ACTION:
1. Please prepare a 3-ring binder that you will bring to the Writing Workshop each month.
2. Your binder should start out with 8 tabs and we may add more as we go along. Place about 5 sheets of lined notebook paper after tabs 1-6.
Tab labels should read:
1. Grammar & Mechanics
2. Vocabulary & Word Choice
3. Style, Terms & Techniques
4. Forms of Writing
5. Tools of Learning
6. Checklists
7. Drafts
8. Final Exhibits
3. Place a paper in front of the first tab. Write down topic ideas that come to you and other AHAs about writing on this paper, so you don't forget them.
4. Subscribe to the Grammar Newsletter (link found in the email that was sent to you today). This is a weekly newsletter, I believe. The "TIP of the Week" is always at the very top of the newsletter. Please make sure you understand each tip and write it on a paper that is filed under your Grammar & Mechanics tab. You may read the rest of the newsletter if you'd like, but it is not required.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Summer Reading
Leave a comment and let your fellow Club Members know what you're reading this summer!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Writers Workshop Beginning This Fall
Well, we took a year off writing in 2007-2008 and many of you missed it! We have some incredible writers in this group...poems, songs, short stories, and several of you are working on novels.
In the fall of 2008, a Writers Workshop will be conducted after the regular Book Colloquium & Social time. Watch for more details on this Blog and in your Email Inbox.
Have a wonderful summer!
In the fall of 2008, a Writers Workshop will be conducted after the regular Book Colloquium & Social time. Watch for more details on this Blog and in your Email Inbox.
Have a wonderful summer!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Book Ratings ~ Fall 2007 to Spring 2008
We rated the books we read this school year on a scale from 1 to 10...10 being the best!
9.13
The Hiding Place
by Corrie ten Boom
CHR/BIO
8.71*
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
ADV
8.71*
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ADV
8.33
Pride & Prejudice
by Jane Austen
ROM
7.78
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
ADV
7.00
Around the World in Eighty Days
by Jules Verne
ADV
1.33
The Pearl
by John Steinbeck
ADV
* Yes, these books tied.
ADV - Adventure
BIO - Biographical
CHR - Christian
HIS - Historical
ROM - Romance (as per Webster's 1828 Dictionary definition)
9.13
The Hiding Place
by Corrie ten Boom
CHR/BIO
8.71*
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
ADV
8.71*
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ADV
8.33
Pride & Prejudice
by Jane Austen
ROM
7.78
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
ADV
7.00
Around the World in Eighty Days
by Jules Verne
ADV
1.33
The Pearl
by John Steinbeck
ADV
* Yes, these books tied.
ADV - Adventure
BIO - Biographical
CHR - Christian
HIS - Historical
ROM - Romance (as per Webster's 1828 Dictionary definition)
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
The Hiding Place is an exceptional book set in Holland during World War II. The author, Corrie ten Boom is a strong, God-fearing woman, who tells about how she survived during the War. Truly, a watchmaker and two daughters could never be more interesting, for they are in the middle of a secret underground operation to hide the sought-out Jews. Its special themes are loyalty, betrayal, and generosity of human nature.
As Corrie and her family hide Jews in their home in Switzerland they are soon confronted by the danger that lurks around every corner. The plot goes well, until one day a man comes and begs for help for his wife, who’s been arrested for hiding Jews. Corrie gives him the money he needs; but just a little bit later, the enemy is banging at the door, and now the family must survive the terrors of the camps.
As Corrie and her family hide Jews in their home in Switzerland they are soon confronted by the danger that lurks around every corner. The plot goes well, until one day a man comes and begs for help for his wife, who’s been arrested for hiding Jews. Corrie gives him the money he needs; but just a little bit later, the enemy is banging at the door, and now the family must survive the terrors of the camps.
During her long stay at concentration camps, Corrie suffered many trials and tribulations and even learned how to be thankful for fleas.
Written & submitted by: Sierra & Carrie
Sunday, April 27, 2008
13th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Was anyone from our group able to attend this event??
If so, please write a comment about it!
April 26-27, 2008
Welcome to the 13th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the country’s largest celebration of the written word. Join us for a weekend of book spotting.
For one weekend in April, people who love books will gather with people who love to write, publish and sell books. And, there’s nothing like it anywhere.
140,000 attendees
450+ authors
300+ exhibitors
900+ volunteers
100+ author panels
6 outdoor stages
2 children’s areas
For more literary fun and surprises, join us on Friday, April 25 for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. This special evening will honor some of the finest books of 2007 and their writers, and kicks off the Festival of Books on Friday, April 25.
For more information, click here.
Don’t miss the next exciting chapters of two extraordinary 2008 literary events — the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.
~ Los Angeles Times
April 26-27, 2008
Welcome to the 13th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the country’s largest celebration of the written word. Join us for a weekend of book spotting.
For one weekend in April, people who love books will gather with people who love to write, publish and sell books. And, there’s nothing like it anywhere.
140,000 attendees
450+ authors
300+ exhibitors
900+ volunteers
100+ author panels
6 outdoor stages
2 children’s areas
For more literary fun and surprises, join us on Friday, April 25 for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. This special evening will honor some of the finest books of 2007 and their writers, and kicks off the Festival of Books on Friday, April 25.
For more information, click here.
Don’t miss the next exciting chapters of two extraordinary 2008 literary events — the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.
~ Los Angeles Times
Monday, April 21, 2008
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
8.33Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
PERIOD ROMANCE / BRITISH LITERATURE
Summary coming soon!
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
The Pearl is one of John Steinbeck's shortest books and I have to say not one of his best. Frankly not one of the girls in our club had one good thing to say about it. Although I think that is was very interesting about the music in the book. The main character Kino talks about having music in his blood.
The book first starts out with him hearing music and thinking about music. But not as a musician; no more as someone who's whole life just is music. There is a song he hears when he finds something. There is a song of the pearl. There is even a time when hearing a song in his head warns him of danger.
The rest of the book shows all the problems that occur after Kino finds a "pearl of great price". Greedy traders who try to cheat Kino out of a good deal, a wicked doctor who charges his patients so much that they can't even afford to see him, and a tragic ending where we see that not all books have a happy ending and sometimes even the most innocent get hurt unjustly.
All of the girls agreed that the trouble with the book was the message it was portraying. Mr. Steinbeck made everyone in the village where Kino lived believe that the pearl was the cause for all his trouble. When really it was the greed in the village that was causing the problems.
Even though no one liked the book...(not even me the writer of this review), I think it showed us something about the world. We might not appreciate it now, but I think as we get older we will see more of the problems that we saw in this book.
Now that I think of it, maybe it wasn't the authors fault for writing something that didn't portray the morals we believe in. Maybe we were just so used to the classics, and the "Happily Ever After's" that we forgot that fictional books, doesn't always mean fairy tales. After all, he was just writing about the world, the world who blames their problems on other people, things, and circumstances, or in this case a pearl.
In the end to just get rid of the one thing that might have made things better for you if you just had just removed yourself from the presence of the people who were bringing you down. But lucky for us, we get second chances to recognize where we went wrong and (if we can), but if we can't, at least we'll know what to do next time. We aren't condemed by our author as Kino was...on the contrary, He is the one who gives us the second, third, 100th chances that we need.
Thank you for reading.
Written & Submitted by: Tiffani-Joi
The book first starts out with him hearing music and thinking about music. But not as a musician; no more as someone who's whole life just is music. There is a song he hears when he finds something. There is a song of the pearl. There is even a time when hearing a song in his head warns him of danger.
The rest of the book shows all the problems that occur after Kino finds a "pearl of great price". Greedy traders who try to cheat Kino out of a good deal, a wicked doctor who charges his patients so much that they can't even afford to see him, and a tragic ending where we see that not all books have a happy ending and sometimes even the most innocent get hurt unjustly.
All of the girls agreed that the trouble with the book was the message it was portraying. Mr. Steinbeck made everyone in the village where Kino lived believe that the pearl was the cause for all his trouble. When really it was the greed in the village that was causing the problems.
Even though no one liked the book...(not even me the writer of this review), I think it showed us something about the world. We might not appreciate it now, but I think as we get older we will see more of the problems that we saw in this book.
Now that I think of it, maybe it wasn't the authors fault for writing something that didn't portray the morals we believe in. Maybe we were just so used to the classics, and the "Happily Ever After's" that we forgot that fictional books, doesn't always mean fairy tales. After all, he was just writing about the world, the world who blames their problems on other people, things, and circumstances, or in this case a pearl.
In the end to just get rid of the one thing that might have made things better for you if you just had just removed yourself from the presence of the people who were bringing you down. But lucky for us, we get second chances to recognize where we went wrong and (if we can), but if we can't, at least we'll know what to do next time. We aren't condemed by our author as Kino was...on the contrary, He is the one who gives us the second, third, 100th chances that we need.
Thank you for reading.
Written & Submitted by: Tiffani-Joi
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
If you like books with action, suspense, romance, peril, and revenge then The Count of Monte Cristo is definitely for you!!
When Edmund Dantes is unjustly sentenced to prison, he vows to take revenge upon the people who plotted against him. After going too far with one of his plots, he realizes revenge isn't always the best path to take. In the midst of his despair, his old love, Mercedes, shows up making things more difficult for the Count as well as reminding him of his past.
By the end of the book, a twist so interesting takes place that proves that this is one of the most ingenious storylines ever written.
Written and submitted by: Hannah & Tiffani
When Edmund Dantes is unjustly sentenced to prison, he vows to take revenge upon the people who plotted against him. After going too far with one of his plots, he realizes revenge isn't always the best path to take. In the midst of his despair, his old love, Mercedes, shows up making things more difficult for the Count as well as reminding him of his past.
By the end of the book, a twist so interesting takes place that proves that this is one of the most ingenious storylines ever written.
Written and submitted by: Hannah & Tiffani
Monday, December 3, 2007
Fourth Annual Christmas Tea
4th Annual Christmas Tea & Gift Exchange
Monday, December 3, 2007
12 PM to 2:30-ish
Club members set up the Tea themselves this year at the Noon hour
~ including decor and plating.
They dressed semi-formally and brought gifts for their gift exchange. Many members brought their own tea cups.
Menu:
Tea Sandwiches
Spinach-Feta Quiche
Artichoke Dip with Bread
Vegetable Tray
Cream cheese chocolate treats
Cookies & Pastries
Fruit Plate
Herbal Teas
Monday, November 12, 2007
Book Share
As the group continues to read The Count of Monte Cristo, there was no book for discussion this month. So we decided on a Book Share!
What fun it was to hear the 60-second reason each member recommended these "fun" books! I praise the members for being concise with their descriptions so as to intrigue us, but not give away the plot.
This list is not endorsed by the Club itself. As with all books and movies, I know you will use God-given discretion before choosing to read any of these books. Having said that, there are many on this list that I can't wait to read!
The (#) is the # of members who have read the book in addition to the recommender.
ADVENTURE/SURVIVAL
1. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfield, et.al. (3)
2. Hadassah by Tommy Tenney (4)
3. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (2)
4. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead-George (2)
5. Left Behind (adult & children's series) by Tim LaHaye (2)
6. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (3)
7. White Fang by Jack London (0)
COMEDY/DRAMA
1. Pardon Me, You're Stepping on My Eyeball by Paul Zindel (0)
2. The Pigman by Paul Zindel (0)
3. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (3)
4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (2)
5. Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger (0)
MYSTERY/ADVENTURE
1. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (3)
2. Ms. Marple series by Agatha Christie (1)
3. Nancy Drew (series); especially The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene (6 - series)
4. Series of Unfortunate Events (series) by Brett Helquist (0)
NON-FICTION
1. Alone, Yet Not Alone: The Story of Barbara and Regina Leininger by Tracy Leininger (2)
2. Miss Potter: The Novel by Richard Maltby, Jr (somewhat biographical ~ historical fiction) (0)
3. Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton (autobiography) (2)
FANTASY
1. Loam Hedge by Brian Jacques (0)
2. Narnia (series); especially The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (4)
What fun it was to hear the 60-second reason each member recommended these "fun" books! I praise the members for being concise with their descriptions so as to intrigue us, but not give away the plot.
This list is not endorsed by the Club itself. As with all books and movies, I know you will use God-given discretion before choosing to read any of these books. Having said that, there are many on this list that I can't wait to read!
The (#) is the # of members who have read the book in addition to the recommender.
ADVENTURE/SURVIVAL
1. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfield, et.al. (3)
2. Hadassah by Tommy Tenney (4)
3. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (2)
4. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead-George (2)
5. Left Behind (adult & children's series) by Tim LaHaye (2)
6. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (3)
7. White Fang by Jack London (0)
COMEDY/DRAMA
1. Pardon Me, You're Stepping on My Eyeball by Paul Zindel (0)
2. The Pigman by Paul Zindel (0)
3. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (3)
4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (2)
5. Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger (0)
MYSTERY/ADVENTURE
1. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (3)
2. Ms. Marple series by Agatha Christie (1)
3. Nancy Drew (series); especially The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene (6 - series)
4. Series of Unfortunate Events (series) by Brett Helquist (0)
NON-FICTION
1. Alone, Yet Not Alone: The Story of Barbara and Regina Leininger by Tracy Leininger (2)
2. Miss Potter: The Novel by Richard Maltby, Jr (somewhat biographical ~ historical fiction) (0)
3. Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton (autobiography) (2)
FANTASY
1. Loam Hedge by Brian Jacques (0)
2. Narnia (series); especially The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (4)
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles is an exhilarating mystery book, placing the two most famous English detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, on another mystifying case. For those of you who absolutely love suspenseful and action-packed mysteries, you would not want to put this book down.
The body of Sir Charles Baskerville has been found on the grounds of his own estate, his face a frozen picture of horror and fear. The only clue to who the strange murderer was is the footprint of a terrible hound. People in the area blame it on a legendary curse that haunts the Baskerville family on the moor, but Sherlock Holmes is sure the answer lies "within the natural world." But they must solve this obscurity quickly before the same terrifying end befalls Sir Baskerville's heir!
Written and submitted by: Stefani
The body of Sir Charles Baskerville has been found on the grounds of his own estate, his face a frozen picture of horror and fear. The only clue to who the strange murderer was is the footprint of a terrible hound. People in the area blame it on a legendary curse that haunts the Baskerville family on the moor, but Sherlock Holmes is sure the answer lies "within the natural world." But they must solve this obscurity quickly before the same terrifying end befalls Sir Baskerville's heir!
Written and submitted by: Stefani
Monday, September 17, 2007
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
This book was first published in 1882, though is has remained timeless. This is a book for anyone that likes adventure and excitement. Jim Hawkins and his mother and father run a Inn called the "Admiral Ben Bow." This is a classic Pirate story told in retrospect by a youth Jim Hawkins and takes us into a long-gone pirate world of Long John Silver with treasure in it. The story has colorful language, but never foul. I thought the story flowed nicely. I thought it was a wonderful book and I had a lot of fun reading it and I hope you do too.
Written and submitted by Sarah B.
Written and submitted by Sarah B.
Monday, August 13, 2007
C&S Members for 2007-2008
Colloquium & Social Club (C&S Club) gets an early start this year with a new format...book discussions and social time.
A Warm Welcome to:
Sarah B.
Lauren
Ashley
Sierra
Cassandra
Sarah F.
Kendel
Christine
Tiffani-Joi
Krysten
Rachelle
Carrie
Hannah
Karah
Stefanie
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