Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Week 1 Discussion Question

Denny and Howie believe that their Principal, Dr. Lomister, is a Nazi spy. What are some of the clues from Chapters 2-4 that lead them to think this (use specific examples from the book)? Do YOU think he is a spy too, why or why not (explain your thinking)?

Make sure to write in complete sentences using a RAD response. You should use specific examples from the book to support your answer. Make sure to answer all parts of the question and edit your work before posting it to the site. Type it in your blogging doc first so you don't lose your work and can go back and edit. Show me your best thinking!

15 comments:

  1. Some of the clues from chapters 2-4 that lead them to think that Dr. Lomister is a spy are one, he’s going into this house and doing strange things. For example, he was talking to a person in the shadows, which seems suspicious to Howie. Two, there are all those filing cabinets in the basement of the house (maybe for info for the Nazis). And three, he wants to fire Mrs. Gossim for no good reason! I also think that Dr. Lomister is a Nazi spy too. He’s doing all these weird things that I think will lead up to a big plan of his.

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  2. Dr. Lomister is acting very suspicious for a principal. For example, he is going to meetings in strange places early in the morning, instead of being at the school. He seems to be in a rush and trying to keep a secret. Most importantly, he is planning on getting rid of Mrs. Gossim for reasons that we don't know yet. I agree with the Howie and Denny...I think he is a spy!

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  3. In chapters 1-6 in the story, the kids think their principal is a spy. They think he is a spy because he watches people a lot, and he’s secretive. Howie climbed a rope and when he got to the top of the rope he overheard that Miss Gossim is going to get fired from the school by the principal, and Howie is worried about her getting fired. The principal doesn’t want Miss Gossim to know if there are any secrets, so that is why he is firing her. Howie is worried and he doesn’t know why the principal is firing her.

    Miss Gossim is Howie’s favorite teacher. I was trying to visualize why. In the book it says that if you were caught chewing gum you would put it on your nose. It also said that if you got caught passing a note she would read it to the whole entire class. If you’re writing on your desk you would have to stay during your recess and clean it up. These all sound like things that would make me not like a teacher, so I had to wonder why Howie liked her. Why he likes her is because sometimes he thinks she is funny.

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    1. Do you think Miss Gossim has secrets about the war that other people (like a spy) might want to know?

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    2. I think so because when Howie asked Mrs. Gossim why she was getting fired, she turned her head and didn't answer Howie's question.

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  4. Some of the clues from chapters 2-4 to show Mr. Lominster is a spy, is Principles are supposed to be on time and not go in crazy houses when its a school day. Howie is in the house.He is listening to everything. I think he's a nazi spy, because He felt like seeing king Kong out on the street. Why? He knows something that we don’t. He is bad. He got to school late when he is a principle. Got in a creepy house that’s probably a spy house, or he might not be bad and might just think someone else is bad.

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    1. Aaron, I like your example, “King Kong out on the street”, from the book. It does give a vivid image that something is out of place. Dr. Lomister at some house when he should be at school is unusual. Additionally, you are not fully convinced he is a spy as you said “or he might not be bad…”. I am also not convinced he is a spy, but wonder about his suspicious activity. I am intrigued to find out if Dr. Lomister is or is not a spy.

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  5. Dr. Lomister, the Principal of Denny and Howie’s school seems suspicious to them. They think he is a Nazi spy, First, he was spotted out of school during school hours ringing a doorbell and continuously turning around as if he wanted to make sure no one was following him. Second, he also had plans to fire Howie’s favorite teacher Miss Gossim for no good reason. Overall Denny and Howie use lots of negative verbiage to describe Dr. Lomister so I am not surprised that they pin him as a Nazi.
    Words used by Denny and Howie to describe Dr. Lomister
    page 12: King Kong, big galoot, drill sergeant
    page 13: Draft Dodger, nobody wanted to be with him
    page 14: He’s a spy
    I am not sure if Dr. Lomister is a spy, but he sure is peaking my interest as to what he is up to. Right now I will keep an open mind and not use the negative verbiage Denny and Howie use to describe Dr. Lomister to sway me.

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  6. Some examples from Chapters 2-4 that Dr. Leominster is a spy is that:
    1. He wants to bring “The Boys” back home fast.
    2. He acts weird like when he goes to the house and always looking behind him.
    3. Nobody wants to be near him.
    4. He wants to fire mrs gossim for no good reason.
    5. He has war assemblies.
    6. He doesn't tolerate silliness in the flag.
    At this point in the book, I don’t feel I have enough information to decided whether Lomister is a spy or not. He may have a good reason to fire Miss Gossim and Howie might have just been late to hear it. Maybe though he is a Nazi spy but the proof is not there yet, but Howie is definitely looking.

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    1. Ethan,
      Wondering what information you would need to say that Dr. Lomister is a Nazi spy?

      I agree with your outcome of needing more information. I tend to give folks the benefit of the doubt...but thinking that I am NOT living during a war. Guessing that I might not be so open minded if loved ones around me were dying.

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  7. Some examples from Chapters 2-4 that Dr. Leominster is a spy is that:
    1. He wants to bring “The Boys” back home fast.
    2. He acts weird like when he goes to the house and always looking behind him.
    3. Nobody wants to be near him.
    4. He wants to fire mrs gossim for no good reason.
    5. He has war assemblies.
    6. He doesn't tolerate silliness in the flag.
    At this point in the book, I don’t feel I have enough information to decided whether Lomister is a spy or not. He may have a good reason to fire Miss Gossim and Howie might have just been late to hear it. Maybe though he is a Nazi spy but the proof is not there yet, but Howie is definitely looking.

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  8. Some clues that Dr. Lomister is a Nazi spy are 1) he has so many rules that he is like a drill sergeant, 2) he dyed his hair gray so he would not get drafted, 3) he always complains that he gets to school before anyone and in the army you have to get up early.I do think Dr. Lomitser is a Nazi spy. Why I think he is a Nazi spy is he acts like one and does mischievous things.

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    1. Cortez,
      What kind of information do you think a principal could give as a spy?

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  9. I don't think that the principal is a nazi spy. The boys in the story live in a time of war and are exposed to newspaper reports of spy activity such as the capture of spies off the coast of Long Island. Howie also listens to adventure radio programs like "Suspense" which help feed his imagination. The prinicpal is also described as having a harsh personality and a strict nature. These traits help the boys to see him as a potential spy.

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    1. Now in the book I'm starting to agree that Lomister isn't a spy and that he is a normal principal.

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