if you had to be a villain, who would you be? explain

If you had to be a villain, who would you be? Explain.

The Beginnings

Do you have an adventurous spirit? Would you ever journey to a completely new

and unknown place? Why/why not?

Beginnings

Have you ever been on a boat? Would you sail on a ship across the ocean? Why/why not?

Beginnings

If you discovered a new land what would you call it, and what are the first 3 things you would do?

Beginnings

Do you think people are born basically good or evil? Explain.

Beginnings

How often do you use logic (or objective reasoning) to help you make choices or decisions? Explain.

Jamestown

Would you ever resort to eating another human being?

Persecution Unit

How much have societal norms dictated the type of person that you are? How often do you feel disloyal to your true self for the sake of fitting in with a crowd? Explain.

Persecution Unit

What is the severest punishment you have ever received? Explain the circumstances.

Persecution Unit

What is the worst punishment that you can imagine ever receiving? Explain.

Persecution Unit

Describe a time when you felt particularly lonely or misunderstood in your life. Explain.

Persecution Unit

One time when I felt unwanted or cast aside was …

Persecution Unit

How often do you feel guilt or shame? Explain.How often do you feel that others are trying to make you feel guilty or shameful? Explain.

American Indian

If you had to be a different type of animal, what would it be and why?

American Indian

What do you think about inter-racial dating and marriage? Explain.

Bradstreet

If your house caught on fire, and you only had time to grab one item; what would you take with you? Why?

Puritan

How often do you read a religious book? How do you think this does or does not affect your life?

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

What is the strictest rule that you have to obey?

As a future parent, will you be as strict with your children as your parents are with you? Explain.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

State your opinion…. “the beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted as the first cause of everything which happens in the mortal world, nothing is left to chance… logic can be happily tossed out the window.” -Stephen King

What are your ideas about “God?” What qualities and attributes does this being have?

Salem Witch Trials

How would you describe a witch? Do you think witches are real? Why/why not?

Modern Day Witchhunt

How tolerant do you feel you are of people that are different from you?

Crucible

A hypocrite is a person who professes beliefs, feelings, or virtues that they really do not feel. It is a falseness in the sense that it is when you say one thing but do another. Do you consider yourself a hypocrite? Why/why not?

Crucible

Has fear ever influenced a choice that you have made? Would you admit to others that fear influenced that choice? Explain.

Crucible

Have you ever loved someone so much that you’d do anything to be with that person? Or have you ever loved someone that did not love you back? Explain.

Crucible

Have you ever told a lie that snowballed into something terrible? Explain.

Crucible

Hysteria is excessive or uncontrollable emotion such as fear or panic. Have you experienced this feeling? Explain.

Crucible

What does your name mean to you? Does it play a significant role in your life? Explain.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Juliet Capuletfrom Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Crucible

What is a cause you would die for? Explain. If you can think of nothing, explain this as

well.

The Scarlet Letter: Introduction

Right now, today…. If you wanted to face the world for a wrong you committed and publicly confess, where might you go and what might you do?

The Scarlet Letter: Introduction

How do you think today’s communities react to unwed mothers or women having sex before they are married?

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 2

What does a person’s clothing say about them and why?

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 3

• What kinds of secrets is it alright to keep?

• Is there ever a time when you should reveal a secret that a friend has told you? Explain.

• What would you be willing to withstand, to keep someone’s secret?

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 4

What do you think it means to be faithful to someone? Give me a specific example from your everyday life.

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 5

What happens when a private sin becomes a public crime?

Tell me a time in your life when someone inadvertently found out something you were trying to keep hidden.

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 6

Pick a rule or law that you disagree with and explain why. Then, tell me how you think it should be changed.

Benjamin Franklin

Name three of your virtues and explain them. What is a virtue? A virtue is something about yourself that you feel is positive; a quality about yourself that you feel is good or admirable.

Benjamin Franklin

List a few of your family’s famous proverbs. What is a proverb? It is a saying that is supposed to impart wisdom or advice. Ex. “If you believe that, I have a piece of land to sell you in Florida…” or “Yeah right, and I am Wonder Woman; my invisible jet is parked right outside…”

Benjamin Franklin

“Never leave that till tomorrow, which you can do today.” What do you procrastinate or put off that you want or should do today? Describe.

Declaration of Independence

If you could create a new law, what would it be and why?

Declaration of Independence

What do you consider your most valued or cherished “freedom”? Explain.

Declaration of Independence

Are “all men” created equal? Explain what this means to you.

Declaration of Independence

Is their anything you believe in enough, that you would be willing to kill for it.

Writing Proficiency

Some people feel high school students should not work at after-school jobs. Take a position on this issue and write about the advantages or disadvantages of working after school.

Writing Proficiency

What was the most valuable gift you ever gave to (or received from) someone? Why was it so valuable?

The Devil and Tom Walker

How much is your soul worth to you? What would you sell your soul for? Explain.

The Devil and Tom Walker

Describe your idea of the “perfect relationship”. What is needed to achieve this idea? Explain.

The Devil and Tom Walker

Do you know someone who has “sold” themselves to become something or someone else? Describe.

The Devil and Tom Walker

Should people pursue wealth? Why or why not? Is wealth important to you? Explain.

The Devil and Tom Walker

“Money is the root of all evil.” What is your opinion of this quote? Explain.

LongfellowJan. 4

Looking back now on one of the most trying times of your life, reflect and explain on how you dealt with this trial, and what you learned from this experience.

TranscedentalismJan. 5

What do you feel is the purpose of life? Explain. How did you come to this knowledge or idea?

EmersonJan. 6

How often do you feel that you conform to what others expect you to be or do? Explain.

EmersonJan. 7

Tell me one famous quote that you know. Why do you think this quote is in your memory? Explain.

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.“ (Abraham Lincoln)

ThoreauJan. 10

Could you live in the woods by yourself? If not why? If so for how long? Explain.

Walden Pond

ThoreauJan. 10

How heavily do you rely upon technology and material things? Explain. Tell me 5 things you could live without?

Edgar Allan PoeJan. 12

Have you experienced the loss of a loved one in your life? Explain. How did you deal with this loss?

Fall of the House of UsherJan. 13

Do you believe a person or family can have a curse or hex? Explain.

Fall of the House of UsherJan. 14

Can a person’s sickness or illness be “in their head?” Do you know a person that is sick constantly? Explain.

The RavenJan. 24th

Have you ever lost a loved one? If so, how did you cope with it? If you have not ever lost a loved one, how do you think you would deal with it? Explain.

Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentJan. 25th

What do you like most about your current age? Explain.

Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentJan. 26th

If you had the chance to drink from the fountain of youth and forever stay young, would you? What age would you want to be? Explain.

Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentJan. 27th

What aspects of aging do you look forward to? What aspect of getting older seems undesirable to you?

Moby DickJan. 28th

If you were offered the chance to go on a hunt for a legend (Big Foot, Swamp Thing), would you? Explain.

Moby DickJan. 31st

Have you ever wanted something so badly, that you shun everything else to get it? Explain.

Moby DickFeb. 2nd

Would you kill an animal? What events would cause you to do this? Explain.

Walt WhitmanFeb. 9th

What about your day-to-day life makes you feel American? What do you consider to be the American experience? Explain.

Walt WhitmanFeb. 7th

What makes a true hero? Who are some of your heroes? Explain.

Walt WhitmanFeb. 3rd

How isolated do you feel from the world around you?

O. Equiano

How well would you deal with being in a room this size with 300 + people? Explain.

O. Equiano

Have you ever been separated from your family? How would you deal with being ripped from your family at a young age, as Equiano was? Explain.

F. Douglass

Have you ever been bullied or bullied someone else? If you were bullied, how did you deal with it? If you were the bully, why did you do it? Explain.

F. Douglass

What are you most afraid of? Explain.

F. Douglass

How would youcope with livingas a slave? Howwould you

makeit through eachday? Explain.

Pre-Civil WarWho do youconsider to

bethe mostimportant

andinfluentialfigure duringthis time ofcivil unrestand war?

Slave Spirituals

Can nonviolent methods be used to eliminate oppression, or is violence an inevitable result of oppression?

E. Dickinson

How often do you think of death? What brings these thoughts to your mind? When do you think of this? Explain.

Gettysburg Address

Would you die for your country? Explain.

Crazy Horse

What do you think of when you hear the name Crazy Horse?

B. Hawk & Chief Joseph

What makes a good leader? Give examples of leaders from our history. Explain why you chose them.

Twain

When you are faced with an obstacle; how do you handle it? Explain.

Have you ever owed someone money and not paid them back? Explain.

Name one olfactory memory that you have? Explain. Walt Whitman???

Twain

If you were to become an author, what would your pen-name be? Explain.

Twain

Has anyone ever told you a story that was so bizarre, you were not sure whether to believe it or not? Explain.

Notorious Jumping Frog

Do you form opinions about people based on the way they talk? Explain.

What characteristics do you associate with different ways of speaking or talking?AWESOME

DUDE

Y’ALLWatta

Notorious Jumping Frog

Do you enjoy contests involving animals? Explain.

Twain

Would you allow yourself to be eaten, if you knew it would save the lives of others? Explain.

Owl Creek Bridge

Describe a time when you were extremely scared or thought you might die….

Kate Chopin

How important to do you feel is the sanctity of marriage? Explain.

Kate Chopin

Have you ever been secretly happy about supposedly bad news? Explain either way.

To Build a Fire

Have you ever made a decision based on your pride? What was the end result? Describe.

To Build a Fire

Have you ever experienced extreme weather conditions? How did you handle the situation? Describe.

To Build a Fire

How important is companionship during hard times? Explain.

The Snake

Do you like snakes? Would you ever have one as a pet? Why or why not?

In the Desert

How many of you fear who you know you really are down deep inside? Explain.

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Imagine a famous person whom you think you would like to be….

Who is this person?

Why do you think that this person’s life is so ideal?

Edwin Arlington Robinson

What is the difference between being an individual in society and being an outcast? How do you think society’s attitudes about both are similar, and how are they different?

Where do you fall on the scale? Explain.

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Luke Havergal is the star-crossed lover….

Miniver Cheevy is the failed romantic….

Richard Cory is the mystery man….

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Who else might have lived in Tilbury Town??....

Within a small group, you must create two character sketches of other individuals who may have resided in this town.

REMEMBER: This is an exercise in realistic portrayal; therefore, keep your creations as such.

You may want to consider – their name (try to assign a name that provides insight into his or her character), physical description, character traits, personality, life experiences, family, race, religion, etc…

Yellow Wallpaper

Do you think women have a certain role that they should fill within society and within a relationship? Explain.

Yellow Wallpaper

What lengths would you go, to protect someone you love? Explain.

Yellow Wallpaper

How would you describe insanity? What might cause you to go insane? Explain.

Great Gatsby

Do you know someone who pretends to be someone they are not? Explain.

Great Gatsby

Have you ever witnessed a couple get into a physical fight or altercation?

Great Gatsby

What is the difference between love and lust?

Great Gatsby

What causes you to feel jealousy? What do you do with those feelings?

Great Gatsby

What lengths would you go to be with the person you want? Explain.

Anthem

For the following slides, write the statement in your journal and then provide a response. You will have 30 seconds for each response. This is an exercise designed to illicit your gut reaction. Write the first thought that comes to mind.

Yes, I agree that…. because… OR

No, I disagree that…. because…

Anthem

The individual is more important than the group.

Anthem

It is better to conform than to be different.

Anthem

The quest for freedom is part of the human genome.

Anthem

When we believe something strongly, we should stand up for our belief no matter the cost.

Anthem

We exist to benefit and serve society.

Anthem

Every child should spend a portion of their childhood apart from their parents.

Anthem

A person’s imagination is a key and imperative part of their personality.

Anthem

A society without freedom cannot truly be productive.

Anthem

It is impossible to stand completely on one’s own.

Anthem

Society is by its very nature corrupt.

Anthem

A group’s needs are more important than an individual’s needs.

Anthem

Some emotions are better not felt.

Anthem

Some knowledge is too dangerous to be revealed to society, thus should be kept secret.

Anthem

You are the center of your own universe.

Anthem

A general consensus (where everyone agrees) is impossible.

Anthem

A man’s value rests in the originality of his mind as expressed in his work.

Anthem

Man’s main motivation is fear.

Anthem

If an individual does not believe the laws of a society to be ethical or moral, he then has the right to defy these laws.

Anthem

I have the right to pursue my own happiness to the exclusion of all else.

Anthem

The willingness to die for a cause makes you a hero.

Anthem

The progression from adolescence to adulthood must involve developing a personal identity.

Anthem

Destruction of all progress and all forward movement is inevitable.

Anthem

REFLECTION

Which of yesterday’s statements did you find the most intriguing and thought-provoking? Explain.

If you had to choose one, which topic would you most want to continue to debate? Explain.

Chrysanthemums

How trusting are you of strangers? Should you trust someone until they give you a reason not to?

Chrysanthemums

How important are similar interests when choosing a mate?

Chrysanthemums

Have you ever been taken advantage of, or swindled? Explain.

Hemingway

List the top five things you want to do before you die.

Hemingway

What has been one traumatizing event in your life? Explain.

Hemingway

What do you judge other people by? Explain.

Old Man and the Sea

What makes a man…. a man?

Old Man in the Sea

What is your greatest passion in life? Explain.

Old Man and the Sea

Describe a time when you’ve lost or experienced failure.

Old Man in the Sea

What is the difference between obsession and ambition?

Clean Well-Lighted Place

What do you think are some of the problems facing elderly people in today’s society?

Clean Well-Lighted Place

Why is it difficult for younger people to understand the specific needs and concerns of the elderly?

Clean Well-Lighted Place

What might be done to improve the situation of the elderly in our country?

The Far and the Near

Explain in detail an experience you have had in which the reality of a situation failed to live up to your expectations.

Harlem Renaissance

Tell me an instance you remember from your early childhood that you still remember because it hurt your feelings so badly… Explain.

Robert Frost

What is your favorite season or time of year? Explain.

Robert Frost

How much time do you spend outdoors? Why/why not?

A Raisin in the Sun

Are you proud of your family and your race? Explain.

A Raisin in the Sun

Tell me one of your dreams. Why is this a dream you harbor????

A Raisin in the Sun

Has someone you know ever squandered away their living? Explain. If not, then discuss a film or a song in which you have seen something similar…

A Raisin in the Sun

Tell me a time when someone told you, you were not wanted…

A Raisin in the Sun

What makes a home? Where is your home? Explain.

OmelasThis is a strange story in several ways, but the first one you might notice is that there isn’t really a plot. This is about what happens (the status quo), not what happened (an incident)…

OmelasIf you were to begin a story (an incident) where LeGuin leaves off, what might you write about? What plot lines does this description of a society open up?

Omelas

Another odd thing about this piece is the narrative voice. At some points the voice seems omniscient (as when it tells us how the horses feel about the festival), but at other points it admits uncertainty, hazards opinions, and speculates about the attitude of the reader.

Omelas

Annotate places where the voice draws attention to itself in these ways. What is the effect of these shifts? How do you feel about this voice? Judged, challenged, understood? Do the assumptions the narrator makes about its audience’s likely attitudes--toward the festival, toward the townspeople, toward the notion of human happiness--seem apt for our times?

Omelas

Consider the setting, another important element in the story that is somewhat shifting. The opening description sounds vaguely pre-industrial, with horses instead of cars, though the indecisive narrator concedes that subways and washing machines might be allowable. Then she offers some other alternatives for those who might find the first scene too “goody-goody”: drugs and orgies.

Omelas

Are these concessions to individual tastes enough, or do you think the whole project—imagining utopia—is doomed for some (most?) people?

Draw the setting of Omelas as you see it.

Omelas

To get a grasp of the theme in this story, you need to examine the conflict. What is it? (Hint: It’s a moral conflict, an apparent dilemma, a paradox.)

Omelas

How do you think you would handle the conflict?

What do you think the narrator wants us to see as the right decision? Why?

Do you think this is simply an intellectual exercise to define our contemporary idea of utopia, or an indictment of society, an indictment of human nature, or what?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

How often do your parents have no idea where you are?

How often do you purposely mislead your parents? Meaning they think you are somewhere with someone(s), and you are actually somewhere else entirely…

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

LET’S DISCUSS THE TITLE OF THE STORY….

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

What is the significance of the questions?Who might ask these types of questions?How often are you annoyed with your parents about the amount of questions they ask you?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

LET’S DISCUSS POPULAR TEENAGE MUSIC….

How important is music in your life? Explain.

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Now let’s consider instances in the story where music is mentioned…

Can you form an argument that pop music is a type of religion for Connie?

Does Connie “believe” in anything other than the movies, and what they seem to represent to her?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

How well do you think J.C. Oates portrays the teenager Connie? (Meaning, as a teenager yourself, did Connie seem and act like a real-life everyday person?) You must pull two facts from the story to substantiate your opinion.

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?