3rd Hour: Aeolus and Circe--what do we learn about Odysseus' character?

In your pods today, please brainstorm answers to these questions. After you've come up with ideas, please post them to the blog. If there's time, please respond to other people's ideas, too.

1. What new impressions of Odysseus did you get from this part of the story?2. In what ways is Circe a danger to Odysseus and his men? Is she more or less dangerous than the Cyclops? Support your opinion with text from the epic.3. Eurylochus' character contrasts sharply with Odysseus' in this episode. What aspect of Odysseus' character are revealed through this contrast?*Consider:~how each feels about Circe~what each wants to do after Cice has transformed his first group of men~how Eurylochus criticizes Odysseus~how Odysseus reacts to Eurylochus' criticism4. What heroic (or anti-heroic) qualities does Odysseus reveal in this episode? Explain your thinking.5. As a metaphor, what does Circe suggest Odysseus needs to learn or overcome?

Aelous and Circe--What do we learn about Odysseus' character?

In your pods today, please brainstorm answers to these questions. After you've come up with ideas, please post them to the blog. If there's time, please respond to other people's ideas, too.

1. What new impressions of Odysseus did you get from this part of the story?
2. In what ways is Circe a danger to Odysseus and his men? Is she more or less dangerous than the Cyclops? Support your opinion with text from the epic.
3. Eurylochus' character contrasts sharply with Odysseus' in this episode. What aspect of Odysseus' character are revealed through this contrast?*Consider:~how each feels about Circe~what each wants to do after Cice has transformed his first group of men~how Eurylochus criticizes Odysseus~how Odysseus reacts to Eurylochus' criticism.
4. What heroic (or anti-heroic) qualities does Odysseus reveal in this episode? Explain your thinking.
5. As a metaphor, what does Circe suggest Odysseus needs to learn or overcome?

3rd House on Mango Street discussion

Consider the vignettes we've recently read.
Post questions here.
Make connections to previous discussions.
Make inferences concerning these characters and the conflicts that continue to develop.
Think about the conversations we’ve had about human rights, the American Dream, gender struggles related to certain cultures and socioeconomic levels. If you need some help getting started, answer some of these questions.

§What are some hard lessons Esperanza learns in this section?

§In “No Speak English”, what is the first physical characteristic that Esperanza notices and again mentions when she sees Mamacita? What does this fact help us understand about gender and and hope and opportunities for women?

§What does Rafaela ask the girls to buy her that they hoist up to her on a clothesline? What is Cisneros' concern about girls and marriage (from this section)?

§How is Sally treated at home? What does this vignette help us understand about safety and Mango Street and the future?

§Why does Esperanza want to be “Beautiful and Cruel”?

House on Mango Street discussion

Consider the vignettes we've recently read.
Post questions here.
Make connections to previous discussions.
Make inferences concerning these characters and the conflicts that continue to develop.
Think about the conversations we’ve had about human rights, the American Dream, gender struggles related to certain cultures and socioeconomic levels. If you need some help getting started, answer some of these questions.

§What are some hard lessons Esperanza learns in this section?

§In “No Speak English”, what is the first physical characteristic that Esperanza notices and again mentions when she sees Mamacita? What does this fact help us understand about gender and and hope and opportunities for women?

§What does Rafaela ask the girls to buy her that they hoist up to her on a clothesline? What is Cisneros' concern about girls and marriage (from this section)?

§How is Sally treated at home? What does this vignette help us understand about safety and Mango Street and the future?

§Why does Esperanza want to be “Beautiful and Cruel”?

§Why does Esperanza’s mother say she dropped out of school? What does this teach Esperanza about the need for education?

§Why might the term “smart cookie” be ironic given this vignette?

§Because life is like *blank*, how do they each deal with this life differently? Explain now why you think Esperanza wants something different. Looking at these women’s situations, is it possible for them to have done things differently? If so, what could/should they have done differently? Could all of them have been released from this existence? If not, why not?

3rd Hour: "Scarlet Ibis"

• While we read "The Scarlet Ibis," we'll practice good questioning techniques. As you have a question, please post it to this blog. When another finds the answer to the question or has a follow-up question, or an idea that relates to the question, he/she will post those thoughts.
  
• Please use the handout from the webpage to guide your thinking.
  
• Be respectful and specific on this blog--use predictions, background knowledge, and inferences to come to your conclusions.
  
• Link your ideas back to the text.

2nd Hour: "Scarlet Ibis"

• While we read "The Scarlet Ibis," we'll practice good questioning techniques. As you have a question, please post it to this blog. When another finds the answer to the question or has a follow-up question, or an idea that relates to the question, he/she will post those thoughts.
  
• Please use the handout from the webpage to guide your thinking.
  
• Be respectful and specific on this blog--use predictions, background knowledge, and inferences to come to your conclusions.


• Link your ideas back to the text.

Childhood Memories

This weekend, please visualize yourself on your elementary school playground. Describe a specific memory you have in this place. Then, think about what's common, good and bad, about a child's experience on the playground. Explain at least one of those common experiences here. I encourage you to interact with your peers on this blog. Ask questions, respond to thinking, make connections with others here.