Ben was prompted to recap the last chapter and was able to remember important details such as Oceania is no longer at war with East Asia, but it is with Eurasia, which leads Winston and his coworkers to having work 96 hours in the following weeks to undo history. Ben recalled that the chapter also describes the horrible living conditions in Oceania, with many of the resources needed for survival being poor condition. We noted that the chapter grows very technical in its description of the rival powers.

We examined the change in the protagonist, Winston Smith, as he navigates a dystopian society where "Big Brother" is always watching. We reviewed the methods O'Brien uses to trick the cameras and spies that are everywhere and our shared thought that the wafer O'brien gives Winston and Julia presumably to masque and neutralize the wine they drank is really something other than a breath freshener. We examined the culture and spirit of people living in totalitarian societies and Ben made connections to countries both past and present. We continued reading the novel and Ben was reminded about homework expectations regarding timeliness of submissions as he will be given another assignment that will be due next week.

Ben brought in his homework and we reviewed his responses to the questions asked of him. Although he submitted it late, they were excellent well-thought out responses that reflected excellent comprehension and insight. Ben was engaged in guided reading as we read on in Orwell's '1984' dystopian novel and related it to events current in the world. We discussed the changes that take place in the war situation in the novel, read how the government treats this change, and noted parallels in historical events.

Ben did not complete his homework assignment. He apologized for forgetting but was reminded that it will be reflected in a lower grade. He asked that i remind him via outlook email and I asked that he turn it in Thursday, the latest. We the continued our readings and discussed the historical context that inspired George Orwell to write in the dystopian novel and literary genre of speculative fiction. We finished Book II Chapter VIII and discussed the plot developments and predicted rising action in the next few chapters.

We continued reading in Book II Chapter VIII which we agreed offers the first hopeful chance for a fight against the Party. Ben commented that it also reveals things about the Brotherhood and the world that Winston had suspected but never confirmed. We discussed how much Winston and Julia are in awe of O'Brien and examined the qualities he embodies that appeal to them the most. We looked up two unfamiliar words (persiflage and strategem) which confirmed definitions based on contextual clues. I reminded Ben that his homework is due tomorrow, He has his book in his bookbag and understands expectations.

We continued reading in Book II/Chapter VIII and discussed the significance of the meeting with O'Brien. Ben demonstrated excellent analysis of the dynamics between him, Julia, and O'Brien and commented on the dystopian elements of the novel and the rising action in its story elements.

Ben had been assigned ten pages to read in the novel. He did not accomplish this at home, however, and asked to be able to work on it in class. His ability to sustain attention to the task was a bit compromised after about ten minutes so he was offered assistance in a guided reading exercise for the remainder of our first session together. Ben is being asked to complete the 5 additional pages of reading at home and was assigned a question to answer for homework which, will be due Tuesday, 4/8. We are at a critical point in the novel, where Winston and Julia finally meet O'Brian. Ben made predictions as to what would happen next in Book II/Chapter VIII.

Ben explained he was not feeling well and that he should have probably stayed home. He stated that he fell ill yesterday, with stomach issues and a bad headache, and fell asleep at 4PM. He did not do his homework, for that reason and did not feel well in class so productivity was compromised today. I recommended that he should complete his assignment tonight.

Although Ben had forgotten to take his book home over break, he apologized and was rather remorseful, stating he would complete the reading and answer his homework which is due tomorrow, 4/1. We reviewed where we left off prior to the break to refresh our memory and continued to read until we almost finished Book II/Chapter 7, which Ben is to complete for homework. Ben recalled Winston's repressed feelings about his childhood before his father left. We examined the change in Winston's feelings about the problems and how he has developed a newfound respect for them now because he realizes they retain their feelings but that Party members, like him and Juia, are forced to suppress their own feelings to the point that they become virtually inhuman. I reminded Ben to take home the novel in order to complete his homework assignment.

Ben listened intently as I read chapters VI and part of VII in Orwell's "1984.' We reviewed vocabulary and Ben correctly used contextual clues to figure out their meanings (pilfering/remonstrances). Ben astutely made predications about Winston meeting with O'Brien and O'Brien gives his his address. We discussed how the language Orwell uses suggests the ominous path that will ensue. It was a productive class.