Tortilla Curtain -- "Arroyo Blanco"

As we discuss the first section of T.C. Boyle's The Tortilla Curtain, use this post to record ideas about the book that you didn't get to share in class discussion. You may also respond to other comments on the blog. What you write may enhance your discussion grade for the book. The most effective comments will: (1) avoid repeating what's already been said in class, address specific details from the book, and (3) display higher-order thinking (refer to your unit guidelines handout for ideas). For your blog remarks to be considered for the first discussion grade, they must be posted by Friday, October 3, 2008.

"On the Rainy River"

We read Tim O'Brien's story "On the Rainy River" in class on September 4 and 5. If you have comments to add following the class discussion, please post them here. One topic to comment on would be how the story explored the "Victim of Circumstance" idea.

How Big is Your World?

Suppose you have lived your whole life in Centennial, attended only Littleton Public schools, never traveled to another state, let alone another country, never met anyone other than people who live in your neighborhood, never learned a foreign language. Given this scenario, your world might be considered rather small. But now consider all the experiences you have accumulated so far in your life -- the people you've met, the places you've visited, the specialized skills and knowledge you've acquired. Compare yourself to that hypothetical stay-at-home and answer the question "How big is your world?" Consider both its physical and mental dimensions.