Texas History students visit the Elementary school...

Mr. Garmons's 7th grade SAIL classes visited with Ms. Washmon and Mrs. Martin's 4th grade classes to share with them some of the memorable events that took place in Texas History. They had 4 different areas where students learned about the Civil War, Native American Indian tribes, Texas leaders, and explorers. Interactive games to review the topics were also played. Check out the cool animoto video to get a better idea of what they did!

Slob by Ellen Potter

Owen Birnbaum is not your average 12-year-old. In fact, he's the fattest kid in his school, but he's also brilliant. Through scavenging building demolition sites, he is able to find enough spare parts to build a television set that he hopes will show him exactly what happened the night his parents were killed. This book is for all of those who have ever been picked on or made fun of for not being "normal". Owen shows us that "normal" is just a state of mind. Slob has been named a 2010-2011 Lone Star book.

The Great Death by John Smelcer

What would you do if everyone you knew and loved died? What would you do if the only other living person was your little sister? What would you do if the two of you were all alone in the middle of Alaska in the heart of winter when temperatures drop below zero for days on end? What would you do if the only signs of life you saw were wild animals competing for the same food as you? What would you do if you witnessed your two beloved dogs being killed while trying to protect you? What would you do if all this happened to you and you were only 12? Join Millie and her younger sister Maura as they search for signs of life after "the white man's disease" wipes out their village in the early 1900's.

Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen

This is a quick read that will leave you cheering for 14-year-old Finn as he comes to realize his life and world are better when he lets people in. The summer starts out with him wanting to "turtle up for a while" until he meets his new neighbor, Johanna. Once he discovers she is battling breast cancer, he decides he will take her advice about people. In the process, he learns more about himself than he ever wanted to know. Together with his best friends Matthew and Dylan, they vow to help Johanna in every way they can. 

Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson

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The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Fifteen-year-old twins Eli and Eddy have the best father in the world who also happens to be one of the richest. When the world comes under a radiation attack, their father sends the entire family to an underground compound to protect them from the radiation effects. Unfortunately, Eddy and Grandma don't make it into the compound before the door is sealed. Six years pass with Eli believing his twin brother and grandmother have died in the attack. Little by little, though, Eli realizes his father has not been completely honest with the family about what really happened. When he discovers a laptop that still has an internet connection, Eli is able to reconnect with the outside world. But can he save his family before his father destroys them all?

Two Tearjerkers!

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor - 12-year-old Addie lives with her bipolar mother in a tiny trailer next to the train tracks in upstate New York. When the only stable person in her life (her ex-step-father) moves two hours away, she has to learn to trust the kindness of strangers to help keep her safe and teach her the meaning of family.
The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong - After their mother dies, three brothers and their father set sail on a year-long voyage to the Caribbean. After their father disappears one evening, before the boys can decide what happened to him, they find themselves in the middle of a horrible storm. Finally as the storm subsides, their small sailboat washes them ashore a tiny uninhabited island. Left with little food, little water, and little chance of rescue, the three brothers are forced to face their wildest fears and put their lives at risk.