Hello Again! Hope everyone had an enjoyable break! I ate a lot of chocolate, gutted my basement, baked a few pies and spent quality time with my kiddos.
So what are we up to today?
1) Silent Reading
2) Why Catcher Lecture
Why on Earth would I select a novel filled with ridiculous swear words, endless depressing comments and such a mentally deranged protaganist? First things first, let it be known that I am only one of hundreds of thousands of teachers across North America who have selected this novel over the decades to study in their classes. It has been studied at Highland for many years (we have about 40 copies in the library). It is critically acclaimed and many believe it is THE pinnacle portrait of adolescence. Does it make you feel happy inside? Nope. Is Holden a role model? Nope. What this novel does, instead, is ask us all to think critically about our self perceptions, our society and our own path to maturity.
- The name: CAULfield.
- Not a typical bildungsroman because Holden does not want to grow up. The Museum of Natural History... the Carousel... is there hope for Holden? Is he going to wise up?
3) What is Wisdom?
Groups: Come up with a list of 5 - 8 qualities of wisdom.
On Board: Write down your group's list.
Teacher to add two other lists:
5 Qualities of Wisdom (from a podcast - have to go check Ipod for source...)
- Reciprocity (do onto others...)
- Doubt (critical of absolute claims)
- Non-attachment
- Discretion
- Social Conscience
- Emotional Regulation
- The ability to judge value
- Moral Reasoning
- Compassion
- Humility
- Altruism
- Patience
- Coping with Uncertainty
4) Return 1000 marked essays, stories, etc...
Feedback: There/Their/They're confusion
Thesis please - it's not a side salad like couscous or a dip like hummous. Bring it out all the time!
Tomorrow: First team-teaching presentations and the Robbie Burn's poem Coming Thro the Rye. Symbolism of the ducks.
