Fahrenheit 451 fishbowl #4: fifth hour

Last Fahrenheit fishbowl!  Let's make it a great one.

Much, much better last time!  Many very quality, well-supported comments.  Here are a few highlights:

Noah asked, "Montag likes to comment on his hand like they have a mind of their own like on page 102 when it says,'Montag felt the guilt of his hands' why do you think that is?

Also, Marissa commented, "I think books were mostly banned to censor the information that makes the government look bad. Also, the stuff we see as violence is seen as entertainment to them, like when the bodies flew across the screen and Millie was not bothered by it. 'Millie, did you see that?''I saw it, I saw it!' pg 90

And Liam stated, "Early on in part two Faber describes books importance saying that 'they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture.' By this I think Faber means that unlike most things they have in this society, books have personality and creativity unmatched in the modern world.

I picked these as they each contextualized their questions or supported their comments with a passage from the text.  Please do that for every post.

Let's aim for at least 5 good quality comments or questions today.

Happy posting!

Fahrenheit 451 Fishbowl #3--part 2: fifth hour

I think our outer circle discussion could have been better last class.

A few reminders:
1.  I want to see your questions and comments throughout the course of discussion.  Let's be more concrete:  to earn full credit, aim for 3-5 well, developed, text-supported responses.  Some today will be writing a response instead.  If I'm unable to see your thinking on the blog, this assignment will be your mandatory alternative next fishbowl.

2.  Use the comment thread feature.  Rather than writing @ whomoever, press the "reply" button directly below the comment or question to which you're responding.

3.  For EVERY EVERY EVERY question and comment you offer, capture a quote that informed that comment or question.  EVERY.  In some places, we were throwing out those comments and questions with quotes, but without more explanation, it was unclear how the 2 connected.  Here is one of the only good examples I found from last class; Bergen commented, "Unfortunately, I almost feel like he does. After slapping her, he just say "Listen, give me a second." (pg. 63) so it almost seems like it doesn't bother him to much."

Let's step up our game today, outer circle!  You can do better!

Fahrenheit 451 fishbowl #3: first hour

Morning!  Looking forward to a great fishbowl over part 2 of Fahrenheit.  Remember, anything from this section is fair game:  comprehension questions, analysis questions, and big picture questions.

You guys are doing well with all of our expectations.  Some seem challenged, however, with the idea of incorporating passages into each response.  Remember, for each question & comment, I'm asking you to include & cite a passage from the text; aim for fewer, better responses.  Be sure, too, that the passage you include, in fact, supports your thinking, discussing its relevance to your argument.   Here are a few of your classmates who did a great job with that in our last discussion.  Please use their questions and comments as good examples.

Here is one of Becca's comments:  "It is mentioned that a quote Montag read was 'stamped with Fiery Steele' into his mind, and I think that it might show that fire is starting to hurt him, because reading that book was against everything he used to believe in very strongly [so] he basically betrayed himself. Maybe it is giving him an idea as to how much he is hurting other people". (Pg 34)

And Monica's "The way of life they live is part of who the people are. When Beatty is talking to Montag he said that people like Clarisse don't happen very often. "Luckily, queer ones like her don't happen often. We know how to nip most of them in the bud, early." (Bradbury 58)

And a great comment from Meghan: "I think that completely depends on what family you're born into because parents beliefs and lifestyles tend to pass on to their children. For example, on page 7 Clarice says "Oh, just my mother and father and uncle sitting around, talking." I think this shows that the reason Clarice thinks so much is because the rest of her family talks instead of being on technology.

Here's another great comment from Ben: "It seems as though Mildred and Montag fight a lot. I think that they will get divorced. Montag on page 53 says 'For God's sake, let me be!" If they don't get divorced then their marriage will be complicated.'"

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!