Hunger Games Coloring Book Pages for Teens and Adults

Looking for quality Hunger Games coloring pages? I just posted a pack of over 20 pages in my teacher store. {They are currently on sale!} Get them here:

The Hunger Games Coloring Pages for Adults and Teens

Coloring is a great way to reduce stress and we all know how stressful it is being a teenager! Use these coloring pages as a motivational tool in your classroom. The less your students are stressed, the better results you'll get from them academically.

Some designs are more intricate and others are more simple (see preview for image of pages) to allow for both differentiation and for students (and adults) to add their own doodles. The beauty of the designs is that both teens and adults enjoy them.  

The coloring pages download is not affiliated, connected to, or endorsed in any way by Suzanne Collins, Scholastic Books, Lions Gate Movies, or any of the aforementioned affiliates. Clip art used is a combination of images created by Tracee Orman, Caryn Wheeler, and Kimberly Geswein (KG Fonts).

Which Catching Fire Quotes MUST Make the Movie?

Which quotes from Catching Fire are must-haves for the movie? 

Some of my favorite lines from the novel aren't actually quotes, but thoughts from Katniss's stream of consciousness (or internal monologue). I think they are essential to tell the story, but I don't know how they can be portrayed in the movie. This, of course, is where good acting comes in and I have no doubt that Jennifer Lawrence will be able to express these things without words. And we probably agree that some thoughts are just better if they aren't spoken aloud because it diminishes their meaning or sounds awkward.

For example, I love these lines from the book, but I know they would not have the same impact if they were spoken out loud:

“I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit.” -Katniss, p. 118

“...everything will just get more complicated and I really can't think about kissing when I've got a rebellion to incite.” -Katniss, p. 125-126

“I have only one real friend in here.  And he isn’t from District 4.” -Katniss, p. 276

“I have always known who the enemy is. Who starves and tortures and kills us in the arena. Who will soon kill everyone I love.” -Katniss, p. 378

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” -Katniss, p. 386-387

Therefore, I am counting on Jennifer Lawrence to do another phenomenal job expressing these lines, conveying their meaning.

The actual quotes I do hope make the movie include:

“You could do a lot worse, you know.” -Haymitch, p. 45

“I only ever spoke to Thresh one time. Just long enough for him to spare my life. I didn't know him, but I always respected him. For his power. For his refusal to play the Games on anyone's terms but his own. The Careers wanted him to team up with them from the beginning, but he wouldn't do it. I respected him for that.”  -Katniss p. 60

“But I feel as if I did know Rue, and she'll always be with me. Everything beautiful brings her to mind. I see her in the yellow flowers that grow in the Meadow by my house. I see her in the mockingjays that sing in the trees. But most of all, I see her in my sister, Prim.”  -Katniss, p. 61

“Well, with an uprising in District Eight, I doubt he's spending much time choosing my wedding cake!” -Katniss, p. 99

“You could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him, you know.” -Haymitch, p. 178

“I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you.” -Peeta, p. 244

“You just remember who the enemy is.” -Haymitch, p. 260

“I don’t care if you are knocked up, I’ll rip your throat out.” -Johanna, p. 328

“If they really killed her like this, they’d probably have an uprising on their hands...Don’t want that, do they? Whole country in rebellion? Wouldn’t want anything like that!” -Johanna, p. 346

"So it's you and a syringe against the Capitol? See, this is why no one lets you make the plans." -Haymitch, p. 384

“We had to save you because you’re the mockingjay, Katniss.” -Plutarch, p. 386

“I wish [Annie] was dead...I wish they were all dead and we were, too. It would be best.” -Finnick, p. 389

I am sure there are many more. Which ones are your favorites that you think are essential to the movie? Post your feedback in the comments below.

Read more about using quotes as a classroom activity here.

All quotes are from:
Collins, Suzanne, and Elizabeth B. Parisi. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.
ISBN-10: 9780439023498
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm...An Early Holiday Gift From Taylor Swift...

Taylor Swift released "Safe and Sound" last night, a single from "The Hunger Games" movie official soundtrack. For this week's "Things That Make Me Go Hmmm..." I'd like to ponder which scene the song may be paired with. (As always, there are spoilers for those who have not read the novel.)

Down With the Capitol posted the song and the lyrics and asked fans which part of the movie/novel they think it goes with. Fans seem to be torn between the "cave" scene where Katniss drugs Peeta before going to the feast and the scene from chapter 18 with Rue (or after...). At least one fan said it reminded them of Katniss saying goodbye to Prim.

I am partial to the scene with Rue because of the lullaby reference and the title itself. Rue asks Katniss to stay with her when she says "Don't go" on page 234 in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Then when Rue asks Katniss to sing, she thinks of the "mountain air" lullaby, or meadow song. "Safe and Sound" by Swift seems to mirror the lyrics in the meadow song, telling listeners that tomorrow will be a better day, tomorrow will bring hope and peace.
From the meadow song (or Rue's Lullaby):
"Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you." (p. 235)
and from Swift's song, via Theresa at Down With the Capitol:
"Just close your eyes
sun is going down
You’ll be all right
no one can hurt you now
Come morning light
you and I will be safe and sound."

On page 238 Katniss hears a young mockingjay sing Rue's four-note call, "The ones that mean she's safe."
"'Good and safe,' I say...'We don't have to worry about her now.' Good and safe." (p. 238)
I can see this song being played as Katniss walks away from Rue, thinking that now she will be "Good and safe."

Though, I can also see this applying to the cave scene from chapter 21, as well. These lyrics seem to apply to Peeta when he is dying in the cave and Katniss makes the decision to go to the feast to get the life-saving medicine for him:
"Don’t you dare look out your window
Darlin' everything’s on fire
the war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby
Even when the music's gone
Gone
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You’ll be all right
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I’ll be safe and sound."

So, here's what I think. I think they'll play some of the song (at least the beginning) after Rue's death. Then I think they'll start the second half of the song just as Katniss is giving Peeta the sleep syrup and continue it through the night as she gets ready for (and is on her way to) the feast. Those alone moments will need music playing in the background and this song seems to fit both scenes. I can see how it applies to Prim, as well. For that matter, it could also play during the re-cap of the Games and the train ride home. Perhaps the song will carry out in several scenes. I think it's a testament to the powerful writing of Suzanne Collins, showing how the theme of hope carries through the entire book. Katniss may seem to lose hope many times, but it's always there: sacrificing herself to give Prim hope for a better life; sharing herself with Rue and giving Rue hope with the lullaby; risking her life to save Peeta, giving him hope. Her intent may not have always seemed sacrificial, but her actions spoke loudly. I love the fact that the songwriters picked up on this theme, even though the song is seemingly so sad (and I know I will cry no matter which part of the movie it is played).

I found the emotion very raw and gripping in the song. I'm not a country music fan, never heard of The Civil Wars, and didn't care all that much for Swift's past music. But I do think this is a fitting piece and it seems to go with the rustic district feel that is portrayed in the trailer. Listening to this, hearing Swift's voice...yes, I just may have to check out what else she has (and even The Civil Wars has) to offer.


What do you think? Which part does it seem to fit the best for you? Share in the comments below!
Listen here: Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound"

CLASSROOM CONNECTION:
Teachers - have your students analyze the lyrics to the song and decide which part (or parts) of the novel would be most fitting. Then have a classroom debate. Students could work in groups or alone. Allow them to listen to the song, as well. The music itself sets the tone for the lyrics and helps students with analysis.

New Hunger Games Character Posters Have Your Head Swooning?

 

Oh my goodness. Is your heart swooning over the new Lionsgate® Hunger Games movie posters?  I just love seeing all the actors in character, especially Peeta and Katniss. 

Last night the Hunger Games Fireside Chat had a special broadcast to discuss these new releases. Highlights included discussing Cinna's gold eyeliner (airbrushed or naturally applied?),  Haymitch's long blonde hair (a super-long comb-over, perhaps?) and formal attire, Peeta's sad look, Katniss's flawless skin (but logo placed on the side of her head that looks like Princess Leia as Shylah pointed out via Hunger Games DWTC), Gale's scowl and unnaturally long neck, the beauty and innocence that Rue encompasses, Cato's non-menacing look (and the fact that Cato was included with this bunch) and Effie's pink (or grayish?) hair and outlandish Capitol style. It was an interesting episode and you can catch up by listening here and follow the tweets under the #HGFiresideChat hashtag on Twitter or TweetChat.

Warning: there are some minor spoilers as I discuss my thoughts on the posters.

I have to say that I do love Gale's scowl. I think it is fitting with his character: he is an angry man. The Capitol has taken his father and left him, like Katniss, responsible for his family's survival. He has a lot of angst inside, ready to unleash. 

Rue is perfect. Innocent, sad. Exactly how I pictured her. Can anyone say that Lenny Kravitz is not Cinna now? He is perfect. I was expecting a black t-shirt rather than the bluish button-down (and gold chain), yet it works. Savanna brought up the question about whether he has a pendant at the end of the chain. The way it falls it seems very plausible. And I would love to see what it would be. What do you think Cinna would have hanging on the end? A ring to hold glasses? A simple stone pendant? A token of his own, like some sort of swirly symbol that defines who he is? Perhaps bottled flames? A tape measure or pins? (I love guessing.)

Effie is great: she looks Capitolish with her crazy make-up. I just thought her hair would be brighter. And Haymitch...well, he is not at all how I pictured. I thought balding with darker hair. An observant listener pointed out that Katniss describes his black curly hair in Catching Fire when they watch Haymitch's reaping tape. But, this small matter doesn't upset me. I know Woody will be perfect as Haymitch, so the blond hair is OK with me. I was just surprised at the length of it. And his upturned collar was odd. But it made sense if he was being dressed and cleaned up by Capitol hands, as another panelist pointed out (I have a hard time keeping voices straight while listening, except for Sam's and Adam's, of course). This is most likely how they would, indeed, dress him. Although I pictured the fashion to be more futurish rather than classically-styled.

Cato. Why the inclusion of Cato with this group? Why not Prim? Why not Thresh? Here's my take on this: Cato is the antagonist in the novel for Katniss. All along, he is the real threat, the one standing in her way to victory. Even though we see little of him in Katniss's narrative, I believe he'll play a much bigger role in the movie. He has to. We'll see Peeta interact with him, making a deal with the Careers, and follow their path of hunting Katniss. Cato is the Career leader. This is a bigger role than Prim. Prim's spotlight will come later in Mockingjay, where Katniss spends so much more time with her beloved sister. Thresh and Foxface seem to operate alone, so their parts will be slightly smaller than Cato's. So I was not surprised with Cato's presence amongst the others.  As far as his expression, I'm actually glad we don't see a menacing look. In the end, we do feel for this boy, who is, after all, only human and a product of his environment. Another Capitol pawn who has had no life of his own.Will we see more of this Cato throughout the Games instead of the very end, where he pleads with his eyes for Katniss to end his misery? It could help Katniss realize sooner who the real enemy is. I like the idea of Cato's evil being toned down.

Interesting tidbits: The listeners from Victor's Village (@VictorsVillage) pointed out that Cato, Peeta, and Gale are all missing their Adam's apples. They were surely trimmed and smoothed over in Photoshop, but it is kind of odd once it's pointed out. President Snow (@PresidentSnow) wondered why his poster wasn't released. And others expressed interest in seeing Prim, Caesar Flickerman, Thresh, Foxface, and Clove.

So, what do you think of the new posters? Any thoughts on Katniss's facing to the right and the rest facing to the left? 

Will you buy any of them for your classroom? I think I might have to. I really love how so much emotion is expressed in their single poses. The innocence, the anger, the sadness, the strength. Perfect.

 All photos are courtesy of Lionsgate®, Entertainment Weekly, and the Hunger Games Examiner. 

The Meadow Song in The Hunger Games - Free Bookmarks Download

Download my FREE Meadow Song bookmarks.

Note: This post contains SPOILERS.

I love that Suzanne Collins incorporates the "Meadow Song" (The Hunger Games, chapter 18, pages 234-235) in all three books of the trilogy. The song is rich in symbolism and truly represents one of the underlying themes of the series: finding peace in a world that is, basically, messed up. It's a sad song, yet also a song of hope. The listener may have troubles, but can wash them away by realizing tomorrow is a new day and they will be forgotten. The meadow also acts as a guardian for the listener.

Katniss used the Meadow as her path to the woods, which brought nourishment to her family in The Hunger Games. She also used the song as a way to bring peace to Rue in her final moments; it was one they sang as a lullaby to crying babies to soothe them. It was passed down from generations, a "mountain air" her teacher called it.

In Catching Fire, Katniss recalls the soothing and protective meadow from the song as a perfect place for Peeta and his future children to live. This, she thinks, as she plans sacrificing herself to protect him, just as the daisies guard the listener in the song.

In Mockingjay, the actual Meadow in the Seam takes on the role as a final resting place for all those uneasy souls destroyed by the Capitol. But the cycle of life is always continuing in a circular fashion, and in the Epilogue, we return to the Meadow to see Peeta's (and Katniss's) children playing there, safely.

Applying in Your Classroom
Have your students analyze the Meadow song as a poem. Questions you can ask include:
  -What is the tone of the piece?
  -What is the rhyme scheme/pattern?
  -Find examples of figurative language. (Personification, metaphor)
  -What is the message the writer is conveying?
  -What does the meadow symbolize?

I created these bookmarks and you are welcome to share them with your students. Each one has the lyrics of the Meadow song (also referred to as Rue's Lullaby). Two options for printing: larger size - five per page or smaller size with 10 per page. Print onto card-stock paper (or print onto regular paper and laminate), then cut and distribute to your students!

You can find the full download on my TeachersPayTeachers website store HERE. 

These are FREE and for classroom distribution/educational and non-commercial use only. You may distribute them on your website if you link back to my website (www.hungergameslessons.com), but commercial use is prohibited.

For the full-size, full-quality download, go to my TpT Store HERE or on Scribd, below.

Meadow Song Bookmarks - The Hunger Games

From Mockingjay - The Rebel Propos: We Remember

When I taught Mockingjay this past fall I assigned my students the task of creating their own rebel propos. They could choose any of the themes that were in the novel. I made a "We Remember" video as an example.

This was a great hands-on technology assignment for my students, who all have MacBook Pros. I gave them a couple of days in class to work on it, then finish it up at home. The length requirement was at least 30 seconds, but no longer than two minutes. I preferred 30 seconds to a minute, but since mine went over, well, what can I say?

I have the handouts for this lesson, more examples, and step-by-step instructions on my Mockingjay CD.

And thanks to my husband who is the voice of Finnick. Our 12-year old son was laughing so hard at our voices, you might be able to hear him in the background. I created it on my MacBook (no, we teachers do not have the MacBookPros...just the students!) using iMovie. The wonderful artwork is from the very talented group of artists over on www.deviantart.com.

The Reaping for Rue and Thresh, District 11 Tributes

Thresh & Rue have been cast! Courtesy of Hunger Games Movie Facebook

Earlier today I received an email alert from the Official Hunger Games Movie Facebook Fan Page letting me know Thresh and Rue have been selected! It was great to be one of the first to know. Make sure you "like" them to get the latest news.

So the actors chosen for the district 11 tributes are newcomers Dayo Okeniyi (Thresh) and Amandla Stenberg (Rue). I think they look pretty close to what I pictured. And I have confidence in the casting team that they will be able to act the parts, as well.

I'm surprised we have no word on Prim, Haymitch, or Effie yet. I assumed those roles would be announced next, but still pleased to have this exciting news today!

So what do you think? Is this how you pictured the district 11 tributes? Comment below...

Connecting The Hunger Games to the Holocaust

Spoiler Alert:  Because my posts are going to focus mainly on using The Hunger Games trilogy in your classroom, there will be spoilers.  So please be warned if you have yet to read the novels!  And if you haven't read them, what in the world are you waiting for!? 

In an earlier post I mentioned there were many ways teachers could relate the material in the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins with World War II, Hitler, and the Holocaust.  The purpose of this post is to explore some of those connections students can make or you could point out.

As fellow teacher Carol Ann pointed out in a previous comment, one of the first connections we may make is to ancient Rome and the gladiator games where people would watch others fight to the death for entertainment.  And there are certainly plenty of allusions to this time period and society to support those connections.  Suzanne Collins admits she was inspired by Roman gladiators for the basis of the Hunger Games in an online interview on Scholastic Books' Hunger Games website.

I do like to have the students make connections to ancient Rome when they learn early on what the Hunger Games are.  But as we get further into the novel, I also like to connect it to more recent events/times, such as the Holocaust.  I think it helps students realize how easily we can be manipulated into believing murder is acceptable, and even necessary, to sustain or better our way of life.  Adolf Hitler wanted to establish a "New Order," which included domination (and extermination) of many groups of people.  As a result, millions of innocent people died in the Holocaust, including over six million of Jewish faith.

Photo courtesy of: http://israelchildren.co/The_Holocaust.html

While the Holocaust may not have been a public form of entertainment like the Games, the millions of children, women, and men who died were killed by those who were either forced to kill or it was their job and they willingly did it.  These murderers may have been the victims' peers, or their neighbors, and maybe even their friends.  Did they want to kill them?  Did they do it because they had to or because it meant their life was spared? Or were they brainwashed by the political propaganda they were fed and believed they were superior to the Jewish people and other minorities?  As you force your students to look at both perspectives, they should see that Katniss and the other tributes are put into the same position many German soldiers and citizens were: kill or be killed.

New eBay Listings for Hunger Games Inspired Bookmarks

I've listed some of my Hunger Games trilogy beaded bookmarks on eBay this week!

Flowers for Rue beaded bookmark

Flowers for Rue can be found here:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330502067310&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Dedication to Primrose: http://cgi.ebay.com/Mockingjay-Primrose-Buttercup-Hunger-Games-Bookmark-/330502060263?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf37538e7

Star Squad 451: http://cgi.ebay.com/Mockingjay-Star-Squad-451-Hunger-Games-Bookmark-/330502064209?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf3754851

And I also listed a mockingjay pin from Scholastic: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hunger-Games-Mockingjay-Pin-Exclusive-Scholastic-/330502054039?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf3752097