Today we had impassioned and enlightening conversations about the big question thus far in Nothing but the Truth: was it right for the school to suspend Phillip Malloy?
Embedded within this question are others regarding what truth is, where respect and individual rights meet, and how students and teachers interpret school rules and school communication. It was fascinating to hear your thoughts, and I look for ward to Monday when we'll use our class symbol of the iceberg and apply it specifically to the events of this novel.
We also did a Quick Write today about the relationship between truth and trust.
Over this weekend, be sure to read Chapters 15 and 16 in Nothing but the Truth, and we'll continue our conversation and do an iceberg activity on Monday.
Our word of the day for today is CONCEDE, which means to admit something is true or valid; to yield or surrender. An example of the word in a line is In any intense argument, compromise can start to be reached if each side concedes some points.
Have an awesome weekend!
Peace,
Mr. R
Showing posts with label Truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Truth. Show all posts
Friday, March 18, 2016
Monday, June 8, 2015
The Jackets We Wear
Today, we explored a powerful short story by Todd Strasser called, "On the Bridge." In it, we meet two protagonists named Adam and Seth who are both grappling with their identities--trying to figure out who they are, and who they want to be.
By the end of the story, we see that Seth's jacket has come to symbolize the "self" he was trying on--and it no longer fits! He wants to be more than just another "tough guy." Now, he wants to be real with himself. So, he throws the jacket into the trash.
I appreciated hearing your ideas and comments about the story, and the writing you did afterwards.
Now that we've had time to digest some of the story's themes and symbolism, share your ideas about this question: in middle school, do you think most people wear "jackets" that don't fit? Do you think most people are trying on different personalities and trying to figure out who they are--just like Seth? Why or why not?
Our word of the day today is SUBLIME, which means, inspiring awe; great; noble.
By the end of the story, we see that Seth's jacket has come to symbolize the "self" he was trying on--and it no longer fits! He wants to be more than just another "tough guy." Now, he wants to be real with himself. So, he throws the jacket into the trash.
I appreciated hearing your ideas and comments about the story, and the writing you did afterwards.
Now that we've had time to digest some of the story's themes and symbolism, share your ideas about this question: in middle school, do you think most people wear "jackets" that don't fit? Do you think most people are trying on different personalities and trying to figure out who they are--just like Seth? Why or why not?
Our word of the day today is SUBLIME, which means, inspiring awe; great; noble.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Twisting the Truth...
Today, we acted out scenes from our novel, Nothing but the Truth, and we are beginning to see how the truth can be slowly, slowly, slowly TWISTED! What begins as a small disruption in a homeroom English class is becoming a huge catastrophe.
As we think about our own lives, we can see, too, how seemingly tiny problems can become huge conflicts. Like the characters in our novel, we all have different views and perspectives. And when problems occur, these different views can either be expressed in kindness and with understanding, or with bitterness and resentment.
Share your thoughts about this question, below: If you were Philip Malloy, right at this moment in the novel, what would or could you do to make the situation better? AND Do you ever feel like Philip?
Our word for the day is SOLILOQUY (noun) which is a dramatic speech given in a play by one character, with no others present; OR the act of talking to oneself. An example of the word in a line would be: Hamlet, in Shakespeare's play of the same name, gives a famous soliloquy when he wonders about the value of his life.
As we think about our own lives, we can see, too, how seemingly tiny problems can become huge conflicts. Like the characters in our novel, we all have different views and perspectives. And when problems occur, these different views can either be expressed in kindness and with understanding, or with bitterness and resentment.
Share your thoughts about this question, below: If you were Philip Malloy, right at this moment in the novel, what would or could you do to make the situation better? AND Do you ever feel like Philip?
Our word for the day is SOLILOQUY (noun) which is a dramatic speech given in a play by one character, with no others present; OR the act of talking to oneself. An example of the word in a line would be: Hamlet, in Shakespeare's play of the same name, gives a famous soliloquy when he wonders about the value of his life.
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