Read the post below to see what we did today. Here are a few more pics!

Today, we had a simulation of sorts. First, the tribes had to guess 1) what 1 thing was that almost made Pi crazy and 2) what was 1 thing that made Pi successful with Richard Parker. After figuring out that it was thirst and a whistle, the students competed in a cracker/whistle race, feeling the importance of being able to whistle in the midst of deep dehydration. Too fun! (Your homework post is below this!

Reflection on the Online Diuscussion

We finished reading Life of Pi and logged onto Google Docs. I had created a Spreadsheet with questions along the top and the students' names along the left side. I asked the students to answer all the questions, as well as comment on another student's response, 1 per column. We did this in class in lieu of a class discussion or fishbowl.

I would like you, the students, to give me feedback:

Did you like this format and why?

Was it interesting to hear everyone's ideas? Why/why not?

Were there too many questions, too little, the right amount? Why?

Did you like that I could jump on the page to challenge your ideas? Why/why not?

Reflective Blog for Relationships Group (1st hour)

1. Find the passage from the book that you think best represents Pi's relationship with his father or uncle, his relationship with animals, or his relationship with his three different religions AND explain why you think the quote best represents that relationship.

2. Post the passage as a comment.

3. Add a question that relates to your quote and your belief about Pi's relationship. Make it thought-provoking and one that could be argued either way a person answers it.

Understanding Existentialism--an oxymoron?

Answer the following questions:

1. In class on Wednesday, I asked you: Who are you? You had to respond without thinking; you wrote without thinking. We then researched existentialism in images, definitions, articles, videos, songs, etc. So...looking at your findings, how would an existentialist answer the question: Who are you?

2. Look at the definition of oxymoron: "a figure of speech that combines two usually contradictory terms in a compressed paradox, as in the word bittersweet or the phrase living death." (Answers.com) Explain how my title for this blog post is OR isn't an oxymoron.