I was asked to write my last blog about the pros and cons of using a blog instead of a paper home reading sheet.
Pros
I liked using the blog because people world wide could view it and comment on it. I even had a hit from the author, Rebecca Shelley, who saw my blog on Red Dragon Codex. On a paper assignment, only Ms. Welker comments.
I liked changing the settings on my blog and making it more me.
I tried to get into the characters' heads more because of the comments made by Ms. Welker. I did not achieve this but I did try.
I liked that I could read more because I had to write so much more in my blog.
Cons
It was harder to write four paragraphs than to just fill in the lines on the home reading sheet. The lines only fit about a sentence or two each. But, the paragraphs made me think harder.
I did not like some of the comments made by Ms. Welker. She always said that I needed to think deeper. What does that really mean?
My mom and dad sometimes got upset with me because I waited until Sunday nights to write my blog and I always needed help proofreading it. It would take an hour or more to write my blog with the help of my parents. It only took 20 minutes to do the home reading sheet, and I did not need my parent's help.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I am reading the book Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling.
I predict that if Harry wins the first task that Ron will forgive him. I think this because Ron might think that Harry does not want to do it and is trying his hardest to stay alive. My prediction was right. Ron did forgive Harrry after he won the first task. After Harry almost got killed by a dragon Ron felt bad for the way he acted toward Harry.
While I was reading I had a question. Why does Hermione want to know where the kitchens at Hogwarts are? She wants to go and talk to the house elves and maybe interveiw them. Hermione wants to interview them so she can free them from slavery.
My word that I did not understand was "frivolous". I found the word in the sentence "I would think that you might be a little less frivolous if you saw what I saw in my crystle gazing last night. Death!". The word frivolous means humorous. I found that out by reading around the word with my mom.
I predict that if Harry wins the first task that Ron will forgive him. I think this because Ron might think that Harry does not want to do it and is trying his hardest to stay alive. My prediction was right. Ron did forgive Harrry after he won the first task. After Harry almost got killed by a dragon Ron felt bad for the way he acted toward Harry.
While I was reading I had a question. Why does Hermione want to know where the kitchens at Hogwarts are? She wants to go and talk to the house elves and maybe interveiw them. Hermione wants to interview them so she can free them from slavery.
My word that I did not understand was "frivolous". I found the word in the sentence "I would think that you might be a little less frivolous if you saw what I saw in my crystle gazing last night. Death!". The word frivolous means humorous. I found that out by reading around the word with my mom.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Harry Potter #11
I am reading the book Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling. Before I started I had a prediction. I think that the first task is to fight a dragon with only their wands. I though that because Hagrid took Harry to see four different dragons and Ron's brother Charlie said that "they only can use their wands to fight them."
While I was reading I had a question. Why is Ron being so mean to Harry? Ron thinks that Harry found out a way to get his name in the Goblet of Fire and did not tell him how he did it. The Goblet of Fire is a goblet that has blue flames in it. If you wanted to get chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament you have to write your name on a piece of parchment(wizard paper)and throw it into the flames. If you were chosen the flames would turn red and your piece of parchment would shoot out. Ron is really jealous of Harry because Harry got picked to be a champion and gets to have eternal glory if he wins. Harry was chosen to fight his way through three different tasks even though he is too young. You have to be 17 years or older to compete and Harry is only 14 years old.
while I was reading I came across a word i did not know."Auror" I did not know the word when I read around it so I asked my dad for help. He thought it ment when he hunted dark wizards. This makes sencie because Mad Eye Moody used to hunt dark wizards.
While I was reading I had a question. Why is Ron being so mean to Harry? Ron thinks that Harry found out a way to get his name in the Goblet of Fire and did not tell him how he did it. The Goblet of Fire is a goblet that has blue flames in it. If you wanted to get chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament you have to write your name on a piece of parchment(wizard paper)and throw it into the flames. If you were chosen the flames would turn red and your piece of parchment would shoot out. Ron is really jealous of Harry because Harry got picked to be a champion and gets to have eternal glory if he wins. Harry was chosen to fight his way through three different tasks even though he is too young. You have to be 17 years or older to compete and Harry is only 14 years old.
while I was reading I came across a word i did not know."Auror" I did not know the word when I read around it so I asked my dad for help. He thought it ment when he hunted dark wizards. This makes sencie because Mad Eye Moody used to hunt dark wizards.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Harry Potter #10
I am reading the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling.
I predict Harry will go back and try and find his wand. He lost his wand when he was running away from the masked vandals at the Quiddich World Cup. I think that because Harry has only one wand that is right for him and it is the one that is a twin with Voldemort's wand. I was wrong. Harry did not go back for his wand. Someone else used it to make the dark mark, Voldemort's mark. The house elf, Winkey, found Harry's wand on the ground and was accused of using it to make the dark mark by her master, Mr. Crouch. Mr. Crouch works for the Ministry of Magic at a very high level.
While I was reading I had a question. Can house elves do magic? I inferred that they could do magic because Winkey a house elf made the dark mark. The dark mark is Voldemort's mark. The mark looks like a big green skull that floats in the air for 5 to 10 seconds.
I also had a word I did not know and could not pronounce. The word was "impeded". At first I read it as "impended" but there was no "n" in the word. The sentence was, "But when they reached the edge of the wood, there progress was impeded. A large crowd of frightened looking witches and wizards were congregated there...". I think the word impeded means stopped because there progress was impeded by people standing in their way so they had to stop.
To summarize, at the Quiddich World Cup,Harry, Hermione and the Waesley's went back to their camp (tent) after the match. In the middle of the night masked vandals people were attacking people. Everyone at the World Cup got scared and tried to run and hide. In the chaos, Harry, Hermione and Ron got separated from the rest of the Weasley's and Harry lost his wand. After giving up trying to find the Weasley's, they sat down and then the dark mark appeared.
I predict Harry will go back and try and find his wand. He lost his wand when he was running away from the masked vandals at the Quiddich World Cup. I think that because Harry has only one wand that is right for him and it is the one that is a twin with Voldemort's wand. I was wrong. Harry did not go back for his wand. Someone else used it to make the dark mark, Voldemort's mark. The house elf, Winkey, found Harry's wand on the ground and was accused of using it to make the dark mark by her master, Mr. Crouch. Mr. Crouch works for the Ministry of Magic at a very high level.
While I was reading I had a question. Can house elves do magic? I inferred that they could do magic because Winkey a house elf made the dark mark. The dark mark is Voldemort's mark. The mark looks like a big green skull that floats in the air for 5 to 10 seconds.
I also had a word I did not know and could not pronounce. The word was "impeded". At first I read it as "impended" but there was no "n" in the word. The sentence was, "But when they reached the edge of the wood, there progress was impeded. A large crowd of frightened looking witches and wizards were congregated there...". I think the word impeded means stopped because there progress was impeded by people standing in their way so they had to stop.
To summarize, at the Quiddich World Cup,Harry, Hermione and the Waesley's went back to their camp (tent) after the match. In the middle of the night masked vandals people were attacking people. Everyone at the World Cup got scared and tried to run and hide. In the chaos, Harry, Hermione and Ron got separated from the rest of the Weasley's and Harry lost his wand. After giving up trying to find the Weasley's, they sat down and then the dark mark appeared.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Harry Potter #9
I am reading the book Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling.
I predict that Professor Treawney's vision is that Ron's rat is still alive. The chapter was called Professor Treawney's Prediction and Ron just lost his rat,Scabbers. My prediction was wrong. Professor Treawney did not have that vision but Ron's rat was still alive. Her actual prediction was "The Dark Lord will rise again." She said this to Harry during her exam alone to Harry.
If you got bit by a werewolf would you turn into a werewolf on a full moon? Yes, I found out the answer by reading more. Professor Lupin said "When I got bit it all started every full moon. I turned into a monster." Professor Lupin is a teacher at Hogwarts. On every full moon he turns into a werewolf. Every full moon he is absent from school.
There was a word that I needed help with. The word I did not know was "resigned". I fond out that the word is like saying I quit but in a nicer way. I found that out that by reading around the word three times. Hagrid told Harry that Lupin "Resigned firs' thing this mornin'." Before this Harry said "He's packing? Why?" Then Hagrid said "Leavin', isn' he?...Says he can't risk it happenin' again." Lupin can't risk turning into a werewolf again and almost biting someone at Hogwarts.
In the end of the book Harry helped Sirius Black escape Hogwarts and is going to live with him in a little while. Sirius was actually innocent and was Harry's godfather.
I predict that Professor Treawney's vision is that Ron's rat is still alive. The chapter was called Professor Treawney's Prediction and Ron just lost his rat,Scabbers. My prediction was wrong. Professor Treawney did not have that vision but Ron's rat was still alive. Her actual prediction was "The Dark Lord will rise again." She said this to Harry during her exam alone to Harry.
If you got bit by a werewolf would you turn into a werewolf on a full moon? Yes, I found out the answer by reading more. Professor Lupin said "When I got bit it all started every full moon. I turned into a monster." Professor Lupin is a teacher at Hogwarts. On every full moon he turns into a werewolf. Every full moon he is absent from school.
There was a word that I needed help with. The word I did not know was "resigned". I fond out that the word is like saying I quit but in a nicer way. I found that out that by reading around the word three times. Hagrid told Harry that Lupin "Resigned firs' thing this mornin'." Before this Harry said "He's packing? Why?" Then Hagrid said "Leavin', isn' he?...Says he can't risk it happenin' again." Lupin can't risk turning into a werewolf again and almost biting someone at Hogwarts.
In the end of the book Harry helped Sirius Black escape Hogwarts and is going to live with him in a little while. Sirius was actually innocent and was Harry's godfather.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Harry Potter #8
I am reading the book Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.
The title of the chapter is Snape's Grudge. I predict that Snape will hold a grudge on Harry because Harry's dad picked on Snape when he was at hogwarts. My prediction was correct. Harry's dad played jokes on Snape but saved Snape's life. Snape gives Harry detentions for being a couple of minutes late to class, for wandering the hallways and not helping Malfoy(a boy in Slytherin House that hates Harry).
Hermione's cat ate Scabbers, Ron's rat. When is Ron going to forgive Hermione? Ron forgave Hermione after she told them about Buckbeak's execution. Buckbeak is a giant horse/Bird creature that belongs to Hagrid. Buckbeak is being executed because he scratched Malfoy on the arm with 3" talons. Ron said he would help Hermione fight for Buckbeaks innocence.
There was a word I needed help with. It was euphoria. After I read around the word I had an idea what it meant. The sentence was "Harry's euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week." Euphoria means extremely happy. Harry was very excited about winning the Quidditch Cup, he was euphoric.
The title of the chapter is Snape's Grudge. I predict that Snape will hold a grudge on Harry because Harry's dad picked on Snape when he was at hogwarts. My prediction was correct. Harry's dad played jokes on Snape but saved Snape's life. Snape gives Harry detentions for being a couple of minutes late to class, for wandering the hallways and not helping Malfoy(a boy in Slytherin House that hates Harry).
Hermione's cat ate Scabbers, Ron's rat. When is Ron going to forgive Hermione? Ron forgave Hermione after she told them about Buckbeak's execution. Buckbeak is a giant horse/Bird creature that belongs to Hagrid. Buckbeak is being executed because he scratched Malfoy on the arm with 3" talons. Ron said he would help Hermione fight for Buckbeaks innocence.
There was a word I needed help with. It was euphoria. After I read around the word I had an idea what it meant. The sentence was "Harry's euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week." Euphoria means extremely happy. Harry was very excited about winning the Quidditch Cup, he was euphoric.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Harry Potter#7
I am reading the book Harry Potter the third book by J.K.Rowling.
I predict that when Harry tries to go back to Huneydukes (a candy shop in Hogsmead) he will get caught by dementors and get in a lot of trouble at school. My prediction was wrong , Harry ended up knowing that Sirius Black was his parents' best friend and he helped you-know-who (Voldemort) kill his parents.
I think that professor Lupin's robes are so raggy because he turns into a werewolf which streches them out.
I had a clarifying word which is poltergeist. I got help from my mom. It means a mischievous ghost. Peeves is a ghost that picks on people and breaks the rules a lot.
While I was reading I had a visualization. When Hermione was at a bar she said a spell mobiliarbus and a tree lifted off the ground and moved a foot away from where it was. I imaged Hermione saying a spell in the middle of a bar and moving a tree without anyone noticing her doing it.
I predict that when Harry tries to go back to Huneydukes (a candy shop in Hogsmead) he will get caught by dementors and get in a lot of trouble at school. My prediction was wrong , Harry ended up knowing that Sirius Black was his parents' best friend and he helped you-know-who (Voldemort) kill his parents.
I think that professor Lupin's robes are so raggy because he turns into a werewolf which streches them out.
I had a clarifying word which is poltergeist. I got help from my mom. It means a mischievous ghost. Peeves is a ghost that picks on people and breaks the rules a lot.
While I was reading I had a visualization. When Hermione was at a bar she said a spell mobiliarbus and a tree lifted off the ground and moved a foot away from where it was. I imaged Hermione saying a spell in the middle of a bar and moving a tree without anyone noticing her doing it.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Harry Potter#6
I am reading the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K .Rowling.
I predict that Harry, Ron and Hermione will go searching for the sorcerer’s stone. My prediction was right Harry, Ron and Hermione went searching for the sorcerer’s stone.
While I was reading I had a question. Why did Harry, Ron and Hermione think Snape was the one who was going to steal the sorcerer’s stone? They thought that because Snape acted as he hated Harry so Harry, Ron and Hermione thought Snape was the culprit.
While I was reading there was a part where a troll got let in and Harry, Ron and Hermione who are a couple of first years. Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t know a lot of magic so it was very dangerous to go and fight a fully grown mountain troll. Some how Harry, Ron and Hermione knocked the troll out.
I predict that Harry, Ron and Hermione will go searching for the sorcerer’s stone. My prediction was right Harry, Ron and Hermione went searching for the sorcerer’s stone.
While I was reading I had a question. Why did Harry, Ron and Hermione think Snape was the one who was going to steal the sorcerer’s stone? They thought that because Snape acted as he hated Harry so Harry, Ron and Hermione thought Snape was the culprit.
While I was reading there was a part where a troll got let in and Harry, Ron and Hermione who are a couple of first years. Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t know a lot of magic so it was very dangerous to go and fight a fully grown mountain troll. Some how Harry, Ron and Hermione knocked the troll out.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Peak#5
I am reading the book Peak by Roland Smith. Peak is the boys name and the title of the book. I predict that Peak’s dad (the most famous rock climber in the world) is just using Peak so his son could be the youngest kid to reach the summit of Mount Everest (over 29,000 feet tall). My prediction was correct, Peak’s dad is just using Peak and Peak is fine with that. While I was reading I had a question. Why did Zopa (an old monk) make Peak walk instead of ride the truck? Because he wanted Peak’s leg muscles to get stronger for the climb up Mount Everest. I also had a visualization about base camp. I visualized that base camp is a dump with all kinds of trash and broken gear. I had this visualization because Peak said that is what it looked like.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Red Dragon Codex#4
I am reading the book Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham.
I predict that Mudd, Heira, Drakecutter, Iroden and Kirak are going to meet up with the red dragon when they get near the entrance to the dwarf mines. I predict this because they are close to the base of the mountain where the red dragon lives. Dragons have very keen sight and can see an oak leaf falling from 10 miles away. I think the red dragon will see them coming. My prediction was wrong. It ended up that they did not make it to the dwarf mines so the red dragon never attacked them. Instead on their way they got attacked by gnolls which are half man, half hyena that have huge battle axes.
While I was reading I had a question. Why did Kirak take the silver dragon pendant when they found it? He took it because he is a draconian and a draconian can take the shape of what it kills. He took the silver dragon pendant to summon the silver dragon to kill the silver dragon so he could take the shape of the silver dragon. He wanted to kill the silver dragon so he could be his true form, a silver dragon.
I predict that Mudd, Heira, Drakecutter, Iroden and Kirak are going to meet up with the red dragon when they get near the entrance to the dwarf mines. I predict this because they are close to the base of the mountain where the red dragon lives. Dragons have very keen sight and can see an oak leaf falling from 10 miles away. I think the red dragon will see them coming. My prediction was wrong. It ended up that they did not make it to the dwarf mines so the red dragon never attacked them. Instead on their way they got attacked by gnolls which are half man, half hyena that have huge battle axes.
While I was reading I had a question. Why did Kirak take the silver dragon pendant when they found it? He took it because he is a draconian and a draconian can take the shape of what it kills. He took the silver dragon pendant to summon the silver dragon to kill the silver dragon so he could take the shape of the silver dragon. He wanted to kill the silver dragon so he could be his true form, a silver dragon.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Red Dragon Codex #3
I am reading the book Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham.
I predict that Mudd, Hiera, Drakecutter and Iroden will prove that Iroden is innocent. Ironden has been accused of stealing a medallion from the monastery. If he is found guilty he will either be beheaded or forbidden from the city. I think that because Mudd said that kenders (anyone who steals and resells what they have stolen) don’t steal from monasteries and don’t lie much. My prediction was partially correct. Iroden, a kender, was not proven guilty but he is forbidden to talk to his father. and his friends are the only ones who believe he is the son of the king.
While I was reading I had a question. How come no one believes kenders? People think that kenders are dishonest, foul creatures that no body likes. My visualization of a kender is a creature with a short, skinny, warty body and long, reddish-brown, tangled hair. It wears old, raggedy clothes on dusty, dirty, warty skin. It has rotting teeth and has not taken a shower in 30 weeks.
While I was reading I came across a word I did not know. It was “lore”. I asked an expert (my mom). Lore is like folklore which means a story told from one generation to the next. Iroden is telling Mudd stories about dragons to help Mudd learn more about how dragons act.
I predict that Mudd, Hiera, Drakecutter and Iroden will prove that Iroden is innocent. Ironden has been accused of stealing a medallion from the monastery. If he is found guilty he will either be beheaded or forbidden from the city. I think that because Mudd said that kenders (anyone who steals and resells what they have stolen) don’t steal from monasteries and don’t lie much. My prediction was partially correct. Iroden, a kender, was not proven guilty but he is forbidden to talk to his father. and his friends are the only ones who believe he is the son of the king.
While I was reading I had a question. How come no one believes kenders? People think that kenders are dishonest, foul creatures that no body likes. My visualization of a kender is a creature with a short, skinny, warty body and long, reddish-brown, tangled hair. It wears old, raggedy clothes on dusty, dirty, warty skin. It has rotting teeth and has not taken a shower in 30 weeks.
While I was reading I came across a word I did not know. It was “lore”. I asked an expert (my mom). Lore is like folklore which means a story told from one generation to the next. Iroden is telling Mudd stories about dragons to help Mudd learn more about how dragons act.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dragon Moon #2
I am reading the book Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson.
I predict that Kai will beat Hei Lei and become the leader of the colony. I think that because Kai is on Hei Lei’s back and Hei Lei is unable to reach him with his hands. I also think Kai will become leader because Kai turned all of the five colors, green, red, white, black and yellow while fighting Hei Lei. When a dragons scales turn those colors it means the dragon was born a leader. Part of my prediction was right Kai did not kill Hei Lei but beat him in the fight. The other part was true Kai will become the leader but won’t make his decisions with advice until he is 500 years old.
While I was reading I wondered how Kai’s father (Danzi) knew that Kai was a leader. Kai’s father Danzi was a leader for the same colony many, many years ago and leaders are very wise and Danzi probably knew. I had a word that I had trouble with which was triumphant. To clarify the word I searched my schema and the word means to win. I had another question. I wonder why every time Ping has a dream it is her flying on Danzi’s back. I think she remembers when she was flying on Danzi’s back three years ago over the Tai Shan Mountains. I think this because I made a text-text connection with the first book, Dragon Keeper. I think it is cool that Kai is following his father’s foot steps just like I follow my dad’s steps in scouting.
I predict that Kai will beat Hei Lei and become the leader of the colony. I think that because Kai is on Hei Lei’s back and Hei Lei is unable to reach him with his hands. I also think Kai will become leader because Kai turned all of the five colors, green, red, white, black and yellow while fighting Hei Lei. When a dragons scales turn those colors it means the dragon was born a leader. Part of my prediction was right Kai did not kill Hei Lei but beat him in the fight. The other part was true Kai will become the leader but won’t make his decisions with advice until he is 500 years old.
While I was reading I wondered how Kai’s father (Danzi) knew that Kai was a leader. Kai’s father Danzi was a leader for the same colony many, many years ago and leaders are very wise and Danzi probably knew. I had a word that I had trouble with which was triumphant. To clarify the word I searched my schema and the word means to win. I had another question. I wonder why every time Ping has a dream it is her flying on Danzi’s back. I think she remembers when she was flying on Danzi’s back three years ago over the Tai Shan Mountains. I think this because I made a text-text connection with the first book, Dragon Keeper. I think it is cool that Kai is following his father’s foot steps just like I follow my dad’s steps in scouting.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Dragon Moon
I am reading the book Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson. This is her third book in the series.
I think that Hei Lei will get so mad that he will hurt Kai. I think this because Hei Lei hates humans and Kai loves them. Hei Lei is the larger, meaner dragon. Kai is a goat sized dragon. My prediction was wrong. Kai challenged Hei Lei to a fight because Hei Lei said that Danzi, Kai’s father, was weak when Kai and Hei Lei were arguing.
At the end of this chapter I had a question. Why are the dragons not going to bring the empire rain? The empire is on the south side of the Great Wall of China where there are many colonies of people. The people need rain so their crops can grow. The empire is under a drought and many people will die without food in the winter. The reason that the dragons will not bring rain is they are afraid that they will be found by people. If the dragons are found by the people, they will be massacred for their organs which are worth a lot of money.
I also had another question which was, why did the dragon hunters leave all the dragon bones? The hunters killed many dragons in the Old Secret Place, where the dragons lived. There were too many bones for them to carry. They would usually bring all the bones and sell them to people. People believe dragon bones will bring them good luck with their crops. Because they killed so many dragons in the Old Secret Place, they only could carry the meat and organs.
I think that Hei Lei will get so mad that he will hurt Kai. I think this because Hei Lei hates humans and Kai loves them. Hei Lei is the larger, meaner dragon. Kai is a goat sized dragon. My prediction was wrong. Kai challenged Hei Lei to a fight because Hei Lei said that Danzi, Kai’s father, was weak when Kai and Hei Lei were arguing.
At the end of this chapter I had a question. Why are the dragons not going to bring the empire rain? The empire is on the south side of the Great Wall of China where there are many colonies of people. The people need rain so their crops can grow. The empire is under a drought and many people will die without food in the winter. The reason that the dragons will not bring rain is they are afraid that they will be found by people. If the dragons are found by the people, they will be massacred for their organs which are worth a lot of money.
I also had another question which was, why did the dragon hunters leave all the dragon bones? The hunters killed many dragons in the Old Secret Place, where the dragons lived. There were too many bones for them to carry. They would usually bring all the bones and sell them to people. People believe dragon bones will bring them good luck with their crops. Because they killed so many dragons in the Old Secret Place, they only could carry the meat and organs.
Friday, February 6, 2009
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