Knowledge is Power

Socrates once said: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” People are constantly striving to know more. However, Socrates would say that no matter how much we think we know, in the grand scheme of things, we truly know nothing.

Albert Einstein - one of the brightest minds in history is quoted as saying: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.” We definitely equate knowledge with power, and old Al always feared what would come of us if we became too powerful.

Think about these statements.

Which of these brilliant men do you most agree with?

What if a person really did know everything there was to know?

Can knowledge ever become dangerous?

Please provide specific reasoning and examples to support your response.

Blog Instructions

Good evening, precious 8th graders!

This is the first entry in the classroom blog that will soon become a very crucial and vocal part of our English class. Reading only becomes learning when we dive deeply into it, question it, wrestle with it, place ourselves in it, and get everything we possibly can out of it. Conversations about reading, then, are of utmost importance. All of our opinions and insights are valuable, and this blog is soon to become our place to share those insights and opinions.

Here's how it will work:

- Every so often, I will assign you "blog" homework.
- On those nights, you will log on to this blog and find a question posed about something we're reading.
- Your job will be to comment on the posted question with your response AND respond to at least one other person's response.

That's it! I certainly hope you this will spark lively and deep discussions. Feel free to debate, opine, or just reflect.

However ABSOLUTELY NO BULLYING, CURSING, or SILLY RESPONSES will be acceptable.

These blogs will count toward your RWNB/Participation Grade

Have fun! Learn much!

Love,

Ms. McCoun

Choice vs. Fate - Round 2

If you believe it is a world of choice, you regard your life as a product of your own decisions. If you believe in fate(destiny), you suspect there are greater forces defining your life’s story and that you play little to no part in where life leads you.

This theme will be heavily apparent and revealed throughout Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Before we read, I want to get your honest opinions on this from a modern perspective. Thus, my question to you is this:

Is this life of ours governed by choice or fate?

Please provide specific reasoning and examples to support your response.

To Save an Education

As you read the beginning chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird and witness Scout and Jem's interactions with teachers, peers, and curriculum, it becomes more and more apparent that Harper Lee has strong opinions on the education system that was in existence at the time when she grew up.

What were her opinions?

How do you think she overcame her poor education to become one of the century's most famous authors?

What is your opinion on today's education system?

If you hold a negative opinion, what do you think should be done/changed to make today's education more effective?

The Fall of The Scarlet Ibis

Hey, gang! I'm so excited to get these discussions going again! So, let's waste no time!

Let the discussion begin!! Here is the first question I pose to you for civil debate:

We all know that Doodle was less than well. However, we also know that Brother was admittedly (and often purposely) cruel to him. All of these things worked together where Doodle's well-being is concerned.

Think about the story as a whole, all of the information you're provided, the motivation and actions of all of the characters, and the unhappy outcome. Then respond to this...

Was Doodle's death Brother's fault, or was it simply a tragic playing out of an inevitable conclusion?

If you do not agree with either, feel free to take your own, personal stance.

Be sure to support your responses!

Also, don't forget that in order to receive full credit, you must both POST and RESPOND to a post.

Happy Discussing!

Choice Vs. Fate??

If you believe it is a world of choice, you regard your life as a product of your own decisions. If you believe in fate(destiny), you suspect there are greater forces defining your life’s story and that you play little to no part in where life leads you.

This theme will be heavily apparent and revealed throughout Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. So, before we read, I want to get your honest opinions on this from a modern persepctive. Thus, my question to you is this:

Is this life of ours governed by choice or fate?

"The Scarlet Ibis" Reader Response

In “The Scarlet Ibis,” the narrator states, "Pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death." What do you think this this means? Do you find this statement to be true outside the context of the story (in your life, in society, etc.)? If you do, how so? If you do not, explain how you view pride and its effects.

Please Note: You are not limited to my questions. Feel free to opine in any way about pride. And, after you have responded, feel free to thereafter dive in to other topics you find desire to discuss based on your experience with this story.

Have fun! Happy Writing!