Example

Week 1 Discussion Question: Fawcett ** **K -** So far in the book we have seen many different kinds of family. Let's see if we can find at least 3 different kinds of families with an example of each from the story. Let's discuss how these families are similar and how each family is different. We should also discuss the similarities and differences between these families and our own families (or other families we know). **MacLeodS** - One type of family seen in //The Outsiders// is a family of just the children. Darry, Sodapop, and Pony's parents were killed and these three brothers were left to survive on their own. They often encounter differences with each other and tend to argue at times, but it is obvious that deep down they really care for each other. They have organized themselves to keep the house in orderly condition and they have their own rules. I live with my parents and siblings and I cannot imagine what it would be like to have my parents die and have to live alone with just my brother and sister. I think it would be horrible. **MittlerJ** - I agree with the example of family above. Another example I can think of if Johnny's family. Even though he has parents, they are not parents that actually care about him. Johnny's father abuses him and doesn't seem to care about him at all. I can't relate to this personally, but I have a friend who gets abused by his dad and he finds it so hard to know what to do because even though he hates his dad for hurting him, he loves him because he's his dad and he just wishes his dad would love him back. So even though Johnny has parents, I think he would be better off in a family like that of the Curtis brothers'. **FrancisA** - Oh my goodness, I can never imagine being abused by my parents. I don't know how I would survive if I had to live a life like that. The family I can most relate to in the book is a family like the Soc's come from. My family is pretty well off and we are comfortable. My parents both have good jobs and we don't lack anything. But even though I can relate to a higher class family, my family are not snots or stuck up like some of the Socs. We don't treat other people badly or look down on them. **FawcettK** - But what about rich families who do treat other people badly? I think that is so ridiculous. You would think they would take their money and actually use it for something good. There are so many people in need that rich people can help, but sometimes they are so selfish and they only care about themselves. I've met people with less money who give more than people with a lot of money. I bet Darry, Sodapop, Pony, and Johnny would be more generous and giving than Bob's family. A good example of this is that the Curtis brothers leave their doors unlocked so their friends can come in and sleep there if they need to. I doubt many rich families would do that. **MittlerJ** - I know that some families that are well off financially are not snots, but I have also met some families who are really stuck up and think they are better than everyone else because they have money. I think that is just wrong. Like the Socs just think they can treat the Greasers badly and think they are better than them just because they have fancy cars and nice cloths. I think a family would be much better off to have less money and a loving and kind family, rather than money with a family that only cares about work and not their kids and spending time together. I would rather be from a family like that than just be given Daddy's credit card whenever I want it. **FrancisA** - I completely agree with you, that a family with less money and more love is better.... I'm just saying that it is possible to have both. It seems to me that maybe Cherry came from a family like mine. She seems really nice ad she doesn't treat other people badly or look down on them, but she obviously still has money. I don't think it is money that matters as much as your decisions in life and how you live your life. **MacLeodS** - Wow! Alot of discussion has happened since I've been on here last. As far as rich families go, I agree it has to do with how you make your decisions. I have a lot of friends who come from rich families and are really nice and caring and generous, but I also know kids from rich families who are so spoiled and rude and think the world revolves around them. It's really about how the parents decide to raise a child, not how much money they have. **FawcettK** - Well, I volunteer at a Group Home downtown on the weekends with my mom and some of the kids we spend time with have had such hard lives. There is this one guy who reminds me so much of Johnny. He is the nicest, sweetest guy and he has had such a challenging life. His parents abused him from the time he was young and you could think he would hate the world because he's been treated so horribly, but he doesn't. He actually cares more about other people than most people do. He spends his Wednesday afternoons volunteering at a daycare! I think his story is incredible. This makes me think that even if our parents make mistakes raising us, it is still our decision on how we live our lives and how we want to treat other people.
 * DIRECTIONS: Each student in the group is responsible for inventing one discussion question. This discussion question must be posted on the Monday of each week, ensuring time for discussion of each question. Each member of the group, including the person who invented the question, MUST respond to the discussion AT LEAST twice EACH week. Your participation in these online discussions, along with the amount of effort and reflection put into your responses, will account for a portion of your Literature Circle final grade. Each time you post a discussion question or a response,you MUST skip a space from what was written above, and you MUST begin your writing with your last name and first initial so I can mark your participation. It would also be helpful if you choose a specific colour and stick to that colour each week to identify yourself with also.
 * Week 2 Discussion Question:

Week 3 Discussion Question:

Week 4 Discussion** **Question:**