Quotes from the film "Swing Kids"

Do you think you, as a youth population, view the world the same or differently than adults?

What does it mean to "envy the young"?

What does it mean to see "life as a series of compromises"?

What does it mean to "draw a line"?

Do you think each generation views the world differently?  What is each "decade" generation known for?  What is yours known for?

In what ways are bystanders (or people who idly "watch" things happen") still a part of something even if they are not partaking in whatever is going on?

Why is it easier for a group to be successful when more and more people follow it?  How can that also be particularly dangerous?

What is the situational or dramatic irony present in the quote from Thomas, "No one that likes swing could become a Nazi?"

Why is it important to "know what you're agreeing to before you become a part of something"?  In what ways is the Gestapo warning Peter?

5/6/13 Quote: "Good and Evil"

Instead of a quote for this week, here is a writing prompt that I'd like you to give a thoughtful response to.  

Begin your first line by filling in the following analogy, and then writing a 5-8 sentence paragraph below it: 

Hitler is to evil as _____ is to good.

Thanks to http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/ for the amazing prompt!

4/29/13 Quote: "Silence is Not Golden"

During our trip to the Holocaust museum, we were able to watch an incredible on the realities of genocide.  Funny enough, Mrs. Stansbury and I both wrote down the following quote during our field trip last year so as to bring to your attention this week for our QotW!  Here is the image:

• What does this quote mean to you?  Do you agree or disagree with it?
• Why do you suppose that "silence" may be a more significant "crime" amongst people than actual physical violence?
• During what moments in history/current events can you say that silence greatly hurt a group of people?
• How does this idea of "silence" relate to the significance of the role of the bystander?
• What is the irony seen in the picture?  (Hint: look at the Star of David)

4/15/12 Quote: "Hope"

The quote for this week is inspired by the new Hunger Games movie, which hit theaters last March 23rd.  A scene between President Snow and Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane was added to the movie that wasn't originally a part of the novel.  Click on the video to listen to the dialogue between the two characters.

“Seneca, why do you think we have a winner?” Snow asks while cutting a white rose.

“What do you mean?” Seneca asks. “I mean, why do we have a winner?” Snow repeats, before pausing. “Hope.”

“Hope?” Seneca replies slightly bewildered.

“Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous,” Snow declares.

“Spark is fine, as long as it’s contained."

“So?”

“So, contain it,” Snow warns.

Here's the portion of the quote up for interpretation:

Post below your overall interpretation of the quote.  What does President Snow mean by hope being stronger than fear?  Knowing that President Snow is the president of the society, Panem, in the Hunger Games, and that he has proven to be quite a cruel and manipulative dictator, what connections can be made between his comment on hope and the holocaust?  Feel free to also make connections from this quote with other readings, media, current events, etc.

QotW: 4/1/13 "Be Open Minded"

Respond to this quote by analyzing three or more of the questions below.

1. What is this a metaphor for?

2. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3. What does it mean to be open minded vs. too open minded?

4. What do people need to be open minded about?

5. Can you connect the idea this quote represents to anything in current events?

Quote of the Week Overview

Each week during this unit, a new "quote of the week" will be posted to this page that the students will analyze in class.  Please post comments to the quotes/clips to showcase your ideas and thoughts on it as well as connections that can be made to the quote with other readings, media, historical facts, current events, personal stories, etc.