Readers Circle
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Theme: Choices and consequences:
Goals of this Unit: To read and discuss the science fiction novel, Ender's Game. To complete a character analysis of one of the characters, or to create a book trailer using Animoto (to be done in class). Ask me for the username and password.
Discussion Questions Chapters 7-10 : February 12, 2013
Activator: Is it OK to sacrifice the well-being of a child in order to save the world. What exactly is Ender having to sacrifice? How do you think he is being trained to save the world?
2. We see that there are some traces or left- over signs of religion and "holiness". What are these? Why have they become forbidden? What does it mean that some still secretly practice these signs despite their being illegal or forbidden?
3. How does Ender react to conflicts? What are his reactions? How would you react to the same events? Is what you would do different from what you would like to do?
4. A snake appears as part of a game. How would you respond at this portion of the game on the screen? Why? (chapter 7, p. 73)
5. What is the "just living" mentioned in this chapter? Is it true that Ender has never done this? How would you feel if you were he?
6. What is the difference between "hot" and "cold" anger as mentioned in this chapter? Have you experienced both? If so, how?
7. Go back through these chapters. How does Ender learn about leadership? What are some things that he learns?
Discussion Questions for February 5th, 2013
Chapters 4-6
Activator: Explain the following quote from Chapter 4 of Ender's Game: "Isolate him enough that he remains creative - otherwise he'll adopt the system here and we'll lose him." Your answer should include the terms: isolation, creative, adopt, lose.
2. We are told that "breaking geniuses" makes them better people. Do you see this as true or false? Explain your answer.
3. We are told that being homesick is not acceptable, because the boys leaving are supposed to be seen as "heroes". Does this mean that "heroes" are not supposed to have the same feelings as other people or be beyond them? Explain your answer.
4. Competition and praising Ender's skills are meant to set him apart from the others. For what purpose is this being done and what are the possible types of consequences of these actions?
5. Explain the following quote in relation to this story and to your own life: "Individual human beings are all tools, that the others use to help us all survive."
6. We are told Ender can have friends but not parents. Do you think the outcome of this attitude will be good for Ender or not? What happens to children who do not have parents or good parental role models?
7. Ender works hard to express his feelings in private and not show homesickness in front of any other person. Is it healthy for him or not? What is positive and what is negative about showing feelings? What is positive and what is negative about not showing feelings?
8. Ender sets up a file for a nonexistent student called God. Why?
9. What are some coping mechanisms (ways of dealing with difficulties) Ender shows. Is the overall result of each helpful or harmful to Ender.
10. How do Ender and his new friends deal with prejudice? Is it successful or not and why?
11. What is the purpose of the "Giant's" Game? How should Ender evaluate his success at this game? Is he a murderer?
Wrap-up: Do you think that computer simulations are a good teaching tool? Why or why not?
Mini Lesson /Student Engagement: Discussion questions for January 15, 2013
Chapter 2: Peter pp. 9-15
1. The word "bugger" might mean a number of things. In this book it will take on a specific meaning. Any clues here as to what that might be? Buggers and Astronauts is like what game?
2. Are Peter's threats real, a joke, or manipulation? What does he think his greatest talent is?
3. In chapter 1 we learned that all of the Wiggins children had monitors at one time. Why were Val's and Peter's removed so long before Ender's?
Chapter 3: Graff pp. 16-26
1. Explain what it means for Ender to have been born a Third. (5) Show whether this is a positive or negative fact to: his parents; his brother, Peter; his sister, Valentine; his former classmates.
2. In this chapter Ender explains his assault on Stilson. Quote his reasons.
3. What are Ender's reasons for deciding to go to the Battle School? This is not a simple question. He has several reasons.
Wrap-up: Read chapters 4-6 for next week. On your wrap-up sheet: Answer: Other than Ender, which character in the book do you find most appealing? Why?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pre-reading Questions: January 8, 2013
1. Activator: Think about science fiction books you have read or science fiction movies that you have seen? What do you think is the purpose of science fiction?
2. Read the opening passage from Ender's Game aloud in class. In small groups. Generate 20 questions based on the passage. What do you want to know? What doesn't make sense? What do you want explained? http://www.hatrack.com/osc/books/endersgame/endersgame_01.shtml
3. Read the first chapter of Ender's Game here: http://www.hatrack.com/osc/books/endersgame/endersgame_01.shtml . Please obtain a copy of the book by our next meeting and come ready to discuss the first three chapters:
Wrap-up: Chapter 1: Third pp. 1-8
1. What do we learn about Ender's siblings in this chapter?
2. Ender thinks, "Sometimes lies were more dependable than truth." Explain what you think he meant by that. Do you agree? Why?
3. Examine Ender's encounter with Stilson. What are his motives for handling this situation the way he did? What are the unwritten rules of combat that he breaks? Why has he never had to do this before now?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theme: Choices and consequences:
Goals of this Unit: To read and discuss the science fiction novel, Ender's Game. To complete a character analysis of one of the characters, or to create a book trailer using Animoto (to be done in class). Ask me for the username and password.
Discussion Questions Chapters 7-10 : February 12, 2013
Activator: Is it OK to sacrifice the well-being of a child in order to save the world. What exactly is Ender having to sacrifice? How do you think he is being trained to save the world?
2. We see that there are some traces or left- over signs of religion and "holiness". What are these? Why have they become forbidden? What does it mean that some still secretly practice these signs despite their being illegal or forbidden?
3. How does Ender react to conflicts? What are his reactions? How would you react to the same events? Is what you would do different from what you would like to do?
4. A snake appears as part of a game. How would you respond at this portion of the game on the screen? Why? (chapter 7, p. 73)
5. What is the "just living" mentioned in this chapter? Is it true that Ender has never done this? How would you feel if you were he?
6. What is the difference between "hot" and "cold" anger as mentioned in this chapter? Have you experienced both? If so, how?
7. Go back through these chapters. How does Ender learn about leadership? What are some things that he learns?
Discussion Questions for February 5th, 2013
Chapters 4-6
Activator: Explain the following quote from Chapter 4 of Ender's Game: "Isolate him enough that he remains creative - otherwise he'll adopt the system here and we'll lose him." Your answer should include the terms: isolation, creative, adopt, lose.
2. We are told that "breaking geniuses" makes them better people. Do you see this as true or false? Explain your answer.
3. We are told that being homesick is not acceptable, because the boys leaving are supposed to be seen as "heroes". Does this mean that "heroes" are not supposed to have the same feelings as other people or be beyond them? Explain your answer.
4. Competition and praising Ender's skills are meant to set him apart from the others. For what purpose is this being done and what are the possible types of consequences of these actions?
5. Explain the following quote in relation to this story and to your own life: "Individual human beings are all tools, that the others use to help us all survive."
6. We are told Ender can have friends but not parents. Do you think the outcome of this attitude will be good for Ender or not? What happens to children who do not have parents or good parental role models?
7. Ender works hard to express his feelings in private and not show homesickness in front of any other person. Is it healthy for him or not? What is positive and what is negative about showing feelings? What is positive and what is negative about not showing feelings?
8. Ender sets up a file for a nonexistent student called God. Why?
9. What are some coping mechanisms (ways of dealing with difficulties) Ender shows. Is the overall result of each helpful or harmful to Ender.
10. How do Ender and his new friends deal with prejudice? Is it successful or not and why?
11. What is the purpose of the "Giant's" Game? How should Ender evaluate his success at this game? Is he a murderer?
Wrap-up: Do you think that computer simulations are a good teaching tool? Why or why not?
Mini Lesson /Student Engagement: Discussion questions for January 15, 2013
Chapter 2: Peter pp. 9-15
1. The word "bugger" might mean a number of things. In this book it will take on a specific meaning. Any clues here as to what that might be? Buggers and Astronauts is like what game?
2. Are Peter's threats real, a joke, or manipulation? What does he think his greatest talent is?
3. In chapter 1 we learned that all of the Wiggins children had monitors at one time. Why were Val's and Peter's removed so long before Ender's?
Chapter 3: Graff pp. 16-26
1. Explain what it means for Ender to have been born a Third. (5) Show whether this is a positive or negative fact to: his parents; his brother, Peter; his sister, Valentine; his former classmates.
2. In this chapter Ender explains his assault on Stilson. Quote his reasons.
3. What are Ender's reasons for deciding to go to the Battle School? This is not a simple question. He has several reasons.
Wrap-up: Read chapters 4-6 for next week. On your wrap-up sheet: Answer: Other than Ender, which character in the book do you find most appealing? Why?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pre-reading Questions: January 8, 2013
1. Activator: Think about science fiction books you have read or science fiction movies that you have seen? What do you think is the purpose of science fiction?
2. Read the opening passage from Ender's Game aloud in class. In small groups. Generate 20 questions based on the passage. What do you want to know? What doesn't make sense? What do you want explained? http://www.hatrack.com/osc/books/endersgame/endersgame_01.shtml
3. Read the first chapter of Ender's Game here: http://www.hatrack.com/osc/books/endersgame/endersgame_01.shtml . Please obtain a copy of the book by our next meeting and come ready to discuss the first three chapters:
Wrap-up: Chapter 1: Third pp. 1-8
1. What do we learn about Ender's siblings in this chapter?
2. Ender thinks, "Sometimes lies were more dependable than truth." Explain what you think he meant by that. Do you agree? Why?
3. Examine Ender's encounter with Stilson. What are his motives for handling this situation the way he did? What are the unwritten rules of combat that he breaks? Why has he never had to do this before now?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________