User:Chuwa

Summary Clifford and Emily Elizabeth were best friends who did everything together. Clifford is given a chance by a man from Hollywood to become an actor. Clifford became very popular as a dynamic actor. He made many friends and fans, lived in a large house, and had an extravagant diet. However after experiencing the negative effects of fame he changed his mind about being and actor and went back to his life with Emily to regain what he lost by leaving her initially. You can find the book chapters on: http://books.google.ca/books?id=CWUKWy0FiRYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion We live in a community where we have different types of people who are so popular that we consider them “celebrities”. We observe many things about their life styles and the way they interact with others. There is a discussion put forth by Normal Bridwell, “Big stars live in big houses, eat fancy food, wear shiny things, immortalize their footprints in cement and have many fans”. Not all people are driven by a materialistic type of life that comes with wealth and fame. We can discuss what it means to be a star and engage the kids on what characteristics they think make someone a star. You can ask them if it is possible to be a star and live a normal life. At this point you could discuss what kind of life they would like to live if they were stars. Because Clifford had lots of fans, we can infer the importance of fans in making someone a big star. “Is it possible to be star without fans?” This is the question which will help in defining the importance of popularity in becoming a star. You can also explore the expectation that fans have of celebrities.

Several factors affect and determine the degree of friendship between two people. This idea focuses on the extent and reasons to which we as individuals build relationships of ranging strength. In Clifford is a Star, Norman Bridwell raises the issue of friendship and how it can be altered by opportunities or changing circumstances. Clifford and Emily are described as good friends because they play together, swim together and slide in the snow together, developing a theme of enjoying each other’s company. From this we can draw out a philosophical discussion about what it means to be best friends. When Clifford takes the opportunity to act in movies filmed in Hollywood, the question which arises is “are they still best friends regardless of the new situation?” Clifford and Emily can no longer spend time together and this factor can potentially effect the strength of their friendship. The goal is to discuss with the children the features of friendship and what distinguishes between being just regular or best friends. What changes in their relationship occur when Clifford and Emily are away from each other? Privacy is an important thing in life. People need time to be alone, gather their thoughts or simply have some rest. Certain situations can hinder a person to have this opportunity. The issue of privacy is another subject put forward in the book. “Clifford wanted some peace and quiet but, He had to go to parties all the time”. It’s evident that Clifford didn’t like to go to parties all the time so why is it that he still did? Why didn’t he tell his fans that he wants to have some privacy, why was he not willing to expose his feelings? It is at this point you can discuss with kids how certain situations may pressure someone into not speaking about or exposing their feelings.

Questions for Philosophical Discussion

•	Nature of being a star. One day, a man from Hollywood said, “This dog can be a big star” I.	Is it possible to tell someone is a star by just looking at them? II. Do all the stars have features that identify them as stars? III. Have you ever known star that doesn’t have the instant appearance of a star? IV. Have you ever seen a person who is not a star but with star’s appearance? V.	How can we tell someone is a star by just looking at them?

•	Characteristics of a star Big stars live in big houses, eat fancy food, wear shiny things, have pretty pools, put their footprint on the cement and have many fancy. I.	To be star, do you have to have an extravagant life? II. Is it possible to be a star and live a normal life? III. Is popularity important for someone to be a star? IV. If not how can you be a star without fans? V.	Do all stars live fabulous lives?

•	Popularity and private life Clifford wanted some peace and quiet. But he had to go parties all the time I.	Does Clifford want to go to the parties every time? II. Why doesn’t he tell his fans that he needs privacy? III. Do you think Clifford is in fear of losing his fans if he disappoints them? IV. Have you ever had to do anything that you don’t like? Why did you do it? V.	How did you feel when doing things that situations forced you into? VI. What were your reactions after and before doing something that you weren’t willing to do?

•	Friendship Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are best friends I.	Tell us about your best friend II. Why is your best friend different from other friends? III. Do you and your best friend do everything together? IV. Is there any difference between you and your best friends? How? V.	Why does your difference still make you and your friend best friends? VI. Would you trade your best friend for fame, money and popularity?

•	Feelings Emily Elizabeth saw Clifford on TV. She looked sad… I.	Why was Emily sad when he saw Clifford on TV? II. Does she feel lonely? Or is she jealous? III. How does Clifford feel about life in Hollywood? IV. At the end of the book Clifford was happy again, why is that? Was he not also happy in Hollywood? V.	Is it possible to live well by standards but still be unhappy?