my thoughts on fahrenheit 451

Thanks in advance for reading and for commenting to this post.  Later this weekend I will also publish this on Medium, and I'll share the link when it's available there.  In the meantime, here are some suggestions for getting the greatest benefit out of the experience, which continues well after the break:

1. Follow the footnotes
2. Click the links
3. Enjoy getting confused or experiencing questions-- and then ask the author
4. Find something you dis/agree with
5. When you see an argument, ask yourself what makes it in/effective
6. Most importantly, find something about reading this to ENJOY
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As you scroll down, you will get to what I hope are insights on Fahrenheit 451.  First you will suffer through my thinking about this topic in general. 

We should read the same books more than once, over time.  As we change, the way we understand what we read changes.  This is important. 

The first time I read Hamlet I was in Jerry DeBono's¹ AP English Literature class at Cleveland High School in Los Angeles.  We read the play in class.  Actually, that's a lie.  I didn't read the play in class.  I was thinking about other things while my unlucky friends who got chosen for the speaking parts tried unsuccessfully to salvage a shred of cool while mumbling and stumbling through their lines.  The night before the test I read just enough of the play to write an essay.  I understood what my teacher was asking, and I delivered an adequate-enough answer, but I didn't really understand the play-- not just because Shakespeare's iambic pentameter wasn't my native language, or because "To be or not to be" is such a hackneyed cliché, but because I didn't have enough experience to 

april 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Tomorrow we will begin our last full month of work in this course.  What do you want to see happen in the time we have remaining?  What will you need to do in order to make the most of it?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read my essay on Fahrenheit 451 (below)

"Wait, what?  The teacher wrote an essay??  Yeah.  I did.  For last year's class.  And I just read it again, and it still makes sense to me, and I want to know if it makes sense to you.  Therefore, I'm asking you to read it as a model, since you're about to finish the book and write an essay on it.  Please:

3. Publish a post to your blog in which you respond to the essay.  Include 2-4 sentences about your reaction to the ideas.  Please also include any questions you may have.
4. Don't forget any of this.  If I don't have posts to read tomorrow evening, there will be a reading test on the essay in class Tuesday.

april 27

JOURNAL TOPIC:

All of his efforts are leading Montag somewhere, both in his inner sense of self and a destination in the world.  Where is he headed?  Where are your efforts leading you?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. F451: reading & schedule notes
3. Read/ Read 180

GUIDING QUESTIONS pp. 133-147
1. What is the significance of the glass of milk, the apple, and the pear?
2. Montag thought he saw the Mechanical Hound and reached his breaking point. What did he see?
3. After Montag's musing about the Sun and fire, why is it ironic that he sees a fire?  How is this fire different?
4. Who is Granger? Who are his associates? (Spend a few sentences explaining this.)
5. What happens on the "show" portraying the chase after Montag?
6. What does Granger mean when he says, "We made the right kind of mistakes."

Please read
MY THOUGHTS ON FAHRENHEIT 451 (which you can read HERE)

april 26

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Why are people so afraid to make mistakes?  Describe a mistake you learned from.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read/ Read 180
3. F451 table conversations (please answer questions and post to your blog)

For pp. 123-132 (title: A STEP AHEAD OF THE HOUND)
1. What did Montag do at the Blacks' house?
2. How does Faber describe the war?
3. Describe Faber's TV.
4. What was on TV while Montag was on the run?
5. What was Montag running for when everyone looked out of their houses?

masterpiece academy sign-ups

Please comment to this post to let us know when you would like to present your Masterpiece.  Please also include how much time you'll need, and whether you need any special arrangements for the room (furniture, equipment, visuals, etc.).  This is first-come/first-served, so if you see that there are already presentations for your first choice date, pick another.  You can also sign up by using THIS LINK. Looking forward to your presentations!

AVAILABLE DATES

May 7 (40 minute period)
May 8
May 9
May 10
May 11
May 14 (40 minute period)
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24

april 25

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something about you online that you are very proud of now, and that you think you will be very proud of when you're 50.  Describe something about you online that you are very proud of now, and that you think you may not be proud of for very long.  Describe something about you online (without any mandated reporter-triggering detail, please) that you are embarrassed about.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Internet Security (II)
3. Masterpiece Academy Prep/Sign-ups
4. Read F451
5. Read 180

april 24

JOURNAL TOPIC:
When Beatty confronts him in front of his house, Montag resorts to violence and torches Beatty with the flamethrower.  Why is this solution, which would never be a first choice in life, viable in fiction?  How does it serve the story?  What do you think it will do for the plot-- what's next for Montag?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Continue Part II & introduce part III
3. Read 180

QUESTIONS FOR pp. 114-122
 (Please post the answers to your blog with the title THE CHASE IS ON)

1. Why did the Hound attack Montag?
2. How did Montag defend himself?
3. What did Montag realize about Beatty?
4. Where did Montag go?
5. What happened when Montag crossed the street?

*On your blog, please post an explanation of how you think the book will end (title: RUN MONTAG RUN) 

april 23

JOURNAL TOPIC:
At the end of Part II, why are the firemen are at Montag's house?  What do you think will happen next?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Return & discuss tests
3. Part III predictions
4. Part III
5. Read 180

In a blog post entitled MONTAG KILLS, explain why Montag turned the flamethrower on Beatty.

afterschool fitness challenge

2018_04_20_10_06_09 by dpreston1441 on Scribd

ALICE drill and feedback

Last Friday SMHS held a safety drill.  Below you can see the outline and the feedback form.  If any ideas or questions have occurred to you since the drill, please use this form to let administration know.  Thanks and have a great weekend.

2018_04_20_10_06_38 by dpreston1441 on Scribd

april 20

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Much of Montag's frustration seems to stem from the fact that he is so focused on his past and his future that he can't get a grip on his present.  Does this apply in your life?  When you think about your future, does it motivate/inspire you and make you happy that you're doing what you're doing, or does it worry you?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. TEST (short? or long?  don't know yet. did you read & answer questions?)
3. Planning for Part III
4. Read 180

april 19

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Get Myself to Saturday" by Michael Franti & Spearhead]

Franti sings:
There is a part of me that always needs to pray/ There is a part of me that wants to run away/ There is a part of me that can't go on today/ There is a part of me that always finds a way

Which version of you shows up when you have to deal with difficult circumstances?  As the rising action continues to intensify in Fahrenheit 451, which version of Montag do you think will show up?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. F451: Status & schedule
3. Read 180
4. Close reading continued

***IF YOU WEREN'T IN CLASS YESTERDAY PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR EVALUATION***

april 18

JOURNAL TOPIC:
When you leave your house you lock your door.  How do you keep your phone or your computer secure?  How do you keep other people from stealing your data or your identity?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. From Big Questions to The Masterpiece Academy
3. Evaluations
4. Internet Security (Part I)
5. Read/ Read 180

*** You can see last year's Masterpiece Academy lineup and presentations HERE

april 17

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Quick!-- list all the literary elements and techniques you can remember from our explorations so far this year.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. F451 close reading continued
3. Read / Read 180
4. HW

*If you need any additional materials for your Big Question work, please bring them tomorrow

*Some of your blogs look AMAZING! If you haven't recently, check out your colleagues' work

april 16

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Describe your reading process over the weekend.  When did you read?  Where?  For how long?  All at once or in chunks?  Describe one thing you learned from your reading this weekend.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. [Quiz?]
3. Guided independent reading
4. Read 180

*Please read on your own or with your tablemates
** Please answer the following questions

1. In the scene where Mildred and Montag read books together, what are their separate reactions?
2. What is the effect throughout sections I and II, of the bombers flying over?
3. Who is Professor Faber?
4. Montag’s reaction to the commercial on the subway is a turning point in his life. How does he react and why?
5. What argument does Faber make for books?
6. What is the “small green metal object”?
7. What does the White Clown show lead you to believe about television programming in this society?
8. Why does Mrs. Phelps cry when Montag reads “Dover Beach”?
9. What is Montag’s destination at the end of section II? Why?

april 13

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)" by Bruce Springsteen; "Jammin' Me" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers]

Montag is trying to think but the voice keeps coming over the speaker: "Denham's Dentrifice Denham's Dentrifice."  The other day I went to a gas station and got out to fill up the tank.  Now, don't get me wrong-- I love talking to people so much I do it all day-- but, you know, I just wanted to put some gas in my car.  By myself.  But NO... the gas pump had a video screen on it and commercials yelled at me the whole time!  Why can't we get away from advertising, politics, and other persuasive communication for just a few minutes?  Why can't we enjoy some peace and quiet just long enough to be with our own thoughts? What do we need to know so that we can either establish boundaries for ourselves, or at least understand it well enough so that it doesn't lead us to bad choices or just drive us crazy altogether?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/discussion
2. Continue reading & answer Part II questions
3. Read/ Read 180
4. Big Question work

clever

Full story HERE

april 12 (5th period)

1. Read 180

2. If you gave an Ignite Talk yesterday:

• Look up three websites that help you learn more about your Big Question/topic
• Copy and paste the addresses for these sites into a post on your blog (title: BIG QUESTION RESEARCH)
• Write three sentences about what you learned from reading these sites and include these on the post

3. If you didn't give an Ignite Talk yesterday:

• Begin the "Science of Happiness" section in the R book (p.92)

april 12

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Montag and Mildred realize they can't remember when they met.  What dates and events are important to you to remember?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/discussion
2. Real-world context for F451
3. Part 2

Questions for Part 2:

* What does "Sieve and the Sand" refer to?

1. In the scene where Mildred and Montag read books together, what are their separate reactions?
2. What is the effect throughout sections I and II, of the bombers flying over?
3. Who is Professor Faber?
4. Montag’s reaction to the commercial on the subway is a turning point in his life. How does he react and why?
5. What argument does Faber make for books?
6. What is the “small green metal object”?
7. What does the White Clown show lead you to believe about television programming in this society?
8. Why does Mrs. Phelps cry when Montag reads “Dover Beach”?
9. What is Montag’s destination at the end of section II? Why?

ignite talks

Erika: What happens when we die?  I am interested in exploring this question because I have wondered for a long time.

Angel: My Big Question is how to make an exciting video game.  I want to make a challenging game that people want to play.  I want to use different materials, add a leaderboard, and make it online.

Alondra: I want to focus on the school I attend after high school.  I used to want to be a fashion designer, but then I wanted to become a medical assistant.  So I am going to do research on that.

Mari: It takes 7 years to become an immigration lawyer, and I want to do this because I want to help people and their families have better futures.  We have a president

Yesenia: Why is there so much injustice?  Police officers are corrupt and this isn't good.  They can lie about you, and I want to help fix this.

Sandra: I want to work work with animals after I graduate.  I want to give them homes and make sure they're healthy and loved.  Maybe I can work in a zoo with lions and elephants too.

Bruno: I want to get a football scholarship to Fresno State and get drafted to the NFL.

Lessly: I want to become a doctor and learn how to do surgeries so I can help people.  It takes a lot of knowledge and equipment, and this is what I want to do.

Ryan:

Alisson:

Judith: When I get out of high school I want to go to college and become a probation officer, so I can help kids stay off drugs and out of trouble.

Jose P:

Jose R:

Maria: What's the purpose of life?  Different people have different types of life, and many people ask themselves.  Sometimes people just give up on themselves.  I've realized that the purpose is for the person to get to know themselves.

Jesus:  I want to be a professional mechanic.  I want to fix engines and help people get from place to place.

april 11

JOURNAL TOPIC: (at the end of the period)

Write about your favorite ignite talk.  What was it (about the speaker's ethos/pathos/logos or the topic itself) that made the talk fun, or interesting, or memorable?

AGENDA:
1. Ignite Talks
2. Journal
3. Read 180/ Reading
4. Fahrenheit 451

*Remember to update your blog :)

april 10

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Describe a favorite saying of an adult in your life when you were a child.  What did it mean?  What did it matter to you, if anything?  What keeps it fresh in your mind?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180/ Reading
3. Ignite talk prep
2. F451 Q & A
3. Reading

ADDED QUESTIONS:
13. What is the purpose of Beatty's visit?
14. Reread Captain Beatty’s monologue (pp.57-59). Discuss his view that school cultivates anti-intellectual sentiment (p.58). In your opinion does it accurately depict your high school? Do books violate the idea that ”everyone is made equal” (p.58)?
15. Why does Montag feel “fat”?

april 9

Welcome back.  Let's dive in!

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Analyze the following passage from Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.  How does Bradbury's use of syntax convey differences in narrative perspective?  How does his use of figurative language convey meaning?

As he stood there the sky over the house screamed. There was a tremendous ripping sound as if two giant hands had torn ten thousand miles of black linen down the seam. Montag was cut in half. He felt his chest chopped down and split apart. The jet-bombs going over, going over, going over, one two, one two, one two, six of them, nine of them, twelve of them, one and one and one and another and another and another, did all the screaming for him. He opened his own mouth and let their shriek come down and out between his bared teeth. The house shook. The flare went out in his hand. The moonstones vanished. He felt his hand plunge toward the telephone. The jets were gone. He felt his lips move, brushing the mouthpiece of the phone. "Emergency hospital." A terrible whisper. 

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Close reading continued  
3. Read 180
4. Prep for ignite talk