Ben had asked me to remind him about his homework due today, on Tuesday. I did not - entrusting him with remembering on his own. He remembered! And turned it in as soon as he saw me. We spent the first part of our lesson reviewing his homework and thoughts about his responses, which were intuitive, reflective, and comprehensive. There was one question which he chose not to answer as he felt was his response was too revealing and personal, which i respected. We then finished the novel! Ben stated he enjoyed the book and mentioned a classmate who he thought would enjoy reading it. We discussed how the book ended bleakly with a dystopic outlook on life, where the Party exerts and enforces control through omnipresent surveillance (telescreens) propaganda, and psychological manipulation. We discussed how the Party's leader, Big Brother, is a figure of intense cult worship and used to instill fear and obedience - and ultimately, Winston falls under its control and his free will is totally defeated and non-existent - and likewise he, no longer exists. A powerful ending to our examination of this classic literary work.
We finished reading all but three pages in the novel. Ben commented that they're robotic "Isn't it obvious they got to his and Julia's brain. They're just going to talk about what his life is like now and the end result of totalitarianism to the human spirit."
We reviewed the vocabulary in Book III of the word with which Ben was unfamiliar. We also discussed how Orwell's use of language of 'Newspeak,' an invented language, is specifically designed to control the thought process via a limited vocabulary that prevents complex thought or the expression of any concept not in line with the totalitarian government in the novel.
We finished Book 3 Chapters 4 and 5 and discussed the literary devices in the chapter. Ben drew logical inferences and analyzed the character dynamics with a keen degree of insight. We learned what was in Room 101. Ben made excellent predictions - it was the protagonist, Winston's, worst fear - rats - starving rats who were going to eat his face as they were to be secured to his face. We discussed the language Orwell used to build suspense and terror and Ben was clearly proud to have made accurate predictions. I also gave him his last homework assignment of the year and discussed expectations.
Through queries, question sets, and research-based reading comprehension strategies, I assessed Ben's ability to draw and connect clues from the text to reach conclusions that have not been directly stated or shown. Ben consistently demonstrates an excellent ability to comprehend materials and references from reading materials to develop a keen degree of critical thinking skills. He is able to activate prior knowledge about text structure, monitoring, clarifying, and questioning to help facilitate a deeper understanding of what lies beneath the written word. We continued to read in the novel/Book III and discussed the developing sense of dread of what horrors will befall the protagonist in Room 101. We also discussed the language, allegories, and other literary techniques used by Orwell to heighten the building suspense. Good class!
We continued our reading and Ben commented that the best way to retain the audience's interest is to create suspense, just as Orwell has been doing." Ben was queried on what he could deduce from O'Brien's intense questioning. Ben responded to queries to assess his inferential reasoning skills. His answers revealed astute character analyses. He understood that the weeks of torture under O'Brien suggests that the party seeks power only for the sake of power, and that its ultimate goal is limitless power over humanity.
We continued reading in Book III/Chapter III. Ben made astute observations about whether or not Winston's character changes as he undergoes torturous experiences and interrogations by O'Brien. He followed as we collectively read and used parallels to governments as examples to elucidate the points made in the novel. Ben has been enjoying the novel and mentioned that he is looking forward to reading "House of Leaves' next - a debut novel by the author Danielewski.
Together, Ben and I read a considerable amount and finished Book III chapter II. We discussed how Orwell continues to contribute to the suspense and speculation about Room 101, subjecting the protagonist to intense amounts of torture and pain until he weakens and controls his mind. Ben made excellent inferences regarding the objective of O'Brien in his interrogations of Winston and we identified the language and imagery used to contribute to the suspense and vicariously experience Winston's pain. Ben contributed insightful analogies and relevantly quoted Descartes "I think therefore I am" at an especially poignant part in the novel. Ben asked to see the book and assured me he has it at home. I will give him his final assignment of the year next week. I also asked that he send me his homework in a different format. I was able to read it but unable to print it out. I also mentioned this to his dad when he came to deliver him his lunch.
We were hoping to learn what happens in Room 101 as the author, Orwell, built up the suspense and dread in excellent fashion using literary devices such as imagery, simile, and metaphors. Orwell continued to build up the suspense, explaining various torture devices us Winston in graphic detail. Ben surmised that O'brien was rally a member of the Party, but we will continue to read to find out if his prediction is correct. We also went over Ben's homework in which he responded to 5 open-ended questions in a very thorough and astute fashion. Ben sent it to me in an email and I printed it out and included it in his binder.
