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology edited by Samuel Cohen?

Summer Reading 10 H Great Short Stories

2007-06-01T10:10:00.000-04:00

Any comments on the following short stories: "Bernice Bob's Her Hair" by F. Scott Fitzgerald ; "A White Heron" by Sharon Orne Jewett ; "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather ; and "The Untold Lie" by Sherwood Anderson?

Summer Reading 10 H A Raisin in the Sun

2007-06-01T10:09:00.000-04:00

Any comments on A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry?

Summer Reading Comments for We Beat the Street

2007-05-31T15:18:00.000-04:00

Any comments on We Beat We Beat the Street by Sharon Draper?

Summer Reading Comments for Copper Sun

2007-05-31T15:08:00.000-04:00

Any comments on Copper Sun by Sharon Draper?

Summer Reading Comments for Fast Food Nation

2007-05-31T15:06:00.000-04:00

Any comments on Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser?

Knowledge

2007-05-01T16:46:00.001-04:00

Defend, refute, or qualify the following statement: "The first step to knowledge is to know that we are ignorant." --Cecil

Poetry Slam

2007-05-01T09:14:00.001-04:00

On the request of Mrs. Moore's 1st block class we have started a poetry slam.

Poetry Analysis- Hollifield

2007-03-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

Good Books

2007-03-14T10:36:00.002-04:00

Has anyone read any good books lately?