Today we discussed what makes a hero and if Spalding Gray fits the mold for one.
- Finish WordSkills Unit 1 words. The unit 1 test is on Monday. Students can receive extra credit for 1) coming to the review sessions at 8:00 on Friday (tomorrow) and Monday, 2) making flashcards of the word parts, and 3) having complete vocabulary notes.
- Hero brainstorming. We came up with a list of heroes (absent students should come up with a list of at least 10 heroes on their own). Then, each student picked one hero for which they defined
- What the hero’s qualities are (what’s he like?)
- What the hero’s obstacles are (villains, weaknesses, kryptonite?)
- What the hero’s goals or objectives are (what’s he trying to do? what’s his mission?)
- What the hero does to accomplish that goal (special powers? intelligence?)
3. Is Spalding Gray heroic? We discussed whether Spalding Gray classifies as a hero based on the reading and viewing. Many students said yes, in his own way: he protected his family from his pain, he lived through a horrific experience, he courageously shared his stories, he helped people in the same situation by letting them know that someone is is going through it. Many students said no: he didn’t accomplish anything to help humanity (my comeback to these students: doesn’t art help humanity? is Beethoven not a hero?), he feels too guilty about his past, he complains too much to be a hero (Dr. Gregory House also complains, though we think of him as a hero), in the end he lost the battle (he committed suicide).
4. Finish watching clip from Monster in a Box. Students finished their viewing guides and turned them in for a grade.
HW: Study for WordSkills test on Monday. Finish homework from last night if you haven’t!
ALEXA GARVOILLE 