The Pushcart War, written by Jean Merrill, is one of those books that requires us to look past the plot and read between the lines for deeper meaning. Instead of a typical reading logs, you will be writing online in response to my blog questions. Please note that you will be graded on your comments by signs of original thought, thoroughness, and reflection.
Blog response rules and hints:
1) Try your best to check your responses to make sure they are written mechanically correct and with correct spelling. (You may want to write your response in Word or Google Docs first, then copy and paste.)
2) Sometimes the best response is responding to someone else's comment. Maybe you disagree with a peer, or maybe s/he says something that brings your understanding in a new direction. If you do this, make sure to begin by clearly stating what you're responding to. For example, "While I understand what Gertrude is saying, I disagree greatly."
3) Always write in a respectful manner ... like you always do!
4) Remember to "sign" your response with your first name only. For those of you who know you have the same name, also write your last initial. Comments with full names will be deleted.
5) If you have a very personal response that you do not want to make public, you may write it in Google Docs and turn it in that way.
This is a technology venture for us, so there are likely to be some glitches here and there. Be patient and let's blog!
Ms. W.
Today's Assignment:
Read: The foreword, introduction, Ch. 1-2
Respond:
Assigned students are to respond to question #1 using the comment
feature. Everyone (including those who respond to #1) is to respond to
question #2 through the "comment" feature.
1. Notice the year
in which the author actually wrote the novel, the year she says she
wrote the novel, and the year the Pushcart War begins. Why do you think
there is a discrepancy between the dates?
2. A foreword
is a short introductory statement about the book written by someone
other than the author--usually someone who is an "expert" or
"noteworthy" regarding the book's history or content. Who is Professor
Lyman Cumberly? Why do you think his foreword is included in the book?
If you were writing a book, what topic would you write on and who would
you want to write the foreword?
Due 4/21
Today's Assignment:
Read: Ch. 3 - 8
Respond: Assigned students are to respond to question #1 using the "comment" feature. Everyone is to respond to question #2 through the "comment" feature. An extra credit question (EC) is also listed for those of you wanting to push your reading-between-the-lines skills.
1. There is a side in this war that the author wants you to take. How does she convey that message? Why do you think she wants readers to take one particular side?
2. Analyze this quote from page 45 (Chapter 8) stated by Louie Livergreen, the owner of the truck company LEMA (Lower Eastside Moving Association): "'I will tell you something else,' (Louie) says. 'And it is not something I am proud of. My own father was a pushcart peddler, and if I had not had the guts to get out and fight for myself, no matter who was in my way, I might be pushing a pushcart myself.'" What does this passage reveal about Louie in particular and the trucks in general?
EC: Examine the quote above again and analyze it even further. What do you think the author is trying to get across to the reader--not about trucks, but about something bigger. (What do you think the trucks and this attitude represent? Think symbolism.)
Due 4/23
Fun Extra
On page 44, Joey Kafflis uses the simile, "(Louie Livergreen's) voice is as smooth as a good grade of motor oil." Create your own simile describing a fictional character's (of your making) voice. Remember a simile makes a comparison between two things using either "like" or "as."
Here's mine: Gertrude's voice was as slow as a turtle stuck in tar.
Today's Assignment:
Read:
Ch. 9- 12
Respond: Assigned students are to respond to question
#1 using the comment feature. Everyone is to respond to question #2
through the "comment" feature. An extra credit question (EC) is also
listed for those of you wanting to push your reading-between-the-lines
skills.
1. On page 48 (Chapter 9), author Jean Merrill states,
"The Community Reporter was always telling people about what 'people'
wanted." Who was the Community Reporter? What things did the Community
Reporter say that make you suspicious of the reporter's motives?
2.
How does the media (newspaper, television, etc.) play a role in the
Pushcart War?
EC: How does the media play a role in how we view
things such as conflicts, disagreements, and war?
Due: 4/27
Things
you should know by now ...
• What is the "Large Object Theory of
History"? Whose theory is it?
• How did the Pushcart War first
officially start? When was it?
• Why does the author say "what
irritated everyone was the trucks"?
• Who's the Pushcart King?
Why?
• Who is Wendy Gambling and what did she stay that prompted
the Pushcart War?
• Who are "The Three"? (their names and what
they do)
Today's Assignment:
Read: Ch. 13-15
Respond: Assigned students are to respond to question #1 using the comment feature. Everyone is to respond to question #2 through the "comment" feature. An extra credit question (EC) is also listed for those of you wanting to push your reading-between-the-lines skills.
1. How is the pea-shooting campaign going? What do YOU think about this idea? (Is there any part of it that is "good"? Any part that is "bad"?)
2. Now that the pea-shooting campaign is over, the pushcart peddlers need a new weapon. Pretend you are Harry the Hot Dog or General Anna and recommend a new weapon. I will grade this entry on thoroughness, reflection, and original thought as always, but I will also be examining whether your idea is in line with what the pushcart peddlers want to accomplish and if it is in the style of the book.
Due: 4/29
Today's Assignment:
Read: Ch. 16-20
Respond: Assigned students are to respond to question #1 using the comment feature. Everyone is to respond to question #2 through the "comment" feature
1.Why do the children of New York engage in the pea attacks?
2. We often do not think about children being part of war. In fact, the general worldview is to protect children in and from war. Yet Jean Merrill made the participation of children in the Pushcart War a significant part of the story. Here's a big read-between-the-lines question: What point about war in general do you think Merrill's trying to make by having children participate in it?
Due: 5/3
Fun English Extra!
Frank the Flower is called a "crackpot" by the police and the media. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a crackpot is "an eccentric person, especially one with bizarre ideas." When people originally use this word when talking about Frank the Flower, it is meant in a bad way. But eventually Frank-the-Flower fans turn "crackpot" into an affectionate term, and people begin kindly telling others "you're a crackpot." Use your reference research skills to look up one (or more!) of the following words ... what was its original meaning and how do you (or other youth and teens you know) use it today? If you can think of other (appropriate) words to list or look up, let me know!
Geek
Chill
(the) Bomb
Sweet
Crib
Epic
Today's Assignment:
Read: Ch. 21 - 23
Respond: Everyone is to respond to question #1 through the "comment" feature. An extra credit question (EC) is also listed for those of you wanting to push your reading-between-the-lines skills.
1. When Maxie Hammerman was questioned, he evaded the Commissioner's question without lying. Pretend you are Maxie and answer the following pretend question from the Commissioner in the same style. "What does it mean at the bottom of the map where you have written in the margin: 'Mr. Jerusalem--180'?" (Hint: Look up the responses Maxie gives to similar questions on pages 141-142. Also, look up what Mr. Jerusalem sells on page 54.)
Due: 5/5
Today's Assignment:
Read: Ch. 24-29 (XXIV-XXVIII)
Respond: Assigned students are to respond to question #1 using
the comment feature. Everyone is to respond to question #2 through the
"comment" feature.
1. The trucks begin with the idea of war on the pushcarts. In Chapter 24
the idea expands. What does it expand to? What does this reveal about
some wars?
2. Is Maxie Hammerman a good leader? Write in essay format (topic
sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence). Give at least
three examples from the text that prove your point, and incorporate a
quote for extra credit.
Due: 5/7
Today's Assignment:
Read: The rest of the book!
Respond: Everyone is to respond to the question through the "comment" feature. Make sure you answer all three parts of the question!
1. Peace is not only the absence of war but is also a state of harmony. How do the last two chapters of the novel reflect that definition of peace? What aspects of the Pushcart Peace Conference help ensure harmony? How do the vignettes at the end of the novel illustrate the effects of the war and the ensuing peace?
Due: 5/13
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