1066- Who had the best Claim?

I believe that Duke William had the strongest claim. Harold had taken an oath to help Duke William become the king of England after Edward the Confessor died. In the Medieval times, being called an oath breaker was a minor moral sin which was frowned upon. Duke William also claimed that in 1051, when he visited Edward, Edward chose him as his successor. The leader of Norway, Harald Hardrada, also had a claim for the throne. Harald Hardrada's claim was that one of Harald's ancestors, King Cnut was king of England before. I believe that William had the best claim because Harold Godwinson had taken an oath to help William become the next king of England, and Hardrada's claim was not direct enough because it was one of his ancestors that was the king of England. 

Values and Choices

1.What’s familiar about the incident Eve describes?
The part of how she was added into the group for a moment just for the fun of the diary. This has happened to me before. When I was younger, I was also excluded from a certain 'group'. This group was not popular. Something similar to the story that Eve describes was; the group made fun of people. Once, the group found a valuable book, one that was important to the owner. Even though the owner wanted it back badly, the group kept it away from him. I was standing there, watching, hoping that someone would stop the bullying. I still regret till today that I did not stand up against that.

2.What surprised you?

The fact that the group was in second grade surprised me. From my experience, not many second graders are capable of forming a 'group' that excluded girls and boys that were 'different'.

3. How does Eve’s story relate to bullying? Was she bullied? Did she bully? How would you explain her behavior? ( perpetrator/bystander/victim?). make sure you justify( back up your answer.)

Eve was bullied, and  later on bullied someone else. Eve was excluded from the 'in group'. She bullied a the girl who was helping the 'in group' make fun of other kids. When the in group finds the girl's diary, they told Eve to come and read the diary. When that girl finds other kids reading her diary, Eve clearly felt her pain. I believe that Eve acted as a perpetrator, because she did not help the girl when she was in pain, but instead Eve contributed to it.

4. Where have we seen examples of bullying/ostracism/exclusion occurring in texts studied so far this year- factual as well as fictional?

In the first book that our class read, it shows how the main character 'Pheonix' was bullied. The bully Steve convinced all the other students that Pheonix was a nerd. Steve even convinced the other kids that Pheonix and Laura (Pheonix's only friend) were a couple. Usually Laura helped Pheonix out when Pheonix was bullied by Steve. Once where Steve, Pheonix, and Laura got pulled into a game, Steve was the antagonist. Steve stole Laura and needed supplies from Pheonix.

In the book The Hunger games bullying and exclution occurs, even though the Hunger games is mostly about violence, because Cato, the main antagonist, focuses on trying to kill Katniss, the main protagonist; this leads to a type of hunt. This puts Katniss under pressure. Cato also formed an alliance, and together with that alliance, Cato searched for Katniss. This shows bullying and exclusion.


5. Eve concludes “Often being accepted by others is more satisfying than being accepted by oneself, even though the satisfaction does not last.’ What does she mean?

I think Eve means that; sometimes, being allowed into groups can be more satisfying than being alone. Even if it is the wrong group.