Pre-AP English II: Fahrenheit 451 Socratic Seminar Questions

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, May 7, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.

If you missed the seminar, submit well-thought out written responses to two questions (100%; one question=80%). You may NOT answer a close-ended question.

If you were in class and did not respond twice, use the back of your remaining half-sheets ("buns") to respond to the questions. If you respond to a question discussed in class, your response must refer to the text and add to the conversation we had. (+20 points for the first, +10 points for the second)

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
What book has had a significant impact in your life? How? --D.L. (1st)

How would you feel if something you liked was destroyed or banned? --E.M. (6th)

Are you happy? How do you know? --J.S. (6th)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Beatty send the Mechanical Hound to Montag's house? --R.M. (7th)

Where does Montag hide his books? --L.C. (1st)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why do you think Clarisse became interested in things her friends weren't interested in? --M.R. (7th)

Why do you think Mildred tried to commit suicide? --Mon.M. (7th)

Why has reading been outlawed in Montag's world? --Mar.M. (7th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What do you have in your life worth dying for? --M.R. (1st)

If you were in a situation that you knew was morally wrong, would you stand up for what is right? --T.S. (7th)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
How does the irony of the firemen starting fires contribute to the novel? --J.L. (6th)

Why do the firemen wear the symbol of the Phoenix on their uniforms? How is it significant to the ending of the novel? --S.P. (1st)

English I (Pre-AP): Ender's Game Socratic Seminar Preview

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, May 7, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.

If you missed the seminar, submit well-thought out written responses to two questions (100%; one question=80%). You may NOT answer a close-ended question.

If you were in class and did not respond twice, use the back of your remaining half-sheets ("buns") to respond to the questions. If you respond to a question discussed in class, your response must refer to the text and add to the conversation we had. (+20 points for the first, +10 points for the second)

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If someone encouraged you to "rebel," what would you do? --F.H.

If a family member hated you, what would you do? --A.R.


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
At the beginning of the story, what piece of equipment did Ender wear and why? --D.C.

What are Ender's brother's and sister's names? What is significant about their names as well as Ender's actual name?--T.S.


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
What happens when Ender starts making friends with his battle school classmates? --M.B.

Why does Peter dislike Ender? --R.B.


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What effect can being "unwanted" have on a person's life? --S.A.



LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Why does Card use the simile "I'm about as useful as a sneeze in a spacesuit"? --S.R.

What does the simile "as funny as a one-legged rabbit" contribute to the story? --B.C.

Pre-AP English II: Fahrenheit 451 Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit one (1) of each of the following by Saturday, May 5. I will pick several and post them to the website Sunday evening (5/6). Be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday, May 7th. Questions may come from any section of Fahrenheit 451. Include answers with text support for each question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write one question connecting the text to the real world.

Example: What would your reaction be if books were banned


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write one question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: How does the Mechanical Hound work?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write one insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: Is the world in the novel a better place (or worse) for having reading prohibited?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write one question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: How does adversity inspire/force someone to be heroic?)

LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write one question dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: "Montag" is a brand of paper; "Faber" is a manufacturer of pencils. How does Bradbury's naming his characters after these things enhance the story?

Pre-AP English II: Othello Socratic Seminar Preview

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, April 9, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.



WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
What would you do if your parents disapproved of your choice of boyfriend/girlfriend? --L.C. (1st)

If someone offered you a drink at a party and you knew it wasn't a good idea, what would you do? --R.M. (6th)

If a friend suspected you were being dishonest/backstabby, what would you do to prove your innocence? --A.S. (7th)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why did Desdemona choose Othello over her father? --J.S. (1st)

What did Montano call Cassio to get him to fight? --T.S. (7th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
In what way(s) does Iago "use" Roderigo? --S.N. (6th)

With whom did Cassio fight when he was drunk? --K.M. (7th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
How do you deal with liars or unfaithful friends? --S.P. (1st)

How do you determine whether a friend is honest/trustworthy or not? --M.R. (6th)

How would you get revenge if you found out your boyfriend/girlfriend cheated on you? --L.B. (7th)

How far would you go to get your "dream job"? --E.G. (7th)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
How does Shakespeare develop the characters of Desdemona and Othello (and possibly Iago and Cassio) by employing the metaphor "Our general's wife is now the general..."? --V.M. (6th)

How does Shakespeare establish contrast between Othello and the rest of the cast and what does that help him gain? --J.L. (7th)

Pre-AP English II: Othello Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit one (1) of each of the following by Saturday, April 7. I will pick several and post them to the website Sunday evening (4/8). Be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday, April 9th. Questions may come from any section of Anthem. Include answers with text support for each question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write two questions connecting the text to the real world.

Example: What would you do if your best friend “stole” your boy/girlfriend?


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two questions about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: Who did Othello and the Venetians travel to Cyprus to fight?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two insightful questions about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: How did Iago and Rodrigo screw things up for Othello with Brabantio?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: How do you cope with jealousy? (or as RM-6th put it, How do you defeat the green-eyed monster?)

LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: What does Shakespeare gain by employing Dramatic Irony when Iago is constantly refered to by others as “honest”?

Pre-AP English II: Anthem Socratic Seminar Preview

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, January 30, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.

If you missed the seminar, submit well-thought out written responses to two questions (100%; one question=80%). You may NOT answer a close-ended question.

If you were in class and did not respond twice, use the back of your remaining half-sheets ("buns") to respond to the questions. If you respond to a question discussed in class, your response must refer to the text and add to the conversation we had. (+20 points for the first, +10 points for the second)

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If you made a discovery that could transform the world, what would you do? --E.M. (7th)

If someone else (government, school, parents, etc.) chose your career for you, how would you react? --B.L. (6th)

If you were separated from your parents (or never got the chance to know them), how would you feel? --L.F. (1st)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
What happened to the man who spoke the Unspeakable Word? --M.S. (7th)

Where are people sent on their 40th birthday? --V.L. (6th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
What was the Unspeakable Word? --T.S. (7th)

Why didn't the World Council accept the electric light that Equality-7 brought them? --M.R. (6th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What impact does technology have on society? --J.L. (6th)

Should Equality-7 be punished for his sins against society? Explain. --K.G. (1st)

Why is it wrong for students to be prevented (by society, by their peers, by themselves) from being smarter than others? --M.R. (1st)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Why did Rand decide to write the story in First Person Plural point of view? --Y.C. (7th)

Why is the name Fraternity 2-5503 ironic? --V.M. (1st)

What is ironic about the names of the World Council of Scholars members' names? --Mikesell

What is significant about the allusions to Prometheus and Gaia at the end of the novel? --Mikesell

Pre-AP English II: Anthem Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit two (2) of each of the following by Friday, January 27. I will pick several and post them to the website that evening. Be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday, January 30th. Questions may come from any section of Anthem. Include answers for each question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write two questions connecting the text to the real world.

Example: If you could change your name, what would you change it to?


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two questions about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: How did Equality-7 make light?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two insightful questions about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: Why did Equality-7 rename Liberty-5 "The Golden One"?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: Why is it wrong to not be given a choice in determining your destiny?


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: Why is Equality-7's/Liberty-5's/International-6's name ironic?

Pre-AP English II: Christmas Carol Socratic Seminar (Staves 1 & 2)

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.



WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If you work with someone who has a bad attitude, what can you do about it? --S.N. (6th)

How do you treat people who approach you to give to charity? --A.C. (7th)

Do you believe in ghosts? Explain. --Mikesell


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
How are Scrooge and Fred related --S.P. (1st)

According to Marley, how did he obtain the chain he carries? --M.R. (6th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Marley's ghost come to Scrooge? --M.R. (1st)

Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge scenes from his youth? --C.A. (6th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What does holding a grudge against others do to a person? --J.S. (1st)

Do you agree with Marley’s ghost, that “humanity should [be our] business”? Explain. --Mikesell


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Why does Dickens use the simile, "the sound resounded through the house like thunder"? --M.O. (1st)

In Stave One, why does Dickens repeat that Marley is actually dead. --V.M. (7th)

Why is it important to the story that Dickens characterizes Scrooge the way he does at the beginning? --M.M. (7th)

Pre-AP English II: Christmas Carol Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit two (2) of each of the following by Wednesday, December 7. I will pick several and post them to the website that evening. Be prepared to discuss them in class on Thursday, December 8th. Questions should be based on the first two staves of A Christmas Carol.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write two questions connecting the text to the real world.

Example: When you realize how badly you’ve mistreated someone, how do you go about making things right between you?


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two questions about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: Based on evidence in Stave Two of A Christmas Carol, what texts did Young Scrooge imagine characters from?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two insightful questions about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: After reading the first two staves of A Christmas Carol, why was Scrooge such a jerk?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: Do you agree with Marley’s ghost, that “humanity should [be our] business”? Explain.


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: In A Christmas Carol, why is it important that the Ghost of Christmas Past provided flashbacks of Scrooge’s life?

Pre-AP English II: Metamorphosis Socratic Seminar Questions

For this Friday's Socratic Seminar, you need to compile dialectical journal entries that will engage the classroom in discussion.

You (and your group) need to come up with a total of ten dialectical journal entries. Five of the entries should include a quote from Metamorphosis, a brief analysis of the literary device(s) Kafka used, and your interpretation of why Kafka used the literary device in the way he did. The other five entries should not have the interpretation information.

If you did not participate with a group, you need a total of two entries with and two without the interpretation.

Due tomorrow, Thursday, December 1.

Pre-AP English II: Lord of the Flies Chapters 5-12 Socratic Seminar Questions

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.



WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If a freshman came to you looking for help, what would you do? --RM.P. (6th)

If you were convinced that there was a beast, boogeyman, or other intruder in your bedroom/house, what would you do? --M.M. (7th)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Jack camouflage his face --J.S. (6th)

Why do the boys kill Simon? --A.S. (7th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Would the kids have had a better chance of being rescued if they hadn't split into two groups? --L.C. (1st)

Why does Jack hate Piggy and Ralph? --J.S. (1st)

Who is a better leader, Ralph or Jack? --L.F. (1st)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What actions should a person take to survive if they find themselves in a situation where they do not belong? --V.M. (6th)

Golding contends that children are NOT the embodiment of innocence that some novels have claimed them to be. Do you agree or disagree, and why? --M.R. (6th)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Which point of view did Golding choose for the novel, and why was that the right choice? --M.M. (7th)

Where has Golding employed irony in the second half of the story, and what does it accomplish? --Mr. Mikesell

Pre-AP English II: Lord of the Flies 1-3 Socratic Seminar Preview

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Thursday, October 12, 2011. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.

If you missed the seminar, submit well-thought out written responses to two questions (100%; one question=80%).

If you were in class and did not respond twice, use the back of your remaining half-sheets ("buns") to respond to the questions. If you respond to a question discussed in class, your response must refer to the text and add to the conversation we had. (+20 points for the first, +10 points for the second)

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If you were in a situation with a leadership vacuum, how would you convince others to follow you? --M.R. (6th)

When overwhelmed with fear, how do you keep cool? --J.M. (1st)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Ralph blow the conch? -K.M. (7th)

Who helps Ralph with most of the work on the island? --J.S. (6th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
After reading the first three chapters, who do you think is best suited for leadership? --E.M. (7th)

Did Ralph make the right decision to have Simon investigate the island with him and Jack, rather than Piggy? --L.C. (1st)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What is required in order for a society to be considered civilized? --E.M. (6th)

What characteristics make a person a good leader? --J.L. (1st)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
What mood does Golding set at the beginning of the story? --K.L. (7th)

Why do you think Golding characterizes Piggy as a fat, annoying boy? --B.L. (6th)

Pre-AP English II: Lord of the Flies Chapters 1-3 Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit one (1) of each of the following question type by Tuesday, October 11. I will pick several and post them to the website Wednesday night. Be prepared to discuss them in class on Thursday, October 13.

You also need to provide a possible answer with a reference to the text for each questions.


WORLD CONNECTION QUESTION
Write a question connecting the text to the real world.

Example: When you are lost, what strategies do you use to get “found”?


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTION
Write a question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: Why do Jack Merridew and his friends dress in uniform?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTION
Write an insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: After reading the first three chapters of Lord of the Flies, what conclusions can you draw about Piggy’s personality?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTION
Write a question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: After reading the first three chapters of Lord of the Flies, what responsibilities do you feel the strong have toward the weak?


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTION
Write a question dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: In the opening line, Golding describes Ralph as “[t]he boy with the fair hair.” What implications might his diction choice, “fair,” suggest to the reader?

Pre-AP English II: Socratic Seminar Intro

Here's the presentation on Socratic Seminars from class today: