Cobra Readers Agenda

Friday, November 4, 2011

 

I.                   Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

a.      Great Trip!

b.      Feedback?

 

II.                Next Book: Crushed by Laura & Tom McNeal

a.      We had a fun pot-luck discussion about Rot and Ruin on Halloween.  Thanks to all who brought refreshments.  Book blogger and Cobra Readers member Lilibeth Ramos conducted an author interview with John Maberry!  See it online at http://chicareader.blogspot.com/2010/10/mini-interview-with-johnathan-maberry.html?m=1

 

b.      Our next book will be:  Crushed by Laura and Tom McNeal.  It’s available for check out after the meeting today.

c.       Description: 

                                         i.    Audrey and her best friends Lea and C.C. have just arrived at Jemison High from the one-room private school where they spent grades six through ten, where they performed Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, where they adored Edith Wharton. They’re a nerdy little trio, so everyone is shocked when the handsome new guy, Wickham Hill, asks Audrey out.
Audrey is soon so smitten that she hardly pays any mind to the vicious underground newspaper at school–or to that strange lurking guy in World Cultures. Before long, it seems everyone at Jemison High is worried about getting crushed–by friends, by enemies, by a mysterious reporter.

d.      Our book discussion will be on Friday, December 9th at 11:30 in the Media Center.

 

V.               Miami Dade Book Fair—Pre-Book Fair Author Event!!!

a.     Thursday, Nov. 17th Field Trip (A-Day)

                                                              i.       8am-1:45pm

                                                            ii.      See author Mireya Mayor who wrote Pink Boots and a Machete

1.       Against all odds, this self-professed former "girly girl" daughter of overprotective Cuban immigrants blossomed from NFL cheerleader to Fulbright Scholar to field scientist and ultimately, quintessential adventurer. Now, with more than a decade's worth of thrilling exploits under her belt, Mayor recounts her life in a riveting, awe-inspiring new book.  In a series of short chapters, she relives each exhilarating event with uncanny charm and self-deprecating humor. 
Throughout this unforgettable volume, she describes in stunning detail how she survived a plane crash...slept in jungles teeming with poisonous snakes...dove with hungry great white sharks...rappelled down a 14,000-foot sinkhole in search of frogs...draws blood from critically endangered lemurs...was charged by an angry silver-backed gorilla...was chased by elephants...and the list goes.

 

                                                          iii.      Can only take 30 students. When you bring back the signed field trip form you will officially be put on the list. This one is free because Miami Dade College is paying for our bus!   Note: You will need to bring money to purchase lunch that day or bring lunch from home.

 

 

 

 

 

VI.           Miami Dade Book Fair!!!

a.       Friday, Nov. 18th Field Trip (B-day)

                                                              i.      7:20am-2:20pm

 

                                                            ii.      Can only take 30 students—you must be actively attending meetings, bring back you signed field trip form and $6.00. It’s first come, first served.  Note: You will need to bring money to purchase lunch that day, or bring lunch from home.

 

                                                          iii.      Will see author Mark Kurlansky, author of Battle Fatigue, from 9:30-10:30am in a program called Student Literary Encounters

1.    Growing up in the years following World War II, Joel Bloom and his friends dreamed of either fighting in the military or leading the Dodgers to the World Series. But when Joel turns eighteen, the Vietnam War is in full swing, and the sides of war he learned about as a child are not nearly as clear. Old enough to be drafted, Joel loves his country but knows he cannot fight in an unjust war. After trying and failing to be a Conscientious Objector, he must decide whether to serve in Vietnam or leave for Canada-a decision that would help him avoid the violence of war but force him to leave behind those he loves and turn his back on everything he was brought up to believe. In an insightful and compelling novel from bestselling nonfiction writer Mark Kurlansky comes an exploration of one teen's struggle to understand himself amid the harsh realities of life during wartime.

                                                          iv.      The rest of the time (until 1:15) is for shopping and lunch.

 

 

 

VII.          Community Service: Work at the Miami Dade Book Fair

a.      Dates: Sat. Nov., 19 and/or Sun., Nov. 20 from 9:30 to 2:00pm and/or 1:30-6:00

b.      Get the three-page handout with permission slip and details and take it with you.

 

VIII.       Community Service:  Operation Paperback

a.      Book drive for members of the military stationed abroad

                                                              i.      Goal: Send out our first shipment for Veteran’s Day.

                                                            ii.      Next Step:  We need your help:

1.      Bring any small mailing boxes (that could fit 2-3 books) that you might have lying around at home. Drop them off in the Media Center.

2.      We could benefit from donations of packing tape for packages.

3.      Please write a personal note on the form letter we will be sending with each book. (It will be passed out at the meeting today.)  You could write a note of gratitude for their service, or that you hope they enjoy the book, etc. It’s hard to be deployed far from home, and receiving a handwritten note is a morale booster!

4.      Come on Monday, Nov. 7th during lunch to help sort books into genres.

5.      Come on Tuesday, Nov. 8th during lunch help label and pack the books.

6.      Let’s make our first shipment great. It’s wonderful to touch people through books!

 

IX.             Community Service: http://www.knit-a-square.com/:  Come on Tuesdays during lunch or after school until 3pm.

a.      knit 8” squares (which will be sewn into blankets) for AIDS orphans in South Africa (South Africa has over 1.4 million AIDS orphans)

b.      Each square will go into a blanket to keep a child warm; 40 squares are needed to make a blanket

c.       If you have knitting experience, great!  If you don’t, you can learn.

                                                              i.      You will need a skein of worsted weight yarn and size 4 knitting needles

d.      Interested?  Meet:  Tuesdays at lunch on the black sofas.

 

X.                Decorate the Media Center for the Holidays

a.      What:  Get in the holiday spirit!

b.      When:  Tuesday, November 29th from 2:20-4:00

c.       Bring:  a holiday treat to share with others

 

XI.             Fundraising:

a.      Bake Sale on November 14, 15, 16th

                                                              i.      All members are asked to contribute baked goods and/or packaged items that kids would want to buy!

                                                            ii.      This fundraising is essential—we have almost no money to buy books or mail packages for Operation Paperback.

                                                          iii.      We’ll sell in the Media Center and in the hall between classes. Please come by to help sell.

b.      Note: we will be having a candy sale in January.

 

 

XII.          Upcoming Events: 

a.      Nov. 30-Dec. 12th

                                                              i.       Book Drive (new or gently-used for ages 6-7)  and Toy Drive (new, unwrapped toy for ages 5-10) with South Miami-K-8 center

                                                            ii.      We will be taking a walking field trip on Tuesday, Nov. 13 (A-Day) during the morning to read to first graders and help them sort toys. You must donate two books if you would like to go. Field trip forms will be available on December 1st.

 

 

XIII.       Next  Meeting:  Friday, December 2nd