2.23.2013

'The Katniss Chronicles' to Return for 'Part II'


The Katniss Chronicles to Return for Part II
Pin It

I have to share this fabulous press release with you all because I am SO excited for the Catching Fire adaptation by my talented friends at The Katniss Chronicles. If you have never listened to their episodes for The Hunger Games, you are missing out. Check out their links and spread the word! Their work is professionally done, tasteful, and perfect for sharing with your students. (Struggling readers find the chapters so much easier to visualize and advanced readers can analyze the adaptation, even creating their own versions.)

THE KATNISS CHRONICLES’ TO RETURN FOR ‘PART II’

Los Angeles, CA – February 20, 2013 - This is the sound of rebellion!  After months of preparation, the first episode of the fan-made audio drama The Katniss Chronicles: Part II will premiere on Tuesday, June 25th, 2013. 

Based on the second book of author Suzanne Collins’ bestselling Hunger Games trilogy, The Katniss Chronicles: Part II will continue the story of Katniss Everdeen, a 17-year-old girl living in a post-apocalyptic America, who has just been crowned one of two victors in the annually televised battle to the death known as the Hunger Games. 

Premiering on June 25th, Part II promises even more nonstop action and excitement, as this installment of the trilogy will feature 22 episodes, with each new episode to be released on a weekly basis.

To celebrate the upcoming premiere of Part II, the creators of The Katniss Chronicles will be rereleasing an episode from Part I every Tuesday on the audio drama’s Facebook and Twitter (@KatnissChron) leading up to the premiere.  Starting on Tuesday, February 26th, listeners can relive the excitement of the Girl on Fire as she makes her way to the Hunger Games!

Important to note is that fans in search of the audio drama’s all-new Episodes, Production Journals, and Bonus Material will want to subscribe to the new iTunes Network, The Katniss Chronicles: Part II.  All content will continue to be available for free to listeners through the official website (www.thekatnisschronicles.com) and through iTunes.

Interested fans may visit The Katniss Chronicles’ website for up-to-date information on the production and the newly added cast members.  Additional information can be found on Facebook and Twitter (@KatnissChron). 



2.20.2013

The Beauty of Rereading a Novel...


The beauty of rereading a novel... #CatchingFire www.hungergameslessons.com

The beauty of rereading a novel: those little gems you didn't notice the first time. 

Pin It
Spoiler alert: If you have not read Catching Fire, you should stop reading as there is a major spoiler here.

While rereading Catching Fire for the sixth or seventh time, I noticed this line from Effie as the District 12 team readies for their victory dinner in District 11: "So, I was just having a peek around because district ruins are going to be all the rage this year..." (page 69).

Talk about foreshadowing! I wondered why I hadn't I noticed that line before? The hint of what is to come at the end of the book is so obvious, yet I must not have paid any attention to it before. Or maybe I had forgotten.

Which really is the beauty of a re-read. There is always something I either hadn't noticed or I've forgotten that stands out. It does not matter how many times I've read the book, either. After almost 100 readings of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I still find these little gems sitting on the page waiting for me to discover or rediscover them.

This is one reason why I am still content with using The Hunger Games trilogy in my classroom. Yes, many students have already read the series before I have them in class. But showing them that a reread can be just as pleasurable, if not more so, is a lesson in itself. Many of them don't remember anything but the basic plot. Those little details that pop out now add more depth to the overall storyline.

Think about the line above: why would Effie use the term "ruins" as she is having a "peek around" District 11? Is she implying that District 11 is currently (because of its unkemptness) in ruins or implying that it was in ruins in the past...or that it will be in ruins? Or could she be suggesting that there is more than just one district, besides District 13, that is in ruins? Or is her quote foreshadowing that another district will be in ruins by the end of the book?

I find myself wanting to discuss more and more with students who have already read the series on this reread because it's so delightful to see the lightbulbs go off in their heads when they come across these little portending nuggets.

In case you are worried about reading a book half your class has already read: don't worry. Chances are they will take delight in these aha! moments along with you.

*Side note worth mentioning: I had noticed this when I first read the book, but it's worthy of discussion. Suzanne Collins uses the word "Peacemakers" here rather than the standard "Peacekeepers" she has been using throughout the trilogy. I believe this happens another time because I recall talking about the "Peacemakers" in class and having a student correct me (don't you love it when they do that!?). Then I went back to look at why I would have used "Peacemakers" and, sure enough, there it was in the book. I've always thought this was just a mistake. What are your thoughts?

Classroom Connections: Foreshadowing while re-reading Catching Fire on www.hungergameslessons.com

2.18.2013

Every Day is President's Day in Panem

Every day is "President's Day" in Panem. www.hungergameslessons.com

Pin It

Every day is President's Day in Panem. Or, at least President Snow would like to be honored each day, it seems.

You can take this opportunity to discuss with your students the purpose of having a day to honor the office of the presidency and how that relates to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and especially Mockingjay.

CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:3g12934u.jpg
To start the conversation, ask your students:
1. Why do we have a "Presidents Day"? What are its origins? Who declared the holiday and why?
2. How do many Americans celebrate "Presidents Day"?
3. Would "Presidents Day" be celebrated the same way in Panem? Why or why not.
4. In what ways do the citizens of Panem "honor" their current and past leaders? Give examples from the novel(s).
5. Do you think the citizens of the Capitol have respect for and honor President Snow, or do so for another reason? Explain.

What additional questions would you ask your students? Post in the comments below.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by Hunger Games Lessons! Make sure you check out my other blog, Mrs. Orman's Classroom.

2.12.2013

You Are As Radiant As the Sun, Valentine

Hunger Games Valentines - Free Download www.hungergameslessons.com
You are as radiant as the sun, Valentine.
Pin It

 As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, don't forget about my FREE Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay-themed Valentine's Day cards. Just print, cut, and distribute to all your friends and even that special someone. And don't forget to remember your mom! :)

Download them here:

Teachers: There are blank templates at the end of the document, so you can have your students make their own literature-inspired Valentines. Or you can download this free template:
These will work with ANY novel or story you are reading.
Pin It

Hunger Games Valentines - Odds in Your Favor - Free Download www.hungergameslessons.com
May the odds be ever in your favor, Valentine!

Pin It

You Love Me? Real or Not Real? Valentine www.hungergameslessons.com
You love me. Real or not real?

Have a great Valentine's Day, friends!
Check out more Valentine's Day links below.

2.04.2013

Catching Fire...The "What If..." Questions

Catching Fire Thought-Provoking and Critical-Thinking Questions www.hungergameslessons.com
A couple of years ago I posted my "What if..." questions for The Hunger Games. I thought it would only be fair to do the same for Catching Fire and Mockingjay (coming soon).

"What if" questions are thought-provoking prompts that can be used as discussion starters, exit slips, journal questions, or even as assessments to make sure your students are reading the material.

Pin ItThey can be silly, to kind of break the ice in a discussion. For example, one of the Hunger Games questions is "What if the symbol of the rebellion was an Angry Bird® instead of a mockingjay?" Very silly question, but it can lead into deeper discussions about why the mockingjay is an important symbol.

The icebreaker question for Catching Fire is "What if President Snow really was a snake?" That question stems from the simile on page 18 in the novel when Katniss compares finding President Snow in her kitchen to “taking the lid off a pot and finding a fanged viper instead of stew.” This prompt can actually lead into a discussion about the character traits of President Snow and what makes him like a "fanged viper"? And if he is like a viper, what does that make Katniss? His prey? Or is she bait for bigger and better prey? Or has she just entered into territory she should have stayed out of and needs to be taught a lesson? I think it's important for students to know that even questions they might think are "dumb" can actually raise additional thought-provoking questions.

After giving some examples, have your students try to come up with their own.

You can download the questions to Part One {HERE} and purchase all the questions {HERE}. The packet for all three parts has 47 total questions in list and task card formats. For the cards, you can laminate them and store them in a baggie to have students draw (great for review!). Or punch a hole in the corner and attach a ring so they can be flipped through easily.

Pin It
Catching Fire "What If..." Questions www.hungergameslessons.com

The prompts are so versatile and stimulate both creative and critical thinking!
Catching Fire Creative and Critical Thinking Prompts www.hungergameslessons.com

Pin It
Thanks for stopping by Hunger Games Lessons! If you find my posts helpful or have any suggestions, please leave a comment below!
-Tracee
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...