Tess of the U'rbevilles by Thomas Hardy (reading activities)

Write a poem about your book

She loved, she suffered for her love,

Peaceful and pretty like a dove,

She lived in misery, she lived in pain,

All of her sorrow, love seemed to drain,

Touch of his hands, kiss of his lips,

She forgot that time slowly slips,

He loved her, but wanted to forget,

She missed him, but wouldn't tell him yet,

As she cried, tears fell on the floor,

Tess wanted to be happy,

But happiness seemed to ignore.

Fighting for true love, she left in tears,

But in the end,  she found a way to chase away her tears.

Teodora Stankov, VIII1, May 2012

 

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff (reading activities)

Compare two characters

Marcus Flavius Aquila is just nineteen, a thin, dark, arrogant citizen of the city of Rome. His forehead is branded between the brows, showing the mark of the Raven degree of Mithras. 

Marcus is the son of a soldier. As a boy, he lived quietly on the family farm near Clusium while his father served with legions in Judea, Egypt and Britain. 

His father had planned to retire in Britain, but instead marched out with the ill-fated Ninth Legion, the Hispania, never to be heard of again.

After Marcus's mother's death, Marcus was raised by his Roman uncle, a greedy official, who sold the family farm.

The auxiliary Cohort of the Second Roman Legion is Marcus's first command.

 Esca is a defeated gladiator that Marcus purchases to be his personal slave. Their relationship quickly becomes much more than just a master and his slave. In fact, Esca and Marcus are almost mirror reflections of each other. 

Esca is from the Brigantes tribe, from Northern Britain. His father, like Marcus's, was a commander, a clan's chieftain. 

In the battle against the legions, Esca was injured, taken prisoner and enslaved to fight as a gladiator. But, Esca describes how ten years earlier he watched a legion marching north never to come marching back, 'I had never seen such a site before. Like a shining serpent of men winding across the hills, a grey serpent hackled with the scarlet cloaks and crests of the officers.'

Ferenc Fekete, VIII5, May 2012

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (reading activities)

Describe the friendship of Mole and Ratty

The friendship between Mole and Ratty is a strong bond that nobody can break. These two friends are so good to each other because they know that to keep a good friend is never easy. 

When Mole's house was flooded, Ratty was the one who welcomed him with open arms. 

Ratty and Mole spend their free time together in fun and laughter. 

Once, when Ratty was showing the woods to Mole, he advised him not to go there, because the forest was very dense and he could get easily lost. But, Mole went on a tour in the forest. He made a few steps into the woods and got lost. The horrible sounds were coming from many sides. He was sorry because he did not listen to Ratty. What he did not expect was the hand of Ratty seen somewhere in front of his face. After that, they went home together. This event further strengthened the friendship between them. In the future, Mole promised himself to consult Ratty for everything first. 

These two friends have shared, share and will share everything together. As I said before, this friendship is very strong. They will assist each other in every situation, even if they should pay very high price for that. 

It is great to have such a good friend who understands, respects and loves you.   

Ana Šogorov, VIII2, May 2012

The Card by Arnold Bennett (reading activities)

Give a virtual tour of the places described in the book

The first town is Bursley. It is a small town where people are very nice, but I feel like everyone is minding everyone's business.

There are many small houses for rent in Bursley and the rent is not high. 

The main street is Brougham Street. It goes down the hill to the canal and contains a number of pottery factories. 

The second town is Longshaw. You have so many intresting things to see there, like the beach and the sea, the rooms for you to sleep... At 'St Apaphs Road' bookshop you can buy the newspapers, souvenirs and other things. 

There are many ships, so you can go on some nice boat trips while you are in Longshaw. 

In Hanbridge town, there are many beautiful houses of rich people. This town is like the centre of the Five Towns. They have a really big Town Hall and a very respectable football club.

Anastazija Petkov, VIII2, May 2012  

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad (reading activities)

Write an imaginary interview with the author of the book

How was the novel originally published?

It was originally published as a serial in Blackwood's Magazine.

When was it published?

The novel was published between October 1899 and November 1900.

Who is Jim?

He's a young British seaman, who becomes first mate on the Patna, a ship full of Pilgrims travelling to Mecca for the hajj.

What happens to them?

Jim joins his captain and the other crew members in abandoning the ship and its passengers.

What happens to the Patna?

The Patna and its passengers are later also saved and the actions of the crew are exposed.

Aleksandra Terzić, VIII3, May 2012

Imagine you're Jim. Write a diary entry for one day on the island.

The Battle

One dark night, I arranged for the teams of men to pull guns right up to the top of one of the mountains by using ropes. It was difficult, hard work, and all the time the men and I were lifting and pulling while old Doramin was just sitting and watching silently in his chair. The Malays had already believed that I was doing the impossible.

As soon as the sun rose, the first shots were fired on my order, and the battle began. Dain Waris and I led a group up the second hill towards Sheriff Ali's stockade. We were the first to break into the Arab's stockade. 

The battle was violent, but short. The stockade was burnt down and Sheriff Ali and his men were defeated. Some were dead, but most of them were chased away into the jungle.

Dejan Škorić, VIII1, May 2012 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (reading activities)

Describe Blake's life ten years later in a letter to one of the other characters

Dear Mr Murthwalte,

After these ten years, the life has been much better for Rachel and me. My job as an investigator has been great and I am really enjoying it. Though I doubt that I will ever have such a case as 'the Moonstone' again. In a way, that is good. That event has taught me much about life and people.

That was sure the most intense experience in my whole life. I am well aware of it. After all that has happened, life blessed Rachel and me with a beautiful daughter, Stephanie. One day, when she is old enough to understand all the decisions and consequences of the event, I will tell her the whole story. 

I hope that you are okay now. Your decision to visit India again must have brought you many memories and flashbacks. 

I understand that travelling brings you joy. So, send us a letter from afar and interesting countries sometimes. Good luck wherever you go. 

Your thankful friend,

Franklin Blake

Dobrila Bokan, VIII1, May 2012

Let's Have a Picnic! (kids singing)

This is how class IV5 sang a lovely song called 'Let's Have a Picnic!' in May 2012.

Here are the lyrics:

How many eggs

And how much meat

Are we taking on our picnic?

Bring your glass and bring your plate,

Let's have a picnic!

How many girls

And how many boys

Are coming on our picnic?

Bring your games and bring your toys,

Let's have a picnic!