The Franklin Center's first English Book Club meeting was a success! We discussed the first half of "Flowers for Algernon"by Daniel Keyes.
This book discussion was part of the SPARK (Supporting Positive Action through Reading and Knowledge) program in which the integrated Movie and Book Clubs discuss a different social issue every month. This month was Mental Disability. Two weeks ago we watched Forrest Gump and yesterday we discussed the first half of the assigned book.
The discussion was great. People actually read the book and were really engaged in the conversation. We discussed everything from the author's writing style to the larger implications and themes of the work. One of the controversial topics we touched upon was whether it was ethical to surgically alter your body and if so, to what extent? The book club also discussed society's negative attitude towards mentally disabled persons and how it could be changed with proper education.
I'm so proud that the SPARK Program I created isn't only surviving, but thriving! These young people's ravenous hunger for knowledge is truly inspiring. I've written up a year-long curriculum for the program and found someone to replace me after I leave - so this project isn't just a one time deal, it's actually sustainable! woohooo!!!
Here's a link to the video I made about the SPARK Program in case I forgot to post it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avlo1w9I83g
This book discussion was part of the SPARK (Supporting Positive Action through Reading and Knowledge) program in which the integrated Movie and Book Clubs discuss a different social issue every month. This month was Mental Disability. Two weeks ago we watched Forrest Gump and yesterday we discussed the first half of the assigned book.
The discussion was great. People actually read the book and were really engaged in the conversation. We discussed everything from the author's writing style to the larger implications and themes of the work. One of the controversial topics we touched upon was whether it was ethical to surgically alter your body and if so, to what extent? The book club also discussed society's negative attitude towards mentally disabled persons and how it could be changed with proper education.
I'm so proud that the SPARK Program I created isn't only surviving, but thriving! These young people's ravenous hunger for knowledge is truly inspiring. I've written up a year-long curriculum for the program and found someone to replace me after I leave - so this project isn't just a one time deal, it's actually sustainable! woohooo!!!
Here's a link to the video I made about the SPARK Program in case I forgot to post it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avlo1w9I83g
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