Today in first and fourth periods we broke off into groups and discussed the question assigned to each group. Then we constructed arguments on our answers. The questions are as follows (based on district-provided unit materials):

Calpurnia and the First Purchase African M.E. Church

What is Calpurnia’s purpose in the novel? In order to answer that question, you need to think about the attitudes the townspeople of Maycomb express about Negroes. Then ask yourself why Harper Lee places a Negro inside the Finch home. Her role there is traditional – she is a servant. But what else is Calpurnia? What is the significance of her taking the children to her church? Share your thoughts about Harper Lee’s purpose in creating Calpurnia for the novel. Include quotes from the text to support your points.

Lady Is as Lady Does

Aunt Alexandra represents another segment of Southern society in the 1930s. Read the interview with three women who “grew up white in the South” during the ‘30s. Fill in the Southern Behavior – Interview concept map with things they were taught to do as a young girl – compare the list with what Aunty is trying to teach Scout and Jem (complete the Southern Genteel Behavior concept map). Is there an overlap?

No Man is an Island

Atticus’s decision to represent Tom in court begins to have a negative impact on his family. In other words, his decision to represent a black man angered the entire community, and his children suffer from the racial unrest generated by the trial. Did Atticus make a poor decision to represent Tom in such an emotionally charged trial? Was it the right decision? In your oral presentation, support your position on whether Atticus made a right or a wrong decision when he agreed to represent Tom Robinson. What does his decision reveal about the society he lived in?

Second and seventh periods finished up their critical reading of chapter four from Nightjohn. We moved on to constructing an argument about the wisdom of slaves attempting escape, an issue that has two clear sides.

Homework

• English I Honors: 
  • On moodle complete the “If that mockingbird don’t sing…” assignment due Wednesday.  Link here: http://moodle.ourenglishclass.net/mod/assign/view.php?id=766
  • Work on (if needed) the assignment from class today. (Both classes will have around 10 minutes tomorrow).