Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

     The seminar influenced my view of the "Grapes of Wrath" by introducing new ways of viewing the text. During the seminar, nothing was said that I hadn't deeply considered beforehand.

      

      Calm discussion worked best for the seminar. There was neither fighting nor displayed anger. This allowed a continuously smooth conversation that allowed the slow generation of new concepts and ideas. 

    The non-dominant group should be more assertive. If they become more assertive, discussion beyond five people would take place, causing the seminar to move forward. Overall, the seminar was quiet nice, but again pacing felt slow. 

Chapters 20-28: Family Discussion Reflection #4

Part 1:

Modern day Europe's GDP has remained almost exactly the same for six and a half years. Without any growth, Europe's economy will collapse. This is similar to the problems faced by the Joad family, in that debts remain extremely high and are unable to be paid. O'Brien, Matt. "Europe’s Greater Depression Is Worse than the 1930s."Washington Post. The Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.

Part 2:

1.  If you were faced with the possibility of a debt that could not be paid, would you flee to new lands?
2.  If you owned the last independent business of a type of production, would you sell out to a rising monopoly to escape debt?
3.  Would you defend your own economy or your traditions?

Part 3:

The most memorable part of my discussion was the amount of time it used. The topics of the discussion were satisfying, as they were different from what we normally discuss. We attempted to place ourselves in the positions of others to try and gauge our own reactions. We also looked at laws and our opinions of our neighbors for this discussion. My questions could be slightly more specific in what they ask, but otherwise they appear suitable. 

Chapters 1-9: Family Discussion Reflection

Part 1:

The European heat wave of 2003 killed 15000 people. These deaths were mostly elderly people, due to the lack of air conditioning. The heat also killed many animals, driving up food costs. This event shares similarities with that of the Dust Bowl in the U.S., where increasing heat destroyed many crops, forcing farmers out of there homes. "The Heatwave of 2003." - Met Office Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.

Part 2:

1. If a bank or other large corporation forced you off your land, would you travel with your family to another place or stay behind?
2. Would you destroy your neighbor and long-time friend's property for some much-needed money?
3. During a massive heat wave, would you go out of your way to obtain an air conditioner, or would you wait for it to pass?

Part 3:

The most memorable part of my discussion was the amount of time it used. The topics of the discussion were satisfying, as they were different from what we normally discuss. We attempted to place ourselves in the positions of others to try and gauge our own reactions. We also looked at laws and our opinions of our neighbors for this discussion. My questions could be slightly more specific in what they ask, but otherwise they appear suitable. 

Socratic Seminar Reflection

     The seminar influenced my view of the "things they carried" by introducing new ways of viewing the text. During the seminar, a question arose on one's choice to join a war, a question I never considered before. This question is quite dynamic, as it is an examination of one's value of life, wish for continued existence on the corporeal plane, and one's ethics. In war, there are causalities; people that you kill, and who kill your friends and yourself.

     I agree with the statement that one's definition of courage can define the answer to the question: if you had the option to not go to war, would you take it? I agree because it changes the lens through which the situation is viewed. I disagree with the statement that O'Brian's decision to go to war was cowardly. The fact that he chose to risk his life, for whatever reason, indicates massive amounts of courage to stand against his beliefs and his enemy. On the topic of courage, I would have said: "I think we have to be very specific here. I believe that we can all agree that going to war, for any reason, is courageous, as it puts your life on the line. The debate should not be whether or not going to war is courageous when it goes against all your views, but which decision would be considered more courageous." This would be said to redefine the argument and to breath fresh life into the beaten horse. 

      Calm discussion worked best for the seminar. There was neither fighting nor displayed anger. This allowed a continuously smooth conversation that allowed the staggeringly slow generation of new concepts and ideas. 

    As it was the greatest success of the seminar, it was also the weakest. Calm discussion led to unpassionate debate and slow responses. Participants merely acted upon the statements of their peers instead of thinking over what was said and responding with true conviction. This lack of conviction led to drawn out discussions of the same topic due to unpersuasive argumentation that failed to convince their peers and constant repetition of the same rephrased thought. This repetition was most likely caused by the participants wish to receive a beneficial grade from the seminar, therefore they spoke as much as possible even though their words were meaninglessly cliche and unbeneficial.

Letter to Alicia Hunter for Honors English 2

     Dear Ms. Hunter,

      I am Kevin. I have attended Saint Anselm's Abbey School and Anthony Hyde Elementary. I prefer learning, which is why I like school. I am adept at mathematics and science.

      I have a family of small size, of which there exist to no details that concern others. I have a chihuahua name Cricket, and I am learning French.
     
         I have several hobbies. I program in Java, Lua, and C++. I also play games. I am interested in astronomy and physics, and do not play any instruments. I am cable of operating a computer fairly well, seeing as how I program them. My typing ability is fair, and I have seen no need to increase it. I have a great distaste for sports and plays, but I do like to read good, well-written books. Two series I really enjoyed were the Belgariad and it's sequel series the Malloreon.

           My abilities in the writing and reading of English texts are fulfill their purposes. I expect to a) read mostly average or worse books and b) be write a lot of essays in Honors English 2. I prefer to be in fast-paced classes that accomplish something beneficial to myself.

--Kevin Eastridge