Defining Dystopia: March 15, 2019

Focus: What is dystopian literature, and why should we read it?

NEW SEATS!

1. Warming up with thoughts from a post-game interview with Jeff Walz on winning and losing

• Partner interview: To what extent do you agree with the podcast and/or Jeff Walz?

• Should we give participation trophies?
• Should we keep score during little kids' competitions?
• How does any of this relate to the story we started reading yesterday?

2. Finishing "Harrison Bergeron" with a focus on dystopia

• Before reading: Defining "dystopia" together and making predictions about dystopian literature

• While reading: What is the nature of the dystopia in this story? What aspects of it strike you?

• After reading: What do you think Vonnegut's purpose is in writing this story? What is he trying to warn us about?

3. Refreshing our expectations of Fishbowl discussions, introducing your reading journal options, and signing up for leader and discusser dates

4. Distributing Fahrenheit 451 and exploring the opening pages:

• How would you describe Bradbury's dystopia? 

• What do you think Bradbury might be warning us about? 

• (Monday's leaders can use this time to make their plan.

HW:
1. For MONDAY: Read through page 36 in F451 and complete your first journal entry; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. For WEDNESDAY: Read through page 65 in F451 and complete your second journal entry; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

Click HERE for a free audiobook of F451 (read by Tim Robbins!).