(1) Discussion on bad habits to continue.
Students don't have to comment on this as you have done it already.
(2) Compelling conversations: Talking about books and reading pleasures.
Please see the attachments. There are two lists of 18 questions each. We'll work in pairs and each partner will get a different list. On list 1, we'll answer only the following questions: 1 ("Did your mother read to you as a child?"), 5, 7, 8, 10, 17 and 18. On list 2, only the following questions: 5 ("What are some books you've read and enjoyed?"), 6, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18.
For your comment, students can answer any of those questions, or tell me about a book you read and why you enjoyed it. You decide.
Compelling Conversations x1.pdf
Compelling Conversations x2.pdf
Compelling Conversations x3.pdf
Replies
Thank you, Tiffany. Though you probably rushed to write this comment, at least it makes good sense what you said! I hope you believe that too!
I missed you in class yesterday, Lily! I mentioned something about San Mao in class, as I remembered what you said about her (I read your comment not long before going to class). I read about her online as you made me curious about her. It appears that she was an outstanding writer. But she had so much tragedy in her life. First relationship didn't work out, and she left Taiwan for Europe. Then her Spanish husband drowned in a diving accident when she was only 35 (she married him in 1973 when I was in Grade 12 in High school), and years later, her German fiancé also died before they got married. And then she didn't get that award at the HongKong Film Festival (for her script of the movie "Red Dust"). Oh, and then she herself tragically died in 1991 at the age of 47 ... So sad; she was such a wonderful personality. That book you referred to, she wrote in 1976 when she and her Spanish husband lived in the Western Sahara (a small country bordering on to Morocco). She published more than 20 books. Yes, she was a great author. Thank you for telling about her.
Thank you, Lyn. But you haven't read that book yourself, right?! At least not in English as it is too difficult, I know!
I've heard of the Grimm's Fairy Tales, but have never read it myself; though I remember that their, "Hanzel and Gretel" was translated and we read that story about the brother and sister. I read about Guo Jingming who is still in his early thirties. Though he became famous for winning a writing competition and writing some books, I also read that he was found guilty of plagiarism when using another Chinese author's work is one of his books. But I think you are right that many of us go through stages in our lives and we get attached to different writing styles and genres and even writers; and that can change again later (like you not still hanging on to Grimm's Fairy Tales as you have outgrown it!). :)
I am glad that your mother read to you as a child, Wu Ting, as it sounds like you're not into reading yourself! are you lazy, or are you just a dreamer?! I guess you like watching movies much, right?! I think your supposition at the end of your comment is totally correct; we should read more! That is one enjoyable way of gaining knowledge and getting another kind of pleasure out of life!
Wow, you read Aesop's Fables, Zhang Tianjiao! He was living in the very first century! But they said of him, amongst others, that "he used humble incidents to teach great truths". I have never read it myself; but I am glad you enjoyed it in your childhood! It looks like "A Dream in Red Mansions" was prescribed to the Middle school students as I noticed here that many students referred to that book. Not nice to read a book with a sad ending ..!
Hans Christian Andersen's books were very popular, especially the fairy tales for children. I guess you are referring to studying at Primary school when being introduced to his books, Song Guangxia?! But I am surprised you mention reading economical books; it must have been boring! I agree we should read more to gain more knowledge, but why do you want to read political books?! Politicians normally tell lies that they want others to believe; so, leave those books to the people who want to be fooled! Read books that you would enjoy too! :)
I noticed that quite a few of your classmates have read Jane Eyre, Yang Xiaoyan. I guess it must have been a great book then! Some of my school mates have also read the book as I remember them referring to it; it was also a prescribed book of literature in some classes in my school days. What I know about the book, I've read online! I know that the author is Charlotte Bronte. And the protagonist was Jane who fell in love with Rochester, but Rochester married another girl! But after she died, and after the fire, she still accepted her beloved Rochester despite (as you mentioned) his blindness and disability from the fire. Jane is a great example to most of us who always want to marry the perfect person ... Yes, I agree that one can strive to have her splendid temperament and view on life.
Katherine, it appears to me that you and Shelly have a lot in common! She also likes "Twilight"! I guess it is because it is a love story ...! I was suspecting that Bella would also turn into a vampire as she was too involved with them and somehow one of them would drink her blood and make her a vampire too! Okay, it wasn't Edward as he was ... er ... a vegetarian (a vampire vegetarian)! Wow, that ending is quite confusing ... the werewolf didn't get her, but got her daughter! Why? Was he perhaps the father of the daughter ..?! Then Bella wasn't true to Edward ...! Oh boy, what confusion!
Well, Li Yaze, that sounds very interesting about that book you mentioned. I vaguely remember one or more students bringing a book to class when we talked about those three objects each had to bring to class. I guess you liked it much as the writer referred to Chinese life in reality and you could identify with it! Sad to read about him and his father not speaking to each other for years, and that because his father was angry with him for not following his father's advice. Luckily it had a happy ending. Yes, this issue with parents is not always a simple one. I also believe one should be obedient to parents and respectful, but what does one do when their actions or advice is incorrect or unfair? When can one be disobedient to one's parents? When does one have to accept their decisions while knowing (or feeling) it is wrong? Maybe you are right that parents (mostly) mean well for their children, but I have also seen how selfish parents can be, and when making decisions or demands about their children, they only have their own well-being and benefit in mind, and not what is best for the child's future (for instance when it comes to choosing marriage partners ...!). Not a simple solution here!
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