Week 1 - The Mysterious Benedict Society

[Kerin Motsinger]

With so much in common, Kate, Reynie, Sticky, and Constance still have dissimilar traits. What are the traits they possess that bring them together? What causes discord among the team members? What in their backgrounds and family life is similar? What is dissimilar? How do the likenesses play a role in their assignment? Finally, would you want to be included in the group? What talent do you feel you have in common or could add?

Post your response by Friday and then respond to at least 2 other member's posts.

Part of this discussion comes from an Educator’s Guide prepared by Susan Geye (www.lb-kids.com)

[Brianne]

One way they are all in common is that they are all alone. Reynie comes from an orphanage, Kate's mother died and her father left her, Sticky ran away from his parents, and Constance lives secretly in a public library all alone. Yet they all have traits that separate them; their sense of bravery. Kate is by far the bravest out of the bunch. Sticky is rather fidgety, Reynie has bravery inside him but has not wittnessed it,and Constance has never needed to be brave. I would like to be in the group and I think I would ba a nice addition with my optimism and my perserverance.

[Kerin Motsinger]

Brianne,
I don't think you meant to use the word "separate" where you did. (Yet they all have traits that separate them) Please consider the meaning you wanted to convey and post a new sentence in reply to this.
-Mrs. M :)

[Elana]

They all passed Mr. Benidic's test. Also none of them live with their parents anymore. They all have been away from their parents for a long time. Rynie lives in an orphanage and the rest live by themselfs. Rynie, Kate, and Sicky don't like Constance. That is what causes discord among them. They all live without their parents. But they all live in different places and in different ways. The likenesses help because they all understand each other better. I would like to be in the group. I could help because I can remembe things.

[Kerin Motsinger]

Isn't it neat how they have all gotten along in life so differently, but really they are all the same? Almost like just different channels on the TV!

[Billy]

First of all, none of them live with their parents anymore. They are also all smart in a weird sort of way. But their personalities are far from similar. Kate is fun-loving and brave. Reynie isn't quite as brave, but has some knowledge and awareness that Kate doesn't have. Sticky is so smart I can't put it in words. I don't know what the deal is with Constance,
but I don't think she belongs in this group. It's amazing how smart these kids are without parents! I think all of us would fit right in! We're all gifted like these kids, right? I feel I could add some more knowledge and my ability to solve problems.

[Allison]

I agree! It is amazing how they are so smart without parents. I also don't know why Mr. Benidict chose her to be part of the team. Her attitude is also not very good like her appearence.

[Lexi Emrey]

I disagree, Sticky lives with his parents. Also, Constance is smart. She is just smart in a different way. Actually, let me rephrase that, she is more of a smart alek.

[Kerin Motsinger]

Sticky USED to live with his parents. He has elected to not live with them anymore. Although I agree with you that Sticky may have become even more intellectual because his parents were pushing him. Interesting thought Lexi. And I really like your comment about Constance, too.

[Michael]

One trait that is different is that Reynie figures out puzzles, Sticky remembers stuff, Kate is creative, and Constance likes to argue. I know this because when Renyie was taking the third test he was the only one that figured out out the tiles were rectangles and not squares, Sticky because in the maze he took over 100 turns, Kate because in the third test she walked on ropes but she had to redo it so she rolled on a bucket then she had to do it again so she walked on her hands, and Constance because on the first test where is said, "what's wrong with this statement?", Constance answered, "what's wrong with you?". One trait that they all have in common and brought them together is they are all kids. The thing the causes discord is that they don't get along with Constance and Constance keeps arguing with them. Their family life is similar because they don't really have families. Sticky lives on the street, Constance lives secretly in the library, Kate joined the circus and Reynie lives in an orphange. He's lucky he has Miss Perumal as a tutor. Each person is going to contribute something differently to solve the problem. I would want to be included in the group. I'm a lot like Reynie because I figured out the problems like Reynie. I don't think like the others.

[Tony]

I'm not sure being kids is the best common trait. I think you should've said that they all can do something special.

[Michael]

Yeeh but if they were older they wouldn't be allowed in because Mr. Benedict was looking for kids.

[Justin]

Being a kid isn't really a trait.