T-Day Trivia

Dec. 6th: Who gets sent to the A.S.D.?

T-Day Trivia

Which two books have twin characters? (I can only think of two; if you think of a third and can bring me evidence from the text, you get a bonus point!)

T-Day Trivia worth 2 today!

What is Grandpa Melvin obsessed with?

T-Day #3

What skill saves Mirka's life?

(And by the way, no one answered the question, "Who burgled the poultry?" Joshua says he knows the answer, so ask him if it's driving you crazy, too. )

T-Day Trivia #2

Arielle from 6th grade won Tuesday's T-Day Trivia! Today's question is:
What city was engulfed in flames?

T-Day Trivia #1

Who falls off a horse and needs help getting home?

MCBA Book Clubs Begin

Fifth graders began listening to Ada's story last week:

Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him. 

(Description from goodreads.com)

Fourth graders began listening to this twisted tale last week:

Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.
(Description from goodreads.com)



Sixth graders, don't worry! Ms. Hermans has you covered…

PARTICIPATION POINTS UPDATE!

Here are the new points and totals as of 2/25/16, counted by Team MCBA:

BOOKS READ and TDAY TRIVIA POINTS:
4th grade: 60
5th grade: 75
6th grade 107

CONTEST POINTS:
4th grade: 32.5
5th grde: 21.5
6th grade: 31.5

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS SIGN UPS:
4th grade: 13
5th grade: 12
6th grade:  8

NEW TOTALS (new points + old points)
4th grade: 317.5
5th grade: 254
6th grade: 300.5

Next week is the final week of MCBA season! All points are due by the end of school on Thursday, 3/3. Door decoration contest is due at that time as well. Go teams! : )

In the character's shoes winners…

We asked author Natasha Lowe to judge our writing contest, "If you were in the character's shoes." She read all ten entries and decided that Natalia's piece, "Natalia in Hurricane Katrina" pulled her in the most.  Congratulations, Natalia! Here is an excerpt from her story:

My mom and dad say I worry too much. They say I get worked up way too much about the littlest things. Things I don't have the right to worry about. But when the levies have just broken, and there's a category 5 hurricane on your tail… When you've just refused to go to the Super Dome, the only safe place in the whole of New Orleans, because they won't let your pets in… When your home sweet home has just turned into a deadly ocean before your eyes, and you have nowhere to go, I think I have the right to be worried.

Pet Profile Winners Announced (Finally!)

We are happy to announce the winners of the Pet Profile contest, judged by staff at the Dakin Humane Society.
The Dakin Award: Alistair the Alpaca
(by Ms. Hermans!)
The Dixie Dog Award: Gabe
(by Sara H.)
The Famous Feline Award: Tartar Sauce (by Henry)

Most Creative Creature Award: Lora the Llama (Natalia)

Thank you to all participants!

If you were in the character's shoes…

Our next contest invites students to walk in a character's shoes as s/he attempts to survive a difficult situation. This contest, created by Anastasia, was inspired by Zane and the Hurricane and I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001. 

Rules: Choose an exciting survival scene from one of these books or another MCBA book. Write the scene as if you were there. Include what you would do, who you'd be with, where you'd be, and your reactions. You may choose to include an image if you want.

Entries are due on Tuesday, February 2nd.

The Comic Contest winners

Over 20 students entered our Comic Contest. This contest was inspired by the graphic titles included in our MCBA Mashup list: The Underground Abductor and El Deafo. Kaileann, a member of Team MCBA, created this contest.

We asked the kind staff at Modern Myths Comics and Games in Northampton to judge the contest. Not only did they judge the contest but they provided Marvel Comics calendars for the winners! Here are the winning comics:

Best Writing (by Shae)

Best Art (by Jordan)

Best Visual Storytelling (by Natalia)

Store Staff Favorite (by Emilio)

Class Participation Points--FINALLY!

For all of you competitive readers out there, here are point totals as of Thursday, January 21st when the indefatigable (long word meaning they never get tired) Team MCBA helped me count them.

(Note: This score does not include the Pet Profile points or books recorded last week.)

BOOKS READ

pixabay.com

4th: 147
5th: 124.5
6th: 102

CONTEST POINTS
4th: 52
5th: 13.5
6th: 48

T-DAY TRIVIA POINTS
4th: 6
5th: 7.5
6th: 4

INDEPENDENT PROJECTS:
4th: 7

TOTALS
4th: 212
5th:145.5
6th: 154

Amazing Baked Goods!

The baked goods brought in for this year's MCBA Baking Contest were beautiful, delicious, and varied! They included cupcakes, cookies, brownies, scones, elephant ears (!), pies, and more! Thanks again to Chef Gail and Rob for judging!