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I spent the first few weeks of school modeling how to share during “Share Time” at Morning Meeting. I did this so that my students would have a greater sense of how I expect sharing to look. Every Wednesday, the share theme revolves around the Writer’s Notebook. Every now and then I stick in an entry [...]

Where I’m From with notes Originally uploaded by teachergal When my former students and I published DEAL WITH IT! Powerful Words from Smart, Young Women in 2007, we decided to write “Where I’m From Poems” by George Ella Lyon in lieu of short paragraphs about each one of us. At the start of the 2007-08 school [...]

“Hiiii everybody, it’s me Jessie! This week’s LadyStar Chapter of the Week is a real neat one. It’s from our first book, The Dreamspeaker, and it’s a chapter that’s called Swifty River. It’s about when Talitha found this real spooky forest where these little lights float around the trees and a pond. There’s this little bridge that’s real important later too. We hope you like our story! Be sure to visit us every week for a new best chapter! Ja!”

“Hi everyone! It’s me Jessie! We’re starting a new thing on our site because we like having new stuff. So we’re going to do something called the ‘Chapter of the Week’ from all our best stories. This week is Chapter 15 from The Palace in the Sky which is the second book in our series.”

“The chapter is called ‘The Solar System Reconstruction Committee.’ It’s about the time we helped Cici build a new model of the solar system ’cause some mean kids at her school broke the first one.”

“And the best part is you can read it for free just like all our books! We’re gonna have a new chapter every week, so be sure to check back soon for more stories!”

“Hi everyone! Shannon here. You probably already noticed I opened a New Gift Shop, and Hayashi really went all out with a really cool new design. I’d be really happy if you would all come visit us because this is the best Gift Shop we’ve ever had, and we’re starting a new thing on our site today.”

“Teko likes to explore, so he’s going to fly through our shop to find a new item each week that will be ‘Teko’s Magical Treasure.’ We’ll announce it here along with a link.”

“This way we can announce our best Gift Shop gifts with our best designs.”

“And you know we’ve got the best designs!”

“This week’s Magical Treasure is the Warrior of the Night Tote Bag with our brand new Starlight Huntress design.”

Teko’s Magical Treasure of the Week

“Yay for Teko-chan! Don’t forget, minna! Shannon-sama donates some of what the Gift Shop makes to benefit the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls which is a super-neat camp every year that’s all about music! Have fun! Ja ne!”

LadyStar is the story of a group of girls who each have a powerful weapon they wear disguised as a priceless jeweled treasure. With their magical weapons, Jessica Hoshi and her friends can transform into the Ajan Warriors, champion defenders of the enchanted realm of Aventar!

“Hi! I’m Jessica Hoshi! If you like stories about action and adventure and discovering magical treasures and fighting evil monsters, you’ll like our books a lot! Me and my friends have lots of fun adventures together! You can read LadyStar: The Palace in the Sky for free! The whole book! Right in your browser! So tell all your friends and come visit us as much as you want! There’s always something fun happening on our site!”

“Sigh… it’s a shame too. They only found one Ajan wimp, and it’s been over a week.”

“Six days to go until we cancel the party for them. I can’t wait to see all the disappointment.”

“Come on, we’ve got more of those sad face buttons to sell.”

“I’m depressed.”

“You’re always depressed.”

“Yeah but today I have bonus depression.”

“Oh, have a nice day.”

“That’s not very funny.”

“Ssssend usssss more fiend mail. . . humansssss are such foolsssssss…”

“I found Teko and he gots clues for everybody so you can help us find all my friends! If you look around our site starting tomorrow you might find some of Teko’s clues and if you do it will help us find everyone faster! Come on Hikousen! Let’s keep looking.”

zzzzzz

“I’m glad you came to help us, Acey!”

“Hey, we’re all on the same team! Let’s put together a good plan and we’ll find your friends. You can count on that.”

“Yay! Now we’re gonna beat those mean Halloween monsters, Hikousen!”

“zzzzzz”

“Communications link with LadyStar web site established, Commander.”

“Outstanding. We’ll handle the updates from here, Cici. You and Hikousen take this commlink and go find your friends. If you need us, just say ‘Cici to Hana’ and you’ll be patched in to Z-bot’s communications network.”

“Okay! Let’s go Hikousen!”

“mmmmzzzzrrrwwzzzzz”

“No time for analysis, Z-bot. Until we know what’s going on we’re on maximum battle status.”

“Affirmative, Commander. Weapons systems armed.”

“Look sharp.”

“I can’t find anyone. Alanna, Shannon, anybody. Do you have any idea?”

“Only that white bird, and it’s still in the tree outside. I can’t get near it but it’s been watching us all day.”

“FREEZE!“

gasp!

“Is that some kind of space gun or something?”

“How many more?”

“None, Commander. Nearest humanoid life form bearing 252 mark six range 18 meters.”

“Threat analysis.”

“Negative weapons. Negative heavy alloys. Negative elecromagnetic emissions. Negative radiation. Nearest radio communications signal source range is 21 kilometers.”

“Who are you?!”

“Where is Talitha Hayashi?”

“We don’t know! That’s what we were just saying!”

“Acey!”

“Well, you look like an awfully tired cat, but I have to use my desk if you don’t mind.”

zzzzzz

“Oof! You’re a heavy one aren’t you? Arrrgh! You’re too heavy for me! Well I was headed for class anyway so I guess you can stay here until you find another place to sleep.”

“Okay, here’s that computer that Talitha was using with the green letters. She did a ‘ping’ something and that made it so Acey could hear us. Let me try it.”

“New Satcom signal detected. Low-power ATS IP network data source at terminal location E29A64. Core communications database identifies sender as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ ninth-grade student. Location: Tree Shores High School. Priority transmission source identified. Message recorded for relay to Hana. Activating primary com channel. Stand by location E29A64.”

“Help us Acey! Oh wait, I have to type it. H-E-L-P U-S A-C-E-Y“

“Distress signal detected. Upgrading alert status. Switching transmission network to secure frequency. Activating secondary com channel.”

“Z-bot to Hana.”

“Hana, Acey here.”

“Reporting auto-upgrade of alert status. Receiving distress signal from priority transmission source at station E29A64, bearing 304 mark 18, range 82,000 kilometers. Sender has been identified as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ Location: Tree Shores High School. Standing by for instructions.”

“Yellow Alert. Activate autocombat systems.”

“Affirmative. Autocombat systems engaged.”

“Patch me in to primary secure com channel.”

“Affirmative. You’re on Commander.”

“This is Commander Acey aboard the Hana. Please describe your emergency.”

“Receiving response, Commander. Relaying… T-H-E H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N M-O-N-S-T-E-R-S“

“Halloween monsters? Analysis, Z-bot?”

“Negative. Station E29A64 is no longer transmitting.”

“We’ve got to get down there and find out what’s going on. Rendezvous with the Hana at the Tree Shores High School Band Room and remain on station, Z-bot. Acey out.”

“Affirmative, Commander. ETA six minutes.”

“This is where Talitha was using the computer, Hikousen, but we gotta be real quiet ’cause it’s like a library.”

“mmmmmwwwrzzzzzz”

“That’s the teacher’s desk I think. It’s the one with all the papers. Maybe I should transform and then I can use my powers to make them go away.”

zzzzzz

“Or I can use big fat purring kitty power.”

*oof* “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”

“You’re gonna sleep there Hikousen. Don’t move until I get back. I’m gonna go use Talitha’s computer so I can call Acey to help us.”

“mmrwowrzzzzzz”

“What in the name of…”

The Haunted Halloween Hunt now has its own page so you can follow Cici n’ Hikousen’s spooky adventure!

“Missssssserable humansssssss. . . thisssss page will not sssssssave your Ajan Warriorsssssssss. . .”

“Greetings humans! heh heh heh… seems we’ve got us a web site now that everyone else is gone. We brought some of our friends along too.”

“Pathetic humanssssss. . . . Your Ajan Warriorssssssss are finissssssssshed. . . . You thought we were defeated at the Lithic Pavilion, but you cannot defeat ussssss ssssso eassssily. . .”

“So as you can see, we’re in charge around here now.”

“This is all so pointless. Why is everything so pointless?”

“Oh, I’m afraid we’ll find the last of the Ajan Warriors soon enough. . . heh heh heh get it? ‘I’m afraid?’”

“I’m so depressed.”

“Go ahead you simpering humans. See if you can find them! We dare you.”

“They get candy and parties and what do I get? A candle burning the top of my head for two weeks. Go away and leave us alone.”

Happy Halloween!

Jessica, Shannon, Talitha, Ranko, Leila and Alanna were all together at school. But one by one, they have vanished. Only Cici and Hikousen are left, and they’ve set out to rescue their friends.

But they need YOUR help. The nefarious Haunted Halloween minions have trapped Jessica and her friends in ensorcelled cages hidden somewhere around the LadyStar web site. Each time you discover one of the ensorcelled cages, you will be able to read another chapter of the story of Cici n’ Hikousen’s Haunted Halloween Hunt. If you can find them, you will be helping Cici and Hikousen solve the Halloween mystery.

Starting Monday, October 15th!

Starting Monday night, October 15th, you have until Halloween night, October 31st, to help rescue all six of Cici’s friends. Then, on Halloween night, the seventh and final chapter of the Haunted Halloween Hunt will be published exclusively right here on the Magical and Mysterious World of LadyStar. Can you defeat the Halloween minions and rescue Cici’s friends?

The Haunted Halloween Hunt Rules

• The ensorcelled cages and story chapters are on the Ladystar.net site only. It is not necessary to click any off-site links or links provided by any site other than LadyStar.net
• You may find clues hidden around the site as well.
• Be observant and read the Halloween story chapters carefully. There might be clues hidden there.

Are you up for the challenge? Prepare yourself. The minions are waiting, and they know what scares you . . .

“We did it! I love ten update days. They’re my favorites.”

“Busy day like always. Just like Yorozu says, don’t forget to vote in our poll question on the left column. We hope you liked our ten update Friday!”

“Yeah! Arigato for visiting us, minna! Have a great weekend! Ja!”

“Okay boys and girls, it’s voting time again. Professor Planet over here has installed a new poll and this one should be interesting. Right over there on the left side of every page: crimson background, nice, gold lettering, nice. Buttons for each answer and a button to vote.”

“Ooh, there’s seven answers. Let’s see, there’s a message board, and a shoutbox, and more blog comments.”

“What’s a shout box?”

“That’s a little window where anyone can type a short message any time they want. It’s really simple and fast.”

“We should bring back the Character Book. That thing rocked. We had like 500 signatures or something.”

“Most of these are pretty easy to do.”

“I think our audience will make a wise decision.”

“It’s up to you guys. Tell us what you think!”

“Yeah! Jump in there and VOTE! We be out!”

“Updated the Winterdancer Page too.”

“Awesome. I love that chapter with the bang, pow, zap. I can’t wait until we get our powers. We’re going to have some great battles.”

“Yeah, we had a bit of a disagreement. If you like combat action, you’ll probably like this preview called Valor of the Winterdancer.”

“Alanna-sama’s the Winterdancer, ’cause that’s her title of lore when she gets all her neat powers. Did you know the Warrior of the River’s powers are all from snow and ice? It even says so on her warrior page! Looky!”

The Ajan Warrior of the River