Family - or Torture Device?

Family.  We share everything from clothes to toothpaste, hide keys, borrow money, lock each other out of our rooms, inflict pain and then kiss it to heal it in the same instant.  Loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that binds us all together.  Family is everything - or is it?

How responsible do you feel for your family members? Do you think family members should risk danger or even death for one another? Explain your responses!  You should have a minimum of 5 sentences.  Not lines, but sentences!  Spelling, grammar and punctuation will count!  TWO points off per error.  This is a test grade!

The Ancient Romans

We have all heard about ancient Rome and its inhabitants.  This is a time that is a mystery to us as it's hard to envision what life was truly like.  Close your eyes and picture yourself in ancient Rome and think of what a typical day would be like for you.  Answer these questions:

What do you think you would be wearing?
What would your surroundings look like?
What would your house look like?
What kinds of foods would you be eating?
What would you do for fun?
What kind of job would you have?
Would you have a pet?  If so, what kind?

Don't forget that this is a TEST grade!  You must answer all the questions and TWO points will be deducted for every error in grammar, punctuation and spelling.  Please try hard and sound eloquent!  You can do it!

The post is due by Friday, March 25, at 3:45 p.m.

We're done! Now what?

Now that we have finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird, answer the following questions:

1.  What did you honestly think of the book?
2.  Why do you think this book is considered a classic that is ready by every high school student?
3.  Who was your favorite character and why?
4.  Do you agree with Atticus that it's important to always place yourself in other people's shoes?  Why?
5.  Would you recommed this book to others?  Why or why not?

*You must answer all questions to get full credit!  This will be a TEST grade!  Points will be deducted for misspelled words and grammar and punctuation errors! 

Honestly, I really appreciate this novel for it's depth of the ever present themes of racial and gender prejudice.  We do not know how great our world is now because we no longer have to deal with these problems on a daily basis.  As a woman, I am empowered to know that we can vote, go to school, stay home, go to work, whatever we want!  It's amazing that we have the freedom to choose what we want to be.

This book is a classic because it deals with so much human emotion and topics that all can relate to.  No matter what your preference of genre, you will be transported to a world of injustice and unfairness.  Your heart will perhaps be touched and forever changed knowing that people have actually lived through this.

My favorite character was Scout because she was smart and she was a reader.  She was not your typical child who only cared about herself and about material things.  Her heart ached when others were hurt and she tried to learn from the wrongdoings of not only herself but of others.  She was far mature for her age and, again, she was a reader!  I can't help but believe that this is what aided her maturity :)

I definitely do believe that you should place yourself in others shoes.  You might learn something!  Also, it is important to realize that everyone is different and we all have different beliefs and opinions.  That's what makes the world go round.

Yes, absolutely, everyone should read this book! It might not be modern, but it's truly an eye-opener about how far we've come.  The problem may not be over, but, in Miss Maudie's words, we've perhaps taken "baby steps" and one day we'll get there.

What is special about a Mockingbird?

Many of you have been asking why the novel is titled To Kill a Mockingbird.  Answer the following questions, what exactly is a Mockingbird?  Why would someone want to kill this bird?  Then, make some predictions about what the significance of the title might be.  Please remember that most titles usually do not represent a literal meaning but a symbolic one.  Also, if you have read the book or have seen the movie, please do not give away any plot points or outcomes.

What did you think?

The idea of being stranded on a deserted island has been toyed with for years- from movies like Castaway, to reality shows like Survivor, to sitcoms like Gilligan's Island-the idea is nothing new.  Howeverthe premise that seemingly civilized schoolboys could self-destruct and wreak havoc on such intense levels is not only hard to believe but leaves you wondering, could youth really behave in this manner?  I believe this approach was one that hadn't been explored before and left us with many feelings of digust and anger.  Also, one couldn't help but think if the definition of "true friend" really does exist?  The boys had no problem turning their backs on each other and true friendships were not really formed, with the exception of Ralph and Piggy, but that realization, sadly, surfaced too late.

I've read this book five times before and have enjoyed it every time.  Admittedly, I don't love it, but I think it has a very important message - that there is both good and evil in everyone, and drastic times may inevitably bring either side out.  I would definitely recommend this book to others because it is well written and exceedingly unpredictable.  Nothing was as expected, which I think added a great element of surprise that is necessary to keep the reader going.  I rate this book an 8 because, again, I did not love it but it is a timeless classic that will surely live on for many years to come.

What did you think about the book?  Did you love it, hate it, or feel indifferent?  Would you recommend this novel to others?  Lastly, on a scale of 1-10, what would you rate this novel? 50 words minimum, and you must anwer all of the questions.

Is there good in everyone?

Ralph, by nature, is an innocent, mild- tempered boy who accepts leadership when it is thrust on him.  He serves as a democratic leader who tries to keep the boys together on the island and uses a conch shell to mildly show his authority. He thinks of building shelters to protect them and a signal fire for their rescue. He befriends Piggy, the fat boy that receives taunts and teases from the other boys, and learns to rely on Piggy's intellectual reasoning.  


Simon is the quiet, shy boy in the group. Being a visionary, he often goes into the forest by himself to contemplate nature and life. He is the only one who helps Ralph build the huts and is also genuinely concerned for the well-being of the "littleuns". 


Piggy is the fat boy who is the brunt of all the jokes and teasing in the novel. He is physically weak and constantly complains about his asthma. He is also myopic and almost blind without his glasses.  But, Piggy is also rational and has an understanding about life. He constantly warns the boys about their behavior and foolish ways and becomes Ralph's true friend while serving as a sounding board and advisor to him.


All three seem to be "good" boys; however, is there a difference in their goodness? *40 words minimum.

Ralph vs Piggy

The first characters we met in chapter one of Lord of the Flies are Ralph and Piggy.  They appear to be foils, or opposites, of one another.  Ralph is handsome, athletic, somewhat reserved, and the son of a Royal Navy commander.  He is enchanted by the physical aspects of the island, perhaps a reflection of never having been to a beach before.  Piggy, on the other hand, is heavy, asmatic, wears glasses, and lives with his auntie.  He offers Ralph friendship, and is concerned with finding the others and with the details of how they will survive.  Ralph only tolerates Piggy's friendly overtures-and immediately betrays him by ignoring his plea to keep his nickname, Piggy, a secret from the others.

Your question is, would either or both be your friend?  Why?