Impromptu Fishbowl: The Truman Show

Please post your questions and brilliant observations about The Truman Show here.

The Final F451 Fishbowl!

Welcome to your final fishbowl! Give it your all--important passages, probing questions, brilliant interpretations, spectacular hotseat appearances...

Make me proud!

F451 Fishbowl #6: Pages 102-139

Welcome to your second-to-last fishbowl discussion! By this time, you should be doing the following:

1. Incorporating quotes into at least one of your responses, but preferrably more.

2. Responding thoroughly and frequently from the beginning of the discussion to the end.

3. Considering jumping into a hotseat.

Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #5: Pages 80-102

Keep up your strong work, outer circle! Think still about jumping into a hotseat, strengthening your comments with direct quotes, and remaining constantly engaged in the online conversation.

F451 Fishbowl #4: Pages 63-80

Welcome to your fourth fishbowl!

Much like last week, I'd like you to pick up the pace and challenge yourself a bit on the outer circle. What kind of challenges should we take on, you ask?

Try these:
Challenge #1: Bring a quotation from the reading into at least one of your posts.
Challenge #2: Get into a hotseat, if only for a brief moment.
Challenge #3: Keep offering as many brilliant comments as you can; as a class, we should be averaging around 80-100 comments per discussion (right now, you're doing great!).

F451 Fishbowl #3: Pages 40-63

Welcome to your third fishbowl!

At this point, you should be picking up the pace and challenging yourself a bit on the outer circle. What kind of challenges should we take on, you ask? Try these:

Challenge #1: Bring a quotation from the reading into at least one of your posts.
Challenge #2: Get into a hotseat, if only for a brief moment.
Challenge #3: Try to offer a few more comments; your typing should sound like rapid fire.

F451 Fishbowl #2: Pages 28-40

Keep up your strong work! Remember to comment consistently throughout the discussion, and since part of your job is listening, there should be NO TALKING ON THE OUTER CIRCLE.

Enjoy, and show me your understanding of last night's reading. Challenge the text! Challenge each other!

F451 Fishbowl #1: Pages 1-28

Remember that your goal is to participate thoughtfully and CONSISTENTLY during today's discussion.

A few thoughts:
1. Hit F5 to refresh your screen (new comments do not automatically pop up).
2. Show professionalism by using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; remember that the world will be looking at our blog.
3. If you are responding to someone directly, reference them in your comment.
4. Bring in quotations when possible.

Enjoy!

Are We Becoming Robots?

How would you describe Kurt Vonnegut's attitude towards the future in "Harrison Bergeron"? Do you think that our 2011 society is growing into the society depicted in "Harrison Bergeron"? Why or why not? Try to be specific as you defend your opinion.

Please remember to show professionalism on the blog (use formal grammar and spelling, be respectful, etc). Also, remember that this is a conversation; read others' blogs before posting and comment on or challenge them!

The Final Fishbowl! Kite Runner: Chapter 25

This is it! It's the final fishbowl! If you have not yet gotten into a hot seat, today is your day, my friends.

Also, remember to bring at least one textual passage into your responses.

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #7: Chapter 23

This is our second-to-last fishbowl, so make it one of your best ones.

Get into a hotseat! Keep bringing textual passages into your responses.

Most importantly, enjoy.

Kite Runner Fishbowl #6: Chapter 21

Hello, class! Be sure to take the time to read Rob's responses to 1st hour's questions. You might also take the time to thank him and share with him what you've learned from his detailed posts.

As always, bring at least one quote into your own posts, and get yourself into a hot seat!

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #5: Chapters 19 and 20

Hello, fishbowlers!

If you have questions about Afghanistan you'd like our long-distance friend, Rob, to answer, feel free to post them here, and he will respond to them tonight.

Also, I've posted a picture that Rob sent to us two years ago from Afghanistan.

You have the same two goals today, my friends:
(A) Bring at least one quotation into your responses.
(B) As an outer circle, we need to make sure that at least five different people get into the hotseats today.

Enjoy, and keep up your strong work!

Kite Runner Fishbowl: Chapters 14, 15, and 16

Welcome back to fishbowl!

You have two goals today, my friends:

(A) Bring at least one quotation into your responses.

(B) As an outer circle, we need to make sure that at least five different people get into the hotseats today.

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl: Chapter 12

Keep up your strong discussions!

Your special challenge of the day: Let's try to get FIVE different people in the hotseats today.

Kite Runner Fishbowl: Chapters 9 and 10

Hello, happy fishbowlers! Great job yesterday, by the way.

Here are your two special challenges for today:

(1) Bring a quotation into at least one of your blogs today.

(2) Please capitalize your "I's" (and maintain all other capitalization rules).

Have fun!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #1: Chapters 7 and 8

Remember that your goal is to participate thoughtfully and CONSISTENTLY during today's discussion.

A few thoughts:
1. Hit F5 to refresh your screen (new comments do not automatically pop up).
2. Show professionalism by using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; remember that the world will be looking at our blog.
3. If you are responding to someone directly, reference them in your comment.
4. Bring in quotations when possible.

Enjoy!

Practice Kite Runner Fishbowl: Chapters 2-4

Welcome to fishbowl! As you engage in an invigorating conversation on the outer circle, please keep in mind the following:

1. Hit the F5 key to refresh your screen and see new comments.
2. Always address the person (or people) to whom you are responding.
3. Comment consistently throughout the discussion.
4. Proofread for spelling and grammar; avoid using texting language.
5. Bring in examples/quotations from the text when possible.
6. Above all else, keep it profressional.

American Gothic

In class today we discussed using small but significant clues to sneak your way into a "text." Please peruse the above painting, titled "American Gothic," and respond to the following questions:

1. How would you describe the relationship between the subjects of this painting, and what clues helped you figure this out?

2. Why do you think the painting is called "American Gothic"? What image of America does this painting create? Do you agree with this image?

Remember to read the other posts to avoid repeating someone else word for word. Instead, focus on having a conversation with your classmates. Posts are due by 10 pm Sunday.

If you really knew me...

In an effort to get to know each other and trust each other, I'd like you to take a little risk and post five things that you'd like other people in the class to know about you. The quirkier/more unique and personal, the better.Here are my five:

1. I am a terrible sport and throw a fit when I lose--especially when it comes to board and card games.

2. I have a phobia of people throwing up.

3. I like to watch one rerun of "Scrubs" before going to bed because I find it relaxing.

4. Sometimes I'd rather curl up in bed and read a book than go out and socialize. I would have never admitted this in high school because I used to think that it made me a dork. Now I'm automatically a dork because I'm old and a teacher, so I don't really care.

5. I really want to be writer, but I've never submitted anything to publication because I'm afraid of my work being rejected.