Today is the ACT day, so we have shortened classes and are having a culminating discussion about the book, 1984. The main question that was asked first was, "Why do you think that Ms. Moritz and Ms. Smith chose to have us read this book?" The class said that they are trying to show us how our world can become.
The next question was, "Can we as 14 and 15 year olds challenge the system?" The class mainly said yes. Hillary said that we could write to the newspaper about things that we disagree with. Moritz said that we could always challenge the system. Moritz said that sometimes taking risks are part of challenging the system and we could succeed if we do that. To a certain point we can succeed by defiance. "It depends on your definition of successful." Olivia said. Just because we defy the system, that doesn’t mean that we are totally successful. Denis said that the true definition of success is where you are happy with the position that you are at in life. "Is Winston successful?" Drunkenness is part of getting him to the point of success in the eyes of the party. Jaclyn did not think that he did accomplished what he set out to do. But Hillary said that he succeed in what he could do in the small confines.
"Do we come to school be choice, or because we are demanded to?" Friends! Is that the only reason that we come or are we coming to learn. As class wrapped up, we all got out a piece of paper and she gave us our options for the final project for 1984:
1) 1984 is a warning that Orwell wrote in the 1940’s. What was he warning us about? (2 specifics with explanations) How has it come true in our society today? (2 specifics with explanations) Typed, double spaced, formal essay format.
2) Write a new chapter in the novel 1984. Do Winston and Julia revolt? Do they become proles? Is there a completely different ending? Does Winston somehow become the new O’Brien? (stay true to the tone/form of the original work) Typed, double spaced, creative piece format.
3) In your life, who can you state "controls" you? Do they control with fear? Opportunity? We would all like to say that we control ourselves, our actions, but is this true? (use specific examples from your personal life) Typed, double spaced, personal essay format.
So there you have it! The agenda of April 23, 2008!