Virals by Kathy Reichs

Tory Brennan and her friends are exposed to a canine parvovirus when they rescue a dog from a medical testing facility and soon realize they have heightened senses, which they use to solve a cold case murder.

A fantastic mystery read!

Writing a Paper? Try These Research Tips

Maybe you have already been hit with or soon will be hit with a major research project. Below is the FHS Research Wiki. It is just a beginning and more content will be added later. But right now it has tips on how to be an effective researcher and includes survey information that I conducted with some local college professors and former high, now college students. I hope it includes some tips and information that will guide you in researching and completing your next research project. Just click on the link below:

Research--High School and Beyond

If you need further assistance, always remember I am available as a resource. Just stop by the library.

Original Recipe Revealed?

Many news outlets from ABC News to CNN to others are reporting that the National Public Radio show "This American Life" has come across the original recipe for Coke. If you link to the text above, you can read the article, read the recipe and even vote whether you think it is the original formula. Coke of course denies that it is their original recipe. Stating that it is probably a knock off. I guess only Coke knows for sure. Although, NPR did say that really any food chemist has the ability to deconstruct the formula if they really want to make the attempt. Coca-Cola Company archivist Phil Mooney says the NPR stated recipe lacks the "bite and burn" of the real thing.

But, here is the point of this post. By reading the article on "This American Life", it is evident that the show did their research. How would they have come across this recipe if they didn't keep digging? Something led them to want to get to the bottom of this. To see if maybe they really did stumble upon the original recipe. That's what research is. It is having the persistence and desire to want to get the answer, solve the problem, find the evidence to support or dispute whatever question you are answering. Don't just scratch the surface and think that you have answered the question. If you dig deeper what you find is the real interesting, important and unique finds. In this case, NPR not only discovered a mystery that others have been trying to uncover for years. It also brought exposure and attention to their radio show and website. The big news guys picked up their story. Is it the original recipe, who knows? Just get in on the fun by voting on their site and following the tally.

Sources:

http://www.coke.com/

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/

Beatles or Stone? Which are better?

Recently I came across a great online tool called aMap which I think students can make good use of. aMap stands for argument map. It is based on informal logic, When you think about it, essentially we are use logic to argue and debate in everyday life. aMap started as a research project between a research organization and an economics foundation and has grown ever since.

To check it out and see how you can use it in a class or with a group, just go to the aMap website and link to 'Start an Argument'. Once there, you will need to set up a free account, but after that you are off and running. To 'start an argument', add the overarching question you're arguing about, and then state your position. A simple example is below:
Overarching question: Beatles or Stones?

Your position: The Beatles are way better than the Stones.

Once you have done this, post it to aMap and watch for the debate to begin.

Think about the times you need to come up with a thesis statement, decide which side of the issue you are on and then find evidence to support your argument. This seems like a great tool for starting an argument and then looking at the position others take on the topic. Try it out and let me know how it works for you. Did you find it a worthwhile tool?

Keeping Faith by Jodi Piccoult

Review by Catherine Walker, 9th grade English Teacher @ FHS.

The story and characters really draw you in to their lives, loves, and troubles. The story revolves around a little girl named Faith. Her parents separate and divorce. Faith then begins to develop what many people think of as an imaginary friend. But this is not a regular kind of imaginary friend – this friend is God. It must be rather nice to have friends in high places, don’t you think? The book keeps you going until the very last page.

Shooting Star by Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

If only, that is all Jomo Rodgers hears from his coach and fellow teammates during his first year of varsity football. They say his talent on the field is easy to spot, and local papers and college recruiters are taking notice. But reality is, recruiters have his best friend on speed dial and he is treated like a king at football-crazy Cranmer Academy. Deciding he wants to be the real deal, he decides to step things up and pronto!

Taking his coach's lecture about commitment to heart, Jomo dives into a new workout regimen that will make him strong and faster. But will it be enough and in time? Will juicing be the difference between being good and being great? It seems like an easy choice, but one that is about to make his life a whole lot harder.

This is a fascinating look from the viewpoint of a student athlete.

Sixteen-year-old Valerie, whose boyfriend Nick committed a school shooting at the end of their junior year, struggles to cope with integrating herself back into high school life, unsure herself whether she was a hero or a villain.

The Hate List reminded me of classic Gail Giles. It is a compulsive read. It explores who and why do we hate so much. It is thought-provoking and a definite must read!