Can we finish To Kill a Mockingbird?

The books are actually overdue, so we really need to get them back.  What are the chances you guys can finish up by Thursday, May 1st?  I'll post up some discussion questions to finish the book early next week.  We can have our regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, and then start watching the movie!

Give me a Yay or a Nay here, please...

:)
Mrs. P

Reading Goal for this Week-- to p. 199!

A big Thank You to those who showed up to the meeting this past Thursday and are now taking care of your "homework" by jumping on the blog.  Hopefully the latter part applies to all the Book Club Bookies!  We're doing a super-short reading goal this week in hopes that all of you will get caught up with your reading.  And for this short section, I'm only going to ask one discussion question:

What makes Dill "sick, plain sick" to the point of sobbing in the courtroom?

If you have questions about ANYTHING going on in this book, please either post them up here for all to see (and comment on) or come see me in the library.  Or Mr. Custis.  Whomever!  :)

What do you guys think about trying to meet this Thursday during CMAS?  Post your votes here, as well.

Happy Spring Weekend, everyone-- enjoy the crazy weather ride!
:)
Mrs. P

Discussion Questions for Spring Break

Heelllllooooooo... Is there anybody out there?

I'll post some more questions for you guys.  Hope to see some thoughts on them while I am gone!

CHAPTER 10:  In this chapter Atticus tells his children that “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”. What reason does he give for saying this?

CHAPTER 11-17 (Spring Break Goal)

2.  What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children's mother? How does Jem feel about this?

3.  Atticus says that Mrs. Dubose is a model of real courage rather than “a man with a gun in his hand”. What does he mean? Do you think he is right?

4.  Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbors at church.

5.  Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? Are all adults good at knowing how clever young people are?

6.  Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back in Chapter 14? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill?

7.  What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away?

8.  What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?

9.  What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father in Chapter 16?

10.  How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do?

11.  What do we learn-- directily and indirectly-- about the home life of the Ewell family in Chapter 17?

12.  Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see when he does this?

Let's hear some thoughts on this book, people!

:)

Mrs. P

No Meeting This Week...

...Mr. Custis and I will both be gone Thursday (I'm going to Japan!  Woohoo!!), but I do hope you guys have hit the last page goal, and that you're ready for this one.  You've got all of spring break plus the rest of this week, so let's go to Chapter 18, page 178.  This will move us into the trial that is the centerpiece of this story.  It's really important that you guys understand what is going on, so please, ask questions if you have them!

I'll post some discussion questions tomorrow, and I expect you guys to get on and chat!  You're making me crazy (not you, Divya-- thanks for your thoughts. I'll try to respond tomorrow!

:)
Mrs. P

Discussion Questions for 2nd Goal

Hey bookies!

So I won't know if I can meet with you until the day of-- it depends on whether Mrs. Carter has to proctor any makeup TCAPs, and how busy it is in here, etc.  But why don't you guys plan on meeting in the library conference room regardless of my schedule?  That way you can move ahead with the book discussion, and I am sure I'll be able to poke my head in the room and give you my two cents.  :)

Let's start the discussion here on this thread.  I will expect you to reply here to at least a few of the questions as well as post any questions that you have about the reading.  If you have them, other people probably do, too!  So, for Thursday:

1.   What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo?  How does this compare with what Scout already believes?

2.  Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies? 

3.  Why does Dill’s explanation of Jem’s state of dress almost land him in trouble?

4.  When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How
     does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so? 

5.  What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it?

6.  When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize? 

7.  How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time? 

8.  Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle Jack? What might this be?

9.   In this chapter Atticus tells his children that “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”.

10.  In chapter 11, Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain this difference. Which view is closer to your own?

Next Page Goal-- for during TCAP???

All right, guys, for next week (I'll check out when the veterans are here and plan around it-- is there anything else I need to plan around?), let's read to p. 99, chapter 11.  If you have questions, post them here!  We can often learn from each other's questions, you know?  I will also post some discussion questions early next week (Richelle, will you remind me please?).

Have a great weekend, everyone, and please figure out how much time daily you need to read this book to hit the goal by Wednesday (just to be safe)!

:)
Mrs. P

This Week's Page Goal = One Chapter More Than Last Week!

Meeting this Thursday!  Read to page 41, chapter 5.

Discussion Questions (please answer here on the blog, and be ready to discuss Thursday!):  

1. What do you learn in chapter 1 about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?
2. What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter Cunningham? What do you think Scout learns from Walter's visit?
3. What do you learn about Dill's character?
4. What, briefly, is Boo Radley's story?  
5.  What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher?  Is she a good teacher or a bad teacher?  What makes you think so?
6.  What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter Cunningham during his visit?  Does Scout learn anything from the visit?
**7.  Atticus says that you never really understand a person "until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."  What does this mean?  Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn?

8.  What do we learn about the Ewells in Chapter 3?
9.  What do Jem, Scout and Dill do during the Boo Radley Game?  Is this an accurate depiction of what goes on in the Radley house, do you think?  Why or why not?
10.  What or who do you think is laughing inside the Radley house?

And now, for Mrs. P's favorite book of all time... To Kill a Mockingbird!

Time to read, folks!  Let's all try to get to Chapter 4, p.32 by this Thursday.  Okay?

:)
Mrs. P

Happy St. Valentine's Day, Bookies! New Reading Goal

Okay folks, this time we're going to p. 264, Chapter 17.  An interesting twist happens in this section, so have fun reading over the long weekend!  Hopefully I'll see you guys for our meeting Thursday.

:)
Mrs. P

P.S. Questions?  Comments?  Insights?  Predictions?  Post here, and let's chat about it!

New Page Goal!

Sorry I haven't made it to the meetings lately, guys!  Blame Mr. Mehsling.  :)  Somebody comment about the book so I know what you guys think.  I want to talk about it with you!

Next page goal is to page 199, the start of chapter 14.  Hopefully I'll see you at the next meeting...

:)
Mrs. P

3rd Page Goal-- Chapter 11!

It's a snowy, cold weekend coming up... What better time to grab your fantasy book, a cup of hot cocoa and a blankie and snuggle up on the couch?  Yay!

Let's all get to page 153, chapter 11, by Thursday.  If you have any questions/comments/etc., post them here!  Of course, we'll chat Thursday as well.

Happy Weekend!
:)
Mrs. P

1st page goal for Shadow and Bone

Since you only have two days with this book, let's keep it short.  How about page 34?  It goes fast, I promise!

:)
Mrs. P

New Book Coming Monday-- Shadow and Bone!

I'm having a hard time putting this one down to wait for you guys.  :)  It's good brain candy!

Come see me Tuesday after 3rd period and I'll get a copy checked out to you.  And don't forget-- we start up the LotF movie again Tuesday at 11:25ish!

Happy weekend, and GO BRONCOS!!
:)
Mrs. P

Discussion Questions to wrap up LotF

Hi Bookies,
Meeting this Thursday!  Here are some questions to discuss to get ready for the meeting:

 Chapter 10
1. How do Ralph and Piggy view Simon‟s death? How does each of them react to it? Why does Ralph
laugh as he says, “I got the conch,” and why does Piggy react so strongly to his laughter? What
explanations do they have for their behavior, and what excuses do they come up with? What do these
reactions show about them and about human nature?

2. What feelings, beliefs, and speculations do Jack's biguns have about what happened the night

before at the feast? Can you explain why they did what they did? Why are they “half-relieved, half-

daunted by the implication of further terrors”?  Consider the significance of the quotes below, 

especially the second one. What unspoken words complete the first sentence? 

“But didn't we, didn't we—”  “No!”
“How could we—kill—it?”
Each savage flinched away from his individual memory.
“I expect the beast disguised itself."

3. What signs of stress and fear can we see in Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric‟s behavior in this chapter?

Chapter 11

4. Why do you think Roger pushes the rock off the cliff? 

 

5. How is the destruction of the conch symbolically significant? 

Chapter 12

6. What do Samneric mean when they tell Ralph that Jack has “sharpened a stick at both ends”? What 

do you think the reason for Jack‟s hatred is? 

 

7. What foolish method do the boys use to ensure that they find Ralph? What does this decision suggest 

about the power of hatred and violence versus the power of reason? 

8. Explain the significance of this quotation: “Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an 

incantation that had faded clean away.” 

 

9. What is ironic about how the boys are saved? What is ironic about the fact that the boys, who have 

become savages, are British, and why do you think Golding chose to write about a group of British boys? 

Consider what the naval officer says: “I should have thought that a pack of British boys would have 

been able to put up a better show than that.” 

Review Questions:

1. Discuss the deterioration of the “society” on the island. What circumstances, events, and 

psychological forces cause this deterioration? 

 

2. Discuss the extensive use of symbolism in the novel. Examples of important symbols are the conch, 

the fire, the beast, Piggy's glasses, and the “lord of the flies,” as well as Piggy, Ralph, Simon, and Jack 

themselves. 

 

3. What is your opinion of the novel—is the story convincing? Does it present a realistic vision of human 

nature? Have you experienced or observed things that would either support or contradict Golding's 

ideas? 

Looking forward to reading/hearing your responses to these!

:)

Mrs. P