English Arts Festival
Discussion Board: The Pigman


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 09-Oct-2002 22:43:02
Author: Little, Christine <MA-TCLITTLE@seovec.org>
Subject: First attempt at using the system 
Good evening, fellow gals! I am just checking this out. Does anyone have a good grasp of what we are to do and when we are to do it? I am leaving here to check out the orc website. Looking forward to talking with you! Chris :)...Now....How DO I get out of here?!?!?!?! Ah! Submit at the bottom?!?!? 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 13:00:48
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
Hello. No, I do not really know what we are to do. I just found out Monday what I needed to do and have been off work for the past four days. I read The Pigman and The Pigman and Me last week but do not have any idea what to do otherwise. Let me know if you find out. I talked to Mrs. Glasgow on Monday and she said we were to choose a Lit. Circle role and discuss this and the book this evening from 5-7. This is all I know due to my being out sick and for personal reasons all week since. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 14:18:33
Author: Dietz, Susan <sudietz@loganhocking.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
Hello All,

I guess htis is our day to touch base. May I serve as the discussion director?

Here are my fat questions?

What is the purpose of alcohol in this book? Is it part pf a Zindel's past that he needs to address? Will your middle school students see the casual usage as Zindel's approval? Do yuo have local parents who will take issue with this?

I hope this is a starting point for all of us. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 18:33:14
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
I am not sure what purpose the alcohol serves in this book. I believe it is just the character's crutch to help him deal with his dysfunctional life. Also, possibly just as a form of rebellion against his father who once drank and quit due to health issues. Maybe he feels this is a way to get something over on his father that his father cannot do and cannot control.
I do not think that the parents in my district would take offense at this book and the use of alcohol,...especially if I handle the issues correctly. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 20:56:41
Author: Hall, Jona <fh_jhall@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
Wendy, I agree with your comment concerning alcohol in the novel. I also believe that it would not be a big issue within a district. I teach eighth grade students. As much as I hate to admit it alcohol usage does occur at that young age. Handling the situation in a way that would educate and not promote the substance could actually help. It could actually lead to some good discussions about the right and wrong isues of dealing with alcohol and drinking alcohol.  


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 22:30:27
Author: Edgar, Kelly <ff_kedgar@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
Hello. I just was able to get on the internet. I
would not use this book with my fifth graders. I
believe parents would have a problem with the book
and the issues it deals with. Some parents have a
problem with James and the Giant Peach. Maybe if I
taught 8th grade, I would use the book. I don't
think Zindel is addressing alcohol because of past
problems. I believe he is addressing a problem that
most teenagers have to face especially in the high
school.This book would be better dealt with where I
teach in the high school level. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 12-Oct-2002 10:32:37
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: First attempt at using the system 
Jona,
I teach eighth grade as well and I agree. Students these days are far more advanced than my generation ever was at their age. (I am 34) 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 18:36:57
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Help 
What do we do next? How long do we discuss this book (all one evening, several days,...)? Does our Reader Response Journal for this book have to be typed and e-mailed to the professor by Tuesday? I just got involved in this Monday. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 20:43:07
Author: Little, Christine <MA-TCLITTLE@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: Help 
Wendy- I have read your entries on the general discussion board. I tried to e-mail 2 of our group whose name I did not see and I accidentally got into this small group board. (Imagine my surprise to see that I had been here previously!)I believe that it is course documents that contains instructions, templates and examples of the "jobs" we are to do. Apparently, I have missed the meeting tonight as it is already 8:50. Shall we choose jobs and agree to meet in a day or two? I think "word master" is still open and I would be happy to do that this time.-Chris 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 21:00:13
Author: Hall, Jona <fh_jhall@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: Help 
Hi Chris,

I am still just doing this by the seat of my pants. I am not quite sure if I am doing the right thing. Do we have to meet? Is it a requirement that we meet? What is going on? I have asked so many questions and then so many questions come up. I forget what I have asked and what to ask. :) Believe me, I am not going to always be this scatter brained. I just want this to become common ground. Evenings are always best for me if we have to meet. :0) 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 11-Oct-2002 22:33:16
Author: Edgar, Kelly <ff_kedgar@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: Help 
I really don't know how long we discuss it. Because of
personal problems in my family, I was not available. I
will do the summary role on Sunday. Sorry about the
inconvenience. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 12-Oct-2002 10:41:13
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: Help 
Personally I think that between the Lit. Circle discussion and the overall whole group discussion that we have discussed enough. I thought we were to now move on to the next book that is due in a couple of weeks. We could set up times and roles and begin there. What do you think? 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 13-Oct-2002 13:41:50
Author: Edgar, Kelly <ff_kedgar@seovec.org>
Subject: Re: Help 
I agree. Here is the summary of the book for my role.

In the Pigman by Paul Zindel,two teenagers who are trying to find their identity discover a friendship with Mr. Pignati, a lonely old man. John and Lorraine meet Mr. Pignati by chance through a telephone prank. Mr. Pignatibeing alone since his wife diedfinds comfort in spending time and money on the kids. When Mr. Pignati suffers a heart attack, John and Lorraine take advantage of an empty house and have a party. When Mr. Pignati shows up unexpectedly, the teenagers feel guilty. To try to mend wounds, they ask Mr Piganti to meet them at the zoo (aplace they like to hang out). Mr. Pignati had previously made a connection with a baboon named Bobo. When they arrive at the zoo, they learn Bobo had dies. From all the stress, Mr. Pignatisuffers a heart attack and dies. This book deals with many important issues such as alcohol, death, and teenagers' confusion with life. 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 14-Oct-2002 21:06:12
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Roles 
Are we going to begin discussing the next book or keep discussing this one? If so, how long? Should we set times for discussion or just log on at our convenience? I would like to be the Connector for The Pigman and Me or if we continue to discuss The Pigman.

Let me know what you think.

Wendy
Eighth Grade Lang. Arts 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 16-Oct-2002 10:20:31
Author: Glasgow, Jackie <glasgow@ohiou.edu>
Subject: Re: Roles 
Good idea to plan roles for next time, but what about this time? There is a good discussion going in the whole group in response to my question, but not everyone did a lit task for The Pigman! 


Current Forum: The Pigman
Date: 16-Oct-2002 20:36:25
Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us>
Subject: Re: Roles 
Jackie
I just got involved in this assignment last week. Isn't the next book discussion to be done and over by the 30th of this month or am I confused about what needs to be done? I asked to be the word master this time but with little response. I figured since the paper and everything was already done that the discussion would move on.

Wendy