Dragon Booktalk: SOHS English Lit Circs

Their only hope is their only enemy.

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Will Ender win, or will it be . . . game over!

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Your blood will be chilled.

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Find out if all their dreams were deferred or fulfilled.

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In their final literature circle discussion, Tina wonders why Peter cried (honest or manipulative?), Josh asked questions about how the virtual reality training program worked, Alex investigated the Warsaw Pact, Chelsie tried not to be “incredulous” while reading, and Jacob illustrated the lake conversation with Ender and his sister (while Graf looks on).

Be sure to look for this week’s book commercial!

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In their final literature circle discussion, Alyssa connects to the text via a sledding accident, Mack tells the “unvarnished” truth about vocabulary, Kalyn wonders if Walter cares more about money or his family (and Elizabeth points out that Walter is the character that changes the most), Emma finds a memorable simile (”He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain” {151]), Livia investigates data on the Nigerian population in the U.S. and Chicago, and Natalie illustrates Asagai’s plea with Bennie (below; note the plant in the window and Walter in the background). 

Be sure to look for this week’s book commercial!

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In their final literature circle discussion, Brady makes an Aha! with Bowman’s transformation into a godlike being of infinite energy, Chris infers that the three objects launched on page 205 were the three crewman killed by HAL, Dustin sees foreshadowing in “So, for the last time, David Bowman slept” (288), Nathan connected to the end of Fahrenheit 451 (Dave alone in space, Montag alone on the river), Trenton zoned out on all the planet details, Holly wondered if Bowman’s solitude affected his sanity, and Alex illustrated Titan.  Be sure to look for their book commercial this week!

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In their final literature circle discussion, the members debate the justice of the death penalty.  Also, Lauren wonders how the outcome may have been different if Dick and Perry HAD found money, James connected a lawyer’s comment about a “squealer” to Squealer from Animal Farm, Elise remains “pragmatic” in her approach to vocabulary, Carleigh points out the dramatic irony of Perry’s confession of killing all four Clutters (he only shot two), Josh wonders why the Clutter daughters didn’t show up to the trial, and Erica illustrated Dick’s last moments.

Be sure to look for this week’s book commercial!

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In their second literature circle discussion, Mack’s investigation discovers that Hansberry, like Bennie, was interested in Africa; the advice of Natalie’s seventh grade teacher to “write what you know” suggests to her that Bennie IS Hansberry; Alyssa finds an interesting metaphor when Walter’s eyes are described as “pure glass sheets” (78); Elizabeth connects Walter’s inheritence (and loss of the money) to the protagonist in the book Son of the Mob; Emma wonders about the argument about what real learning is; Livia illustrates a key moment between Travis and Mama:

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In their second literature circle discussion, Chelsie wonders how Ender plans to “defeat . . . the teachers” (171), Josh finds a great example of alliteration with “She had never seen him speak with such sincerity” (132), Tina shows how “competent” she is with her vocabulary, Jacob wonders if Mazer actually lost the battle with the buggers, and Alex illustrates Bean in the midst of a practice battle:

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