Hunger Games

I love what I do.  I enjoy spending time with the kids at school. They are difficult at times, but they challenge me beyond belief.  This year in particular, I have found that finding exciting things for them to read is difficult.  Out of the 130 kids on my roster this year, maybe thirty of them are really interested in reading.  In total exasperation this week, I asked them what they would read if I gave them the option.  Over and over again, I kept hearing "The Hunger Games."  In the back of my head, I am thinking. "Really?  I read that entire series this past summer. Where have you guys been," but I didn’t say a word.  

Since my department account has a zero balance, thanks to the two new IPads that I purchased for the department, buying a set of thirty books for my classroom wasn’t going to come from the district.  What to do? What to do?  Ya know, Amazon really gives educators a great deal on books and shipping.  After a while browsing, I shot off an e-mail to my administrator asking for permission to read The Hunger Games with my kiddos.  This would be a no strings attached read.  We would spend the next two weeks and read a book together.  They would be my guest readers.  Grades would be based on participation.  No quizzes, no tests, no homework, and no pressure.  Just one huge book club that consists of 130 kids wrapping themselves up in wonderfully written words.  My administrator said yes, and I clicked proceed to checkout on Amazon.  The books were on my porch the next morning!

I am so excited that I can hardly stand it.  They started the read today with a sub.  Where was I? Well, the district had a curriculum meeting. I can’t wait to get back tomorrow and see what they have to say about the first couple of chapters of the book.  What will they think of Katniss Everdeen? How will they process a modern day civil war that has divided the United States? Will they pick up on all the symbolism? Will they recognize a dystopian society and compare it with the utopian society of Jonas from The Giver by Lois Lowery?  This book has so many teachable possibilities that I am giddy with anticipation, and I can’t wait to get started tomorrow.

While I was at it, I obtained permission to take these kiddos to see the upcoming movie.  Field trips so totally rule!  They are totally going to love this!  Even their final project that consists of the creation of a board game that represents the book will be a blast.  I am keeping my fingers crossed for a great outcome for this book.  

Read a book for fun….hummmmm…..a novel concept!

Lora