Journal Prompts9CP

Journal 1- 8/19Essential question

Where does our sense of identity come from? Related questions:

How does environment shape our identity? What identities, if any, are permanent and

which do we have the power to change? What roles do neighborhood and community

play in shaping who we become?

Journal 2 - 8/22 Nearly all the characters in The

House on Mango Street dream of escaping. Why do they want to leave?

• Describe the different ways in which people try to escape, as well as the results of their efforts.

• Do you think Esperanza’s dreams or escaping are likely to be more successful?

Respond to the prompt using three of the five vocabulary words on the right. Underline the used terms in your paragraph response.

Unit 1 Vocabulary:

• Dilemma (n.)-A difficult or perplexing situation or problem

• Relinquish (v.) – to let go, to give up

• Salvage (v.)- to save from; property thus saved

• Circumspect (adj.)-careful, cautious

• Unbridled (adj.) – uncontrolled, lacking in restraint

Journal 3- 8/24 In what areas of your life

are you most free to do what you like?  In what areas of your life do you have the least freedom?  Consider the roles gender, race, religion, education, class, age, and upbringing play in limiting an individual’s personal freedom.

Respond to the prompt using three of the five vocabulary words on the right. Underline the used terms in your paragraph response.

Unit 1 Vocabulary:

•Admonish (v.)- to caution or advise against something; to scold mildly; to remind a duty

•Breach(n.)- a violation of an infraction; an opening or a gap; to break through

•Diffuse(v.)-to spread or scatter freely or widely; (adj.) wordy or unfocused; scattered

•Efface (v.)-to wipe out; to keep from getting noticed

•Opinionated (adj.)-stubborn and often unreasonable in holding one’s own ideas, having a closed mind.

Journal 4 - 8/31 Why are good study

habits important? Discuss some of the factors that may distract someone from doing well in school and strategies that may help them improve.

Respond to the prompt using three of the five vocabulary words on the right. Underline the used terms in your paragraph response.

Unit 2 Vocabulary:

•Adjourn (v.) –to stop proceedings for a time; to move to another place

•Compensate (v.) – to make up for; to repay for services

•Erratic (adj.)- not regular or consistent; undependable

•Fortify (v.) -to strengthen, build up

•Mediocre (adj.)-average, ordinary

Journal 5- 9/2 Complete #s1-20 of the Diagnostic Test

on page 571

Subject Verb Agreement A few things to remember… A compound subject joined by and is usually plural

and should have a plural verb. EX: The ministers and their assistants discuss a new

bill.

Two or more singular subjects joined by or or nor must have a singular verb.

Ex: Sam or John was going to win.

However, two or more plural subjects joined by or or nor must have a plural verb.

EX: The Titans or the Arens are going to win.

If a singular subject is joined to a plural subject by or or nor, the subject closer to the verb determines if the verb is singular or plural.

EX: Either Mrs. Arabian or the students are going to the movies.

EX: Either the students or Mrs. Arabian is going to the movies.

Confusing Subjects

A verb that comes before its subject must still agree with the subject in number

EX: On the wall are slogans.

Journal 6 – 9/7 Grammar Exercise 4 pg. 575 Grammar Exercise 5 pg. 576

Journal 7 – 9/19 What do you know about Greek

Mythology? What do you know about Mythology in general?

Journal 8- 9/23 What is a hero?

What characteristics could a hero have? Could people in everyday society be considered heroes? Why or why not?

Respond to the prompt using each of the vocabulary words on the right. Underline the used terms in your paragraph response.

Unit 3 Vocabulary

•Condone- (v.) to pardon or overlook

•Eminent-(adj.) famous, outstanding, distinguished

•Semblance(n.)-a likeness; an outward appearance

•Surmount(v.)-to overcome or rise above

Journal 9 – 10/28What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry upLike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore –And then run?Does it stink like rotten meatOr crust and sugar over –Like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sagsLike a heavy load.

Or does it explode?~ Langston Hughes

Find two examples of similes Also, discuss what idea Hughes means to

convey through this poem.

Journal 10 – 11/30

Listen and Respond

Spring Semester Journal 1 Jan. 9Happy New Year!Everyone seems to have a New Year’s

Resolution. First, what are the pros and cons of having

one? Second, did you make one this year? If so,

what is it and how do you plan on implementing it? If not, what are some resolutions you’ve made in the past?

Journal 2 1/11 How would you define racism to

someone much younger than you (like, say in the 1st grade)  Where does racism come from?  

Journal 3 1/13 "All that we are is the result of what we

have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him." Buddha

Discuss the meaning of this quote and how choices influence our everyday lives.

Journal 4 1/23 Choose one of the statements from the

Anticipation Guide for TKM and respond as to why you have the belief that you do.

Journal 5 1/25

Scout explains the Cunningham philosophy of life, which is, “If you don’t have it, you do without.” What is your opinion of the Cunninghams and their philosophy?

Journal 6 1/27 Part 1: Atticus tells Scout, “You never really

understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” Think of someone you were upset with or argued with recently, and try to write down the incident that upset you from the other person’s point of view.

Part 2: Understanding a person’s point of view, however, doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. Having explained the other person’s perspective, has it changed your thinking or feelings? If you still disagree with that point of view, tell why you do.

Journal 7 2/1 Miss Maudie says, “…sometimes the

Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of [someone else].” Try to explain what she means by this.

Journal 8 2/3 Atticus tells his sister that he’s doing the

best he can in raising two young children without a mother. How do you suppose that you’d do as a single parent raising two children? Is there anything you’d try to do or avoid doing in this situation?

Journal 9 2/6 Jem has gone from feeling ashamed of

his father because of his apparent lack of athletic ability, to feeling very proud of him. Atticus is the embodiment of what a man should be–Atticus is the man Jem wishes to become. In your mind, what would the model embodiment of a man be?

Journal 10 2/9 Does Calpurnia’s explanation as to why

she spoke one language at work and another language at church give rise to any thoughts in you about language? How do your surroundings affect the way you speak?

Do you act, talk, or think differently depending who is nearby or who you are with? Why? What do you do differently?

Journal 11 2/10 Free-Write Friday

Journal 12 2/24 Part 1: What is your opinion of Mayella

Ewell? If you are inclined to dislike her, try to walk in her shoes for a day. Describe a day in her life.

Part 2: Lately, some people have questioned whether the courts do treat everyone the same. What was your reaction to what Atticus had to say about the courts? (Ch. 20) Use a quote to support your discussion.

Journal 13 2/29 We are told that Mr. Underwood wrote

an editorial about the shooting of Tom, but we are not told much about the editorial. Write the editorial you think he might have written.

Journal 14 3/2When you read the last pages of

this novel, what were your thoughts and feelings? Use a piece of text from the last few pages to explain your response.

Write about the things you liked and disliked about this novel.

Journal 15 3/19 Respond to the Art Critique Questions in

your journal.

Artwork: Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Salvador Dali

Journal 16 3/26 Haikus are all about a special moment. Think

about a special moment in your life (birthday, graduation, a fun day with friends, etc.)

Write about what you might hear, see, taste, smell, or touch on that day.

Try to find images that reveal the way you

might feel at that particular moment on that special day

Practice! Now, using the special experience you

wrote about, create your own Haiku!

Remember, 575 Be as simple and to the point as you

can.

Journal 17 4/11 Tanka responses from PPT notes

Journal 18 4/13An ode is meant to immortalize

something or someone you cherish and/or admire. Think of something or someone you cherish and list characteristics you love about it/them. Be as unique and as specific as you can.

Ode To Cheese

Ode To Cheese, Which Makes Us Smile, When Camera's go Clack.Ode To Cheese, Which make us taste, The greatest of flavors, the wackiest of whack.Ode To Cheese, Blue, Gorgonzola, American and Cheddar.Ode To Cheese, Beja and Feta, In all types of weather.Ode To Cheese, For those on a diet, or trying to get fatter.

Ode To Cheese, with crackers and wine, with grapes can flatter.Ode To Cheese, when you're sad and happy, Cheese just fits.Ode To Cheese, Mountains and Mountains, or bits and bits.

Ode to the Cheese, To appreciate, eat, and take pictures. 

Journal 19 4/25Questions on “Ballad of Birmingham”1. How does this poem differ from what

you would expect to find in a newspaper account of such an incident?

2. What purpose does the poem have beyond simply telling a story? How does the refrain help achieve this purpose?

Free verse What are some things you notice about

how these poems use rhyme, rhythm, etc.?

Write how many syllables you noticed for each line.

Journal 20 5/2Poetry Book Project Reflection• Of the poems you have written, which is

your favorite? Why?• Which is your least favorite? Why?• After this project, what is something

new that you discovered about yourself?

Journal 21 5/4Write a paragraph in which you express your

opinion to the following statement. Support your opinion with reasons/examples showing how you agree or disagree with the statement.

“Love is worth pursuing at all costs.”Use at least 3 of these words:eliminate, encounter, highlight, interact.

Journal 22 5/11Write a paragraph in which you express

your opinion to the following statement. Support your opinion with reasons/examples showing how you agree or disagree with the statement.

“If deception provides enjoyment, it is worth the risk.”

Use at least 2 of these words: acquire, anticipate, condemn, contemplate, desire.

Journal 23 5/16 Sometimes feuds or fights continue for

many years. Why do you think some people continue to fight and risk everything (injury, death, punishment) even when they often cannot remember what started the fight in the first place?

Use at least two of these words: defend,

cease, confront, demonstrate, justify, reconcile.