What is " family"?

What is your definition of a “normal family” ? Do you think a new definition of family is starting to emerge in our society? What experiences do you have with alternative family structures in general? What do you think about same-sex marriage? Do you think gay marriage should be permitted or not? Why? Do you think it will be allowed in Italy in your lifetime? Read A ‘Normal’ Family by Lisa Belkin http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/a-normal-family/ Read, watch Obama on legalizing same-sex marriage http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html?_r=1&ref=homosexuality Listen to Young New Yorkers Speak Out on Gay Marriage http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/21/nyregion/20110720-gay-marriage-young-voices.html?ref=samesexmarriage

From Quebec

The Huron village is the only reserve of Indians in Quebec city.. their past has been wiped out.. memories linger on.

All around Quebec universities have been on strike for some time now and students are on the streets almost everyday. They think the increase of university fees cannot be accepted.

Everything here is huge.. even lorries.

Winter is so looooong!

artificial life?

THe idea of creation by artificial means has great contemporary relevance for our society. What do you think the limits (if any) should be to genetic manipulation and experiment?

What do you like about your school?

It may sound like a silly question, but I think it is a question we should all consider, even more now that we've plenty of opportunities to be in touch with students and teachers from other countries. I also invite you to read this article from The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/opinion/brooks-the-relationship-school.html

What do you think of that approach to education? Would you like to learn in a similar classroom space? Would you like to have a more “familylike” relationship with your teachers? Why or why not? And what do you like about your school?

Melvin Burgess at Rosmini High School

Coming Home alternative endings

Me and Gill walked back to the house and we began to get ready to go out with our friends. While we were leaving dad jumped to the door. He looked wired and happy at the same time. I asked him “Why are you so happy?” “This evening your mother and Nigel will come to dinner, I'm exited!” he answered. Although he had a strange light in his eyes we left.

A couple of hour later we came back and as soon as we stepped inside we realized something odd had happened. Our father was sitting on the armchair wearing a muddy dressing gown. He was smoking his pipe while reading the newspaper. The house was upside down. “What's going on here?” asked Gill, “Nothing” snapped he. “Where are mum and Nigel?” “They needed some fresh air. If you want they are in the garden!” me and Gill ran to the garden and we froze: there were two graves.

Coming Home alternative endings

Devise your own alternative ending to Melvin Burgess's short story Coming Home and post it here!