Hi book club folks!
Sorry it has been sketchy getting the actual talking going; it's been kind of busy in the library lately. Below I've listed four different questions for us to discuss in this forum. Post your answers as comments, and let's chat!
1. On the sign in front of Ned’s mission school is the motto: “Tradition is the enemy
of progress” (p. 23). What does this motto mean to the teachers of the mission
school?
2. How would you describe the teaching methods and classroom styles of Ned’s
teachers in the boarding school? What do you think of the methods Ned’s teachers
use, both to teach and to discipline their students?
3. Throughout his time in training and in service as a code talker, Ned carries a
pouch of corn pollen with him. What does this pouch mean to Ned, and how does
he use it?
4. Ned mentions that the Japanese army does not follow the “rules of modern
warfare” (p. 168). List three examples that support Ned’s statement.
For my kiddos, we can't meet face-to-face Friday as originally planned; I'll actually be out of town Friday and Monday. Why don't we utilize this discussion space now and plan on reading pp. 196 to the end of the book by next Friday, 3/14? I'll read on the plane and be all caught up! And for any LHS kiddos joining us, welcome! We really look forward to hearing from you-- and your librarian!-- on this post. Let's discuss this really interesting book!
:)
Mrs. P
7 comments:
1.
I think this means that they think that starting over is the only way to make progress.(I don't think thats true)
2.
Well we know they disipline by washing out they're mouths. But theyre classroom styles are pretty normal besides the disipline and discrimination.
3.
Ned Uses them to pray.
4. No comprendo, (i don't understand)
Lets start the talking
1. I think this means they should compleatly forgett about their heritage and become little babies in their minds again.
2. I think the ways of the school are bad ecpecially since a couple of kids revolted because it was very unfair treatment.
3. It is a spiritual thing and he uses it to keep him safe spiriatually.
4. I have no examples but Japan is one of the contries that didn't sign the thing so hey "All is fair in love and war" ecpecially war!
5.Where you going Mrs. Pully? I hope its cool!!!
1.I think it means that the navajo way is the "wrong" way. But that's just an opinion.
2.The dicipline that the have at that school is way different from ours. If a teacher did some of the stuff that happend at the boarding school then they would be fired, on the news, and in jail. But as for the teaching methods I think they are the same as our school. But we just learn more recent stuff.
3.hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I am not sure.
4.1.they treated prisoners of war unfairly.
2. They would injure or kill the natives that where not in the war.
3. I am not sure. Mabe they bombed a red cross hspital or a red cross ship or something like that.
have a great weekend! Peace out! :8)
1.I think it means to forget about their great heritage and forget their traditions, so they can become "better" as like white people.
2. I think that the disiplines at the school are bad. I think that washing out MY mouth with soap would make me want to "resist" kinda like wha Ned did.
3. Ned uses the pollen to pray, but he also uses it to cling to his heritage and remember the Holy People.
4. cannot target medics,treat prisoners unfairly,
(pretty much the Japenese thought that being completely evil in war was the only way to win)
1. "Tradition is the enemey of progress" is a sentiment that has been repeated by many throughout history. Though the communist manifesto, the idea of wiping out the higher class for an era of equality inherently identifies tradition as an enemy to progress. To argue the point, there is some truth to that. You cannot have a racist teach others that racism is wrong. Everybody is the embodiment of expirence, so to have tradition mold oneself to to deny progress on the onset, reverting to old ways. However, that is not to say that tradition is bad. If we did away with all that is set, then language and knowledge would likewise be compromised to the opposite effect. Within the story, this idea is twisted into use of the Native American heritage, as such traditions seem savage or uncivilized, and to civilize, there is a need to exterminate all that would prevent full immersion into the new culture, or progress.
Okay, I'll answer the others later, but this post is way too long.
Why didn't we have book club today (3/14) cause I was in the library and there wasn't a book club!
1. The mission was to wipe out Navajo traditions; to Americanize the Indian. The motto on the sign was put there to help remind Navajos that they were in an American school taught by American teachers, and the motto was there to remind them to forget their heritage.
2. The methods (dunce caps and washing the mouth with soap) are barbaric; these are very small children who have been taken away from their parents and stripped of what few personal possessions they had. Ned was fortunate in that he had an affinity for learning, which helped ease some of the pain he felt during the separation from his family.
3. The pouch of corn pollen that Ned carries with him throughout the war is Ned’s connection to his family, land, and Navajo heritage. The pouch provides Ned with hope and peace of self.
4. The Japanese belief system in their destiny and warfare are very different from American beliefs and concentrated in samurai warrior tradition. Examples include bonsai attacks and harsh treatment of prisoners.
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