Wow, summer is ending fast!

It's so nice to be able to see what everyone is doing. Sorry I haven't posted! I hope all of your summer has been great so far. I've been enjoying my break and busy getting ready for Baby Madison. We should be painting our basement soon, so it can be converted into a second bedroom. I went for a doctor's visit today and things are well. I will be going into school on Monday to start setting up the room. I'm excited to see everyone again and I hope you are all READING!

Tiger burning bright

Hi readers!

It's been a while since I wrote on this blog. I just can't believe it is already August. Where has time gone???

My husband and I took a trip to Toronto last week, and guess what, instead of flying, we took a bus to cross the border! It was a 10 hour ride each way. That means I had A LOT of time to read on the bus. Well, I brought two books with me, and ended up finishing one of them. Other than that, I slept and slept on the bus :)

Boys and girls, I really enjoyed the book I chose for the trip! It is called The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. Some of you might know her as the author of Because of Winn Dixie. For one reason or another, the characters in her books are always sad and have family problems, and this one was no exception.

Having read this book, I realize now that I am a reader who is into realistic fiction. Characters in realistic fiction seem... REAL (duh), and I can find so many things about them that I can relate to. Rob and Sistine in The Tiger Rising, Opal and Preacher in Because of Winn Dixie, all of them remind me of people I know in real life. To me, that makes reading so much more fun and meaningful.


Okay, no more talk about reading tonight. My husband is cooking dinner. Right about time to eat!

Harry Potter Update

I went to the beach in North Carolina for about 5 days around the 4th of July. It was fun to go to the beach, play miniature golf and hang out with my husband and my family, but while I was there I also read through 2 Harry Potter books!

I loved the Prisoner of Azkaban, that was definitely my favorite, I thought it was really funny. It was also so exciting and I loved the twist at the end. I also thought that it was helpful to learn more about Hermione and Ron's personalities. Also, to hear more about Harry's parents.

I am officially addicted, but what will I do when I have read them all? I guess I will have to move on to another series like this one. I found a great website to help me with that. It's called BookAlike, click here and put in the book you love and find other books like it.

Back to reading! I'm half-way through the Goblet of Fire.

Melvin Beederman, Superhero

It was just like Christmas... Teacher Erin gave all of us teachers books to read over the summer! The book I got was called Melvin Beederman Superhero:The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich.

Girls and boys, I highly recommend this book! I'm usually not into superhero stories, but this series is very different from any superhero books I've read. The main character, Superhero Melvin, is not perfect and invincible(it means you are really strong, and cannot be beat), but actually has a lot of weaknesses. For instance, when he sees a bologna sandwich, he drops down to his knees , gasping, "Can't move.... get... me... out.. of..he...re....."

I just learned that there are 8 titles in the series, and the author is still writing more! If you love superhero cartoons like Batman or funny stories like My Weird School, you'll love this series. Give it a try!


This book is perfect for those of you who are reading "white" or "N" books.



Teacher Mayuko

Soccer Fever Continues...

I just purchased a Japan soccer jersey last week. I've always been a soccer fan, but the World Cup has reignited my passion for the sport once again!

I've been doing a lot of reading about different players in each team on the FIFA Website. This website not only contains articles, but also has many video clips and statistics (information that has to do with numbers, like scores) about the games played in this year's World Cup.


Of course, my favorite team is Japan, and they've been doing well so far. (YES!) They are playing against Denmark on Thursday, June 24. If they win the game, they will move on to the next round. Japan has never ever made it out of the first round before, and I'm hoping that they will this time!!!

Please root for Japan. Go Samurai Blue!!!!

A good magazine

On Saturday morning my husband and I stopped at a cafe to have some tea on our way home from the farmers market. I picked up an issue of my favorite magazine. It is a free magazine that is published in Philadelphia all about things that are happening around the city to make our lives more sustainable for the planet.

As I flipped from article to article I got so excited because there were so many that I was interested in reading. I love reading magazines, especially on the bus. The small articles are easy to read through and easy to remember.

I have a few favorite magazines and it helps give me something new to read between novels.

Telekinesis

I just read a book that I loved when I was in 7th grade. It made me believe that I could move things with my mind (that's what telekinesis is). It was really fun to read it again, because I remembered some parts, but not all, so the plot was both surprising and familiar.

I remember giving a book report on it in 7th grade in Mrs. Patschke's class. I had thread attached to different things in the room so that it would look like I really was moving things with my mind. Some people were actually fooled (briefly). I'm glad I have brown eyes, though.

Samurai Blue!!!

It happened during my prep this morning...

JAPAN BEAT CAMEROON in the World Cup Soccer!!!! 1-0!!!

This has got to be one of the best days of my ENTIRE life!!!!

I will be in a good mood for the rest of the week for sure!

The Wee Folk

Hi.

I just finished reading a book all about fairies in Ireland. The Irish people still believe that there are fairies everywhere, like in their gardens and hills. I have never visitied Ireland before, but I would LOVE to go search for fairies there if they really exist.

One of my favorite fairies I read about is Pookas. They are nocturnal spirits who look like black horses. (Nocturnal means being active at night.) They are also said to shoot out blue flames from their nostrils! Can you imagine going on a horseback riding on a pooka? How cool is that?!

By the way, the Magic Tree House Research Guide is a great series to read if you enjoy nonfiction books. Leprechauns and Irish Folklore is the title I read this time.

Vote for Harry!

If you haven't heard already, Harry Leong from CCC&C is up for an honor for his service to the community. He does alot of work with FACTS like running the after school program for kids like Ming, Jessica and Michelle Lau. He also worked with our school to get the casino out of Chinatown.

He is one of three finalists representing the Philadelphia Phillies in the People All-Stars Among Us contest. If he receives the top number of votes out of the three, he will be honored at the MLB All Star Game in Anaheim in July. (You can vote as many times as you want through June 20th). Here are the instructions:

1. Go to this website: http://mlb.mlb.com/peopleallstarsamongus/

2. Under the National League, click on Philadelphia Phillies.

3. A subscreen will pop up, and then choose Harry.

It takes less than a minute to vote, so go vote NOW! And spread the word too!

Reading is calming...

This blog has definitely inspired me to read more. Now that I read every evening, I'm realizing that it has such a calming effect on me.


I did not have a particularly good day, and I was very upset when I got home. Guess what, as soon as I started to read, I felt less angry and more upset.

Maybe I should pick up a book to read every time my husband and I get into an argument. I'm going to keep reading all summer, and maybe I will be a completely different person in September!


I love reading.

All about Pirates

I got to relax at home this weekend. I played some games, watched TV, cleaned my apartment, and read an all about book about pirates!

There were so many vocabulary words I didn't know, like privateers(pry-vuh-tearz) and marooning. Marooning means that when a pirate breaks a rule on board, he gets left behind on a deserted island. That was a form of punishment that many pirates used. Scary!

Now that I've read my first book about pirates, I'm planning to read more. I'm really into pirates now. Aaaarg!

Harry Potter, Finally

When did the Harry Potter books start to become really popular? I remember that EVERYONE was reading them, and so I decided not to--I wasn't anti-Harry Potter, I just wasn't into it. Well, my nana was cleaning out her bookshelf and asked if I wanted a copy of Harry Potter for my school. Of course I said yes and took the book home. Well, I needed something to read on the bus and so I gave it a try.

HOOKED! I became hooked, I spent almost an entire Saturday afternoon sitting in the sun and reading the first Harry Potter book. It was so exciting, interesting and captivating. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

Do I have to go in order? Has anyone read them all? Any advice or favorite parts? When does Harry get a girlfriend? If you're a Potter expert let me know!

I am Queen of Egypt!

I just finished a novel about the life of a very famous queen named Cleopatra. It wasn't a very good book, because the writing didn't have enough details, and the cover was super cheesy. But it did make me want to learn more about her life. I felt like I was in the Magic Tree House with Jack and Annie!

I read a little more about Cleopatra, but I think I will have to go to the library and get a nonfiction book about her, so that I can learn more about her.

(Also, I think I know who I am going to be for Halloween next year. . . .)

Welcome William, Jason, and Kevin!

New additions to the FACTS blog family!

Feel free to post comments and let us know how you are doing :)

Baby Books don't help, can you!?

I am 34+ weeks pregnant. I probably won't see most of you at school after Thursday because I am taking an early maternity leave. All those walking field trips are doing a number on my back and feet.

I have a dilemma (a problem), I still don't have a baby boy name! I looked through many baby books but nothing really interests me. Can you suggests some names? Something no one in this school has would be great. Something unique is even better.

I might have to sponsor a contest... hmmmm...a package of silly bands for the student that gives me a list of good suggestions?

p.s. bestist is not a word.

My DS

Guess what, I've been reading books on my Nintendo DS!

In Japan, there is a DS game called Nihon Bungaku Zenshu that contains 100 books written by famous Japanese authors. Last week, I decided to give this game a try. Well, it's not really a game per se; it's more like a compact library you can carry with you wherever you go!

I've been reading a lot of books by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. He wrote a lot of stories based on old Chinese folktales. Some of them are creepy, but I LOVE scary stories.

I found a similar game in English: 100 Classic Books. And it's coming out in June!

I'm going to do more research to see if there are more fun DS games like that.

See DS could be educational!

Welcome Jane and Michael!

Hi Jane and Michael-

We are glad to have you here. Please feel free to post comments about books you are reading.


:)


Your ESL teachers

Good Dog, Carl

My son Theodore is crazy about Carl! Carl is a dog who takes care of a baby. The mom leaves and then Carl and the baby have outrageous adventures and make it back to the crib just in time for the mom to come home.

There are almost no words in these books, just pictures that show all the crazy things that Carl and the baby do. I can make up my own words when I read them -- and so can Theodore! He points to Carl and says "Oof! Oof!"

As you can see there are a bunch of Carl books -- I'm still waiting for Carl Goes to FACTs.

Wayside School

One of my students is currently reading Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Lous Sachar. I love to conference with him because I love that book series!

My favorite character is Mr. Kidswatter the principal because he makes a rubber-band ball in his office. How silly is that!

Who is your favorite Wayside School character?

Lous Sachar's Website

Welcome Addison!

Hi Addison,

Thanks for joining our blog. Now that you are a follower make sure you check in once in awhile and post some comments. I would love to hear what is on your mind. Summer is almost here. Are you excited?

Hi Antony!

Hi Antony,

I'm so glad you've join us as a follower. Please also comment on our posts. What books are you reading for IDR? Can you tell me which character you could see yourself being friends with and why? Ask your brother, Addison, to join too!

Sincerely,
Teacher Pheng

New Books!

Good morning!

I got new books in my classroom library. Come check them out!

Robin's Bookstore in Center City was very kind to donate a number of children's books to our school. Last Friday, I, along with other teachers, went down to the first floor and picked out many books you might like to read.

One of the books I'm really excited about is Kiki's Delivery Service. You might have seen the movie, but I grew up reading this book. It means that I reread the book over and over because I loved it so much!

I can't wait for some of you to enjoy this book!

Teacher Mayuko

Katherine Paterson

Now that I finished reading The Great Gilly Hopkins, I would love to read more books written by the same author, Katherine Paterson.

I went on the internet last night, and bought 10 more books by Katherine Paterson. I can't wait for the books to come in the mail!

By the way, I've just learned that she has a website. It seems like a lot of famous authors have websites where they talk about their own lives and books they've written. Cool, isn't it?

Dissolution of T. Laura's Memory

Last night I picked up a book by an author I like. I read the first few chapters and then I thought, "This title sounds familiar."

So I checked my reading log and -- sure enough -- I already read it in 2008!

Luckily, I don't remember much of what happens, so it will be new to me. It's a mystery, so I'll still be surprised when they catch the murderer!

(Dissolution means to dissolve, to come apart into little pieces and disappear.)

My favorite author

Do you have a favorite author? Do you remember when you found your favorite author?

This fall I found mine, her name is Jennifer Weiner. She lives in Philadelphia and many of her books take place in Philadelphia. I love her characters, the characters are always smart and funny. Everyone of her books have made me cry, for me that is the sign of a good book!

Jennifer Weiner has a new book that just came out, it is called Best Friends Forever. I can't wait to read it, I am excited to find out what kind of adventure the characters will have.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

Katherine Paterson's Website

I just finished reading The Great Gilly Hopkins. What a powerful book!

I never thought this would happen, but I actually cried towards the end of the story. Just like Teacher Laura, I stayed up very late finishing up the book. (Kids, don't do this on a school night!) I just couldn't put it down...

Have you cried reading a book before?

Where's my shovel?

I stayed up *way* too late last night reading Holes! I loved how all the storylines criss-crossed!

At 11:30, I told myself "I'll just read one more page. . . ." but it was after midnight when I finally sent to bed!

(And then I dreamed about digging holes.)

Baby coming!

As many of you know I am expecting my second child July 3rd. Sabine is excited for her little brother but at the same time is a little nervous about having to share Mama and Apa! Teacher Karynn was so nice in giving two books to her today. The first book is called Best Ever Big Sister by Karen Katz. The other books she recieved is called Kite Flying by Grace Lin. Kite Flying doesn't have to do with being a big sister but it is nice to have books that have Asian characters that look kind of like her!

Before bed, Sabine and I read for at least 20 minutes every night. It is a great way to bond with her and get her to love books.

What will you be doing and reading this summer?

Hi,



Summer is just around the corner. The teachers have created this blog to communicate with you during the summer. We would like you to visit and share with us what you would be doing or what you would be reading all summer long.



Sincerely,

Teacher Pheng