I'm hopeful that everyone is having an incredible and safe July -- do anything fun for the 4th?
Spending much time at the pool and beach, I've been able to read a lot since school adjourned last May. Although I've read a few great novels, Michael Palmer's The Second Opinion is by far the best.
(Those are not my sunglasses, by the way!)A medical mystery, The Second Opinion delivers endless suspense! (But let's be serious . . . not as much as Coben!)
What are you reading?
Yours truly,
M. Kittner
8 comments:
Mr. Kittner,
I have to read two books over the summer for school. I need to take notes but I'm not sure what I need to take them on, how I should write them down, or anything else for that matter. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
A. Kellner
What two novel do you "have to read," A. Kellner?
I would construct my notes Cornell style (skinny side for key words or questions and the wide side for notes and page numbers).
If I were you, start with the basics: setting, characters' names and attributes and relationships.
Next, I would look at the types of conflicts (you remember them, right??) and major plot incidents.
Also, don't forget the moods of the novels and the reasons why you felt such a way.
Lastly, focus on the authors' styles -- figurative language, use of dialogue, length of sentences, symbols. Don't forget about the "figurative language" link on the right side of the blog.
Use the above "key words" for the left side of your Cornell notes and right the corresponding information on the right. Don't get too many notes. Remember the List of Birds activity we did . . . ? Your brain will "connect the dots" and fill in the blanks between your notes so you recall the information not recorded.
Yell at me if you need anything.
M. Kittner
PS: I typed this quickly; therefore, forgive any typos! :-)
Mr. Kittner,
Im now reading The Gate Crasher by Sophie Kinsella. Its about a woman whos a gold digger, but one the the men she is "gold digging" get an affect of her and she falls in love.
Its really really good. I love Kinsella's books :)
S. Schuster
S. Schuster,
Good to hear from you! I'm excited you've found an author you continue to enjoy!
Sophie Kinsella, indeed, has written some incredibly hysterical novels in her time. And the one you mention -- _The Gate Crasher_ -- I believe was written under her pen name Madeleine Wickham (she also wrote a few more under said name).
I've just picked up her most recent: _Twenties Girl: A Novel_ (came out Tuesday). But, shhh, don't tell anyone!
Stay safe this summer and get good grades in high school! :-)
Yell at me if you need anything!
M. Kittner
Mr. Kittner,
They gave me a list of books to choose from. Sense and Sensibility, And Then There Were None, Great Expectations, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Jamaica Inn, Grendel, She Stoops to Conquer, The Mayor of Casterbridge, As You Like It, I Capture the Castle, and The Importance of Being Earnest.
I chose The Hound of the Baskervilles for my first book but I have no idea what to choose for my second.
I remember the types of conflicts, the moods, figurative language, and the list of birds.
Thank you so much, you have no clue how helpful this was. =D
A. Kellner
A. Kellner,
I would read:
1. "The Importance of Being Earnest" -- This is Oscar Wilde's best play about a man (Earnest) who has a crush on a friend's cousin or niece, but the friend doesn't want Earnest to date her b/c the Earnest is a liar and womanizer. It's terribly funny, if you get the puns.
2. "Grendel" -- The "monster" from _Beowulf_; the same epic poem (myth) as _Beowulf_ told from Grendel's point of view. John Gardner (author) actually taught at SUNY Binghamton(next to my home) when I was growing up, but he was killed due to his propensity to drink ... then ride his motorcycle.
Both of these are, actually, wonderful novels/plays -- I wouldn't touch any of the others with a ten-foot pole!!
Let me know if you need anything else. Remember, you can always get plot summaries for any novel at amazon.com.
M. Kittner
PS: when you construct your notes, be sure to write "Cornell Notes" at the top -- to impress your teacher, of course. :-)
Refer to the blog for vocabulary, sentence patterns, and more.
Mr. Kittner,
Today I checked out "Mister Monday" by Garth Nix, and "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Both of them were recommended by Mrs. Webster.
B. Porter
Mr. Kittner,
Hi im ready this book that takes too long to get to tghe point. It's a really good book though. I would like to know whats you advice on wheather I should finsh it or not?
Thankx,
J.Woods
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