Hello Students!
Together we came up with some good themes that really fit "Krindlekrax". If you remember, we decided that "Friendship" was one "big idea" that really went throughout the whole story. One of the examples that you came up with was that fact that Ruskin and Corky's friendship plays an important part in the story and helps Ruskin to grow and change as a character. Elvis and Ruskin's friendship, or loss of friendship, also plays an important part of the story. Friendship also played a role in Ruskin's father Winston taking the baby crocodile in the first place, he was searching for friendship and acceptance from the others at the pub.
The other theme, or "big idea' that we came up with was "bravery" or "courage". Ruskin showed a lot of courage throughout the story, and his courage is what allowed him to fulfill his dreams at the end of the story. Corky's courage played a part in setting an example for Ruskin. Winston's lack of courage set another example, a negative one, for Ruskin.
In your groups today you did a great job of brainstorming possible themes, or "big ideas" that went throughout your stories that you have been reading. My question for you today is the following:
1. What is one theme that you think plays an important role throughout your group's story? There probably are more than one, but just pick one to concentrate on.
2. Give at least two examples where events in the story demonstrate the importance of the theme. Be sure to explain your thinking fully.
Remember, not everyone has read your book, so be sure to write your post so that everyone will understand your thinking. Reread your post for spelling etc. before sending it off. You may also comment on one of your classmates posts.
23 comments:
Logan and I (Hayley) are reading House of Many Ways. One of the main themes is responsibility. Charmain,the main character gets put in charge of her Great Uncle William's house while he's ill.It's a huge responsibility, cleaning up and ceeping the house in order.She also has to have a job!!!!
logan,hayley
I am reading the book House of Many Ways. I think that one of the main themes would be responsibility. Charmain takes on the job of taking care of her Great Uncle William's magical cottage. While the house holds many adventures, she has to prove that she is responsible. Charmain also has to get a job as the taker of the Royal Library for the King. I think that responsibility is a very important theme as I read on in my book.
-Elle
I think bravery is an important theme in Black Duck. I think this because a lot of times people with guns come up to other people in the story. Sometimes they shoot at others and sometimes not. An example of this would be when some guys come up to Tom's shack and he just stayed calm till they were gone. Another reason bravery plays a big part in this story is because Rueben seems pretty brave for touching the dead guy.
-Callie
I'm reading the Black Duck and one of the main themes is bravery. The main character Rueben shows bravery in two ways one When he searched the dead mans pocket that was a way he showed bravery. Another way he shows bravery is when he was walking home Mr. Reily was riding home he sayed "hi" to Rueben and the they both saw the FEDS comming down the road rueben and Mr. Reily went running down after the FEDS then on the beach they noticed a speeding boat so they went down to the beach to investigate then the FEDS saw Mr. Reily they came and arrested Mr. Reily and took him to the federal prison.
-Justin
Well Charlie's Raven , Is caring because Charlie really seems to care about Blue Sky. But Charlie really care about his grandfather because when he has his heart attack he cared about that so I can tell that it's a caring book that just make a kind of story that people like . It's not like fighting because I know I don't like to read though kind of books. But some people enjoy the books . And he's really responsible for everyone in his family even the ravens that aren't part of his family but seems it because Charlie is so ubsest with him (blue sky). I think his not so responsible to Pinecone but he really is to Blue sky .
-Katie @-:-
p.s. Like my rose /
In the Tiger Rising one big theme is CRUELTY. Rob and Sistine at one point are getting bullied in ways that are really cruel!!!!!!!!!!! Also in the end of the book Rob's father shows cruelty..... but I can't give it away! EMMA
I am reading Black Duck. Justin and I totally agree that bravery is a huge part in this story. One reason is that when Reuben hid in the grass while the black duck was docking he just sat there watching and was not scared one bit. The second reason is because Reuben had the guts to look in the dead man's pocket for his wallet to determine his identity.
Colby.t ('-')
I am in the group black duck and I think the most important theme in the book would be bravery because Ruben and Jeddy had to be brave to tell the police officer about the dead body on the beach another time I think they had to be brave was when they were on the beach and the people with machine guns came to toms shake looking for something and Ruben and Jeddy thought they killed Tom and I thought they were brave to go ad see what happend after the people with machine guns left.
Marina
I'm in the middle of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is a story about the futuristic country of Panem, which rises from the ashes of the ruined United States.
Each year in Panem, two "Tributes", a boy and a girl, are selected by lottery to represent their District (there are twelve districts in Panem) in the Hunger Games. "Tributes" are kids ages twelve to eighteen. The Hunger Games is a yearly battle to the death. All 24 "Tributes" are thrown into an arena. The only way to win is to be the last person alive. Winners are made rich and famous. Losers die.
So far, I'd have to say that one of the themes of The Hunger Games is true love.
The main character, Katniss, volunteers to be a Tribute after her twelve-year-old sister, Prim, is selected. She loves her sister so much that she would rather put her own life in serious jeopardy than watch her sister die.
After Katniss is taken from her home in District Twelve to participate in The Hunger Games in the Capitol District, she begins to realize how much she loved her friend-who-is-a-boy, Gale (or at least I think she is, I'm still not quite far enough into the story to know for sure).
Hayley and Logan,
How does Charmain feel about this responsibility? Does she rise to the challenge, or does it bother her? Does this responsibility play an important part in the story? Elle said that she has to prove that she is responsible, so I am wondering who does she need to prove it to? I just got a call that the copy of the book that I requested is in at the YPL, so I am going to get it tomorrow. I am excited to read it and see if I agree with you.:)
Mrs. Simonds
Callie and Justin,
I agree with you that Bravery seems to be a theme that fits your story. You both gave some examples of where people have had to be brave in the story. Have there been any examples where a character has shown a lack of bravery or cowardice? Often times there are two sides to a theme. In Krindlekrax we talked about bravery as a theme and how Ruskin and Corky both showed bravery many times. There was the other side to that where Winston, and indeed, many of the others on Lizard Street did not show bravery and were very cowardly in their actions. I think this was very important to the plot of the story. Is this something that fits Black Duck...a "cowardly" theme as well? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Mrs. S
Mr. G,
I am going to have to go find a copy of that book...it sounds fascinating! It reminds me a little of book six of the Pendragon series by DJ MacHale, The Rivers of Zadaa. The series is fantasy and in each book a different world is traveled to. In book 6, the main character Bobby travels to the world of Zadaa in pursuit of the evil St. Dane, where there are different tribes that need to send one warrior to fight for the right to control the water. It takes place in a world where the water is limited and control of it means success for your tribe. It was a good book, but Hunger Games sounds even better! Thanks for sharing with us!
Mrs. S
Marina and Colby,
What do you think about my last posting to Callie and Justin?
Mrs. S
Actually, what do you all think about the flip side of any themes that you feel follows throughout your books? Do you think that books tend to show one theme, and then the opposite side of that theme? Bravery and cowardice? Love and hate? Tolerance and intolerance? I asked the Black Duck group this question, but I would love to hear everyone else's thoughts on this question......
Mrs. S
I read The Tiger Rising, and I think that the main theme of the story is Feelings. Because of all the sadness in the book, it makes all themes stand out and because of when Rob is crying when his mom died. He tried to be brave, but he had to cry. There is a lot of feelings in this book. - Jessica
I am reading The Tiger Rising and an important theme is irresponsibility. Like when beuchamp gives Rob the keys so he can feed the tiger but when sistine has other thoughts rob goes with sistine and something unspeakable happens.
-Mason
Dear Mrs.Simonds,
Charmain has to prove that she is responsible to bothe Peter and her mom. Her mother thinks that she is too respectable and Peter thinks that she is just lazy. Hope you enjoy the book.
-Elle
Mrs. Simonds when Elle and I were talking in reading class we realized in house of many ways did have opisite themes like love and hate. Love when Peter's mother finds Peter and they are so happy to see each other and hate when peter and Charmain fight . In your book Flush are there oppisite themes. logan
Ms.Simonds,
I think that Jeddy shows a little bit of cowardness. When Rueben accidentally drops the ticket (half fifty dollar bill) Jeddy won't talk to Rueben anymore, and he tells his dad but never does he try to help Rueben keep it a secret.
-Callie
Hi I read the book Walk Two Moons and it was a great book! One of the main themes would be hope I agee with Eirn there is a lot of hope. like the idia to bring Sal's mom back for her brithday. Sal hast to do this with in a week. With all the trobble Sal faces it will be hard. Another part that has hope in it is a prat when Sal finds out about Pheebe's mom. Oh! The stranger A.K.A.. lunitic shows up.
Carly
P.S You must read this book!
I am reading Black duck and I think that it does have a cowardly theme to it. I think that Ruben and Jeddy want to find out who killed the guy on the beach but dont wont to get to involed with it because they dont wont to get into trouble with somebody about the body.
MARINA
Hey y'all!
So,themes.I think suspicion and lies are a big theme in the book I'm reading, Black Duck. This suspicion thing revolves around Charlie the cop the most.The minute you meet this guy,you know he is up to something like...... rumrunning.And sure enough,he is.
Rumrunning was something seriously secretive and mysterious back then.And since it was illegal,there were plenty of lies going around it. Ruben lies about losing the ticket.The rumrunners fib for their lives..... good book,but you'll have to read it first.I can't tell you too much.
-Emilie
OK, back again.
I remembered you also wanted me to do a two-themed reading group book thingamabobber blog comment.So I would say Truth and lies.The truth is an important theme because the point to solveing a mystery is to find a truth to all the lies.Did you get all that?
-EMILIE
P.S This is probably of no intrerest to you,but BOTH of my last 2 blogs WERE NOT SENT TO MRS.S!!It half killed me to rewrite them.
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