What is the nature of this life of ours?

Routine. I love it.  Though the holiday season of 2010 was wonderful, I am glad to be back into the routine of home, work, and school.  While sleep was a luxury and we enjoyed unscheduled hours, I thrive on the rituals of my days.  And, I admit, I enjoy my students so the days are pleasant for the most part.

That said, we're well into Animal Farm and corresponding work including speeches about leaders the kids know and preparations for midterm exams.  This is a fun book and the students quickly get into the story, voicing opinions about the pigs and how they are running things, drawing connections to historical and contemporary politics, and writing about leadership strategies and being followers.  All in all, it's pretty good.  And we'll be building models of animal farms as well.  More hot glue!

So, students, consider this and post your comments:

• What are your initial impressions of this story?
• What political and historical connections can you make?
• Are the pigs good leaders, regardless of what you think of their style?
• Which of the farm animals can you identify with and why?

And the midterm information is here:  Midterm Preparation January 2011