November 2, 2007
As we read together today, I wonder if any of you noticed that we barely mentioned the dead manatee? After all, the title of this book is “The Misssing Manatee”.
Why do you think the author chose not to discuss the manatee at this point and instead shared alot of other information with you? Think about this before you begin writing.

and….

Why do you think Skeet’s mom is called “the ant in the lemonade”? What does she do or say that would make someone think she is “the ant in the lemonade”? Reflect before you write.

Each Friday, I have the great fortune to visit Mrs. Ziegler’s fourth grade class and share a novel. Currently, we are reading “The Missing Manatee” by Cynthia DeFelice. On the following Tuesday we gather in the computer lab to give the students the opportunity to reflect on the previous week’s reading by responding to a few “thoughts” that I have posted on this site.