What Ms. Lawver read this summer.

I hope everyone had a great summer full of reading!  Here is a re-cap of what I read this summer.

I started off finishing George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, with A Dance with Dragons.  This series (for adults) was a bit long, even for me, but I did enjoy it.

Sleepaway Girls, a perfect light summer read for girls.

Trapped, this book was a bit intense as 5 students are stranded at school in a blizzard.

The Lying Game, this was also a good mystery.  I need to read the next book so I can find out who the killer is!

Epitaph Road, a dystopian novel where women rule the world and very few men and boys actually survive...

Queen Bees and Wannabees, this is a good one for parents of teen girls.  It discusses the drama and cliques of adolescence.

Out of Sight out of Time, the fifth book in the Gallagher Girls Series, another great adventure.

When You Reach Me, I can see why this is a popular book (also a mystery), but I didn't love it.  It was good, but not a favorite for me.

The whole Dead is...  series.  I was really surprised with how much I liked these.  It is a paranormal series with great mysteries.  The series actually has a second set (books 6 and 7 are out), with new main characters, I look forward to reading those too.

Not pictured:

Just Listen, by Sarah Dessen.  Probably my least favorite of my summer reads, it was a heavy novel dealing with older teen issues.

Uncommon Criminals, by Ali Carter.  I am halfway through with this, and like the Gallagher Girls (same author), it is a great adventure/mystery with strong female protagonists.

"Ms. Lawver, you read too many girly books!"

- I know... sorry, boys... I will have some recommendations for you too soon.  Trapped and Epitaph Road were both "not girly" (really!) and I keep meaning to read the Ranger's Apprentice books... 

Jacob

Jacob says there aren't enough 7th graders on this blog.  He is right... I will work on it!

7th graders at Field Day!

Um... I have a few more photos, but they didn't come out well, so I will try to snag some from Senor so that there is enough blue for this blog!

Jackson and Bailey

Maggie and Madi can't wait till next year, they love pink deep down.

8th Graders at Field Day!

Justin, JT and Dean with their root beer floats, they love sugar, and pink.

Jackie and Naveena are having so much fun, they don't even notice who is photo-bombing their picture.

Nicole with the heavy hammer. 

Joel and Jason show their pink spirit.

Julia and Elise at the morning rally.

Mikayla, Mack, Elle and Mikayla love pink!

Zach is so excited for the day, he can't stand it.  He stayed up all night with excitement.  His excitement is overflowing.  Even his tie is excited!

Annika has no idea who her father is?

Jake attacked a pink leopard for his pants.

Chris and George are so ready to beat the yellow and blue.

Immigrant Bazaar

Today, Thursday, the students (immigrants) put on an international bazaar.  Each group had a booth to represent the culture of the country they had just emigrated from.

 Two Italians playing chess.

 Egypt group

Nick and his borscht.

Origami at the Japanese table.

Elise and Jordan with baklava

Ellis Island

On Tuesday, our 8th grade students did a simulation of what it was like to be an immigrant going through Ellis Island.  Most students played the role of immigrants from various nations with hopes of entering America.  Other students played the role of processors, determined to only let the worth immigrants enter.

Groups of immigrants waiting to enter Ellis Island:

These doctors are making sure that the immigrants are healthy enough to enter America.

An angry Italian guy getting deported.

Civil War

Last week we were delighted to invite Dr. Wells back to Stone Valley.  He presented many interesting facts, uniforms, supplies, weapons and stories from the Civil War.

Ethan all dressed up as a Union Cavalry Soldier!