Mark Twain created one of the most famous literary characters of all time, Tom Sawyer, in his classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. What are your impressions of Tom at this point in the book (Ch. 1 - Ch. 11)? Do you like Tom? Why or why not? Do you think Tom exhibits any of the Pillars of Character or not? Please use specific examples in the book to support your answers.

Welcome to Poetry!

What do you think about poetry? What do you hope to learn about poetry? Is there anything you dread/fear about poetry?

Final Thoughts: Walk Two Moons

What was your favorite part about Walk Two Moons? Would you recommend this book to other sixth graders? Is there anything else you want to say about the book?

Walk Two Moons: Characters

Which character do you identify with the most in this story? Why? Which character do you like the least? Why?

Walk Two Moons: Symbolism

What symbols do you see in Walk Two Moons? What do you think they represent?

Nonfiction Unit

We've read several pieces for our nonfiction unit: Into Thin Air, "No Gumption", "The Chase", "Barrio Boy", "I Am a Native of North America", and "Nolan Ryan: Texas Treasure". Which two pieces did you like the best and why? Please provide details from the stories to support your answers.

"I Am a Native of North America" by Chief Dan George

Do you agree that "the power to love" is the most important human quality? Why or why not? What other thoughts do you have about this essay?

"No Gumption" & "The Chase"

What do you think Russell Baker from "No Gumption" values? What do you think Annie Dillard from "The Chase" values? To whom do you relate to more? Why?

The Giver

Do you think Jonas lives or dies at the end of the book? Please use the text to support your answer!

The Giver, Chapters 21-23

Many of you offered insightful comments today during discussion. What else can you contribute to the conversation?

The Giver, Ch. 19

Reflecting on the book, what do you think foreshadows the knowledge that Jonas receives in Chapter 19? When did you realize what "release" means? What clues helped you come to that conclusion?

The Giver, Ch. 7 - 14

Now that Jonas has his Assignment as the Receiver of Memory, what are your thoughts about the community and how it operates?

The Giver, Chapters 1 -6

In The Giver, Lois Lowry creates a very unique setting. How do you think the setting is important to the book? Please include examples of the setting from the book to support your reasoning.

"Suzy and Leah" Discussion

What did you feel was particularly meaningful today during our class discussion of Jane Yolen's "Suzy and Leah"? Was there anything left out that you would wish to add?

The Unwanteds - Harkness Discussion

Congratulations! You experienced your first HDS Harkness discussion as sixth graders. What else can you add to our discussion we had today on The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann? Please post your thoughts!

Welcome to Sixth Grade Literature

Welcome to Sixth Grade Literature! We will be reading a number of different pieces throughout the year, including the novels The Giver, Walk Two Moons, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In addition to nightly readings and daily discussions, your participation will include posting thoughtful comments to my blog.