Week 7 "Giver" Discussion Topics

The discussion topics for this week (week 7) have to do with Chapters 6,  7 and 8 (p. 50-64) and what we have read so far in general. Please read (and reread) Chapters 6, 7 and 8 (especially chapter 8) before Thursday's class so that you will be ready to discuss the following topics with your classmates:

Topic 1: Week 6, Chapter 6 Question Topics 
-Death and marriage in the community
-The importance of the Ceremony

Topic 2: Jonas' Assignment
-What is his assignment?
-How is it different than the other assignments?
-Why was he chosen for this assignment?
-What do you predict he will do with this assignment?

Topic 2: The Positive and Negative Aspects of Jonas' Community
Based on what you have read so far, what are some of the positive aspects of Jonas' community? What are some of the negative aspects of this community?


Chapters 6 and 7 Practice Quizzes (sorry, but chapter 8 is included in the chapters 8-10 quiz): 

Chapters 6-7 Practice Quiz

HW for Wednesday, Feb. 29th

1. Speed Reading #8, "Body Language"
2. Read Josh's book report (see post below) and answer the following questions (collected HW):

a. What is an "android"?


b. Describe the place where Josh's story takes places (happens). 


c. Who is the main character in the book? Describe him. 


d. Does this sound like an interesting book? Why or why not? 

Week 6, Chapter 6 "Giver" Questions

Hi students,

Like I said at the end of class today (Thursday), I really enjoyed reading your quiz responses.   You did a good job of pretending to be a character and imagining how that character is feeling in the story.  Keep thinking about your character because we will write a similar response in a couple of weeks. 

For Monday, Feb. 28th, I'd like you to answer the two questions below about Chapter 6. Please write your responses on a separate sheet of paper; I will collect your responses on Monday. 

1. Describe one of the following processes in Jonas' community: a) marriage OR b) death. 

In other words, try to describe how people in the community get married OR explain what the community does when someone dies. 

2. In your own words, explain why the "Ceremony" is so important in the community. Give at least 3 reasons. 

3. Extra credit (2 points)

Why are children like "Fritz" such a problem in the community? (see p. 45 to reread about "Fritz")

Homework for Monday, Feb. 27th

1. Speed Reading #7 "Jennifer Lopez"

2. News Journal #4
To complete News Journal #4, go to BBC News. Make sure to PRINT and STAPLE your article to your HW.

3. Chapter 6 "Giver" Response (collected HW: please write on separate paper and hand in on Monday)
**See blog  post above for questions

Book Report #1 Instructions and Example

When: Thursday, March 1st  

What: Please type a letter to your teacher about your book. Include the following information:

1.     What is the title of your book?

2.     Who is the author?  What do you know about the author?

3.     Have you finished the book? If not, what page are you on? If you are reading a novel, how much have you read so far?

4.     What is the SETTING (time and place) in the story?

5. Who are the main CHARACTERS (people) in the story? What are they like (describe them)?

6.     What happens in the story? Give a brief (6-10 sentence) PLOT summary.

7.     What is your favorite part of the book? Why do you like this part of the book?

8.     Should I or other students read this book? Why or why not?

Don’t forget: Please write your letter in your own words. If you gather information from other sources (i.e. Internet), please do not copy this information. Read it two or three times, put it away, and write it in your words.

Send to: joshua.rosenberger@mso.umt.edu or bring a copy to class.

Example Book Report

Dear Students,

I'd like to tell you about a very good book that I have recently finished. It's called "Do Androids Dream of Electic Sheep." In case you're wondering, an "android" is a robot (machine) that looks just like a human. The author of the book is Philip K. Dick. The book has about 250 pages. This book was so good that I finished it in one week!

The setting of the story is that of a futuristic world (approximately the year 2020) in the western United States after a great world war in which the natural environment was entirely destroyed. As a result of this war, most animals are extinct, many humans have moved to "off-world colonies" (e.g. Mars), and the few humans who are still on earth have advanced technological devices (flying cars, video phones, laser guns, etc.) but live in fear of continual nuclear pollution from the great world war.  Because there are not many real live animals, people covet (really appreciate) "pet" animals like sheep, squirrels, horses, and so on. In fact, a real horse might cost you $30,000! The most interesting aspect of the setting is that the world is inhabited by not only humans but also "androids," called "andys" in the story. "Andys" are humanoid robots who appear to be human in every way physically and intellectually. This brings us to our characters.

There are three main characters in the book. The "hero" and most important character in the story is Rick Deckard. He is a "bounty hunter." A bounty hunter is like a police officer. The job of a bounty hunter is to find and kill androids (robot humans) living on earth. Another important character in the book is Rachel Rosen. She is an android. However, she looks just like a beautiful woman, and she is smarter than most humans. The last important character is J.R. Isodore. He has a very good heart, but he is not very smart. He becomes friends with three of the androids in the story because he doesn't have any human friends.  Of all these characters, Rick Deckard is my favorite because he is  very brave, and he always seems to have good luck. He also has a lot of empathy (ability to feel for other people). In fact, towards the end of the book, he starts to realize that killing androids might be wrong.

The plot of the story is full of action and moves along quickly. Deckard is given an assignment by his supervisor to find and "retire" (kill) six androids who escaped from a colony on Mars because the androids killed quite a few humans in their escape.  What he doesn't know is that the six androids who he must kill really want to stay alive! 

Each time he finds an android, it (he/she) tries to kill him.  Soon Deckard begins to wonder whether androids, who are not metal creatures but rather beings with flesh and blood, should also have the right to live in peace rather than being killed by bounty hunters. This question is never fully answered, but it continues to make me think about the following question: If androids can think, love, and have a desire to live, should they be treated like humans?

My favorite part of the book is when Rick Deckard is taken to jail.  While he's in jail, he meets another bounty hunter who works for an android police officer (he doesn't know the police officer is an android). The police officer tells Deckard that the bounty hunter is also an android even though he isn't. In the end, the bounty hunter saves Deckard from the android police officer.

I think that level 4 students would enjoy this book. It has lots of action, and it describes a lot of interesting technology that didn't exist when the book was published (in 1968!) but that we have today. For example, in the book, people talk on video phones where you can see the person you are talking to. We have this today with technology like Skype. Finally, the book has a good message. However, if you want to know the book's message, you'll have to read the book!

Sincerely,

Your teacher, Josh

Week 6 Giver Reading

Sorry if this is a little late.

For week 6 (this week), I'd like you to read chapter 6 in "The Giver."

Tomorrow I will post questions that you will have to respond to by next Tuesday, Feb. 28th.

HW for Wednesday, Feb. 22

1. Act. 2 Vocabulary Chart (p. 41)
(only the chart!!!)

2. News Journal #3
To complete News Journal #3, go to BBC News. Make sure to PRINT and STAPLE your article to your HW.

3. Speed Reading #6

Week 5 "Giver" Discussion Questions

Hi!

I hope you have enjoyed reading "The Giver." It just keeps getting more and more interesting!

Here are the topics that we will discuss during Thursday's discussion:

Topic 1: Volunteering in Community (Chapt. 4)

Topic 2: How the Community Treats "the Old" (Chapt. 4)

Topic 3: Jonas' Dream (Chapt. 5)

Topic 4: Individualism (the entire book!)

IF you are interested in testing your knowledge on chapters 3-5, you can take this practice quiz: Practice Quiz for Chapter 3-5

Go ahead and bring your own questions about the story if you have them.

I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.


Josh

HW for Wednesday, Feb. 15th

1. Speed Reading #5 ("Tour de France")

2. Act. 7 (p. 30-31)

3. Act. 10 (p. 32)

HW for Monday, Feb. 13th

1. Speed Reading #4

2. News Journal #2
Go to the Missoulian to find an article that you are interested in. Make sure to PRINT and STAPLE your article to your HW.

3. Act. 7, #7-10 (p. 25)

Giver Update:
Please read chapters 4 and 5 by next Thursday. I will post discussion topics/questions next week.


Have a good weekend!

Topics and Main Ideas

Topics

When we read newspaper articles, short stories, academic articles in our book, paragraphs, and so on, we (should) always ask ourselves the following question:

What is this about?

When we ask ourselves this question, we are really asking ourselves,

"What is the topic of this article?"

The answer doesn't need to be a sentence. It's not an IDEA. It's just the subject that the article/paragraph is talking about.

Main Ideas

Related to the topic is the main idea of an article. With the topic, we ask, "What is this about?" On the other hand, when talking about the main idea we want identify the MOST IMPORTANT idea about the topic. Think about it: ideas are sentences. Therefore, the main idea of an article or paragraph is also always a complete sentence. Also, main ideas are not details. Main ideas need details because these details support or prove the main idea. Finally, the main idea is often (but not always) stated in a sentence or sentences in the article/articles. It is usually the first sentence, but sometimes it is the second, third, or last sentence in a paragraph.

Example

Let's look at an example from the second article we looked at in Chapter 1, "Campus Life is Changing."

1.     What’s the article about? (topic)

àTopic: Technology on campus OR changes in technology on campus 

2.     What’s the most important idea about the topic? (main idea)

àMain idea: The first sentence

3.     Supporting Details

àAll the other sentences are supporting details that explain/provide examples of how technology has changed on campus

On all college campuses, student life is very different from what it used to be because of technology—specifically, the Internet.  At most colleges, all entering first-year students receive an email address.  Dormitory rooms offer high-speed Internet access.  Computer systems are available to everyone in computer labs, the library, and student centers.  Application for classes and registration are usually now possible online.  Most schools offer entire courses online.  Many professors still have “office hours,” when students can come to talk with them about class work or ask for help.  But increasingly, students can contact professors 24 hours a day, thanks to email.  In many classes, students complete assignments and even take exams online.  Perhaps most important for both students and professors, research is now easier and faster because of the new technology.

Practice


Try these short activities to practice identifying the topic and main idea of a paragraph. Be sure to check your answers when finished!

Topic and Main Idea Practice

We will continue to discuss topics and main ideas throughout the semester.

Thanks for reading.



Sources:

Hartmann, P. & Kirn, E. (2007). Interactions 2: Reading, Silver Edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Week 4 "Giver" Response

Hi Students,

I have two questions that I would like you to answer about Chapter 3 in "The Giver." Please write your responses on a separate sheet of paper and hand it in to me on Thursday, Feb. 9th.

Question 1

We've talked about individualism (putting value on the differences among people; encouraging independent ideas and thoughts) during the past two weeks. I'd like you to reflect on the idea of individualism and the community in which Jonas and his family live.

Based on what we've read so far, do you think that people in the community value individualism? Use examples from Chapter 3 to help support your answer. If you need a hint, look at p. 23.

Question 2

We've also talked a bit about discipline (control of other people's behavior). What examples of discipline have you seen so far in "The Giver?" You can use examples from chapter 3 or other chapters (1-2) for this question.

Extra Credit (Optional!)

Why did Jonas take the apple home?

If you don't understand these questions, please let me know tomorrow (Wednesday).

Good luck!

HW for Wednesday, Feb. 8th

1. Speed Reading #3

2. The Giver (Note that this HW is for Thursday!!!!!!)

-Read Chapter 3

-Answer the questions in the post above ("Week 4 Giver Response") completely and clearly:

Discussion Questions for "The Giver" Chapters 1-2

Hi!

I hope you have enjoyed the first two chapters of our class book, "The Giver." I certainly enjoyed the first 20 pages.

Here are some topics/questions to start thinking about before tomorrow's discussion:

1. Describe the community that Jonas lives in.

2. How would you describe the people in the story?

3. What upcoming event is Jonas excited about? What happens during this event? Why is it important in the community?

4. What types of rules does the community have? Can some rules be broken? What is the punishment when someone breaks the rules in a serious way?

IF you are interested in testing your knowledge, you can take this practice quiz on chapters 1-2: Practice Quiz

Go ahead and bring your own questions about the story if you have them.

I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.


Josh

HW for Monday, Feb. 6th

1. Topic and Main Idea Activity, Paragraphs D-F (p. 14-15) (collected)

2. Act. 2 (p. 19) (use a dictionary)

3. Speed Reading #2

4. News Journal #1
Go to the Missoulian to find an article that you are interested in. Make sure to PRINT and STAPLE your article to your HW.

Have a good weekend!