English Arts Festival

Discussion Board: The Pigman and Me

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 28-Oct-2002 18:23:41 Author: Hendricks, Jeni <fh_jpierson@seovec.org> Subject: Hello!  So how did the group like this book? I like the fact that the book was based on Paul Zindel himself and how he had a pigman in his life that helped him through a part of his adolescent years. Now that I have read both books, I'm reflecting into my adolescent years and wondering who my pigman was or still is.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 28-Oct-2002 19:17:04 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Hello!  I liked the book because it talks about adolescents. Also that there is such commonality between "Pigman and Me" and "Pigman". Yes I had a Pigman when I was a teenager. Since both set of grandparents died when I was young my next door neighbor was my pigman. I would always go over to visit. I remember her teaching me how to crochet.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 28-Oct-2002 18:24:31 Author: Hendricks, Jeni <fh_jpierson@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  Would you like me to take the role of discussion director again? I don't mind. Let me know.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 08:32:08 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  I will be the discussion director for this book. I checked yesterday for the thread to sign up, but it was not there as of yet. I do not have access to the internet at home, so I am restricted to school hours to check the class forum.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 10:11:09 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  No problem with me. I have checked the sign up sheet and there has only been last years list.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 28-Oct-2002 19:44:16 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Word Master  I'll do the word master.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 08:37:09 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: your pigman  I feel that we each had or needed a "pigman" while we were growing up for one reason or another. Do you feel that you had a pigman during any part of your life? If so, whom and how did they help you through? I had to move to a town where I did not know one single person when I was just out of college to take my first teaching job. On top of that I had a three month old little girl. I definately needed a "pigman". My pigman turned out to be the secretary at the school I was teaching at. We bacame best friends. She helped me through a lot and made my stay there very pleasant. I still love her very much. I would not have made it without her.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 10:14:06 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: your pigman  I have had several pigman in my life. Since my family moved numerous times I had to learn to adjust to the different situations. As an adult I have had several situations where I have need a pigman.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 08:41:27 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Suicidal parent  This is another prime example of what kids have to deal with at home. It makes you wonder how many of our kids have to deal with this type of mother or father when they get home each night. It is sad that they got used to her threatening that she would commit suicide. What would be your coping strategy to deal with a parent like this?

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 10:16:16 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Suicidal parent  Luckly I did not have to deal with this type of parent.If I did I probably would be a different person. It would have torn me apart inside but I would have acted like it did not bother me.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 08:48:34 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Destruction  I was not surprised when the boys destroyed the Apple Tree, but sad.. What do you feel the apple tree represented? And what was the importance of it being destroyed?

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 11:56:25 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Destruction  The apple tree was there save haven. When I was growing up I had a secret place I would go to think. The boys who did this was to get back at them which will effect them the most.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 12:57:24 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Destruction  I also agree that it will be worse on the boys that destroyed the tree the most in the end. I also had a save haven when I was growing up. My brother and I had made a club house under some old crates and junk back in the field behind our house. It obviously was not the safest place to play, but we loved it very much. We even took old cans,etc. and put them up on the shelves and made it like our home away from home. My dad eventually found it and tore it down due to the fact that it was not very safe. I will never forget those times.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 12:58:50 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Jennifer  What was your take on the relationship between Paul and Jennifer? The sappy side of me somewhat thought they would end up together in the end.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 29-Oct-2002 18:18:39 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Jennifer  The relationship between Paul and Jennifer I thought was more platonic then romantic. However, I wanted Jennifer to be able to leave to go and become someone.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 30-Oct-2002 14:34:58 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: sequel  Is there a sequel to The Pigman and Me or would a sequel to this book be a good idea? If so, what would it be about?

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 31-Oct-2002 16:10:23 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: sequel  There is a sequel to "Pigman" called "The Pigman's Legacy". Also Gamma Rays is also a reflection into his life as an adolescent in some ways. A sequel would be nice to know what happens in his next place of residence.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 30-Oct-2002 14:51:10 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: teachers  I am sure in the occupation that we are in, we know that many teachers can a "pigman" to one or more of their students. The amount of time that we are with the students sometimes outnumbers the time they get to spend with their parental figures. Kids definately tend to reach out for the affection and love at school. I know that I had a couple teachers in my time in school that I could consider a "pigman" for the time I was with them. They were very compassionate and caring, which made me want to be around them and see them for more than just a teacher.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 31-Oct-2002 16:11:28 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: teachers  Good point. Actually I never look at that aspect of the novel with teaching or being a teacher.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 31-Oct-2002 11:14:51 Author: Rauschenberg, Jane <jrauschenberg@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: sorry I'm late  Sorry I didn't get in on time. I've been sick all week.

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 31-Oct-2002 11:40:51 Author: Rauschenberg, Jane <jrauschenberg@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: illustration  Since nobody else had taken on the role, I made a very simple illustration in a paint program and put it in the file drop. I chose to illustrate the tree and its message, because that was so powerful for me. The tree was their safe haven, as others have said, but the message they put there was such a powerful one. I think many of else, if not all, have felt trapped in our lives and what others expected of us. The fact that Jennifer does not, in the end, escape, makes the message all the more poignant to an adult. Who among us hasn't given in to life, and decided to go along with the flow? How many adults remember, as a teen or student, crying out against the very lives they end up living as adults?

Current Forum: The Pigman and Me Date: 31-Oct-2002 16:15:00 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: illustration  Very true statement. I think as adults we get caught up in the flow as you spoke of but we do not stop and reflect. There are times in my parenting that I stop and think boy do I sound like my mom or my dad. I have a son who is a freshman this year at college, and I remember the arguements my mom and I had when I came home on break about being out. When he comes home I'm going to try not to be like my mom and repeat history.