6.22.2012

My Favorite Pinterest Hunger Games Pins This Week

I know I haven't posted on my blog in a while. But...it's summer. And still no Finnick announcement. (Come on, Lionsgate®! You're killing me!) And both of these reason [excuses] are true. But, I've also been doing a little bit of web surfing, too. Mainly on Pinterest.
 
If you haven't checked out Pinterest...well, then you're probably getting more done than I am this summer! I know I spend just a little bit too much time pinning, re-pinning, and just viewing all the great images people post.  So to attempt to make all this time spent on Pinterest a good thing, I'm going to share some of my favorite Hunger Games pins with you. And I think you'll like them. All apologies if I do not cite the source of the image. They can be found on my The Hunger Games, Teaching The Hunger Games, and maybe even on some of my other boards, as well. Feel free to pin, re-pin, and follow, if you'd like. 
I'm sure I pinned many of these from the Hunger Games Fireside Chat and Terrea Vees.

Really? Keep calm? That's over a year. In fact, it's a year and 5 months from today, to be exact. Ugh...

Cake Boss...bahahaha! 

Poor Mr. Mellark.

I don't know why this makes me laugh so much...I guess it's just so silly, maybe.

I really love this about Katniss. Most teenagers I know would be cussing up a storm and posting it on their Facebooks. I like how classy Katniss is (even if they did have her say "damn" in the movie, she didn't in the book).
 
 Well, I don't think that was the answer the teacher was looking for. But I'd give it half for being creative.

Yep, I'm fine. Perfectly fine right where I am, thank you.

This just makes me smile.

I'd love to try this, but I think I would laugh too much and blow it.This was posted on The Hob's Facebook page.

And finally, a little Finnick humor:

Do you have a Hunger Games themed Pinterest board? 
If so, post a link in the comments below so I (and others) can follow you! Thanks & have a great weekend!

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6.13.2012

Plutarch Watch 2012: Philip Seymour Hoffman {Nuff Said}






Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Gamemaker. I do not think I could be any more excited. Once again, Lionsgate® has truly done their homework and is working to get the best possible actors for these roles. 

So, even though I was plugging for Alec Baldwin in a half-serious, half-mocking way, I truly would love to see Hoffman in this role. I will also admit that I had never even considered him. He was one of the actors I thought could play Haymitch. But Plutarch? Never even entered my mind. But you know what? Neither had Josh Hutcherson for Peeta and look how well that worked out! 

Yes, Hoffman would be absolute perfection. He can pull off the snarkiness of Plutarch, and he can layer the charm. And he can totally pull off the "I just can't wait for the next war!" insanity of Plutarch. Plus, he's a phenomenal actor. Just watch him in "Capote", "The Talented Mr. Ripley", and "Moneyball". He's so versatile, so spot-on. Yes, I am very happy with this. Please, Philip, TAKE THE ROLE! 

What do you think?
 Could you see Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee? 

He's got the cocky smirk down.
"Heeeey Katniss...look at my fancy new watch!"

Or perhaps in a more serious, secretive tone.
"Pssst...This is my new watch. It starts at midnight..."
Your thoughts? 
Leave a comment and let me know!




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6.03.2012

What Summer Brings in Panem {Things That Make Me Go Hmmm}


While students (and teachers) celebrate the beginning of summer vacation in North America, I wondered if children in Panem ever get to celebrate the same freedom from a break in the school year? I couldn't quite recall if Katniss ever mentioned a break in school for anything except Capitol-mandated viewing of Hunger Games-related events, which would be quite unpleasant for most citizens of Panem. In fact, summer doesn't bring the anticipation of sleeping in, lying in the sun daydreaming, or a break from studies for the district children. Summer brings the Hunger Games.

But how do we know the Games are during the summer months? Well, there are a few clues. This is something you can have your students research. Ask them to flip through the book and look for clues that the Games take place during the summer. Context clues will include dates, descriptions about the weather, plants, insects, etc.. We know that the references from District 12 should match those you would find in Appalachia and those in the Capitol should match seasons found in the Rocky Mountains. Of course, when Katniss is in the arena, the location is unknown. But considering this all takes place in North America and the arena is in an area with a lake, forest, and other wildlife, we can be certain that the arena is not located in the southern parts of North America (i.e. Mexico and the southern states). However, the arena's climate can also be controlled by the Gamemakers, as referenced on page 279 of The Hunger Games, "So cold, so bitterly cold tonight. As if the Gamemakers have sent an infusion of frozen air across the arena, which may be exactly what they've done" (Collins). Even so, this cold air is unexpected to Katniss. Students can infer from this passage that it's not winter.

CLASSROOM CONNECTION...
Ask your students to find at least three additional examples that would indicate the Hunger Games takes place during the summer. There are numerous clues, but they should use their books to find the answers (rather than the internet--which is why I am not going to post answers here).

ONLINE EXERCISE...
As an extended internet activity, have your students examine if there is any symbolism present that might connect the Games with the summer months. They should first research what types of symbols are connected to summer and the summer solstice. As they are looking for examples of symbols they should pay attention to anything that would connect to the novel.

WRITE ABOUT IT...
If you are looking for a writing activity for your students for the end of the year, have them reflect on what summer means to them. What do they have planned? How does the time off from school make them feel? Then have them compare their summer to how the tributes must spend theirs. Or a district citizen who must watch a loved one compete in the Games. How would they view summertime then? With excitement or dread?

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Classroom Connections: Summer in Panem from www.hungergameslessons.com

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