Chapter One

1. Who is Holden Caulfield and what predicament is he in?
2. Who is D.B. and why is Holden somewhat contemptuous of him?
3. What is the reality of Pencey Prep in contrast with the advertisements, as seen by Holden?
4. Why does Holden watch the game from the hill?
5. Who is Selma Thurmer, and why did Holden like her?
6. Who is Mr. Spencer, and why was Holden going to visit him?
7. Why was Holden trying to “feel” some kind of good-bye?
8. What does Holden think about the other students who attend Pencey?
9. How popular was the sport of polo at Pencey Prep?
10. Does Holden blame others for his flunking out of school?

Chapter Two

1. What had Mr. Spencer bought and shown the boys when they were visiting him one Sunday?
2. What advice did Dr. Thurmer give to Holden?
3. Did Holden agree with Dr. Thurmer’s description of life as a game? Explain your answer.
4. Was Pencey Prep really the fourth school from which Holden was asked to leave?
5. What did Holden think about Mr. Spencer’s description of his parents as “grand people”?
6. Why did Holden write Mr. Spender a note at the end of his exam paper?
7. What was Holden thinking about while he said the following: “I told him I was a real moron, and all that stuff. I told him how I would’ve done exactly the same thing if I’d been in his place, and how most people didn’t appreciate how tough it is being a teacher.”
8. Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills School?
9. What excuse did Holden give Mr. Spencer for having to end the visit?
10. Holden told Mr. Spencer not to worry about him. What reason did he give for not worrying?

Now that you have chosen the absolutely most significant moment in your historical person's life, you need to start working on the creative writing aspect of the assignment.  This is going to be the most important part of your entire writing process, because once you have this done, the rest will come easily to you.

 

Due next Tuesday, you will have to provide a detailed description of your event.  You will need to focus on the 5 main sensory details (what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste) as the person in your story.  Your details will need to be so descriptive that your reader feels like they are your person and they ARE in the the same exact moment. 

 

You can do this one of two ways: you can write it out in paragraph form (similar to how an author starts a novel, with as many details as possible) or you can create some kind of chart/map that details your setting.

 

This assignment will be graded on HOW WELL you describe your setting, how detailed you are, and proper word choice.  The best thing to do is aim for the most detailed you can be. 

"Your life is your message to the world.  Make sure it's inspiring."

 

Respond to this quotation and connect it to our Socratic Seminar topic.  Be prepared to discuss in class.

ALL JUNIORS:  Remember to bring your student ID and copy of Gatsby to return tomorrow.  We will also be checking out Catcher in the Rye, which you will earn points for if you have your ID and check out.

1. What effects does it have on a child growing into an adult when they have been told they are amazing/perfect their entire life and in reality they may not be?

2. What is the importance on children learning how to lose or fail? Is it important?  What happens when they grow up having never failed?

3.  Should parents and teachers have high expectations for their children/students, or should they just expect them to "do their best"?  What if their best is not good enough?  Should the highest expectations be put on children or should they just strive for "their best"?

4. At what age is it appropriate for the expectations to be raised?  When she parents and teachers stop giving praise just for the participation?

5. What happens when people get out of high school and are 18+ and there is no one there to give them a high five?

6. Is there a "gray area" that people should consider?  If so, what is it?  Explain.

7.  How might always getting praise for doing the expected basic work both hurt someone and help someone in the "real world" work field?

1. Trophies for all?  In the commencement speech, Dave talks about how children are being raised in a society that gives accolades for everything.  Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing on the psyche of children?  Do you think that giving symbolic pats-on-the-back for people doing what is expected of them is something that helps people grow?  What are the arguments against this?  Do you think that children should only receive positive reinforcements for doing exceptional?  What about the kids that will never be exceptional?

2.  Choose a side.  No in-betweeners. 

3.  Research and take notes.  You will be partnering with someone and debating this topic in class.

1. Money- Does having money make all people greedy?  Explain why or why not and provide evidence from Gatsby and real-life situations to support your claim.

2. What is the value of life?

1.  Life QW:  "When you are dead, you don't know that you are dead.  It is difficult only for others.  It is the same when you are stupid."  Explain the point being made in this quotation and how it relates to the purpose of the speech.

 

2.  After reading "You're Not Special", choose two sentences/ideas that hold great meaning to you.  Explain, in one paragraph each, why each statement was relevant and significant in your life, and what was the overall message from the speech.  Be prepared to share your opinion in class.

Go back through the Anticipation Guide.  Make your decisions on the statements after having read the novel.  Choose the statement that you feel strongest about, or choose the statement that your opinion changed after having read it.  In a paragraph response, explain why you feel that way based on the events in the novel.

 

Due Tuesday.

In a full-page response, answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think the author chose to title the novel the "GREAT" Gatsby?

2. Was he or wasn't he "great"?  What does that word imply about Gatsby as a person?

3. How was Gatsby perceived at the end of the novel as compared to the beginning?

4. Do you think Nick was a reliable source as the narrator?  Explain why or why not.