WEEK ONE: Welcome Junior Level Honors Students for 2008--2009!

Hello and WELCOME, and I look forward to getting to know you through your blog posts!

Instructions for the first week of summer reading:

First, please email me at evigue@msad48.org with the following information: (1) your name, (2) your blogspot username -NOT THE PASSWORD, however- and a link to your blog, and (3) your book choice for the contemporary American novel and how you think it will relate to one of our essential questions. It can be a volume of poetry or a fiction work.

Second, please post your mini report, on your blogsite. Wait until a few more people have posted their mini reports on their blogs, and then go ahead and post at least one response on at least two of your peers' blogs to their mini-reports. I will demonstrate the latter for you, to give you an idea of how to respond to your peers (as soon as someone has posted). PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO CITE YOUR SOURCES.

A mini report takes off from a concept that relates to your book. If you look up the Tlingit Indians, then you should explain how the Tlingits play a role in the book and how the theme of the book relates to the Tlingit philosophies or practices based on what you found in your research. I would suggest the following theme for the book: justice should heal, not punish (p. 12). If you look up Kermode Bears, you should share what you found about them, and what role they play in the book. Why did the author choose that particular breed of bear? What is special about them that might relate to Cole's circumstances?


(3) Question for the week. Please post a response to this question RIGHT HERE. Do you think that Cole should be excused for his behavior based upon the circumstances in his home? Why or why not? Answer this question and respond, on my blog, to at least two of your peers' responses.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!