Part II Vocabulary and Definitions

1.      Bigoted: intolerant of any other beliefs or opinions

2.      Imbeciles: a group of stupid or silly people

3.      Vespiary: a nest of social wasps

4.      Delinquency: wrongful; illegal; failure to fulfill a duty or obligation

5.      Tenacious: persistent; stubborn; vicious; not easily pulled apart

6.      Coaxes: to persuade by pleading or flattery

7.      Leper: a person who is rejected; an outcast

8.      Maladjusted: poorly adjusted in one’s social circumstances

9.      Vague: not clear or definite; hazy

Reading Assignment #3

In an interview, Laurie Halse Anderson shares some of the her traits that Melinda's character is based on.  Read her response below.  Then comment on this post with any similarities you see between yourself and Melinda.  Cite at least one specific quote from the book that supports that aspect of Melinda's character. 

Due Tuesday Dec. 17

Reading Assignment #2

Well. The first marking period is over, and some of you have even read further than that. What do you think of Speak so far? What do you think of Melinda? What are your observations about high school life and drama? 

Comment on this post with your thoughts.  ALSO, choose one quote that stands out to you from "First Marking Period" and include it at the end of your comment.

Due Friday December 13

Reading Assignment #1B

• Review the section Home. Work. and consider the following questions: 

• Re-read about Melinda’s room.  Why do you think it looks like this?  What does Melinda’s room suggest about her character?
• What does Melinda do with the mirror in her bedroom?  Why do you think she does this?  What might this action symbolize?

Choose one quote that you think really tells the reader a lot about Melinda's personality.  Comment on this post with your quote and at least one sentence explaining why you think this quote shows what she is like.  Reply to at least two of your classmates posts.  

Due Tuesday Dec. 10th

Reading Assignment #1A

Comment on this post with your "takeaway" (what you think we all basically think and said OR what I think at the end of the discussion versus the beginning) from today's discussion.  Acknowledge that you have read each of your classmate's comments by posting a short reply to their comment--I gotcha, Agreed :), Right on--are fine.   

Post 3: The Book Begins!

Welcome to Merryweather High

As you read, consider the following, then comment on this post with your numbered thoughts

1. What is Melinda’s mood as the book begins?  As you read the first section of Speak list reasons why you believe she might be feeling this way.
2. Melinda repeatedly alludes to an event that occurred in her recent past.  What do you think may have happened to her?

After you read, answer the following in a notebook but do NOT post your thoughts on the blog.

1. Melinda categorizes the Merryweather students into several groups: jocks, cheerleaders, human waste, suffering artists, Goths, etc.  Do you think these categories actually exist in real high schools?  Do they exist in our school?  Why or why not?  
2. Melinda lists "THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL"                       -Do you think that all of these are lies?  Which do you disagree with her on?  

Due Friday Dec. 5th

NEWSFLASH!

YOU GIRLS ROCK THE BLOG!  Just letting you know that after reading through your posts, I am impressed with all of your individual writing and intelligent ideas.  Your replies are thoughtful and creative.  You are off to a great start and I congratulate you all on mature expression and virtual conversation.  Keep it up!

REPLIES

If you are at a loss for how to reply to someone's comment, try one of these sentence starters:  

This makes me think...
I agree because...
My opinions differs because...
This is interesting to me because...

ALSO:  You can always ask the author a question and see if they write back :)

Post 2: Thanksgiving Thoughts

Read "Giving Thanks."
Then comment on this post about the following:

(be sure to number your responses)

1.  Write one thing you can share about your Thanksgiving experience.  
2.  Write one sentence about how you feel about Thanksgiving.
3.  Write one thing the narrator of the book shares about her Thanksgiving 
      (a quote with page #)
4.  Write one sentence about how the narrator feels about Thanksgiving.  

Due Thurs. Dec. 4th

Post 1: Pre-Reading Perspectives

For one of the statements on the anticipation guide for this novel, you composed a 200+ word reply.  Comment on this post with the number, the statement and your response.  After at least four of your classmates have posted, reply to at least two comments.  

Comment due Wednesday Dec. 4
Replies due Thursday Dec. 5