I Am Number Four - by Pittacus Lore
John Smith - main character
Henri - his “dad” - his protector
Where does this story take place?
Seems like everywhere - somewhere in Florida - the Keys at first, but they move to Ohio
What do we know about Ohio?
Corn, cows and nice people - in the book, at any rate
Why are they leaving the Florida Keys?
There are some “people” who are killing the other numbers ahead of John. As each one is killed - he manifests a scar on his body.
One, two and three are dead, which means, that he is NEXT!
Whomever is after them all, will be looking for him now.
His feelings at the start of the story are fear, worry, tired of running. I think he might be getting to the point where he might want to fight back. CORNERED!
Mogadorians - what are these guys? the alien bad guys who are killing the other numbers
We also note that there is some reference to a nice girl at school. I think this is foreshadowing something to happen with her. i.e. some sweet dating fun in a friendly and non-threatening alien way - Sabasgn predicts that this may be something alien after all!
Loric chest? - we need to figure out what this is… seems to be linked with his home planet - Lorien - now, we have to wonder what is inside this chest
Predictions after Chapter 3
Sabasgn - predicts that the girl at school is another number
Jonathon - predicts a light bulb high five
Jessica - predicts some dating
Shawn - predicts that the girl and boy with go to school together
Dawson - predicts that the lead character will be attacked
Ryan - rooster noises - not the most informed prediction
Danny - predicts that he is unsure what may happen
Matt - predicts that the girl might rat out Henri and John
Reading Journal #1 - February 26, 2015
What do you think are the qualities that “John Smith” has that make him an interesting LEAD CHARACTER?
1. John is smart, which means he makes the right decisions to keep the story going. If he didn’t make the right decisions, he would get killed too early and the story would be over!
2. John is different from everyone else, which makes the story more fun and special. The character is different from US, so the story is better to read.
3. John is always on the run, which makes the story change over time - it’s not boring.
4. John gets scars when the other numbers die, which makes the story build up with excitement - we are worried about what will happen to him.
(In the audiobook, Henri sounds like he an accent - Henri is a French name. )
5. John has something that he really wants, which makes us care about him more.
CHAPTER 4
LEGACIES - what are those?
Kind of like superpowers - John Smith has his first Legacy showing up on his hand
Another use of the word "legacy" - something left behind to give meaning to someone or something
e.g. I leave behind these beautiful words as my LEGACY to remind the world of my life.
We are trying to think of our own motto (personal saying), our own “mascot” animal, our own personal colour or elements meaningful to us
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
What is scary to you?
Write down a list, or a few sentences, or a little story or somehow make it clear in writing what is scary to you.
You can then consider taking some of those things and including them in your MindMap of Self from yesterday.
March 6, 2015
Writing Exercise of the Day
Write down a list of your favourite foods! At least 10, please.
Write down a list of your LEAST favourite foods. At least 5, please.
Write down why you do or do NOT want to cut down on your sugar. (give me at least 2-3 sentences of your thoughts on this whole “sugar scare”).
Finish this work from yesterday, making sure that you’ve written your sentences, which many of you forgot to do!
Then, read aloud from I Am Number Four, pages being on the desk.
You can answer them in groups, and the teacher can help you.
What is a Cepan and what do they do?
Hint: Henri is a Cepan
Why does John Smith go up to Mark and challenge him?
Hint: think about your own life experience - why do bullies act the way they do?
Describe briefly the boy John Smith meets - (Sam Goode)
Hint: Sam Goode is a stereotypical character in some ways
Describe briefly John and Henri’s home planet - Lorien.
Hint: we JUST reread that part where John experiences the Mogadorian attack
What happens in the cafeteria and what does it tell us about John?
Hint: think of the way he is being treated by the bullies
Jonathon - mice
Dawson - dying
Shane - hard English work (meanwhile…)
Jessica - spiders
Cobie - snakes
Sabasgn - zombies
Matt - losing his beard
Shawn - sudden loud noises
Danny - mice
Ryan - dying
Royale (with cheese) - heights
Lobbster (with butter) - widths
Now, explain your fear in a sentence or two! More explanation = better work!
