So it Goes; let's be kind to one another: Blog Carnival #1 (6th)

Dear Sam, Stefan, Michelle, and Karina,

Sam and Stefan, you both wrote about So it Goes. For Stefan it captures how he has dealt with a personal loss. And Stefan, your story helps to illustrate why it's so important to treasure our time and make the most of it, as Sam has now figured out.

Michelle and Karina--you both wrote about dogs. Michelle volunteers every weekend to help take care of the dogs at the Humane Society. And Karina's story about how she lost her dog, Princess, is heartbreaking.

All of these posts remind us that we need more kindness in our world, as you say, Michelle.

Thank you, all four of you, for your stories and for making meaningful connections to Slaughterhouse Five. You've provided some thoughtful things for us to think about today in this first Blog Carnival.

Most sincerely,

Doc Z

Along The Road, good guys/bad guys, love, fear, happiness, and sharing your leftovers: Blog Carnival #1 (1st Hour)

The Road is getting you all to some very interesting thinking about your research.

Let me explain. Sophie wonders, is it easier to be a good guy or a bad guy? For Tatiana, fear and love work together--and fear of losing someone she loves crippled her once. Read her post for the story. Izzy G writes of her grandfather, and the powerful example he was to her of unconditional love. Ginger's post will make you wonder about what you would do if a homeless person asked you for your Cheesecake Factory leftovers. Would you share? If not, why not? Niraj makes the point that sometimes the best option is NOT going out with your friends. He chooses to stay in some times, but he doesn't worry about missing out. He has good reasons. Happiness might be the ultimate thing that drives us, according to Izze B. Kyle's post reveals the lengths he goes to for love. Would you give up your morals because of fear? Read Tony's post to ponder that. Sienna is trying to figure out what it's all about--life, that is. I bet some of you are on a similar path. Emma ponders fear of strangers.

What does this all of to do with The Road? A lot. I guess you'll have to read to see how. Don't forget to leave comments to respond--share your own stories, ask questions, explain where you connect with your classmates' ideas. Have fun at your first blog carnival!

Strength, water, fears, kindness, Star Wars, and staying alive on the Road: Blog Carnival #1 (3rd hour)

(a host post poem)

Being alive
is the most difficult challenge
we all face (Haley).

Do you agree?

Or do you fear
being average? (Reci).

What's inside of the VCR-- (Collin)
Cars, airplanes, Eqypt, or Star Wars
perhaps.

You have the strength
to survive zombies. (Mitch)

But maybe not
if you don't have water. (Josh B)

Kindness is weakness? (Karen)

All things to ponder along The Road.

(and Molly's)

When studying literature, remember,

If anything's odd, 
inappopriate, 
confusing, 
or boring, 
it's probably important! 

(keep this in mind while doing your mentor text work with our novel)

Why Shakespeare is More Important than Science

"Words are the most subtle symbols which we possess and our human fabric depends on them. The living and radical nature of language is something which we forget at our peril. It is totally misleading to speak, for instance, of 'two cultures.' One literary-humane and the other scientific, as if these were of equal status. There is only one culture, of which science, so interesting and so dangerous, is now an important part. But the most essential and fundamental aspect of culture is the study of literature, since this is an education in how to picture and understand human situations. We are men and we are moral agents before we are scientists, and the place of science in human life must be discussed in words. This is why it is and always will be more important to know about Shakespeare than to know about any scientist."

(Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good, 1970, p. 33)