Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Don't call me Ishmael - Blogging Task

We have just started a novel study for Reading with students from Year 5-7, reading the book 'Don't call me Ishmael' by Michael Gerard Bauer. This is a special assignment though as we are using OTLS (Online Teaching and Learning System) for the first time for setting tasks for students and students are using the system to submit their tasks. One of the tasks from Part 1 of the Novel study is to discuss a question with the group reading the book - and here's where they will do it!

Discussion Question:

Why do you think Barry Bagsley makes fun of Ishmael's name? Look at Ishmaels suggestions for what he should do about Barry's bullying Pg 43-44. Do you think any of these would work? What would you suggest he do?

Remember to not only repond to the question but also to your fellow classmates comments - You should leave at least 3 comments for this message over 5 days.

24 comments:

TJawesome said...

Barry makes fun out of Ishmaels name because he needs a weaker and easier target to release his anger and frustration on. This was caused by his humiliation in front of the whole class when he lost the challenge that Miss Tarango set.
I don't think any of these would work because,as it describes in the book, Barry would still pummle him into oblivion. I would suggest that Ishmael stick to his usual plan of avoiding Barry at all times and being as smaller target as he can.

TJ said...

I think that Barry makes fun of Ishmael's name because he's jelous. People with interesting names would get more attention because people would be asking "how did you get your name?"
and by making up names for Ishmael he is taking out everyones curiosity.

Poisonious Inspiration said...

I think Barry makes fun of Ishmael's name because the name is unusual, unique and a little weird.
i don't think any of Ishmael's anti-bullying suggestions would work. The threatening would just make Barry more powerful and put Ishmael in a bad state, if Barry knows how Ishmael got his name. The flattering and appealiing to better nature would get Barry mad and get Ishmael into trouble, which is the last thing Ishmael wants. The bribery might have a better affect, but Barry will then have control of Ishmael if he desires no bullying. The dignity is
so weird. If they did do that, they'll be apart of freak city!
My suggestion to reduce the bullying is the hardest method ever. Ignore them or ask for help.

Anonymous said...

I think Barry Bagsley makes fun of Ishmaels name because maybe in primary school he was teased so now he's takking revenge or he could be just showing the class that he's still 'powerful' after he lost the bet againsT Miss Tarango.
Although Ishmaels solution could be true that Barry just needed an easer target.
I suggest that Ishmael sticks to keeping a low as possible profile but also talking to someone about it.
Ellie

Anonymous said...

I think that Barry makes fun of Ishmael's name because it's a strange name and that is the starting point of all Barry's names for Ishmael and his bullying. I don't think that any of these suggestions would work because there is no good side to Barry's nature and he gets a kick out of being a bully.
Cam

Poisonious Inspiration said...

TJ, what do think about the suggestions Ishmael thinks that'll stop Barry? I think none of them will work.

Aussieleigh said...

Ellie - who do you think would be a good person for Ishmael to talk to about his problem with Barry? What would they be able to do to help?

Aussieleigh said...

Cam - what would you do if you were Ishamel?

Aussieleigh said...

TJA - when Ishmael came to the 'rescue' of the younger boy, do you think he did the right thing. He certainly upped his profile! Could he have helped him in a different way?

Aussieleigh said...

PI - why do you think asking for help is one of the hardest things Ishmael could do?

Anonymous said...

If I were Ishmael I would make myself as small a target as possible and I would also not take part in any type of debating team or something that makes you stand out in front of a crowd.

Anonymous said...

Barry teases Ishmael because he probobly finds it very enjoyable to do.yhey might work but if he does do it, Barry will still probobly say"er what stinks?Is that you Le sewer"
I reckon, like he said don`t live anything lying about, try to avoid Barry.

phoebe

Poisonious Inspiration said...

Aussieleigh, i believe that asking for help is a hard thing to do, because you never know what the consequences afterwards might be. If Barry knew that Ishmael was getting back-up, he would be harder on Ishmael. Also, if you ask someone like an adult, they won't know whether to trust you or not. Also, becaue it's about Ishmael's name, others might think the same as Barry and not help Ishmael.

Poisonious Inspiration said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
TJ said...

In response to poisonious Inspiration comment- I don't think any of his solutions will work either. They're all kind of out there and strange ways of approaching his problem.
What do you suggest he do poisonious Inspiration?

Anonymous said...

I agree with TJ and Poisonious Inspiration, I don't think that any of the solutions will work. They are a bit crazy and I don't think that Barry would fall for or believe any of them.
Cam

TJawesome said...

Ms Herbert,
I think Ishmael did the right thing for the younger child and if I was him I would have done exactly the same as he did because it was a very noble thing to do. I personally don't think Ishmael could have helped him any differently beacuse it was the only reasonable way to deal with Barry.
Trent

TJAWEsome said...

In response to Ms Herbert's question directed to PI I think that asking for help is very hard. This is because sometimes all of your peer group understand but you don't and if they see you asking for help they might get stuck into you. You might feel that you can't do something because you don't know how to complete a task but you are to shy and scared to ask for help. All in all, I believe that asking anyone for help is a difficult task.

Anonymous said...

I agree with tj,cam and poisonous insperation that the solutions wont work as ishmael couldnt do such things as he is weak.
BELLE

Anonymous said...

ELLIE i agree with you about ishmael been an easy target as he is too weak in my opinion to stand up for himself.
BELLE

Anonymous said...

POISIONOUS INSPIRATION i have to agree with you about the name been unique and unusual as those words are how i would describe the name ISHMAEL

BELLE

TJ said...

I agree with TJAWESOME's comment on asking for help when you are being bullied. Victims of bulling are bullied into thinking themselves of weak, alone and left out people.It would be hard to share your problem with someone who doesn't get how you feel. Even though Ishmael thinks of making himself invisble, I think he should do somethng about it otherwise he will have a bad social life and low confidence.
Bullies only pick on people to make them feel bigger and more powerful so if someone were to stand up to them they would crumble.

Anonymous said...

To all the awesome HPS bloggers:
I believe that Barry bullies Ishmeal because he want a weaker taget to make him seem powerful and in control.
I don't think any of Ishmeal's ideas will work because they all suggest that Ishmeal is begging
What I suggest Ishmeal does is Stand up for himself because if he doesn't seem weaker than Barry then Barry won't target him.
Lou*

Anonymous said...

hey hyden bloggers
I think Barry Bagsley makes makes fun of Ishmaels name because it sounds interesting, different and it rhymes with lots of weird words. I don't think any of Ishmael's suggestions about bullying would work because it would just make Barry more determined to be his worst enemy. I suggest he just does what he has been doing and avoid Barry Bagsley for the rest of the time Barry is around.
Isaac