Final Blog Post

Posted on January 7th, 2008 in 1 by qw002

“All good things must come to an end”

This old English proverb came to my mind when I was writing these final blog questions for our Small Step Blog.  Ironically, this proverb kind of relates to the story itself!

Pick one of the following topics to comment on:

1.        What did you think of the ending of the book?  Would you add another chapter or more information if you were the author?

2.       Do you think Kaira and Armpit will ever meet up again?  Why?  Why not?

3.       What are some of the themes in this book? 

4.       What did you learn from this book/project?

5.       Feel free to post any other question or comment on the book or project.

Please respond to this final blog question on the book, and PLEASE give us (i.e. Mr. Witt & Mrs. Moege) some feedback on the next article down.  Please include things that you like and how we can make this a better project in the future! 

 I hope you enjoyed this project and book as much as I did.  I looked forward every week to reading the Mitchell Kids’ blog responses.  It wasn’t that I didn’t like the Bonesteel-Fairfax kids’ responses; it was fun to see so many different ideas, points of view, predictions, and feelings that were conjured up while reading this book.

Mr. Witt

Book Blog – Need Your Opinions!

Posted on January 7th, 2008 in 1 by bookbloggers

Hi there, everyone.

We’d like your feedback on how you feel about the book blog experiment.  Your ideas can help us improve our approach to similar projects in the future.  Some things to consider would be:

1)  What did you like about the project and why?
2)  What would you change about the project and why?
3)  What advice would you give us for future projects?

Thanks for your time in sharing your views and for being part of our Small Steps book blog!

Mrs. Moege and Mr. Witt

Week 7

Posted on December 13th, 2007 in Chapter ?'s by bookbloggers

Well, guys, we’re nearly finished with the book.  The plot is thickening, isn’t it?  I commend you for last week’s posts – many of you ”dug deeper” with your comments by supplying specific support from the novel.   Keep it up!

Remember, too, to check back often; feel free to post more than one comment and to respond to what other students have written.

For this week, consider one or all of the following:

1.  Once again, Kaira’s lyrics seem to foreshadow trouble for Armpit.  Knowing what we do about the conspiracy against Kaira, what might you predict based on the following lyrics?  “He’s climbing out of the frying pan … And into the fire!”  Be specific and support your opinions with previous events.
2.  Considering all he’s leaving behind in Austin (people, problems, school, etc.), how do you feel about Armpit’s choice to go to San Francisco?  Was it the right decision?  Why/why not?
3.  How do you view Armpit and Kaira’s relationship?  Knowing what we do about their backgrounds, beliefs, and personalities, do you think they could make it as a couple?  Why/why not?
4.  When Armpit couldn’t make up his mind about going to San Francisco or staying in Austin, he felt “paralyzed by indecision,” like “a donkey between two haystacks.”  Can you relate to Armpit’s situation?  How?
5.  Jack Dunlevy offers X-Ray a job with his landscaping company.  How do you think X-Ray would do with a “legitimate” job?  Why?

I look forward to reading your comments!

Mrs. Moege 

Week 6

Posted on December 5th, 2007 in Uncategorized by qw002

Students, I enjoy reading your posts every week.  Keep up the good work!  I don’t know about you, but I am almost addicted to this blog.  I am constantly checking it to see what new information you have posted.

A few “coaching points”   

  1. Try to think deeply into the book.
  2. When you post, use evidence from the book to support your statement.
  3. Keep responding to other students’ blogs.  
  4. Remember it is OK to disagree!

You may respond to one of these questions or post your own prediction or question.

  1. What do you think about the lies that Armpit and X-Ray keep coming up with?  Would you do this for your friend, or would you turn your friend in?   Why?
  2. Do you think Debbie Newberg knows X-Ray and Armpit are lying?  How?
  3. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  How does this quote relate to some of the relationships in the book or in your life?
  4. In chapter 25, what is going on between Jerome and Aileen?  Can you make any predictions about what might happen when Armpit gets to San Francisco?
  5.  In Kaira’s letter she refers to “love” as the “L word” why is she so cautious in using it?  Should people be cautious when using this word?  Why or why not?

Keep up the good work!

Mr. Witt

Week 5

Posted on November 23rd, 2007 in Chapter ?'s by bookbloggers

We are already half-way through our book blog experiment.  Thank you for your posts.  Remember to proofread, however, BEFORE you post.  Also, for a “true” blogging experience, read what other people have written as well and respond to specific people.  As Mr. Witt recommended last week, we encourage you to check back more than once to read and respond to the various responses posted throughout the week.  Just a reminder:  be sure to stick to the blogging topics and to post appropriately.

1)  For this week, one option is to ponder the passage and related questions below:

Compare and contrast Armpit’s view about “small steps” to Kaira’s; be sure to refer to specific events within the book so far to support your ideas.  Also, whose view do you agree with?  Why?  Check out their conversation below first.

“He (Armpit) told her about the advice the counselor at the halfway house had given to him.  The important thing was to take small steps and just keep on moving forward. ‘Life is like crossing a river.  If you try to take too big a step, the current will knock you off your feet and carry you away.’ …

“‘My manager tells me I need to take big steps,’ she (Kaira) said.  ‘I have to grab for everything I can get right now, because in a few years I could be all washed up.’”

2)  A second option is to explore links to some of the Austin landmarks and musicians mentioned in the novel.  After you’ve looked these over, comment on what you see and read about.  What are your impressions?

Remember the bats?  Check out the Congress Street Bridge .  (Be sure to scroll down.)

Texas Capitol – Picture 1     Picture 2

Four Seasons Hotel, Austin  (Check out the Photo Gallery.)

Janis Joplin  (Kaira had never heard of this influential rock star.)

Grateful Dead  (Kaira’s band was listening to this group while playing cards.)

I look forward to reading your comments!

Mrs. Moege

Week 4

Posted on November 13th, 2007 in Uncategorized by qw002

Congratulations on another week of good blogging!

Remember to use complete sentences, and to proofread before submitting! Check back often to see what other students have written about the book. Feel free to post more than once a week if you would like, but be sure each post is well thought out and well written.

Louis Sachar, the author of Small Steps, does an interesting job of connecting Kaira’s song lyrics to the story. Make some connections or predictions on the author’s use of these song lyrics.

Click on the Links to view the lyrics from the songs!

Song #1

“Angry Young Man”

“Frying Pan”

“Gonna Take you for a Ride”

Keep up the Good Work

Mr. Witt

Week 3

Posted on November 7th, 2007 in Uncategorized by bookbloggers

Hi guys!  Nice job once again!  Keep the posts coming, and check back often to see what other students have to “say” about our book.

For this week, I have three questions for you to ponder.  Consider one or all of them, or if you have another idea to write about, go for it.

1)  “Trust” seems to be an emerging theme within these chapters of the book.  Both Armpit and Kaira are wrestling with the idea of who can be trusted.  Analyze one or both characters and their issues of “trust.”  Consider Armpit and his relationships with X-Ray, Ginny, and Tatiana.  Whom can Armpit trust?  Why?  For Kaira, consider her mother, El Genius, and Aileen.

2)  Next is a prediction question.  Think about Kaira DeLeon’s lyrics that play while Armpit and Ginny are on their way to the concert.  “I’m gonna take you for a ride, and we’re gonna have some fun!  I’m gonna take you someplace you never been before, and you’ll never be the same again!”  Predict how these lyrics might fit what happens to Armpit in the next chapters.

3)  Does this book, one of its events, and/or its characters remind you of any other book you’ve read, a movie you’ve seen, or events/people in your own life?  Make a connection, and explain how this connection helps you better understand what you’re reading.

 Keep blogging!

Mrs. Moege – MMS

Week 2

Posted on October 29th, 2007 in Uncategorized by qw002

First of all, we are off to an excellent start.  The students at Bonesteel-Fairfax are enjoying this project, and believe that it helps with understanding the book.  We had many excellent posts last week!  Good job, and keep it up!

Throughout this blog project feel free to comment on anything related to the book.  You may agree or disagree with other people’s comments.  But remember that if you disagree, give reasons why, and do it in a polite manner.  IT IS OK TO DISAGREE!

After the first nine chapters Louis Sachar has done an excellent job of developing his characters and his story line.  Consider the following questions when posting your Week 2 comment.

1.        What is the difference between east & west Austin?  Are X-Ray’s comments about west Austin true, or is he making a generalization or stereotype?

2.       Compare and contrast X-Ray and Armpit’s feelings about selling the tickets.  Why is Armpit so nervous, and X-Ray so calm?  Would you be nervous if you were in this situation?

3.       Who are Felix and Moses?  What is their occupation?

4.       Why is it interesting that Armpit is taking an Economics course?  Why does he get such a good grade without studying?

5.       Who are Donnell, Cole, and Sharese?   Why are they bothering Armpit?  Did Armpit make the right choice? 

6.       After Armpit gives his speech, Tatiana tells him that he gave an excellent speech.  Do you think Tatiana “likes” Armpit?  Why does she leave when X-Ray shows up? 

These are only ideas for discussion.  You may choose to discuss a few or all of these, or you may choose a totally different topic to discuss. 

Keep up the good work!

Mr. Witt

Week 1

Posted on October 18th, 2007 in Chapter ?'s by bookbloggers

Now that you have read the first four chapters, let’s get your thoughts on some of the characters.  Be sure to use examples to support your views.  Consider any or all of the following:

1)  What are your impressions of Armpit at this point?  Think about his name, the events surrounding his “stay” at Green Lake, how he’s currently dealing with life, his five small steps, etc.
2)  How do you feel about X-Ray and his views on how to make money?
3)  Kaira DeLeon is another character introduced in these chapters.  What can you say about her?  Consider the relationships she has with those she works with, the relationship with her family, and her celebrity lifestyle.
4)  Lastly, what are you impressions of Armpit’s friend Ginny?  What have we discovered about her so far?

Hello Students!

Posted on October 12th, 2007 in Hello Students by bookbloggers

Welcome to our book blog.  You will be posting responses to questions that your teachers develop each week as well as writing comments to other students involved in this project.

 Some things to remember: 

1)  Use appropriate language as if you were speaking directly to your teacher at school.
2)  Be respectful of the other students and their ideas.
3)  Write in complete sentences, with appropriate conventions, to the best of your ability.  This is not “instant messaging”; avoid cutesy abbreviations.
4)  Stick to the subject.  Comment on the post only.
5)  Be thorough so that students have something to comment on.  You can:  share opinions, ask open-ended (discussion) questions, make connections to what you’ve read, make predictions, agree/disagree politely, etc.
6)  If you have read the book, please, please, please do not spoil it for the rest of us.
7)  Have fun!!