Ashley+B-Mrs.+Shipman

=Week 4= In this week's reading, the principal decided to hold a contest to determine who would be allowed to finish the school year in the overflow trailers. The students competed by decorating lockers and in some cases, suitcases. Since Massie had stated that Alicia needed to get rid of the boys to get back in the group, Alicia read the wrong names when announcing the winners of the contest. When the principal objected, Alicia told Principal Burns that there were pending lawsuits.The contest served two purposes: the boys were no longer in the picture and Alicia was back in the group. I did enjoy the book, but at times struggled to keep the characters straight. I think junior high girls would especially enjoy this book. Massie changed somewhat at the end of the book by allowing the "boyfast" to come to an end. When she seemed to have a new love interest, she eased up on her friends and their continued interest in boys. Allthough the book was written for mostly entertainment, perhaps we could learn how not to treat other people. I do have some questions now that I have read the book, but I am sure some of them will be answered in the next book

Ashley-- I too have enjoyed writing back and forth. You mentioned that one of your favorite parts was the makeover part and the nicknames. I thought that was funny too, but I guess we have to be careful to always remember the golden rule. I know that my boys will say funny things about other people and I have to fight hard not to laugh because it isn't nice. You asked if I like it when students share personal things. As a teacher, you have to be careful and walk a fine line. Sometimes students share things with you that literally break your heart. If they share things about possible abuse, a teacher must report it. I have had to do that a few times. Other times, they may share things about their lifestyle that is not abuse, but just very sad. When my daughter was student teaching, one of her students lost his mother to cancer. She was so sad and didn't know how to help the student. She ended up having him come to her room during study hall to help him catch up. Sometimes, it can be unprofessional to get too personal with your students. If a student starts to share something too personal, I usually have them go talk to the guidance counselor who is better equipped to help them.

I will be coming tomorrow night. My daughter has a band concert at 7 so I will need to leave about 6. I don't think we have to just sit and discuss the book. The last time we broke into groups and just sort of hung around together. It was fun!

See you then, Mrs. Shipman

= Week 3 Adult: Mrs. Shipman = Student: Ashley Bergbower Book Title: __Bratfest At Tiffany’s__ Pages Read 88-161

-Please focus on the protagonist, the main character, or antagonist, who is another important character.

To be included in your response… v Summarize this week’s reading, focusing on a description of the character. v Does the character remind you of yourself or someone else you know? Why? v What personality traits of this person would you like to acquire? Why? v Would you want to be friends with this character? Why or Why not?

In __Bratfest At Tiffany’s__ Massie Block is the protagonist. She can be controlling, snobby, rude, glamorous, funny, a little bit of everything else. Now that the NPC is split up, Massie is in full control of the overflow LBR’s. She has recreated the trailers in chic complexes. Massie learns in this section, that the secret to staying the Alpha, is to make people want to be in her situation. So, she transforms the overflow trailers. Massie Block reminds me of my friend. She thinks everything has to be perfect, her way or the highway, and she can be bossy, controlling, but I still love her. If I could be Massie I would defiantly want traits like picture perfect body, great with boys, Alpha of the school, and a great fashion sense. If I went BOCD I would defiantly try to be friends with Massie, but I don’t know if she would accept me. Even though she accepted Claire Loins whom she thought a first was an LBR. Massie is someone who gives great gifts, and who doesn’t enjoy a fabulous gift, that is one of the numerous reasons I would want to be her friend. The antagonist of this book I would say is Alicia. Alicia plays a big part in how the story moves along. Alicia reminds me of myself. She isn’t afraid to say something or go against someone, if she thinks it is what’s best. Alicia now that she is kicked out of the NPC, doesn’t really have a best friend. She feels like a loner sometimes, but puts on a façade as if everything is ok. I absolutely would be Alicia’s friends, because she seems so much like myself.

**Directions**: This section is for you and your partner to discuss your reading. Include responses, opinions, etc. What do you think will happen next? //You may also chat about other things besides your book//. Hey Mrs. Shipman,

I really liked the book so far!! I read on a little bit and found out that Massie is now giving the LBRs new makeovers. Who do you think you are most like in the book? I think I am most like Alicia. I love fashion, I can’t run, love animals, and challenging yourself. I can’t wait to see what happens either!!! I can tell you like Robinson, a lot. I noticed one day that you were wearing a Robinson racket. Do you just cheer for Robinson, because of your son or do you cheer for Newton also. I don’t know any Robinson kids, so I don’t know if they are better dressed than us. I love American Eagle too. They always have new stuff every time I go shopping. By the way did I tell you I love shopping? I would have to say that in Jr. High we do have cliques. Everyone has people that they get along with better, so cliques happen. I don’t think that anyone from Newton acts like the NPC, but I’m sure we all wish we could dress like them. A quote that Massie once said was “everyone girl wants to be me and every guy wants to be with me.”(Harrison) If you could buy your kids expensive clothes would you buy them for your kids first, yourself, or not at all. I don’t know whom I would by them for first. I have to say that you bummed me out, on the candy thing. I was hopping I would get some free stuff. Ha, ha!! I hope your daughter gets a job! I try not to think of things like jobs, but I now that one day I have to. When I do have to have a job I don’t want to work at Hardee’s or somewhere like that. If I could I would want to work at Maurice’s or somewhere that had to do with clothes, that is near by. Not Wal-Mart!! Where was your first job? Did you like it? Did it ever help you in life?

Ashley Bergbower Week 3 Please focus on the protagonist, the main character, or antagonist, who is another important character.

To be included in your response… v Summarize this week’s reading, focusing on a description of the character. v Does the character remind you of yourself or someone else you know? Why? v What personality traits of this person would you like to acquire? Why? v Would you want to be friends with this character? Why or Why not?

I really like the book so far as well. I am sorry again for writing late. I was in Springfield on Friday and St. Louis yesterday. I actually finished the book yesterday on the bus. I agree that Massie is the protagonist. She is manipulative, rude, hurtful, beautiful, powerful, out-going, and very popular. She reminds of some of the soriety girls I went to college with. She does not remind me of myself. I am pretty shy and in school kept to myself most of the time. I was friendly with everyone, but definitely did not like to be the center of attention. I wish I could be a little more like Massie in that she has a great sense of fashion. Growing up, we were kind of poor. My parents always provided for us, but I didn't have the clothes I would have liked. I think that is why I always make sure my kids have nice clothes. I don't really think that I would want to be friends with Massie because she would make me feel terrible about myself. She really is everything that I am not and I don't think she would like me very much, so I wouldn't even try. Of all the girls in the NPC, I am probably most like Claire. She doesn't have all the clothes, but still fits in. Instead of trying to fight outright for Cam, she avoids the situation. When the opportunity presented itself to make him jealous, she took full advantage. I avoid conflict for as long as I can and then I look for ways to solve the situation. I agree that Alicia is the protagonist. I am not like her, but I admire how she tries to tackle any roadblock and she also does not allow Massie to push her around.

Hey Ashley:) I do like Robinson, but I haven't always. I grew up in Oblong and we were pretty big rivals. I never would have dreamed I would one day cheer for the Maroons! However, love has a way of changing things. I feel extremely proud to wear maroon and white now to represent my kids. It is funny, but when Robinson plays Newton at the junior high level, I cheer for both teams. My kids think I am a little weird, but since I know so many kids from here, it wouldn't seem right not to cheer for them. Of course, I feel disappointed for whichever teams loses. At the high school level, it is kind of a different story. When Newton plays Robinson, I only cheer for Robinson. When Newton plays anyone else, I of course cheer for them. I usually buy clothes for my kids first. My oldest daughter and I share clothes most of the time (this can be good and bad). Good because you have more to choose from, but bad when she wears something that I had planned to wear. I think my boys dress well for boys. They both have a pretty good sense of fashion. They like to wear button up shirts and always wear undershirts. They also make sure they smell good. My 10-year-old needs a little help with her fashion sense. She sometimes dresses in ways we consider a little embarrassing, but we don't tell her.

My first job was working at Pizza Hut as a waitress. It was very hard work, it made me not be so shy, and it improved my "people skills". I definitely recommend waitressing since it will be the hardest job and it will make you want to get an education so you won't get stuck doing it for the rest of your life! Until next time, Mrs. Shipman