Monday November 20: 8-2, 8-4

On Monday, we had a chance to read and prepare for our literary circles for Wednesday.  The groups will meet every Wednesday until winter break. Should you be away on that day due to illness, be sure to contact someone in your group and let them know. Share with them what you can.

We then talked about some of topics or issues the lit circle novels may address. Some of the novels are about bullying (viral, rumor, and face-to-face), others address stereotyping, racial divides and struggles for students at home and at school. All of the novels share the theme of empathy in one form or another.

We watched a short film, "Outrospection" and discussed empathy. We learned there are two kinds of empathy: Affective empathy- a shared emotional response and Cognitive empathy - perspective taking or stepping into the shoes of another.  I asked that students write a paragraph explaining when he/she may have experienced or shown empathy.  I will give time next class for students to either correct completed work or finish off their first drafts.