Author Gordon Korman publishes number 101

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman book review and teaching resources for novel study.

Gordon Korman is a Canadian-born author who has written over 100 books for children and young adults. He was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1963 and began writing at a young age. Korman's writing career began when he was just 12 years old when he wrote his first novel, "This Can't Be Happening at MacDonald Hall". The book was published when he was only 14 years old, and it became the first in a series of popular books about the misadventures of Bruno and Boots, two friends attending a boarding school.

Korman's writing is known for its humor and relatable characters. He has written a variety of books, including sports stories, mysteries, and adventure tales. Some of his most popular titles include "Swindle", "The Hypnotists", and "Ungifted". Korman's books have been translated into 32 languages and have sold over 28 million copies worldwide.

His latest novel, Mixed Up, is about two boys who have never met that are slowly losing their personal memories to each other. It borders on science fiction, but with a strong flair for reality. This novel was officially released July 18, 2023.

In addition to writing books, Korman has also written for television. He co-created and wrote for the show "Kids' Court" and has also written for "Crazy Quilt" and "The Adventures of Hyperman". Korman has won numerous awards for his writing, including the Silver Birch Award, the Red Cedar Award, and the Golden Oak Award.

Overall, Gordon Korman is a talented and prolific author who has captivated readers of all ages with his humorous and relatable stories. His work has had a significant impact on children's literature and will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Blue Binder Lessons has written educational resources to use with Mixed Up, this latest novel, in your classroom.

- Discussion questions with space for the students to write their answers AND sample teacher answers for every question
- Creative Connections to give students a chance to connect to the novel in a creative way
- One Pager activity with 3 different versions for differentiation.
- THE BUNDLE - Get all three and save!!
Everything is designed to Print and Go, or to be completed online if your technology allows for writing on a PDF.
It is all done for you, making teaching this a breeze.

The Fort by Gordon Korman - book review and teaching resources

 

The Fort is Gordon Korman’s 100th book, and he has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one.

This novel is about five friends who bond over a shared secret shelter they find in the woods one day after a storm. Told in alternating points of view, this book is filled with humor and heart as readers learn about each boy and their personal struggles outside of the friend group.

One of the things that sets Gordon Korman's writing apart is his ability to create relatable characters that readers can't help but root for. Whether it's Mitchell struggling with his OCD, or Evan and his big brother Luke living with their grandparents, Korman's characters are always memorable and endearing.

Another hallmark of Korman's writing is his use of humor. He has a knack for finding the funny side of any situation, and his books are filled with witty one-liners and clever wordplay. But his humor never feels forced or out of place - it's always an integral part of the story and the characters.

But Korman's writing isn't just entertaining - it's also meaningful. Many of his books deal with important themes like friendship, perseverance, and standing up for what you believe in. And while his stories may be geared towards younger readers, they often have messages that are relevant to people of all ages.

Overall, Gordon Korman is a writer who knows how to capture the imaginations of his readers. His books are funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking, and his characters are some of the most memorable in children's literature. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to his work, there's no doubt that the novel The Fort is something special.

Blue Binder Lessons has written educational resources to use with The Fort in your classroom.

- Discussion questions with space for the students to write their answers AND sample teacher answers for every question

- Creative Connections to give students a chance to connect to the novel in a creative way

- One Pager activity with 3 different versions for differentiation. 

- THE BUNDLE - Get all three and save!!

Everything is designed to Print and Go, or to be completed online if your technology allows for writing on a PDF.  

It is all done for you, making teaching this a breeze.

A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga - book review and lesson ideas

 

A Rover’s Story is a middle grade novel about a fictional Mars rover who has been built and then sent to Mars to survey the planet, find a previously sent rover, and help determine whether Mars is suited to human living. The story is told from two perspectives, mostly from the rover (whose name is Resilience, or Res) and also Sophie, the daughter of one of the scientists who is building the rover. As he’s being built, Res discovers that he’s experiencing human emotions. Eventually, Res is sent to Mars and readers follow his mission there as he makes decisions based on these emotions. 

Author Jasmine Warga has done an excellent job humanizing this rover and drawing readers into his thoughts and actions. It definitely has a “Wall-E” sort of feel to the story, and readers will be rooting for him at all stages of his mission. This book would be wonderful as a read aloud for the whole class, or for individual students to read to themselves.

Blue Binder Lessons has written educational resources to use this novel in your classroom.

- Discussion questions with space for the students to write their answers AND sample teacher answers for every question

- Creative Connections to give students a chance to connect to the novel in a creative way

- One Pager activity with 3 different versions for differentiation.

- STEM Connection to build from home or in class 

- THE BUNDLE - Get all four and save!!

Everything is designed to Print and Go, or to be completed online if your technology allows for writing on a PDF.  

It is all done for you, making teaching this a breeze.

Unplugged by Gordon Korman - book review and teacher resources for novel study

 

Unplugged is a captivating young adult novel written by Gordon Korman. The story follows a group of teens who are sent to a digital detox camp in the wilderness. They are stripped of their phones, computers, and other devices and forced to confront their addiction to technology. The main character, Jett, is a tech-savvy teenager who initially struggles with the idea of being unplugged. As the story unfolds, Jett discovers the joys of nature and the importance of face-to-face communication. The book is a timely commentary on the role of technology in our lives and the need to disconnect and connect with the real world. With its relatable characters and thought-provoking message, Unplugged is a must-read for anyone looking to unplug and reconnect.

This is a gripping novel that explores the dangers of our reliance on technology. The story follows a group of teenagers who are sent to a technology-free summer camp, where they are forced to disconnect from their devices and learn to live without constant stimulation. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. Korman's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making this novel an enjoyable read for both young adults and adults. Overall, Unplugged is a timely and important book that raises important questions about the role of technology in our lives.

Blue Binder Lessons has written educational resources to use this novel in your classroom.

- Discussion questions with space for the students to write their answers AND sample teacher answers for every question

- Creative Connections to give students a chance to connect to the novel in a creative way

- One Pager activity with 3 different versions for differentiation.

- THE BUNDLE - Get all three and save!! 

Everything is designed to Print and Go, or to be completed online if your technology allows for writing on a PDF. 

It is all done for you, making teaching this a breeze.

Marking the end of my summer

 Every summer for the last two decades I have gone to our State Fair (minus last year’s covid summer.) It always marks the end of my time off from school.  I get to wander through the buildings looking at projects (my muffins won a ribbon this year!) and all sorts of animals, including the World’s Largest Hog weighing in at 1,134 pounds. Do you also have something that makes it feels like our break is almost over?

But even as I watch my son on the Midway rides, my mind heads toward the first day of school.  What plans have you begun to make? Here are a few of my ideas to save you time planning during your last few days of freedom.

Last year I designed a One-Pager to go with the book Be You by Peter H. Reynolds and I think it would be perfect for a get-to-know-you activity.  I might read the book to my class or find a video online where the author is reading.

I also like the read-aloud book Weslandia by Paul Fleishman to introduce our year, making connections to social studies.  The students pull out elements to explain how the boy’s country has its own culture, government, and economy. This is a
FREE lesson link.

Check out these two lessons I have used in my first few days. TPT is planning a sale starting tomorrow (August 3-4) and our store will be 20% off. You can also use the code BTS21 for an additional 5% off for a total of 25% off.

Hope you’re enjoying a good book!

-Blue Binder Lessons

Summertime - relax and read!

Summer is finally here for us in Indiana and while the temperatures are climbing, I’ve been spending more time hanging out with the air conditioning on my couch.  Lots of books on my To Be Read pile, and I have been enjoying a few new pieces. If you are not already, you should join us in our Facebook group Bookchat from the Middle for discussing what we are currently reading. It’s always great to hear from other teachers on what they are enjoying or suggesting for their students.

As we all relax a bit during the break, it’s hard to not think about what the fall will hold for us. Normal class numbers? Still social distancing? Hybrid learning? No matter what happens when we return, one thing will always remain the same. BOOKS! :) Focus on what we love to share with the kids and the rest will work itself out.

So no matter where you decide to spend your time off, please enjoy the stories you fall into. And if you find one that you love, head online to share it with us.

 📚

Hope you’re enjoying a good book!

-Blue Binder Lessons

One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn Novel Study

Click on photos for more information.

This bundle of activities is for the novel One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn -- a historical fiction AND paranormal book that should be quite popular with your students. 

The set includes the chapter questions and flipbook of literary elements.

Chapter Questions:

 There is a question for each chapter of the book, for a total of 25 questions.

-The questions are a mixture of higher level thinking questions and are intended to be short answer, with one or two paragraphs for each response. They are NOT multiple choice, and would NOT be as helpful for a quick check for understanding.

In this resource, you will find three version of the questions. Use the directions included to pull out the version you need.

1. Printable version - student packet with a cover sheet and three questions on each page. Lines for each answer.

2. Student questions with no lines. Teachers or students can add text boxes to the PDF for typing if your technology allows that.

3. The entire list of questions on just three pages so that students could write their answers in a reading journal they already have or type their answers separately and submit them electronically.

-For each question there is also a model answer included in the file. While answers may vary in your classroom, these sample pieces would be a good place to start, especially if you are leading a class discussion.

Click on photos for more info.

Topics include:

Comparing and contrasting characters, settings, situations, etc.

Descriptions, processes, details from history.

Changes, motivations, and being in a character's shoes.

Summarizing, positives and negatives, and unknowns.

Designing a better solution, and point of view.

Students can write on the pages, type on a computer, or write in a journal.  Lots of flexibility!!

Flipbook of Literary Elements:

This FLIP BOOK is for One for Sorrow. Use it as an on-going check for literary understanding, an end of the unit assessment, or a simple book report. Great for Literature Circles.

-You should be able to print this out, fold, and go. No cutting necessary. Save paper!! (Black and white version also included to save on ink.) Includes directions if you need help folding. 

Click on photos for more info.

Each panel discusses a different literary element.

-Characters – Who are the main ones and then choose one to dig a little deeper.

-Setting – Thinking about the time and the place, describe two different settings from the book and decide if the setting influences other elements.

-Conflict – Character vs Character, Character vs Nature, Character vs Self, and Character vs Society.

-Summary – Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then technique, summarize this novel.

-Theme – What is the topic of our book? How is that different than the theme?

-Also places for some sketches or drawings, just to keep it interesting.

This entire bundle would be perfect for something spooky to read or a unit on paranormal stories.