Beat+the+Turtle+Drum

[[image:turtle.jpg width="160" height="242" align="left"]]General instructions:
Because all of your writing is being published here, you should do whatever you need to do to make it accurate in terms of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Misspelled words (or words not in the dictionary here) are underlined in red. Please repair any underscored words.

Do you have any questions about what you have read in this section of your book? If you do, start a new discussion topic. Type the basic question into the subject box. Add more information about your question in the message box. For example, you might want to quote part of the text and include the page number of the part you're asking about.

Remember to look at other people's posted questions and read what they have said. Add your own comments in response, if you have any.

12/17/09 FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Read //Getting Near to Baby// by Audrey Couloumbis. Try to finish it (including your written response to the question below) by **Friday, January 8**.
 * Compare this book with //Beat the Turtle Drum.//
 * How were the plots different and/or similar?
 * Compare the main characters in each book.
 * Briefly summarize the story (briefly!) and write a review. Did you like it?

12/13/09 Assignment #4:
**This should be completed by Thursday, December 17 -- not Friday.** First, please look at the discussion section and re-read any topic that is NOT locked. Add comments as needed, and feel free to comment on someone else's response, even if you have already posted yours.
 * Next, **finish the book**
 * When you are finished, **post at least one question** in the discussion section that you'd like your reading partner to answer about the story. It could be a personal response, a what-if question, or anything else that you think might lead to an interesting answer.
 * Finally, **write a review** of the entire book. What did you think of it, now that you're finished? You might want to comment on the characters, the plot, the ending, things that were not what you predicted . . . it's up to you.

**12/5/09 Assignment #3:**
Read to the end of page 94. Then post your response to the question below, which is also in the DISCUSSION section. **This should be completed by Friday, December 11.**
 * Write about your own thoughts and feelings as you read this section of the book. Try to give a detailed, personal answer. Consider talking about these things: Were you surprised? Which characters did you feel the most sympathy for? How do you think some of the characters who were not actually in this section will respond (such as Mrs. Essig). Did it remind you of anything in your own life? Read each others' postings when they go up and add comments to what other people have said.

11/28/09 Assignment #2:
Look at the questions below, which are also posted in the DISCUSSION section. Read to the end of page 62. Post your responses to the questions. You might want to reply to some of them as you read, rather than at the end. **This should be completed by Friday, December 4.**
 * You've met several new characters by now. Choose one to describe and give your own reaction to him or her (as if that was a real person whom you had met). Give reasons for your opinion.
 * Make a note of some words or expressions in this section whose meaning you don't know. Find out what they mean and explain them here. Try to come up with at least three.
 * On page 19, Kate described Sam as "homely." On page 22, Mrs. Essig said, "Make yourselves homely." Does the word mean the same thing on both pages? Is only one of those meanings correct?
 * On page 53, Kate said, "You know how the longer you wait for something, the further off it seems to get?" Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something you really wanted? If so, tell us about it, and be sure to say whether you agree with Kate's observation or not.

11/22/09 **Your first assignment:**
Read to the end of page 19. Think about the characters you have met in that section.

Then add your responses to the questions below, which are in the DISCUSSION section. **This should be completed by the time you return to school on Monday, November 30.**


 * Which ones seem like major characters?
 * Choose two or three characters and tell us what you understand about them.
 * Give your personal reactions to each of them . . . for example, if you like one of them, explain why.