What happened to the Nazis after WWII?

As we come to the end of our WWII literature unit, we are going to be considering what justice means after a large-scale atrocity like the Holocaust.  Many Nazi soldiers and leaders were tried for war crimes after WWII was over in what are known as the Nuremburg Trials.  Today you are going to start to learn about these trials.

Directions:  Watch this video introduction to Nuremburg Trials.  As you watch, pay attention to statements you agree or disagree with in the video.  Why were these trials so controversial?

Domain 5 Text Selection

For Domain 5 we are focusing on issues related to oppression, power, and rebellion.  Use the information below and the Amazon pages linked for each title to choose the 3 books you are most interested in reading next domain.

When you're choosing your books, think about...

1. The difficulty level of the text (both Lexile and my ranking).
2. The length of the text--Are you a fast reader? You will have about 4 weeks to read this book.
3. The genre of the text.
4. The way the text is written (follow the link to the Amazon page and read the first page or two of the book).

These books are listed from MOST to LEAST challenging--in my opinion.

1984 by George Orwell
Lexile: 1090
Pages: 328
Genre: science fiction / dystopian 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Lexile: 730
Pages: 425
Genre: historical fiction

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Lexile: 910
Pages: 295
Genre: historical fiction

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein *
Lexile: 1000
Pages: 322
Genre: fantasy

The Giver by Lois Lowry*
Lexile: 760
Pages: 138
Genre: science fiction / dystopian

Divergent by Veronica Roth*
Lexile: 700
Pages: 311
Genre: science fiction / dystopian

Fire from the Rock by Sharon Draper
Lexile: 830
Pages: 191
Genre: historical fiction

47 by Walter Mosley
Lexile: 860
Pages: 149
Genre: historical fiction / fantasy

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore*
Lexile: 700
Pages: 452
Genre: science fiction

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld*
Lexile: 770
Pages: 448
Genre: science fiction / dystopian

Above World by Jenn Reese*
Lexile: 710
Pages: 368
Genre: fantasy

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau*
Lexile: 680
Pages: 163
Genre: science fiction

The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 by PJ Haarsma*
Lexile: 650
Pages: 262
Genre: science fiction

The Chosen One by Carlo Lynch Williams
Lexile: 480
Pages: 240
Genre: realistic fiction

* = first book in a series

Exit Slip 2/26: Summary Review

Before you leave class today...

1. Re-watch the video tutorial about writing objective summaries.
2. Answer the questions below.

Mid-Domain Quiz Questions

Exit Slip 2/24

Welcome back, 8th graders!  I hope everyone had a restful break and is ready to get back to work.  Please answer the two exit slip questions below before you leave class today.

Good & Evil Quote Collage Directions

Today you will create a "collage" using quotes from your text.  No more than TWO people may turn in the same project--i.e., work with a partner or alone.  Follow these directions:

1) Get a plain white piece of paper from the front of the room.
2) Divide the paper in half.  One side will be "good," the other side will be "evil."
3) Choose at least 2 quotes from your text that show something good about human nature.  Choose at least 2 quotes from your text that show people doing something evil.
4) Write these quotations on the appropriate sides of your paper.
5) Be as visually creative as you like.

Have fun!

Summary Writing--good vs. evil

This week we're analyzing what makes characters good or evil and evaluating the characters in our books. We're also working on our summarizing skills.  Follow the directions below.

1) Read this article about the nature of good and evil.

2) Watch this video tutorial about how to write an objective summary.

3) Answer the questions in the form below based on the article from step 1.

Exit Slip 2/7

Answer the following questions before you leave class on Friday, February 7.  Muchisimas gracias!

The Bystander Effect (part 2)

DON'T start this task until you have finished and submitted "The Bystander Effect (part 1)" work on the post from yesterday (Feb. 4).

1. Read this summary of the Kitty Genovese case that is said to have started the study of the bystander effect. 

Bystander effect research was stimulated, in part, by the infamous case of a young woman named Kitty Genovese, who was raped and murdered on the streets of Queens, NY. The crime happened late one night when Genovese's neighbors reportedly stood by and did nothing to intervene in the brutal attack despite hearing her screams. (from Psychology Today)

1. Listen to this podcast about the real facts of the case.  You only need to listen from 4:10 to 7:45 on the recording. 
2. Answer the questions and then submit the form below.

The Bystander Effect (part 1)

Today you're going to be thinking about the psychological idea of the bystander effect.  Before you continue with this activity, make sure you know what the word bystander means.

1. Watch this video.
2. Then, watch this video.
3. Answer the questions in the form below.  You may work with people in your book group if you like, but each person needs to submit the form.

Discussion Roles and Reading Goals 2/3

This week we're going to be considering the ideas of bystanders and what characters' and people's actions reveal about them.

• What do people do in the face of injustice?
• What are bystanders obligated to do?  Does it depend on the situation?
• Is there such a thing as an "innocent" bystander?