In the bunkhouse...

 In  Chapter 3 in Of Mice and Men, three important events occur as the men sit in the bunkhouse: Candy's dog is shot, Candy, George, Lennie and Candy decide to buy their dream ranch, and Curley attacks Lennie. Select one of these events and write about how Steinbeck created mood/tone of the scene. Explain how this scene made you feel. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, August 17, 2012.)

"I got you and you got me..."

George Milton and Lennie Small, the main characters of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, are total opposites, yet they share a strong bond.  What message do you think Steinbeck is conveying through these polar opposites and their friendship and dream?  From chapter one, what part/line/passage really helped you to see this message?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Monday, August 13, 2012.  Remember do not post your name, give only your initials and the block of our class.)

Beginning English III with KP

Welcome to the HHS school year 2012-2013.  I feel very fortunate to be teaching English III this semester.  This course has always been my favorite to teach.  When I look at the writing you will learn and reading you will experience, I am reminded of the quote you see on the picture next to this post.  Helen Keller is often credited with this quote and we all know how hard she had to struggle in her life, but we all know, too, what a wonderful and positive life she had.  This course will be challenging, yes, but I promise you, I will give it every thing I have to make this semester one you will never forget and one from which you will take many things.  Again, welcome to English III.  I am glad to have you as a student in my class. 

Dreams, dreams, dreams

As we are covering A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, we see the dreams of each member of the Younger family.  Select one of the characters and discuss his/her dream and explain if you think this dream can come true and if it would help the family and how this dream affects this character's life.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is Sunday, May 20, 2012.)

It was a pleasure to...

We have talked about many themes in Fahrenheit 451.  Which theme--man can change, man must think for himself, the problem of too much technology, or the need for self-analyze--did you find most clearly stated through the book?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Thursday, May 17, 2012.)

We are the Happiness Boys!

Beatty tells Montag that the firemen are the "happiness boys."  People in Montag's society desire happiness more than anything. What is something that has occurred in the novel that reveals the desire for happiness above all other things?  How did you feel when you read this part/element?  What do you think Bradbury is tell us through things like this?  (The deadline to post is midnight, Friday, May 11, 2012.)

If they give you ruled paper, write the other way...

 I hope that you are enjoying Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It truly is a "thinking" book. One of the many things I hope that you will think about as you read this novel is its theme of indifference. As you are reading Part One, what are some things you have noticed about the society that reveals their indifference? Does our present society share some of these indifferences? or others? Explain. ( The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, May 4, 2012)