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

Lord of the Flies-- Page Goal for Thursday!

First, a confession:  I am at the beginning of Chapter 4.  I will, however, be caught up by our meeting next week.  Second, our new reading goal is to finish chapter 9.  Look at the questions below.  Answer the ones you feel strongly about here, and be ready to discuss any and all next Thursday!

Chapter 1
1.  Describe the major characters: Ralph, Piggy, and Jack.
2. What instances of foreshadowing occur in this chapter? What predictions can you make about what sorts of things might happen later in the novel?
 3. What do the boys‟ attitudes and actions (e.g. Ralph‟s joy at being free of “grownups,” the vote for leader, Ralph‟s telling the other boys about Piggy‟s nickname) reveal about human nature?
Chapter 2
4. What does Jack‟s behavior in this chapter suggest about him (e.g. his attitude toward killing pigs
and hunting the beast, his excitement about the rules and the consequences of violating them, his
treatment of Piggy etc.)? In what way(s) might the behavior of the boys during the meeting
foreshadow later events?
5. What do you think Piggy's glasses might represent? Consider their normal function, the use they are
put to in this chapter, Piggy's intelligence, and Piggy's helplessness without them.
6. What hypocritical irony is there in the boys' treatment of Piggy in contrast with their treatment of

Ralph and Jack? What does this fact suggest about human nature?

Chapter 3
7. Discuss the change in Jack's personality that is described at the beginning of the chapter. What is
Jack's highest priority, and what does this tell us about him?
8. How are the all of the boys except Ralph and Simon (and Jack) behaving? What is Golding telling us
about human nature? What important qualities do Ralph, Simon, and Piggy have that the other boys
seem to lack?

Chapter 4
8. Why do the hunters decide to “paint” themselves with clay and charcoal? What effect does doing
this have on their behavior, and why? Does this “makeup” have any symbolic meaning?
9. How do the hunters behave in response to the success of the hunt, and what is the significance of
this behavior?
 10.   How does Ralph “assert his chieftainship” after the argument with the hunters? Why do you think
this gesture is so effective?
11. What do you think will result from the open conflict between Jack and Ralph and from Jack's
success at getting meat? What is the significance of the boys‟ reaction to being able to eat meat, and
how does this compare to their reaction about having missed a chance to be rescued?

Chapter 5
12. What does Percival say when Jack asks him where the beast lives? Why do you think he says this? What does Simon say about the beast, and what do you think he means? How does everyone else
react to what he says?
13. Why are the rules so important to Ralph? What are the consequences of breaking them?

Chapter 6
14. What is the “beast from air”? How is it appropriate that the boys mistake it for a beast—what
connection does it have with the novel's themes, and what does it symbolize?
15. What does Sam and Eric's description of the beast tell us about human psychology?
16. How do most of the boys react to their discovery of the “castle”? What foreshadowing takes place
at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 7

17. What disturbing thing do the group of hunters and Ralph do immediately after their encounter with the pig? How is Ralph‟s behavior surprising? What does this behavior foreshadow?

18. Why do you think Golding (the author) plotted the story so that the boys would go up the mountain 

in the dark? 

Chapter 8

19. How does Piggy show “intellectual daring”? Why is this so significant to the boys? 

20. What unusual thing happens to Ralph after Jack leaves and after he realizes most of the biguns have 

left? What is the significance of his reaction? 

21. What suggestion does Simon make, and why do you think he makes it? What does he mean when he 

says, “What else is there to do?” What are the consequences of the group‟s decision not to follow 

Simon‟s suggestion?

Chapter 9

22. Why does Jack command the boys to dance and chant, and why is this an effective leadership tactic? 

What psychological effect does dancing and chanting have on the boys? Think back to the effect that 

putting on makeup had on them in Chapter 4. 

23. What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for 

the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant? 

Bookies-- Are You Ready for the Flies?!

All right guys-- no mercy!  I gave out every single copy I could get my hands on, so now I don't have one in front of me to know how long the book is and what sort of page goal I should set.  For now, it's open-ended.  Why don't you tell me-- What should our first goal be?  Comment here and let me know your thoughts!

Have a great Thanksgiving vacay, everyone.  I'll post here in a few days, and I'll see you in December!

:)
Mrs. P

What book next? Time to vote, people!

 Here are your choices:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Read the Amazon summary/reviews here.

Graceling by Kristen Cashore.  Read the Amazon summary/reviews here.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.  Read the Amazon summary/reviews here.

                                                    The Alchemyst by Michael Scott.  Read the Amazon summary/reviews
                                                    here.
                                               
                                                    The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.  Read the Amazon summary/reviews here.  (Sorry Richell!)

Custis and I get votes too-- FYI!
:)
Mrs. P

Book vs. Movie-- Discuss!

What are your thoughts, Bookies?

:)

Mrs. P

Bring Those Permission Slips in ASAP!

Hey Bookies!  It's all-systems-go to see EG this Friday… if you get your permission slips in to me tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.  Got to move fast, people.  Also, we could use one parent driver, so please have your parent or guardian email me if they could help us out.  Otherwise, maybe I'll try to recruit a teacher.  :)

You must take care of all missing work, in advance if possible.  Check with your 4th and 5th period teachers NOW and see what can be done.  If I get word from them that you have not done this very important step, you will not go.  Don't make me be a bad guy-- take care of business, people.

Yes, we will have a meeting Thursday!  We need to make sure everyone has finished the book (you aren't going if you haven't read it-- period) and debrief about it as a group before we go on this field trip.  So come completely prepared Thursday to the library, please!


Woohooooo!!!
:)
Mrs. P

P.S. Don't forget money for concessions Friday.  We will not be lending any out.
P.P.S. We need to start thinking about what we will read next.

Book Fair Madness!

So I guess you guys figured out the meeting was cancelled today.  :)  Sorry about that.

Everyone should be to page 200 by now.  Let's set our next goal for next Thursday at... well, I was just flipping through the chapters, and I think we should finish the thing!  It'll go super fast, I promise, and there aren't really any good chapter breaks.  You'll see what I mean.  Until then, here are some discussion questions to tide you over:




Chapter 8
1. What do Col. Graff and Major Anderson want to use Ender for?
2. What was Ender's favorite method of attack? Why did it work so well?
3. Why does Dink think about the "bugger threat"? Whom did he say was the real enemy?
4. How did Ender fight the older boys in null gravity? How does Ender feel about the violence?
5. What is the significance of Peter's image in the mirror in the computer game?
 Chapter 9
6. How is Ender alone even among his friends? Why is he like this?
7. Why does Graff need Valentine to help Ender?
8. How does Ender finally get away from the End of the World?
Chapter 10
9. When Ender finally gets an army of his own, how do they stack the odds against him?
10. How does Ender treat Bean? How is this ironic?
11. What happens between Ender and his only real friend, Alai? What does competition do?
 Chapter 11
12. How do Graff and Anderson treat Ender as a tool? Does this happen in real life?
13. What makes Ender such a great commander? How does his army do?
14. How does Ender defeat Bonzo against all odds?

Thoughts on any and all questions, guys!  And if you have questions of your own, please post them here; I'll get back to you ASAP.

:)
Mrs. P