The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

From: The Monsters are Due on Maple Street by Rod Sterling
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, and prejudices -- to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy. A thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own for the children . . . and the children yet unborn . . ." (p. 368)

Respond to the previous quote:
What does Sterling mean? Do you agree or disagree? Who are the "children yet unborn" he refers to? How will the fallout he is referring to affect these children?

Allow your responses to take on a conversational tone, like in a Socratic Seminar. What I mean by that is: make sure to read the responses of your classmates. Don't simply respond to the questions I put before you, but respond to THEIR comments. Let your thoughts be heard!

Ms. Bryant's Question of the Week

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I am so enjoying reading all of your weekly queries! Remember to read your classmates questions, and to theorize with them. Everyone make sure to check out Drew's two poems. He wrote one on Darkness, and then one right after on Peace/Light. Powerful themes! Note to everyone else: please feel free to use your blog for creative pieces. Have an urge to write a poem and get feed-back from your friends? This is a safe place to do that, and we'd all love to hear what you're writing!

I'll start posting some of my own pieces also in the future . . .

Ms. Bryant's question of the week: How does deliberately creating a value system assist with time management and organizational skills? I'd love to hear your responses: connect the two ideas -- value system and time management.

Welcome to the World of Others

Welcome, 7th Grade Honors English, to the World of Others! The purpose behind this classroom blog is to discover the universe of thoughts beyond our own minds as individuals. As we interact with various authors and literature from a wide array of genres, make your thoughts known! Often even more exciting, know the thoughts of other classmates! I challenge you to learn to value and mull over the ideas and creative thinking offered by your classmates. Ask questions, engage in controversial conversations, and delve deeply into the world of learning.

Always remember, your challenge in English class (and even more, in LIFE) is to learn to be Gurus of WHY. Let nothing cross your path which you do not question, observe, analyze, interpret, digest, and respond to. In every experience, event, challenge, hardship, and joy: you will receive back from life with the same measure that you choose to invest. Carpe diem!