Mrs. Selby's Class

Here is all the information you need for you to get started on a beautiful, enticing, and informative essay. These are due Friday 5/4 and you will be given 10-15 minutes in class each day to work on them, but DO NOT think that will be enough time to devote to this. You’re going to have to do some of it on your own, but I’ll be here at lunch and after school if you need help.

Additionally, I would really like these to be typed. If that is an issue, come to class and you can use my laptop to type up your rough draft and I will print them for you.

Here goes (the rubric is part of the PDF below):

What are 3 ways literature and/or the media can take the anonymity out of the civil rights movement?

Which 3 characters are the most misunderstood in this novel?

Identify and explain 3 ways Boo Radley is affected by being anonymous in his society?

Identify and explain 3 ways anonymity affects Dill?

Describe 3 reasons Dill is drawn to the Finches?

What are 3 challenges Atticus faces in the novel?

Writing prompts-5 para essay

Today, we learned about Dill’s life back in Meridian and the fact that things were not as great for him as he had led the kids to believe.  His folks are distant, and Dill is lonely.  Who else in this novel may be lonely? Boo Radley!  We discussed the possibility that Dill’s fascination with Boo may stem in part from his belief that they have something in common.

We worked on the “Repeat Key/Repeat Key Change” method, which goes as follows:

• Use the following sentence starter:
• Dill tenaciously pursued the idea of a Boo Radley encounter,
• Choose the verb (pursued) or the noun (encounter), and repeat it in two additional passengers.
• Example:  Dill tenaciously pursued the idea of a Boo Radley encounter, an encounter that raised his imagination, an encounter that probably kept him up at night.

We also talked about the three themes that emerged from the writing yesterday:  1.  We are stuck in the family/situation we are born into.  2.  We can change and do not have to be affected by our families.  3.  We can change, but sometimes that change is hard.

Today we discussed how Aunt Alexandria’s (and most likely others in society have similar views to Auntie) views about family and tradition could have an impact on the racism, classism, and sexism that runs rampant in Macomb’s society.  When families have such deep seated beliefs about these issues, and society is so opposed to change, making things different and better is a difficulty.

We engaged in an activity where students wrote sentences about the above discussion, and participation points were given.  To earn your points, please write four sentences with your own thoughts about whether or not the role of family and traditions play a part in the problems facing Macomb.

Here are some examples of what people thought:

1.  Although family is big, and you can be labeled, you can always break out of societies opinions.
2. Yes, you can always go against social norms because your family does not control who you are or what you’re like.
3. I agree, but it is not that easy to break out of your family’s hold, and if you only know your family’s opinion it could be hard to have a different one.  Family does not control you, but it effects you.
4. I agree because society will look at your family (at this time) before they look at you as a person.

1. If you always have to be like your family and you can never break away from them, then yes, it plays a role in the problems with society.  If your parents are racists or sexists, then by that rule of living up to your family’s name you should be, too.
2. Yes, I agree with that, for if you are raised this way, you will be that way and if you are raised by white racist people, you will probably be racist.
3. I agree, but that’s not always the case, but yes if you are always around it, you’ll have a good chance of being racist and whatnot.
4. There are many people who never question the morals that were instilled in them.  Some might not even realize there’s anything “wrong” with their views.

Because people often get the crushing mentality that “it’s too hard to change, so why try?” and I feel like that would apply to this situation.

Every family is like a bowl of apples, but it takes one bad apple for someone to throw the whole bowl out.

1. If you start at the bottom, it’s hard to work your way up the food chain.
2. Double agreement.  It’s hard to be good, if everyone thinks badly of you.
3. Furthermore, those in power will fight to keep it, pitting people against each other and preventing progress.

Traditions will be given greater importance; this prevents change and stagnates the society further.