One Simple Trick...

    Empathy is key. Contemplate the following ideas and then answer the questions below for this weeks blog post.

Name instances where our society is lacking empathy. What can we do to change the attitude of people who lack compassion/ empathy?

"If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kind of folks.  You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
                                          -Atticus (pg 39)

What is your opinion as you consider this advice?
Why do you think it necessary for Harper Lee's narrator to be an adult looking back at her childhood?
What is it about the nature of children that make this advice so poignant?

Ban Books?

At one point we talked about this book having been banned.  I found this article the other day and thought it was interesting. What do you think after reading the book? Do you agree with any of these statements?
Do you believe we should ban books? Explain and write you opinions on book banning.  (This should be at least a paragraph)

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

In 1989, Steinbeck’s novel was challenged as a summer youth program reading assignment in Chattanooga, TN because “Steinbeck is known to have had an anti business attitude.” Also, “he was very questionable as to his patriotism.” Well, his books must be trash, then.

In 1992, a coalition of community members and clergy in Mobile, AL challenged the book on charges of “profanity” and “morbid and depressing themes.”

In 2003, the book was challenged in the Normal, IL Community High Schools on account of the fact that it “does not represent traditional values.” (Kind of on the nose for a town called “Normal,” eh?)

In 2007, a parent called the novel a “worthless, profanity-riddled book” which is “derogatory towards African Americans, women, and the developmentally disabled.” The Olathe, KS high school kept assigning it anyway. We think posterity would disagree on that “worthless” bit.

This excerpt was taken from "The Most Ridiculous Claims Used to Challenge Classic Novels"
By Emily Temple published on April 15,2013. Flavorwire.com

Word Pictures (Blog #4)

When Dreams Die at the Hands of Mercy

Create three "snapshots" one from chapter three, four and five. Each snapshot should depict a frozen moment from the chapter.  Include precise and vivid details. Make sure that the words you are using really create the picture that is in your mind from that part of the chapter. Take inspiration from the text, but use your own words.  If you like you make include a picture to go along with the "word picture" your have created.  If you choose to add a picture write a short caption beneath it..

What's in your Bindle?

Imagine that you have no particular home and travel from site to site with a bundle of bedding with your personal belongings stuffed inside of it.  Everything you own fits on "an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant (16).  What is in your bindle? Describe the places you travel and the things you carry with you and why you carry them with you.