Fahrenheit 451 fishbowl #2: fifth hour

Today we'll primarily focus our discussion on the fourth reading section of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at the page break on 45 & continuing through the end of part 1.

You should feel comfortable, however, to also ask questions about previous sections.  I especially encourage you to do so if you have comprehension questions; use this discussion as an opportunity to understand the reading.

Be sure you...

• Are an active participant throughout our discussion time.  Students who continue to misuse class time will begin writing essays as outer circle members next class.

• Provide a quote to contextualize each question and response.  Be sure to cite these quotes with author & page number.  For example, (Bradbury 46).

Here are some great posts from your classmates:

Jessica W. commented, "Clarisse shows Montag that things don't have to be the way it is now, she shows him that it's ok to have some fun and change routine. 'What does the Hound think about down there nights? Is it coming alive on us, really?...' P.25 This is showing how he is questioning the way of things."

and Gannon remarked, "Clarisse changes the way Montag thinks because she makes him question everything he knows; 'I didn't know that! Montag laughed abruptly' (Bradbury 7). Clarisse makes Montag question things he would never even think about."

Here is another great comment from Lorelei:  "I think that the media today is corrupting young minds in a negative way because it is so different from what real life truly is. Sometimes its not even affecting the young people it can affect adults too. Montag showed this when the firemen believed what was in their rule books. They did not question it at all and Bradbury said 'Stoneman and Black drew forth their rule books, which also contained brief histories of the Firemen of America, and laid them out where Montag, though long familiar with them, might read' This shows that not only the youth can be affected by media, but also adults and anyone can be gullible. A government like this would hurt even when handled correctly because I think that there is no way for the government to completely change people's daily lives. It doesn't matter how many books you burn the truth always shows through some time or another."

and from Taylor:  "Clarisse opens up Montag's mind about the world and makes him think differently every time they talk to each others. 'He felt his body divide itself into a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness...' Is the way Montag felt after he had talked to Clarisse; making him feel different and weird."

and Grace, "It seems as if this little community is run by the thought of fear 'I'm afraid of children my own age. They kill each other. Did it always used to be like that?...' so is the thought of fear what makes the government take such big actions like burning books and censoring?"

and Bergen: "I like your question Sarah. Everyone seems to be really unhappy with this society: 

'I mean, to have firemen burn OUR houses and OUR books.' (pg. 31) These people are obviously unhappy and feel that this is unfair."  I love that you complimented Sarah's good question too, Bergen. Awesome.

and Lexi: "On page 14 Montag thinks, 'Someone else's blood there. If only someone else's flesh and brain and memory. If only they could have taken her mind along to the dry cleaner's and emptied the pockets...' From this, it is obvious that Montag is not happy with the wife he has. Do you think he will leave her to find happiness? Does he regret marrying Mildred?

• Use the "reply" button to indicate to whom your question or comment is posted.
• Carefully proofread your work.  This is a writing assignment.
• Refresh your page often so you can see new posts & ideas.

Happy posting!

Fahrenheit 451 fishbowl #2: first hour

Today we'll primarily focus our discussion on the second fourth reading section of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at the page break on 45 & continuing through the end of part 1.

You should feel comfortable, however, to also ask questions about previous sections.  I especially encourage you to do so if you have comprehension questions; use this discussion as an opportunity to understand the reading.

Be sure you...

• Are an active participant throughout our discussion time.  Students who continue to be unparticipatory, will write an essay in all future discussion when they're in the outer circle.

• Provide a quote to contextualize EVERY question and response.  Be sure to cite these quotes with author & page number.  For example, (Bradbury 36).  Here are a couple of posts from your classmates who incorporated text thoughtfully in their responses:

Zak D commented, "Maybe she isn't reading books but is learning to question how their society works because she says "I sometimes think drivers don't know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly," p. 6.

and Fernanda commented, "I think Montag got frustrated when Clarisse said he wasn't in love because he's married to Mildred. Montag argues when the dandelion didn't rub off on him, 'I am very much in love!'" p20

         Great job Zak and Fernanda!

• Use the "reply" feature for individual discussion threads to indicate to whom your question or comment is posted.
• Carefully proofread your work.  This is a formal assignment.
• Refresh your page often so you can see new posts & ideas.
• Be sure to press "publish" to post your comment versus pressing something like the enter button, which will delete your work.

Happy posting!

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Fahrenheit 451 fishbowl #1: fifth hour

Today we'll primarily focus our discussion on the second reading section of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at the page break on 15 & continuing through the page break on 32.  

You should feel comfortable, however, to also ask questions about previous sections.  I especially encourage you to do so if you have comprehension questions; use this discussion as an opportunity to understand the reading.

Be sure you...

• Are an active participant throughout our discussion time.  Dormancy suggestions you're doing other things and may mean you write a written response for ensuing discussions in lieu of participating on the blog.
• Provide a quote to contextualize each question and response.  Be sure to cite these quotes with author & page number.
• Indicate to whom your question or comment is posted, i.e. "Class" or "Susie".
• Carefully proofread your work.  This is a writing assignment.
• Refresh your page often so you can see new posts & ideas.

Happy posting!

Fahrenheit 451: fishbowl #1. First hour

Today we'll primarily focus our discussion on the second reading section of Fahrenheit 451 beginning at the page break on 15 & continuing through the page break on 32.  

You should feel comfortable, however, to also ask questions about previous sections.  I especially encourage you to do so if you have comprehension questions; use this discussion as an opportunity to understand the reading.

Be sure you...

• Are an active participant throughout our discussion time.  Dormancy suggestions you're doing other things and may mean you write a written response for ensuing discussions in lieu of participating on the blog.
• Provide a quote to contextualize each question and response.  Be sure to cite these quotes with author & page number.
• Indicate to whom your question or comment is posted, i.e. "Class" or "Susie".
• Carefully proofread your work.  This is a writing assignment.
• Refresh your page often so you can see new posts & ideas.

Happy posting!

Sacrifice assignment: is it worth it?

Tomorrow, we'll begin Fahrenheit 451. In the society of this text, it has been decided that to preserve peace and tranquility, people must sacrifice many parts of our human experience: time in nature, reading for entertainment and knowledge, higher learning, among other things.

Over the last week, I've asked you to give up something--a material possession, a personal connection, a value, or an activity--and to use this experience to contemplate the nature of sacrifice, particularly considering what sacrifices are worth making and why.

In a paragraph, describe what you did & reflect on your experiences.  This is a formal writing assignment, so please be sure to use proper writing conventions and to carefully proofread your work.  Part of the goal of this assignment is to have an opportunity to view a wide range of experiences; be sure to keep your response concise so others are willing to read your post.

Your work needs to be posted by 6 a.m. on Thursday, February 19th.

I'll start...

Recently, I've used the time when I walk my dog to catch up on phone calls with friends and family, so I decided that in lieu of being attached to my cell phone, I'd use this time to enjoy nature.  In the fall, I read a book by Ariana Huffington called Thrive and, in this text, she describes how those who wonder, who pause to relish the beauty of nature have more satisfying lives.  I recognize I'm bad about this; like many, I constantly consider my to-do list and rarely live in the moment.  I found that leaving my phone in my pocket led me to better enjoy nature.  Often I walk around sunset, and I paused to appreciate the beauty of the sun passing over the mountains.  I found this to be a much more tranquil experience than the multi-tasking I usually do.
Overall, I'm good at putting my phone, computer, etc. aside, but it's not usually to live in the moment, but rather to accomplish another item on my to do list.  I recognize I need to be better at enjoying the little joys of the present, even if that means sacrificing time.