#11 Summer School

Write a reflective piece on your experiences in Summer School this year. How have you changed? What have you learned? How will you use that knowledge to be successful in the future? Give a shout-out to the friends you have made this summer. Finally, reflect on your efforts and productivity this term and justify what grade you feel you deserve for the class this summer.

#10 Into The Wild

What are your first impressions of Chris "Alexander Super Tramp" McCandless? Did your impressions change as the movie progressed? Why do you suppose he is doing what he's doing?

Pretend you are going on a week-long backpacking trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Make a list of things you will bring. Your pack should not exceed 45lbs and you will have no electricity.

FWD #9: Slang Dictionary

Create your own slang dictionary. Must be appropriate, in alphabetical order and contain at least 10 words. Be sure to include if it's a noun, adjective or verb or if it can be used as more than one.
i.e. Swag: (adj) short for swagger, one who conveys confidence in their actions. Also, (n)player or ladies man. (n) street slang for low-grade marijuana.

FWD #8: What's your deepest fear?

Coach Carter says our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. Do you believe this? If so, what are you afraid of? What's holding you back? What might you engage, control or enact that would make you, "powerful beyond measure"?
Don't worry about what others might think! Don't doubt yourself here! Don't let anything stop you from dreaming your biggest dream because we have to see it to be it. Go Big!

FWD #7: Seize the Day

After reading the poem "Moment" in class today, create your own inspirational poem about seizing the opportunity, living for the moment, etc. No Rules Just Write! :) It doesn't have to rhyme, have a certain amount of lines, etc., it just has to inspire:)

FWD #6: Advice Column

Choose any Freedom Writer's Entry and respond to their story with an advice column.
Your column should have a title, i.e. "Dear Jose" and consist of at least three paragraphs. Be careful not to actually give advice-if it doesn't work they will blame you. Rather, recognize or affirm their situation, demonstrate how you personally can relate and show your empathy and support for them with your column.
G0od Luck!

FWD #5

Create your own FWD entry about anything you wish. I realize that this first entry will not be anonymous so don't feel like you have to go straight into your "heaviest" topics. Keep it lightweight for this one.
Some ideas:
Something I've overcome.
Something I had to learn the hard way.
Discuss your motto and how it shapes your life.
Someone who inspires you.
Your first impression of the class.
An injustice.
Something you're passionate about.
Something you were upset with and are still hanging onto. (a grievance)

FWD # 4

Using your vocabulary list, find definitions for each of the words and use them correctly in a "no-brainer" sentence. (It wouldn't take "no brains" to understand what the word means by reading the sentence. [context])

Mr. Nelson's mottos:
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
If you're not going to help, get out of the way.
Give me a fish and I eat for a day, Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for I'm the baddest Mutha (*^&#@$ in the valley!!!

#3 My Pet Peanut

After playing the peanut game, what other objects can you think of that might be uninviting on the outside but prove to be appealing on the inside? (Oysters w/ Pearls, an old book, kiwis, etc.) How are you misunderstood?
Write a poem in honor of one of these misunderstood objects. Yes, it can be about you if you like.

Next, think of the cliches that we came up with as a class for the peanuts. Is there anything about you or your personality that you could metaphorically compare to the peanut? For example, "I have a tough exterior but when you get to know me, I'm pretty smooth."

FWD #2

Quiz on entries 3-7

1. In Diary #4 the author mainly blames his troubles on his friends. Tell a story about "getting caught up" because of something your friends did.
2. What makes the author of #5 call himself "his own gang"? Is it necessary? Why or why not?
3. Describe the "War" that the character in #6 talks about.
4. What's the attitude of the author of #7. How do you feel about his/her attitude? Predict what will happen to him/her?

Freedom Writer's #1

Read to page 17 (Diary #7) in the Freedom Writer's.
Do 3 "Quotes and Comments" from any of the stories in the first chapter.
The Quote is anything that caught your attention during the reading. The comments can be any one of the following:
How you can personally relate.
How the quote reminds you of a story, movie or song.
How or why the quote is significant to the story.

Then, look up:
Zlata Filipovic

Write a descriptive paragraph about her.
Add a graphic or two that represents the novel or Zlata's story.

Answer the following in a complete paragraph:
Describe a significant roadblock or setback (adversity) that you have had to overcome in your life.