We Want Meat!!!

How many of you are watching "Kid Nation"? The episode this past week was called, "Hungry for Fresh Meat". If you've missed the show, click on the link to either watch the full episode or video clips from this episode. If you don't have a fast computer connection, you can still read the 3 page 'full recap' of the episode.

After reading or viewing the episode, go to this short health article, "Meat, fish, eggs and Alternatives". Also read this article on children's dietary needs, "Children 'harmed' by Vegan Diets".

Now that you are armed with information about the importance of protein in a diet, consider the following questions:

Did the boys in LOTF have options for protein sources? Has Jack's pursuit of a pig for meat been an obsession or a valuable goal? Is Ralph's leadership failing because he values his goal of rescue for survival over Jack's goal of protein for survival? Or, is Jack using the desire for 'meat' as an excuse to pursue his violent/evil desires? Post your comments now.

Bullying

From the first moment Jack encountered Piggy on the island he has behaved aggressively toward Piggy. Read the article, "School Bullying is Nothing New, But PsychologistsIdentify New Ways to Prevent It" and note both Jack's and Piggy's behavior/personality characteristics that allow the bullying to happen.

Next find and click the link called Bullying Circle. This describes the behavior of others involved in bullying.

Now that you have looked at bullies, victims and others involved in the act of bullying, comment about how the character you are studying in LOTF fits the patterns described.

Chris Crutcher Bonus Blog

In honor of Chris Crutcher's newest book,Deadline, I am offering my students a lifeline to raise their grades prior to the end of the grading period, September 21, 2007.

Attend the Not Your Mother's Book Club event featuring Mr. Crutcher. Be sure to check in with me once you arrive at the Burlingame Library. Return from that event and post comments about his new book and the event.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Read the article, "Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters" to learn more about a mental health diagnosis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, that was first documented in the 1980's (more than 30 years after our novel was written).

Then reflect on the events in chapter one of Lord of the Flies where Piggy explains to Ralph that the plane they had been evacuated out of England on went down in flames and the fuselage (with possible survivors) has been swept back out to sea. Ralph seems to take this information in stride and is thrilled to have no adults around. He stands on his head because he is so excited to be free of adults. He sees his stay on the island as an adventure.

Does this reaction seem normal to you? Why isn't he crying or panicking? Were children emotionally tougher in the 1950's when Golding wrote the novel? Have today's youth become pampered and weak emotionally? Make connections between the novel and the article.
Post your comments in the blog.

Kid Nation: CBS Promo

Kid Nation: CBS Promo

Every year students complain that the literature read in the high school English classroom has nothing to do with real life. This year that complaint couldn't be further from the truth. It looks like reading the novel, Lord of the Flies, in high school had a profound effect on some of the producers at CBS. "Kid Nation", their new reality show appears to be stolen directly from William Golding's novel with only a setting change.

I know I will be setting my TIVO to tape this show weekly, and I don't even like reality shows.

Play the promo for the show. Then read the article at the Kid Nation link.

Does watching this show pique your interest in reading Lord of the Flies ?Would you want to sign up to be a participant on this reality show? What do you think motivated parents to let their children as young as 8 1/2 years old be on this show? Post your comments now.