Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 8

Sadly, today is our last fishbowl discussion day for The Great Gatsby. For me, it's the last time I ever get to fishbowl Gatsby with an Honors American Literature class, so let's make it spectacular!

Don't hold back!

Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 7

If you feel that you have missed any vital clues in Chapter 7 and that you have clarification questions, feel free to address those before you delve into deeper analysis.

Enjoy! Challenge yourself to get into a hotseat today, especially if you haven't experienced the thrill of the hotseat yet.

Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 6

Enjoy your discussion of Chapter 6!

Work together to figure out the unravelling mystery of Gatsby and its larger significance.

Gatsby Fishbowl, Chapter 5

Outer circle: You know what to do, and you're doing it well!

Enjoy, and keep bringing in textual passages when applicable.

Gastby Fishbowl: Chapter 4

Enjoy discussing Chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby! Remember to try to include passages from the text in some of your comments. Also, I'd love to see more of you in the hotseats, so get in there!

Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 3

Hello, outer circle!

Here's my suggestion for stepping up the level of conversation today: Try bringing textual passages into some of your comments. Fitzgerald revised and revised each line of Gatsby--let's pay some homage to his language.

One other suggestion: Try getting into a hotseat. It's fun. Enjoy!

Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 2

Remember to show your professionalism, your literary passion, and your unique perspective of Gatsby. Enjoy!

Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 1

Welcome to the world of Gatsby! This is your forum for discussion--a place to show what was going through your mind while reading Chapter 1 and to explore what new ideas and epiphanies the inner circle is sparking for you.

Your goal is to participate both thoughtfully and frequently. Remember to hit the F5 key to refresh. Enjoy!

Her Letter to the World

Please read the following poem by Emily Dickinson and respond to the questions below:

This is my letter to the world,

That never wrote to me,

The simple news that Nature told,

With tender majesty.

Her message is committed

To hands I cannot see;

For love of her, sweet countrymen,

Judge tenderly of me!

What inferences could you make from this poem about Emily Dickinson as a poet and a person? Examine also her picture above and comment on her expression, clothing, and/or overall appearance. How does she strike you?

I Hear Arapahoe Singing

Think about what you and your partner analyzed today while reading Walt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing."

As a class, we're going to compose our own version of "I Hear America Singing"; our version is called, "I Hear Arapahoe Singing."

Please add your own verse in your own voice to this poem. You can add a single line, or you can add an entire stanza. The tone is up to you.

Enjoy!

PW Live Blogging: Chapters 17-19!

My suggestion for the day: Don't be afraid to ask questions. The book has become fast-paced and somewhat confusing. Clarification is a necessary first step before you can make a strong analysis. I still want to see and hear your thoughtful interpretations, but make sure you understand what's actually happening in these chapters (and any preceding chapters that are still plaguing you with confusion).

Enjoy! You're almost to the very best part--the end!

PW Live Fishbowl: Chapters 11-13

Use this blog to participate both thoughtfully and frequently as you listen to the inner circle's discussion of chapters 11-13 (though feel free to discuss earlier chapters as well) in Twain's Pudd'nhead Wilson.

As always, remember to use proper spelling and capitalization, to refer to the name of the person to whom you are responding, and to hit the F5 key to refresh. While not all blogs are graded, this one will be because I want to give you credit for your thoughtfulness and willingness to discuss while I'm not there.

By the way, I really enjoyed your discussion Tuesday on Ethnic Notions. Keep up your high standard of intellectualism while I'm anesthetized!

Images of Race

Hi, class! I'm sorry I can't be there with you; I have an appointment with a surgeon, and this is the only time he can see me. Please use the first 15 minutes of class to have an impromptu discussion on Ethnic Notions. Here are some questions to get you started, but of course, feel free to pose your own questions and comments as well:

1. What are your big "take-aways" from the documentary?
2. What do you have questions about?
3. What images/stereotypes shown in this documentary are still present today?

"The Damned Human Race": Live Blogging

Use this blog to participate both thoughtfully and frequently as you listen to the inner circle's discussion of Mark Twain's "The Damned Human Race."

Remember to use proper spelling and capitalization, to refer to the name of the person to whom you are responding, and to hit the F5 key to refresh.

Enjoy!