Mr. Moshé’s Critically Thinking . . . Are You?

Discussions have been closed. If you have not posted a response, you’ll have to submit a parent request for me to accept you work (1) late and (2) in your journal. 

YOU WILL BE POSTING YOUR ANSWERS TO THIS DISCUSSION TOPIC ROUND IN THE SAME AREA AS YOU DID THE LAST ROUND.

WHEN YOU GET THERE, SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND POST YOUR RESPONSE. SORRY ABOUT THE CONFUSION. NEXT TIME, I WILL CREATE A NEW DISCUSSION AREA FOR A NEW DISCUSSION.

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

Below you can find FOUR different topics to discuss. You may discuss one, two, three or all of them. You only need to discuss one for full credit. Extra credit will be awarded for those who discuss more than one.

Read them all before you decide which one you want to discuss.

THEN, go to your classes area for the discussion. Links to your period’s discussion area can be found at the left sidebar of this page.

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Tell us.

For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1

The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.

How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2

Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.

Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3

The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.

If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4

In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.

Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

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---

Go to your class’ discussion area:

• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

The discussions for Round 1 are closed, but you should post to the same discussion area for the new round of discussions . . . . . . And now, ROUND 2 . . . .

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

---

---

---

 Tell us.For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

The discussions for Round 1 are closed, but you should post to the same discussion area for the new round of discussions . . . . . . And now, ROUND 2 . . . .

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

---

---

Tell us.For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

The discussions for Round 1 are closed, but you should post to the same discussion area for the new round of discussions . . . . . . And now, ROUND 2 . . . .

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

---

---

---

Tell us.For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

The discussions for Round 1 are closed, but you should post to the same discussion area for the new round of discussions . . . . . . And now, ROUND 2 . . . .

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

---

---

---

Tell us.For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

The discussions for Round 1 are closed, but you should post to the same discussion area for the new round of discussions . . . . . . And now, ROUND 2 . . . .

As with the last round of discussion, please adhere to the following guidelines:

FIRST, look over the various topics.

• Pick a topic from the options below (A, B, C, D, E, or F).

SECOND, when you are ready to post:

• Tell us which topic you are addressing.
• Post your response. Proofread your post before you click submit.
• Come back for discussion with others.

ADDITIONALLY? IF you want extra credit:

• Post a response to a classmates post, and/or
• Post a response to another discussion topic, and/or
• Post in the study hall for anything you need or want to help with

---

TOPIC A – “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” – Anonymous. Creighton learns about many virtues, some of which are honor, loyalty, honesty, humility. This topic deals with honor and loyalty. In chapter 16, the narrator tells us:

“But now Creighton understood for the first time the truth of the matter: If loyalty really was the most worthy of virtues, then loyalty that was misplaced or misguided must be the most worthless.”

Ask yourself:

1. What did Creighton’s father stand for? How can you take the lesson of what Creighton’s father died for and use it to grow?
2. What is meant by Creighton’s realization about loyalty? How can you personally use the knowledge Creighton has gained?
3. Do you stand for something that you (probably) shouldn’t? Do you stand for anything? How do poeple see what you stand for in your actions?

There are a lot of questions in this thread. Pick one to answer. No matter which one you pick, try to talk about yourself as much as possible.

---

TOPIC B – What is courage? Throughout the first three sections of the book, Creighton struggles to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. After the ransacking and burning of the print shop, General Arnold speaks to Creighton about courage:

“It’s a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what’s right and to act accordingly – to go against the demands of duty when it’s necessary, to take another path when you feel the one you’ve been led down is wrong. That requires real courage.”

Read one or more of the following articles: then post on the topic they present:

• FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website.
• TORTURE AT ABU GHRAIB as presented by The New Yorker Magazine online.
• ‘They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey.’ as presented by Gaurdian Unlimited online.
• The Guilt-Free Soldier: New Science Raises the Specter of a World Without Regret presented by The Village Voice online.

THEN post your thoughts on the topic as presented by the author. Do you agree with the author? Why or Why not?

---

TOPIC C – A free press. Enemies of the Patriots’ cause felt the need to destroy the place where The Liberty Tree newspaper was printed. In your response for discussion, please address the following questions:

• What do you think this says about the power of the press?
• Can you think of a recent example in which a newspaper became a powerful tool in waging war or impacting world politics?

---

TOPIC D – He’s a puzzle, a riddle, an enigma! A major character in this novel is Benedict Arnold – who could possibly be one of the most interesting individuals in American History. In real life he was a hero to the Patriots, and was later hated by those same soliders. Read a little about the life of Benedict Arnold at one of the websites below.Use the following links to find information on this hot topic:

• Who Served Here? offered on the U.S. History.Org page on Historic Valley Forge
• The Enigma of Benedict Arnold an archive file of EarlyAmerica.com
• General Benedict Arnold from the National Park Service archives

Then return here to post some comments in response to the following questions:

• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the Americans?
• What did Benedict Arnold stand for to the British?

---

TOPIC E – Right is right. Creighton makes a tough decision when he helps break his uncle out of jail. Try to put yourself in Creighton’s shoes.

• Would you have made the same choice?
• What other options did Creighton have, and what did he risk in making those decisions?

---

TOPIC F – A Duel! A duel becomes a major event in this portion of the novel. One of the most famous duels in American history tragically takes the life of Alexander Hamilton.Read more about the famous Burr-Hamilton duel that took place in 1804 at one of the links below.In your comment for this post, explain why you think that Burr actually shot and killed Hamilton.

• Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel at PBS.org
• Aaron Burr Kills Alexander Hamilton in a Duel offered by the National Park Service
• Duel at Dawn at theEyewitness to History website

---

---

NOW, go to the discussion areas, and discuss. Remember to be open-minded, honest, kind, and gentle in how you discuss with each other.

• Study Hall - Help others in their academic and/or creative pursuits.
• Period 2 Discussion Area
• Period 3 Discussion Area
• Period 4 Discussion Area
• Period 5 Discussion Area
• Period 6 Discussion Area

---

---

---

Tell us.For Regular Credit you must:

1. Which discussion topic are you dealing with: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
2. What do you have to say about that?

For EXTRA CREDIT you can:

1. Answer extra topic question(s)
2. Get into a discussion with other student(s)

---

#1The setting for this portion of the novel is the city of New Orleans. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there has been much discussion on the future of this important American city.How do you feel about rebuilding the city of New Orleans? Do you think that the federal government should spend billions of dollars to rebuild the city of New Orleans and protect it from future hurricanes, or should the citizens of New Orleans be asked to pick up and move somewhere else and the city not be rebuilt, or can you think of some other idea?

---

#2Sophie and Creighton are given a great deal of responsibility in Ben Franklin’s print shop as teenagers. In colonial America many teenagers around the age of 14 or 15 are doing work and taking responsibility for things that today are often associated with adults.Do you think that in American society today we wait too long to treat teenagers as adults? What would be some pros and cons of allowing teenagers in America to have the full rights and responsibilities of adults at the age of 15?

---

#3The code used by Ben Franklin was possible because it used a book that almost everyone in the colonies was able to access.If you were to write a similar code today, which book would you choose (remember that it should be a book almost everyone has access to or could access). Would you use a certain book if you were only trying to include a certain group of people? In your comment please list the book you would use and why you chose that book.

---

#4In this portion of the book you have been introduced to Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin was truly one of the most important men in colonial America. The amount of inventions and ideas directly associated with this man is incredible.Here’s what I want you to do:

Step #1 – Check out more about Ben Franklin using the links below.
Step #2 - Pick one of his ideas/inventions that directly impacted you somehow. Tell us the idea you are focused on – describe it briefly – then explain how your life has been directly impacted by it.

Here are the links:

• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the The Franklin Institute
• Franklin Firsts from ThinkQuest
• The Inventions and Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin from About.com
• Ben Franklin – Inventor from the United States Government Printing Office

The Year of the Hangman – Section 1 Vocabulary

Part II – Group Work

Although the vocabulary focus is primarily on nautical terminology, you may have added the following kinds of terms to your list as well: words you’ve never seen or used before, words you’ve seen before that are being used in new ways, words in other languages.

Below, you will find some links to help you in your vocabulary assignment. You must supply references for any site you take information from. At the website Citation Machine you’ll find a form to enter reference information on. A citation will be generated for you. Use APA formatting.

Here are the instructions for Part II

1. Working in groups of three, decide on two or three terms to work on.
2. GET approval to work on the words.
3. Post ownership of the words you’ve been approved for work on.
4. In your group research the following for your terms.
   1. Various forms of the word and the parts of the speech, and use.
      1. For instance three examples from other sources (on the internet, in a magazine, newspaper, short story in a textbook) of how the word could be used.
         1. If it’s a verb, supply verb tenses, other forms based on the root word, how those other forms are used in various sources, etc.
         2. If it’s a noun, then supply singular, plural, other forms based on the root word, how those other forms are used in sources, etc.
   2. The sentence from the book (with page reference) that the word appears in.
   3. Synonyms, Antonyms, and/or Examples of the word in another language (or other languages).
   4. The actual definition for the word.
5. Post all information you have found for the words.
6. Help others gain an understanding of the words when they are asked about.

Useful Sources of Information and Proper Citation

Here are some links to help you do your research. . .Remember to cite any website you take information from. You are not limited to the sites listed here. You may use other websites. I you find a website you like or find particularly useful, post a link to it in the discussion so others can use it.

• Take a sentence example? Cite the website.
• Take a definition? Cite the website.
• Take an example of the word in another language? Cite the website.
• Go to Citation Machine for a form to enter reference information on.

Online Nautical Dictionaries

Naval Historical Service, Washington Navy Yard

Marine Waypoints Glossary

Nautical Know How

The Year of the Hangman – Section 1 Exposition

Part I – Individual Work

Here are the instructions for Part I

As we begin reading the book, The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood, keep track of: Setting (mood) changes, Main Character Characterization and Attitude (tone) changes, Conflicts uncovered within and without the main character, vocabulary necessary to see the world in the book.

1. Setting(s) throughout the book
   1. Track the changes that occur through the book as related to the setting. Changes in place, and culture mainly. This will help you understand and feel the mood(s) that surround Creighton.
2. Characterization and Conflicts of Main Character
   1. Track the attitudes (tone[s]) Creighton displays toward that which surrounds him. That which surrounds him is the setting (hmmm).
   2. Keep track of the conflicts Creighton puts out there whether he realizes it or not.
3. Vocabulary
   1. On your own, while we are reading the book aloud, make a personal list of words. Although the vocabulary focus is primarily on nautical terminology, you may add the following kinds of terms to your list as well: words you’ve never seen or used before, words you’ve seen before that are being used in new ways, words in other languages.
      1. Nautical Terms (there are more than 50 through the end of Chapter FIVE)
      2. Words you’ve never seen before
      3. Words you’ve seen before, but not used like this
      4. Words of languages other than English

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The Year of the Hangman Book Discussion starts next week, February 11^th, 2008.

To prepare for the book, think about this: What is nautical terminology?

Between now and then, we will be doing exploratory assignments both in class and at home in order to prepare.

Hello and welcome to The Year of the Hangman book discussion. We are getting set for the February 11^th launch of the book discussion. A majority of the participants in this book discussion will be students from Westpine Middle School, but I’d like to encourage students, parents, teachers and community members from all over the world to join us as we read this book over roughly 4 weeks (from February 11^thy to March 5^th, 2008).

Mr. Moshé, I, will be the facilitator and moderator for this book discussion. All comments will be viewed and approved by him before posting. Look for the message that “Your comment is awaiting moderation” after you submit it. That means I got it, and your comment will appear shortly (usually within a day).
Mr. Blackwood has written other great books such as: The Shakespeare Stealer, Shakespeare’s Scribe and Wild Timothy.

******** AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON MY SOURCE(S) and Copyright ********

This discussion, from start to finish, relies heavily on another book discussion that was created and moderated by an 8th grade teacher in another state. Although some of the discussion points will be altered in order to be appropriate for students working in South Florida, most of the structure and verbiage is the same. I have done my research concerning copyright infringement, and it seems like I am operating within the limits of the law. In other words, I’m not breaking the law.

In an effort to curb cheating, I am not citing that person or that URL here. Only a parent/guardian will be furnished information about the originator of this discussion framework, please email me directly at moshej@browardschools.com. Thank you for your understanding.