Part 1 of TKAM

As we finish up part one of To Kill a Mockingbird... What are your thoughts? Who has been your favorite character? What has been you favorite quote?

Or what has been your favorite part so far?

Or your least favorite part or character? 

For me Scout has been my favorite character... In the words of Mr. Micheal Thomas, she hits first and then thinks... But I can see her point,she has a need to defend Atticks when so many are against him. Atticks is her everything... Her right and wrong, her voice of reason, the person she admires most.

Atticks has taught Scout and Jem to tolerate others... Do you all think that was wise of him? Would you have done things differently? 

My least favorite character is Francis, well in this part, because in part two it's someone else...

My favorite part so far has been when Mrs. Dubose leaves Jem the flower when she dies... Even in death he will not get rid of her, but it was a good lesson for him. 

I want thank you all for the discussions that we have been having in class, you all are doing an amazing job!!!! Thank you :) 

TKaM Ch.4-6

What do you all think about the "game" Jem and Dill play? Scout is not very interested in playing this "game" she would rather sit with Miss. Maudie and talk to her.
Knowing how scared Jem is of the Radley House, if you were him would you have gone back to the house to get the pants?
During this era it was all about honesty and what people thought about you, perception was everything. What do you think the neighbors thought when they saw Jem without pants? Do you agree with the way Dill lied saying that they were playing strip poker, knowing that playing cards was just as bad as sneaking into someones yard? What would have you all done in this situation?
    

In chapters 2-3 in TKaM we came across two amazing quotes that I feel are worth taking second look at.
The first quote is on Chapter 2 page 2, on Scout's first day of school when her teacher Ms. Fisher asks her to stop reading and Scout's thought is "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."
What are you thoughts on this quote? What if you were asked to stop doing something that you loved to do and meant a lot to you? What you do? Remember during this time period respect was everything so when an adult told a child to do something you did it.

The second quote comes in chapter 3 page 39 when Atticus and Scout are having a conversation about what Scout needs to do in order to get along with people. Atticus tells Scout "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
What are your thoughts on Atticus's advice? Was this good advice or not? Would you have given Scout different advice?

I look forward for your thoughts on Chapters 4-6 on Monday. Hope you all are having a great weekend :)

TKaM CH.1

As we start reading To Kill a Mockingbird there are a few questions I would like for you all to consider.

FIRST RECALL OF A FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER. 

How did you view school: with excitement, dread, or boredom?

How did you react to teachers?

How did you interact with classmates?

What was the hardest thing for you to cope with?

As we finished reading "The Most Dangerous Game" I can't help but love the ending and thinking that Rainsford was justified for his actions!!! What would you all have done? How ironic is it that General Zaroff's own dogs ended up eating him, when he had trained them to eat his HUNTEES?

Great Job on the flower projects!!! The reasoning behind this project was so that you could learn about yourself through flowers. Just think of it, now when you see the flower that represents you, you will be able to identify it and pass along the information to a friend or family member.

Next Tuesday September 9, 2014 is meet the teacher night. I hope to meet all our parents there!!!

Next week we will start reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I look forward to getting started on this book and having interesting discussion based on our reading :)

I would like to thank all of my students for being an awesome bunch and making these first two weeks great!!! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Don't forget  journals are due Friday!