The Kite Runner #9 - last one

Is Amir a hero? Why or why not? What characteristics must a person have to be considered a hero?

Organ donation

Organ transplants are very common in our society. What are some of the issues relating to transplants, in general and as seen in the article? What questions should you consider when reading the article? React to the article.

TWM and The Pact Disc 8

What are the author’s purpose, tone, and point of view? What tools does the author use to “prove” her point? What is your opinion and why?

Lovely Bones - Discussion Question # 8

In heaven, Susie moves through different stages of dealing with her death and its aftermath. What forms does her progress take? Why is she not allowed to meet Mr. Harvey’s other victims right away? How does Susie’s journey mirror that of the people she has left behind on Earth?

What is the significance of the novel’s title? What does Susie mean when she refers to the “lovely bones” (page 320)?

Kite Runner #8

Amir’s confrontation with Assef in Wazir Akbar Khan marks an important turning point in the novel. Why does the author have Amir, Assef, and Sohrab all come together in this way? What is the significance of the scar that Amir develops as a result of the confrontation? Why is it important in Amir’s journey toward forgiveness and acceptance?

Debate topic

Come up with at least 1 idea that is relevant to you that you would be willing to debate.

The Kite Runner - Disc 7

“I feel like a tourist in my own country” (Hosseini, 2005, p. 231). Explain citing specific examples.

LB - Disc 7

What is the significance of Ray and Susie’s lovemaking (via Ruth) for Susie? For Ruth? For Ray? Is it difficult to make this leap of faith with Susie? What do you think the importance of this episode is in the book?

****You have until Friday 11/9 to do your blog

The Pact - Disc 7

Given recent events in Newark, how might this book contrast the stereotype of Newark? How were the people who were killed breaking the stereotype? (The shooters represent stereotype.) What might’ve been different between the two? (3 Delaware State students were murdered at an elementary school in August, another was shot in the head, but survived).

Disc 7 Article - TWM Group

Given the option, would you take an online course? Compare AND contrast the benefits and the liabilities of such a course.

The Kite Runner - Disc 6

How does Amir’s view of his childhood change after he learns Hassan is his half-brother? How do those views change his motivation to find Sohrab?

Lovely Bones - Disc 6

In Lovely Bones, adult relationships are dysfunctional and troubled, while the relationships of younger people seem to have depth, maturity, and potential. Is this a naïve view young love? Or do the younger characters in the book have and advantage over the adults?

The Pact - Discussion 6

In chp 16, Sam discusses not passing the state boards and how it made him feel. Describe a time in your life when you felt like Sam. What or who helped you overcome those feelings and how?

Campus Death Article (TWM groups) Disc 6

On our campus (MSU), how prevalent are drugs and alcohol? Should anything be changed? Did the article change your feelings about drinking/drugs on campus? Why or why not? Explain. Do you have any similar experiences to those in the article?

We are the Hokies

React to the poem.

Ideas: how did it make you feel when you read it? What did you think about while reading it? Relate it to another event.

Tuesdays With Morrie - Discussion Question 5

Discuss and react to the following quotes:

“Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you.”

“It’s not just other people we need to forgive…We also need to forgive ourselves.”

“You need to make peace with yourself and everyone around you.”

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

How do they make you feel? Explain what Morrie means when he says these. Have you ever had a professor or a person like Morrie in your life? Explain.

Tuesdays With Morrie - Discussion Question 5

Discuss and react to the following quotes:

“Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you.”

“It’s not just other people we need to forgive…We also need to forgive ourselves.”

“You need to make peace with yourself and everyone around you.”

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

How do they make you feel? Explain what Morrie means when he says these. Have you ever had a professor or a person like Morrie in your life? Explain.

The Pact - Discussion Question # 5

Discuss the differences between the characters home life and school lives. For example, how did moving to the old neighborhood affect George? Rameck? What were some of the consequences and how does perseverance pay off/not pay off?

Lovely Bones - Discussion Question # 5

What was Susie’s and Lindsey’s relationship like before the tragedy? What are the particular expectations and pressures Lindsey must cope with after Susie’s death? How does Susie’s death change Lindsey?

The Kite Runner - Discussion Ques # 5

Describe Amir’s relationship with Rahim Khan. How did it differ from his relationship with Baba? Give specific examples.

The Kite Runner - Discussion Ques # 4

Throughout the story, Baba worries because Amir never stands up for himself. When does this change? Explain.

Lovely Bones - Discussion Question # 4

The Lovely Bones takes place in an American Suburb in the 1970s. In what ways is this setting important to how the story unfolds? What is the significance of specific elements of Susie's landscape: the familiar houses in her neighborhood, the sinkhole, the farmland? Why do you think the author choose this time period? How would the story be different if it were happening today?

The Pact - Discussion Question 4

Discuss at length and with details the obstacles presented in these sections. Explain and use examples from the novel. Did the characters overcome them? If yes, how did they overcome them? If no, what prevented them from doing so?

Tuesdays With Morrie - Discussion Question 4

Morrie and Mitch discuss: people wanting to be noticed, dependency and envy, offering others what you have to give, marriage (Mitch brings his wife to see Morrie). What do these topics tell you about our society? How does our culture affect our views on these subjects? Using examples to support your explanation, what changes do you think should be made to our society (if any) and how can they be brought about?

The Kite Runner - Discussion # 3

Discuss Amir and Hassan's relationship. Why is Amir afraid to be Hassan's true friend? Why does he constantly test Hassan's loyalty? Why does he resent Hassan? After the kite running contest, why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan's friend?

Lovely Bones - Discussion # 3

Rape is one of the most alienating experiences imaginable. Susie's rape ends in murder and changes her family and friends forever. Alienation is transferred, in a sense, to Susie's parents and siblings. How does each family member experience loneliness and isolation after her death?

The Pact - Discussion # 3

Describe how mentors have played an important role to the characters so far. Pick one and explain in detail. Be sure to use examples.

Tuesdays with Morrie - Discussion # 3

Pick one topic Morrie and Mitch discuss. Explain it as presented in the book, using examples, and react to it.

How do the changes in Morrie affect Mitch? What are his reactions to his friend's deteriorating condition?

The Kite Runner - Discussion 2

Discuss the relationship between Baba and Amir. Use examples.

Lovely Bones - Discussion 2

Why do the heavens of different characters - Franny, Holly, Flora Hernandez - take such different forms? Is the author offering a rosy view of death and its aftermath? Or do you think she is saying something more profound about the individual experiences of loss and grief?

The Pact - Discussion 2

"Sometimes people are drawn together for a purpose that even they don't recognize at the time. I am convinced that this is what happened with Sam, Rameck, and Me." p. 59

What purpose does the relationship between the friends serve? Use examples in your explanation.

Tuesday's with Morrie - Discussion 2

"...the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it" (p. 35)

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" p. 52

Discuss the above quotes, as well as the "list," Tuesday people, and "love wins." Choose at least 3 and describe how each of these came about (what do they mean) and react to each of them.

Why I chose the Kite Runner

I chose the Kite Runner to read because many of my friends read it before and told me that it is a great book to read. I also like the subject the book is talking about.

One way to help decrease global warming

One way to help decrease global warming is to try and lessen the use of cars since they provide carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. so instead a person can use a hybrid car

THE PACT

The reason that i chose the book the PACT was because it was dealing about 3 doctors in the town around my area where I live. So it made me want to be interested because you really never read stories about things that are happening around you. It was kind of cool to me. I also love doctors and scary things like that. It kind of intrigues me to want to read more. I also really dont enjoy reading and my mother told me that I was going to love the book. She was sujrprised that I was going to read it.

The Inconvenient Truth

What can we do to reduce our carbon footprint? Be creative and unique - do not repeat what another wrote.

Lovely Bones - Discussion Question # 1

The novel's opening is a brief passage about how a snow globe that Suzie observed as a child. What is the significance of this beginning? Is Suzie's heaven a blessing or a curse? Explain.

The Pact - Discussion Question # 1

Describe the main characters. Of the three, who do you most relate to? Explain.

Tuesdays With Morrie - Discussion Question 1

Describe what you know about Morrie and Mitch so far. Include: their relationship - now and then; Morrie's reaction to discovering he had ALS and its effect on his physical and mental health; what events led to their resuming their friendship.

The Kite Runner - Discussion Ques # 1

Discuss what you know about Afghanistan and the culture. What was life like before the Taliban?

My reasons for chosing my book

What reasons prompted you to choose a particular book for the semester project? EXPLAIN! You must write a minimum of 2 paragraphs and a maximum of 5.

Prof. Riotto - Welcome to MSU! Let's take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to each other. I am finishing up my Masters at MSU in Education and am looking forward to graduating in May. I currently hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and am a Graduate Assistant for MSU. During the school year, I teach at MSU.

Personal interests include: reading, walking, and watching the Yankees!