Hidden+Talents


 * Week One: October 1**

Topic: Characters (Section 1 out of 5 of your text pg.1-40) What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not?-
 * Leader-Kendall Marsh**

In our story " Hidden Talents" So far there are two main characters. One's Name is Torchie, Torchie likes to start fires and cause trouble. The main character's name is Martin he was sent to a reform school because he was causing so much trouble at home and got kicked out of many schools in the past. His parents felt like there was no other choice. I fell like i am drawn to torchy the most beacause you never know what he is going to do next. It makes it sort of suspenseful. I really can't stand the principal becuase he really need to lighten up. He is very uptight even when Martin was telling him Jokes.


 * Key Questioner- Gabriella Fiorino**

1. In the beginning of the book, what is Martin describing and how does he feel about it. 2. How does Martin's attitude get him into trouble a lot? Provide 2 examples explaining why. 3. Does Martin and Bloodbath's relationship remind you of any situation you witnessed? 4. Do you think Martin will develop a great relationship with Torchie and Cheater? Why or why not. 5. Does the title relate and represent the novel?


 * Key Questioner- Matthew Nussbaum**

1. Describe Martin Anderson. 2. Why doesn't Martin's dad like Martina and think he's a good kid? 3. Do you think Torchie started the fire? Why or why not? 4. How does Torchie describe Martin in the letter to his mom and dad? 5. Describe Martin's mom, dad, and sister.

Quote A- Martin: I got on the wrong bus? This is what Martin says to the principle after asked why he's at Edgeworth and it shows why he's there. Quote B- Torchie: See no flames, I just like the sparks. This shows why Torchie is here and how he's so open and friendly to Martin. Quote C- Bloodbath: This is my school, the teachers may think they run it, but I'm in charge. This shows how much of a jerk he is to everyone and how he puts himself into power. Quote D- Cheater: Not everyone, and I don't cheat, I don't have to. This shows another character who's a smart kid, but also is revealed to be self-conscious too. Quote E- Torchie: Parsons keeps trying different stuff. This shows a major teacher, Mr. Parsons, who is experimental but has a bad temper although Martin pretty much tries to get on his bad side.
 * Quotation Finder- Brian McKenna**

During the meeting are group went over the quotations that Brian had found in the book. As a group Brian read off each of his quotes that he found and we discussed each one and if needed he clarified what each quote ment. After that we went over some of the questions in the book that we had. We were able to go over about 3 of them but then the period ended. we went over a couple of Gabbys but none of matts. for the first 5 minutes of the meeting we didn't start going over the work but after that we started to go over the things. Once we went over the the quotes we talked alittle about each character that we were introduced to in the book so far.After that we went over a couple of events that happened. Then went over some of the questions til the period ended.
 * Group Summarizer-Matthew Lantry**


 * Week Two: October 8**

**Group Leader-Brian McKenna**

Is it easy to read? Conversational? "Classic"? Does it use a lot of words you don't understand? What grade level do you think the book is written at, and why? The language was very conversational and very easy to read. It also contains letters that shows other kids' back stories and what teachers really think of Martin. There are not really hard to read words and was written towards 7-9 graders because it uses profanity and some modern slang.

1. " Hi. My name is Martin Anderson, and I'm not bald". It shows how Martin disrespects the teachers and anything related to school. 2. " I hope the other teachers aren't that sensitive. Is his class always like this." I shows how Martin is trying to get familiar with the school and the teachers. 3. " Shut up! Just shut up!" This shows how Lucky all of the time says things at random. 4. " Are you an idiot?" It shows how Mr. Langhorn teaches his class differently like other teachers and he does not take any nonsense in his class. 5. "They made me light fires. Can you believe that? For a whole hour they just kept making me burn pieces of paper." This shows how the faculty knows what each student's personality is, and they try to fix the problem with their talent.
 * Quotation Finder-Gabriella Fiorino**

1.) How does martin’s experience with each of his teachers go and explain what happened? With most of his teachers he is hated by them except for mr. briggs who is nice to martin even though he talks back to him. Every teacher get angry 2.) Were do torchie and his friends go every Friday? They go to the arcade in town. 3.) What does mr briggs tell martin he can do? He come to him and talk to him about any thing 4.) How do martin and his friends leave edge wood? They go through a manhole and come out another man hole. 5.) What do everyone in edgewood like to play in gym? They like to play dodge ball.
 * Questions- Matthew Lantry**

During our meeting we started to discuses the questions that matt had made. Soon after, we started going over Gabby's quotes. Everyone in our group participated and knew what was going on in the book so far. Everyone had there jobs done successfully except matt didn't do any of the jobs this week. Today we discussed MOSty their experiances in the boarding schools class rooms. We hasl talked about the charcters and what traits theve developed
 * Group Summarizer -Kendall Marsh**


 * Week Three: October 15**

Topic: Mood/Tone (section 3 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the mood or tone of your book.What is the overriding emotion of this book? What examples back up your claim? (B) 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page

1.) Why can’t Martin find seats in the cafeteria? 2.) Do you think Martin feels left out? 3.) Does Martin fit in at school? Why or why not? 4.) Do you think the teachers have it out for Martin? 5.) Why do you think the principal tied him to the chair? 1.) "Remember, don't mention stealing to Lucky" Torchie warned Martin not to talk about stealing when Lucky is around. This foreshadows that something's probably going to happen between Martin and Lucky. 2.) "We held your review early" Principle Davis mentioned this to Martin. It wasn't fair that he didn't give Martin a heads up. 3.) "Let's get out of here! Those guys will beat up anyone they get their hands on" Edgie 2 told this to Edgie 1. They fear those kids Martin's with. 4.) "If you're smart, you'd believe me" This shows Martin's mad at Torchie for not starting a fire. 5.) "If he knew what I've just been through-" Martin wants to win Torchie's friendship back.
 * __Key Questioner- Kendall Marsh__**
 * __Quotations- Matthew Nussbaum__**

Whats the mood of the story? How does it make you feel? Whats the atmosphere of the story? is there any high points in the book? Any low points in the book?The book has a sad mood most of the time but sometimes the mood changes to happy points when ever martin has fun with his friend. The book uas has more low points than high points. The atmosphere is more depressing.
 * Matthew Lantry-Group Leader**


 * Week Four: October 22**

Topic: Themes/Images (section 4 out of 5 of your text)

What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning? The theme of this book is that everyone should accept their differences. The importance of the theme is displayed by another theme of working together and synergy. At first, the boys were afraid of being different, but then they finally accepted their hidden talents and strengthened them. The boys realized that being different benefited them and got them closer together as friends. The boys wrote letters on why they like being themselves, and it represents and explains the theme clearly. The author uses these images to show how the boys are realizing what really matters.
 * Group Leader- Gabriella Fiorino**

“Stop arguing. Cheater, you take the water pistol. Everyone else, watch the paper and see if you notice anything. We won’t get anything done if everyone is fighting.” This show that martin is starting to become the leader of his group of friends and that he is growing up.
 * Quotations-Matthew Lantry**

“Everyone called him Crazy Wally. He walked around talking to himself. He heard voices. People laughed at him. Kids teased him. One day, the voices told him to get even. He killed three people before the police shot him.” “I’m not crazy.” This show that cheater is worried about accepting his ability.

“Hey, I’m already doing time for assault. What’s a few more years?” This show that martin is trying to bluff so that they won’t get beat up by people from the town.

“They find out… no more trips…” This show that Flinch is willing to deal with a lot of pain so that his friends won’t get in trouble.

“Ridiculous. They’re moving up the inspection-because of pressure from the town. They can’t do this to us! We were supposed to have the rest of the year. We aren’t ready. They’re coming this Friday.” This foreshadow that Martin and his friends are going to have to help make sure the inspections go well.


 * __Group Summarizer__**- Matthew Nussbaum

During our meeting this week, we worked on the book group. Gabby was the group leader and we went over the theme's questions. We then, went to Matt Lantry's task, which was quotation finder. Once he read the quotes, we talked about each one. Kendall was not here to share her questions. And Brian was just being Brian.


 * Week Five: October 29 (LAST MEETING)**

Topic: Responding to the Text (section 5 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss your final reflections on this book. Would you recommend it to peers? Why or why not? Has this topic been discussed more/less effectively in another book or books? Should this book be considered for the school's curriculum? (B) 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page

__**Questioner- Brian McKenna**__

1. Would you want to have a power like these kids? If so what? 2. What would you have said to the people during the confrence? 3. If you were a jobless teacher, would you teach at Edgewood? 4. Did Bloodbath try to ruin the inspection because he wanted to cause trouble or to get out of Edgewood? 5. Do you think Martin could make his dad nice like he did to himself?


 * __Quotations-Kendall Marsh__**

“ Not all bullies use fists. Some use words” says Martin “ I can’t speak for them, I don’t think Edgewood would be anyone’s choice” says Martin “Bloodbath turned his wrists and dug his knuckles hard into my collar bone” Says Martin “You don’t have any respect, do you” says Martin “His face reminded me of someone who just lost a big bet.” Says Martin


 * Matthew Lantry- Nothing this week**


 * __Discussion Leader- Matthew Nussbaum__**

__Hidden Talents__ was a very interesting book, indeed. I liked it a whole lot. I would recommend it to someone of at least 12 years of age and higher. I do think that even adults may enjoy the book. It is sort of like a super hero story, being that the students get powers. I would compare it to X-Men. A group of people all with different abilities. But yeah, I'd recommend it to some people.

Today in our group discussion, we went over the discussion questions, and we answered them together. Also, we went over the quotes, and we discussed how these quotes were important to the story. We also talked about how Bloodbath is a jerk and that he never changed throughout the story. Also, we talked about how each character in the story has their own special talent. Also, we talked about what special talent we would want to have. After we discussed the book, we answered our "reflection of the book" question, and we talked about which topics we would use to support our reflection. In addition, we all thought that Hidden Talents was a great book, and we definitely would recommend it to read in class. __Kendall marsh__ I would recommend this book to peers because it teaches about bulling and the of consequences it. This topic has been discussed in my book and my assemblies making it a know topic for high schoolers. I would recommend it to read in the class because it puts the boo in the hands of the bullies not the person being teased, this book isn't like other book because of the person telling the story. __Gabriella Fiorino__ I would definitely recommend the book //Hidden Talents// because it was interesting and very humorous. I loved how the theme was that everyone has there own special talent and should embrace it. In other books, the theme was discussed less effectively, and David Lubar embraces the theme vividly. This book should be considered for the school's curriculum because everyone would enjoy this descriptive novel. __Brian McKenna__ This book is worth reading, especially to a friend. It has several themes in it, interesting characters, and great plot twists. Books prior to this weren't discussed as clearly or effectively as this one. David Lubar definitely did a great job as usual. This book should be put in the summer reading curriculum, as it uses language that everyone gets accustomed to and has a great story, and a decent length.
 * __Group Summarizer- Gabriella Fiorino__**