Interchange Conference Transcript
y:\diwe5net\CLASSES\KWestm0e\CHAT\2Frindle
[Message #1 07:34:39 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
Clements's book seems to present the character of Nick Allen as someone whose actions we should admire rather than criticize. What makes Nick a hero, as opposed to a school trouble-maker? How do we know?
[Message #2 09:45:39 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Hello group.
[Message #3 09:45:56 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
hey
[Message #4 09:46:58 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
I think the main thing that distinguishes Nick as a hero not a trouble-maker is his attitude. While his idea was a bit ornery, he never took it to the point of being rude or mean to Mrs. Granger. We know this by the fact that his parents are proud of how he handles himself and the response that Mrs. Granger shows in her letter to him at the very end of the book.
[Message #5 09:47:21 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
Nick is not vicious towards others.
[Message #6 09:47:46 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I think that the reason that the author makes Nick out to be a hero rather than a trouble maker is because more often than not in real life, the smart kids who are bored, are mistaken for trouble makers. They make smart comments because they need something else in the school environment. I think the author was trying to point out that Nick was just finding a way to make school interesting.
[Message #7 09:48:27 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
I agree; Nick maintains respect for Mrs. Granger and goes out of his way to apologize towards others if his action unintentionally hurt them
[Message #8 09:48:35 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
He was using what he had learned from Mrs. Granger and was a hero because he didn't let someone bring him down.
[Message #9 09:48:46 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Exactly. Nick is not vicious. He isn't making others uncomfortable or putting people down or causing mischeif. He is just keeping the teacher on her toes. and Questioning her authority.
[Message #10 09:49:14 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
So, it's okay to question authority if it promotes individual learning?
[Message #11 09:49:15 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
That's what I think, he wasn't trying to upset anyone he was just having fun
[Message #12 09:49:35 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
It was a very innocent gesture
[Message #13 09:49:38 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE: #6 and before: Yes: he apologies whenever he unintentionally makes a mistake or hurts someone, too, not just Mrs. G. -- like Janet, at the start of the story.
[Message #14 09:49:52 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Which, by the way, is the best way to get into a teacher's heart. Most of the time students go through and never ask questions... they never challenge themselves to think "outside the box"... Nick does.
[Message #15 09:49:53 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
but he's not really "questioning" her authority. He's simply challenging her remain true to her words
[Message #16 09:50:01 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE: #10: Did it only promote his individual learning, though?
[Message #17 09:50:31 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
It did to a point
[Message #18 09:50:41 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
but then became a challenge
[Message #19 09:51:03 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
primarily, but i think mrs. granger learned something as well
[Message #20 09:51:08 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I think it did promote his learning. At first when he was trying to be a smart aleck and give this ridiculously long report... he learned something. Although he wouldn't admit it at the time, Nick found something out in that report. Which led to the creating of the word.
[Message #21 09:51:14 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
What about the unintended consequence that getting so much fame that had on his desire to express his creativity?
[Message #22 09:51:25 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I think this is what Mrs. Granger secretly wanted to happen.
[Message #23 09:52:19 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
I don't think she wanted it to happen in the beginning, but when she began to see it as a great learning opportunity she gave in.
[Message #24 09:52:32 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
Nick also set a good example in a way for the other children. He showed determination but remained respectful and never bad mouthed mrs. granger.
[Message #25 09:52:35 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE: #22: Can you explain your response further, Abby?
[Message #26 09:53:27 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Of course I can. Then why did she write the letter? I guess that I think that after the initial start of the word, she was intrigued by the fact that something like this might catch on. After all, if she went along with it, it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did. She wrote that letter before the word blew up.
[Message #27 09:53:38 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
well, doesn't she say exactly that in her letter? that at first she was opposed but then she decided to secretly cheer on Nick's success
[Message #28 09:53:58 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Yes. It was another step in Nick's learning. And that's what she was going for.
[Message #29 09:54:59 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I have to agree with #24, he did set an example to all. He showed children and adults how to stick to your idea and be determined to reach your goal no matter who or what tries to tell you it won't work.
[Message #30 09:55:08 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
She calls herself the villian of the story (the role she has to play), but do you think Mrs. Granger is another hero, of sorts?
[Message #31 09:55:40 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
I think it's rather perceptive of Nick to realize that "By fighting against it, she (Mrs. Granger) had actually helped it (the word) along.
[Message #32 09:56:08 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Yes... she was a hero to Nick. After all, at the end it is pretty obvious that he looked up to her. She was the one that got him to where he was.
[Message #33 09:56:20 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
I definitely think she was a hero. Like someone mentioned before, without her opposing it, the word would never have become so popular. She is also a hero in the sense that she helped teach Nick such a big lesson about following his ideas out to their conclusion.
[Message #34 09:56:50 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
What did everyone think about Nick lying low after the word started to spread? About how he changed after it blew up?
[Message #35 09:57:04 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I think Mrs. G is a hero in that her being the person trying to hold him back made him press furthar. In a way she tested his strengh as a person and brought him to succeed beyond anyone's expectation
[Message #36 09:57:10 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
So, yes. Mrs. Granger is a hero of sorts. She uses even an extremely unusual situation, the invention of the word frindle, to further instruct and inspire her students.
[Message #37 09:59:22 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
That part bothered me. I mean, I guess it had to happen. There comes a point when some things get too big for one person. But I felt sorry for Nick because he didn't want to cause trouble... even though he had this great idea to improve lunches... there was that brief period where he didn't want his name attached to any idea at all.
[Message #38 10:00:21 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
I think Nick's response reveals his character, that he does not desire to hurt anyone, but only to engage others in learning. It was very responsible of Mrs. Granger to notice what might be going on with Nick and to make the extra effort to encourage him and in a way, prevent the death of part of Nick's personality and character.
[Message #39 10:00:29 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
Does it seem realistic that he would have reservations about sharing his ideas but then one day the caution just sort of wore off and he was back to his old self?
[Message #40 10:00:32 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I agree, he was trying to prove a point. But it ended up changing him. HE wasn't the same Nick.
[Message #41 10:01:21 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE: #37: Yes, an interesting moment in the story: Why does Clements include this development to the story's plot and Nick's development as a character?
[Message #42 10:01:47 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I think after things wore off he went back to being Nick because he didn't have the pressures he had before.
[Message #43 10:02:06 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I think he became a little more intelligent about what he would stand up for from that point on. Nick no longer just caused mischiecf just because, he found a good way to use it as an outlet.
[Message #44 10:02:10 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
well, encouragement from a respected authority figure (by this time, Nick did respect Mrs. Granger) will give anyone more confidence. I think this was the catilyst for Nick returning to his "old self"
[Message #45 10:03:43 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I like how at the beginning that Mrs. Granger was depicted as this horror that all students feared. Even in real life, all the good teachers are depicted as that. I mean, can any of you honestly look back and say that you had a teacher that you swore you were going to hate, but ended up teaching you something?
[Message #46 10:03:47 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
****If you like, you can switch conferences and join another. Be sure to read all the messages before entering the conversation. Or, you can stay here!
[Message #47 10:03:47 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
#43: an outlet for? for promoting positive change, maybe?
[Message #48 10:04:22 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Yes, for promoting things that he knew needed changed. Now that he knew he had the power and backing for his ideas.
[Message #49 10:05:02 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I think in way Nick had kind of grown up a little fom this process. IT kind of started as a onery little fifth grade boy's idea, and turned into a learning experience.
[Message #50 10:05:35 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
what backing? self confidence?
[Message #51 10:06:09 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Yes, and the backing from other people. He saw how the rest of the students rallied behind him. And maybe he could use that for the better good.
[Message #52 10:06:10 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
an extrodinary learning experience. agreed. :o)
[Message #53 10:06:20 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE; #43: Good point, Abby
[Message #54 10:06:41 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
Thank you, thank you... <bowing in appreciation>
[Message #55 10:07:09 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
So, what is the story's definition of a hero, given our conversations here?
[Message #56 10:08:52 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I think that the story's definition of hero goes beyond typical definitions. It is no longer limited to the valor of a great deed or a courageous effort. Hero turned into someone who simply had an idea and followed through with it. Role model, would be the word I would pick. And I think that there are several examples of different kinds heros in this book.
[Message #57 10:08:58 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
A hero is someone who stands up for something they believe in, regardless of the opposition. While frindle would never have gotten so far without the backing of his peers, I think Nick would have stuck with it for quite some time just to prove his point.
[Message #58 10:10:02 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
It is that a hero is someone who stands up for what they feel is right and in turn teaches not only himself but everyone a lesson. Nick taught everyone that it was okay to start a new idea and even though he was not supported in the fullest at first, in time it was worth the effort and he will be remembered always.
[Message #59 10:10:19 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
#57: I think so too. Nick had faith in himself. That is an underlying theme of this book. Faith. Whether it be in yourself, or your work or what you believe in. You have to have it to succeed.
[Message #60 10:10:41 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
Faith, good point.
[Message #61 10:10:42 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
RE: #58: I'm also struck by the fact that what made Nick's experiment work is that he had friends to help him...something we haven't mentioned yet.
[Message #62 10:12:27 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
I think his friends loyalty says something not only about the other kids, but about Nick's character as well. He obviously had been a friend worthy of these other kids' loyalty
[Message #63 10:13:36 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
And to put themselves up against a teacher and authority. That takes some pretty strong bonds of friendship to risk getting in trouble for somebody elses idea. It says a lot for Nick, yes.
[Message #64 10:13:40 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Taureeq Bradley:
What makes Nick a hero and not a trouble maker? He was consistant in his beliefs, of making up a new word. If Mrs. Granger did not provoke Nick in the way that laws can change and that new words need to be made, maybe he would have left the idea of making up a new word alone. Mrs. Granger acted as if only she was right. what more than a challenge??
[Message #65 10:13:43 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
although, i think the other kids were somewhat motivated by the hint of rebellion that was initially present in the spreading of "findle" but the fact that they stuck with it after it became such an ordeal is kinda cool
[Message #66 10:14:03 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
His friends did sacrifice a lot for Nick. They got in trouble just because they beleived in Nick. That is something that is very important to this idea, not to shy away just because you fear you will get in trouble. If you beleive in the idea, support it. That's what true friends do, they are there for your support.
[Message #67 10:14:46 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
Even before he launches his big idea, Nick seems like the kind of kid that any of friends would like to be. He has a reputation for stalling teachers and being amusing, two of the greatest assets for elementary students. I think the loyalty ran deep long before his frindle-making days.
[Message #68 10:15:35 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Karin Westman:
****To wrap up this part of our conversation, take a look back over the conference postings, and offer a final posting here:
Identify two themes you see developing in Clement's _Frindle_ and an example to illustrate each one.
[Message #69 10:16:09 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
Do you think if it were just an average kid, that it would get the same attention?
[Message #70 10:17:04 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
loyalty: the consistent backing that Nick's friends give to him and his "frindle" idea
perserverence: sticking with something even when it comes under attack
[Message #71 10:17:50 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Abby Hiles:
I see the theme of faith, like I said before. Faith not only in yourself but faith in others. Mrs. Granger had faith in Nick to succeed. She was secretly cheering him on. Nick had faith in himself enough to follow through with what he believed in even though it might cause trouble.
The other theme is loyalty. This also can be seen in different lights. His friends give him loyalty. And he has loyalty to his own idea. He didn't back away from it at the first sign of adversity.
[Message #72 10:18:13 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Megan Robinson:
probably not, I think that Susan's comment about Nick's reputation definitely played a role in bringing about the events surrounding "frindle"
[Message #73 10:18:44 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
I think one theme, as has already been mentioned, deals with faith. Faith finds the small seed of a chance and nurtures it into action. I think this is really seen with Mrs.Granger's relationship to Nick. She saw something in Nick that most teachers would have passed over as orneriness. Instead, she went with the situation and taught him a valuable lesson.
[Message #74 10:19:51 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
Opposition I think gave nick the extra drive he needed. Also the reputation of Nick, I too beleive that played a major role with his support from his peers.
[Message #75 10:21:27 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Candice Axtell:
I agree susan, she did see something even though she wouldn't admit it, you know this at the end with the letter he receives.
[Message #76 10:21:55 AM, Thursday, January 30, 2003]
Susan Blake:
Another theme touches on control. If one really wants to bring about change, you have to give up your control to allow freedom for change. Nick eventually lost control over his word, and Mrs. Granger had to let go of her control (her feelings about why a word is what it is). Both of those situations, however, resulted in a big and beneficial change.