READ: We all face Barriers in our life. A barrier is an obstacle or problem that stops you from moving forward. The barrier can be physical; something you could see like a fence or wall. It can also be conceptual; something you can’s see such as being afraid of something.

THINK: Think of a barrier you have faced. How would you explain it to someone? Did you overcome it? If so, how? What values (see list) did you use to face your own barriers? How did using one or more of his values help you accomplish something?

Courage Teamwork Determination Persistence Integrity Citizenship Justice Commitments Excellence

WRITE: Explain how you use any of the 9 traits to face your own barrier(s).

Find Key WordsREAD: We all face Barriers in our life. A barrier is an obstacle or problem that stops you from moving forward. The barrier can be physical; something you could see like a fence or wall. It can also be conceptual; something you can’s see such as being afraid of something.

THINK: Think of a barrier you have faced. How would you explain it to someone? Did you overcome it? If so, how? What values (see list) did you use to face your own barriers? How did using one or more of his values help you accomplish something?

Courage Teamwork Determination Persistence Integrity Citizenship Justice Commitments Excellence

WRITE: Write an expository essay that explains how you used any of Jackie Robinson’s 9 values to face your own barrier(s).

Let’s list ideas

CONCEPTUAL PHYSICAL stage fright a car accident/injury fear of flying making a team moving to a new school being bullied fear of water (swimming) divorceracial discrimination death of someone close I’m going to model this one.

divorce

Intro: Remember, broad statement that connects to the audience, to your controlling idea (Thesis)

A couple examples of my broad statements: •There comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to face an obstacle that tries to keep them from moving forward. •Everyone is faced at one time or another with an obstacle/ hurdle/ hindrance/ complication/ impediment/problem/difficulties/ that they have to overcome to move forward.

Put together a powerful thesis• I remember clearly the harsh reality of moving

and having to start over, yet I was able to move forward and not only meet new friends, but keep my old ones as well.

• For me, moving away and attending a new school was one of the most frustrating situation I ever went through; however, I gathered the strength to take the first step and overcame the obstacles standing in my way of making new friends and keeping my old ones as well.

Paragraph #1 – Your barrier

You will need to have the following in it: •When did it happen? •What happened? Were you given bad news? Did you hurt yourself? Did you find out you had to give a speech? •What was/will be the result of this happening (your barrier). •How did it make you feel? •Why did it make you feel this way?

EXPLAIN – Lay out your skeleton paragraph

I was excited to be entering my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving. This meant I was also going to a new school and would have to start life over. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). I was also worried I would never see my old friends (barrier). The thought of being in a new environment made me very nervous. However, I decided to face my barrier. I’ll tell you why I was I don’t like the way I said this so excited about 8th grade I want to elaborate and make

it more scholarly

Personal - Layer out your skeletonThe worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (1st part of barrier). I was also worried I would never see my old friends (2nd part of barrier). However, I decided to face my barrier.

Let me explain why I was scared

The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I was also worried I would never see my old friends (barrier). However, I decided to face my barrier.

Why do I get anxious?

The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. I was also worried I would never see my old friends (barrier). However, I decided to face my barrier.

add extra details…

EXPLAIN – Lay out your skeletonThe worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. I was also worried I would never see my old friends (barrier). However, I decided to face my barrier.

Need a strong transition into next problem

EXPLAIN – Lay out your skeletonThe worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). However, I decided to face my barrier.

Why was it so difficult?

EXPLAIN – Lay out your skeletonThe worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. However, I decided to face my barrier.

add more details…

EXPLAIN – Lay out your skeletonThe worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. I could not imagine a day going by no being able to see, talk, or continue to go through the experiences of growing up with them. We have so much history together growing up. All our “firsts” happened together. However, I decided to face my barrier.

Can’t leave out I had a best friend too. Let me tell you in detail.

The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. I could not imagine a day going by no being able to see, talk, or continue to go through the experiences of growing up with them. We have so much history together growing up. All our “firsts” happened together. Even worse, I did not know how to handle leaving my best friend. We were like sisters, inseparable, two peas in a pod. She and I supported each other in everything we did; she knew my deepest secrets as I did hers. Never a day went by that we weren’t together hanging out or doing something important like talking about boys or doing our nails. It is impossible for me to imagine life without her in it on a daily basis. However, I decided to face my fears.

add details …

The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I found out I was moving (introduce barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. I could not imagine a day going by no being able to see, talk, or continue to go through the experiences of growing up with them. We have so much history together growing up. All our “firsts” happened together. Even worse, I did not know how to handle leaving my best friend. We were like sisters, inseparable, two peas in a pod. She and I supported each other in everything we did; she knew my deepest secrets as I did hers. Never a day went by that we weren’t together hanging out or doing something important like talking about boys or doing our nails. It is impossible for me to imagine life without her in it on a daily basis. More so, what would happen when I made new friends? Would she feel we aren’t best friends anymore? However, I decided to face my barrier.

You know Ms. Daniels never writes simple sentences like this, so let’s elaborate this transition too.

The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving (introduce main barrier). This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It scared me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in (barrier). When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again (2nd part of my barrier). I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. I could not imagine a day going by no being able to see, talk, or continue to go through the experiences of growing up with them. We have so much history together growing up. All our “firsts” happened together. Even worse, I did not know how to handle leaving my best friend. We were like sisters, inseparable, two peas in a pod. She and I supported each other in everything we did; she knew my deepest secrets as I did hers. Never a day went by that we weren’t together hanging out or doing something important like talking about boys or doing our nails. It is impossible for me to imagine life without her in it on a daily basis More so, what would happen when I made new friends? Would she feel we aren’t best friends anymore? However, I knew I could not change the inevitable, so I decided the only thing I can do is gather the courage and persistence necessary to overcome this obstacle on my own.

(Nice! Now see what it looks like all together…)

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER…The worst news I ever received was the summer before my 8th grade year when I was given the devastating news I was moving. This was suppose to be my big year, top man on the totem pole. Now I was going to have to start my life all over at a new school, a different environment. It frightened me because I thought I would not be able to make new friends or fit in. When it comes to meeting people, I am a bit shy and have difficulty opening up. I find myself become anxious when trying to start a conversation with people I do not know. I am surrounded by my existing friends who I feel comfortable with, so when someone new comes around, it’s easy to talk to them because I have the security of my friends. The thought of being in a new environment trying to open up to new people made me incredibly uneasy. I felt all alone with no one to support me. Unfortunately, meeting new friends was not the only problem I was facing; I was also concerned I would never see my old friends again. I have know my friends since our pre-school years, so this became the only life I knew. We all had a special bond creating a unique relationship. I could not imagine a day going by no being able to see, talk, or continue to go through the experiences of growing up with them. We have so much history together growing up. All our “firsts” happened together. Even worse, I did not know how to handle leaving my best friend. We were like sisters, inseparable, two peas in a pod. She and I supported each other in everything we did; she knew my deepest secrets as I did hers. Never a day went by that we weren’t together hanging out or doing something important like talking about boys or doing our nails. It is impossible for me to imagine life without her in it on a daily basis. More so, what would happen when I made new friends? Would she feel we aren’t best friends anymore? However, I knew I could not change the inevitable, so I decided the only thing I can do is gather the courage and persistence necessary to overcome this obstacle on my own.

Explain how you overcame itWrite/list how I was able to find the courage to make new friendships. •I took the first step and introduced myself to people; it was scary; I was nervous •During lunch or free time in class•I took a risk and went up to them•It was not so scary after all •People accepted me

•Because I had the courage and took a chance, I now have many new good friends

Add some meat (details/elaboration)Meeting new friends did not seem so difficult after I found the courage to introduce myself to people. It was scary. I found they were happy to meet me and tried to make me feel welcome. I met even more friends in class. Because I had the courage and took a chance, I now have many new good friends.

Strong topic sentence This is what I did…

Add some meat (details/elaboration)Meeting new friends did not seem so difficult after I found the courage to introduce myself to people. It took me a few days, but I finally took the first step. I decided that when I was at lunch or there was free time in class, I was going to make an effort try to strike up a conversation with the people sitting around me. It was scary. I found they were happy to meet me and tried to make me feel welcome. I met even more friends in class. Because I had the courage and took a chance, I now have many new good friends.

Explain why/elaborate on how it was scary

Add some meat (details/elaboration)Meeting new friends did not seem so difficult after I found the courage to introduce myself to people. It took me a few days, but I finally took the first step. I decided that when I was at lunch or there was free time in class, I was going to make an effort try to strike up a conversation with the people sitting around me. The first time was the worst – I was so nervous and filled with panic. I was afraid of refection, but I was determined to take the risk. I knew if I didn’t, there was no chance of me making friends, and I would be alone and miserable. I found they were happy to meet me and tried to make me feel welcome. I met even more friends in class. Because I had the courage and took a chance, I now have many new good friends.

Let me tell you how I did it!

Add some meat (details/elaboration)Meeting new friends did not seem so difficult after I found the courage to introduce myself to people. It took me a few days, but I finally took the first step. I decided that when I was at lunch or there was free time in class, I was going to make an effort try to strike up a conversation with the people sitting around me. The first time was the worst – I was so nervous and filled with panic. I was afraid of refection, but I was determined to take the risk. I knew if I didn’t, there was no chance of me making friends, and I would be alone and miserable. I approached a table of people I recognized from class. “Hello,” I said in a hesitant, nervous voice, “are you okay if I sit here and eat with you?” I waited for a response - my heart in my throat - not wanting to stand there for fear the response would destroy me. Then the magical words came back to me. “Sure!” Instead of them not accepting me and my not fitting in, I found they were happy to meet me, and their comfortable conversations to make me feel welcome. Because I had the courage and determination to take a chance and speak up, I now have many new good friends.

Let’s add a little more detail…

Add some meat (details/elaboration)Meeting new friends did not seem so difficult after I found the courage to introduce myself to people. It took me a few days, but I finally took the first step. I decided that when I was at lunch or there was free time in class, I was going to make an effort try to strike up a conversation with the people sitting around me. The first time was the worst – I was so nervous and filled with panic. I was afraid of refection, but I was determined to take the risk. I knew if I didn’t, there was no chance of me making friends, and I would be alone and miserable. I approached a table of people I recognized from class. “Hello,” I said in a hesitant, nervous voice, “are you okay if I sit here and eat with you?” I waited for a response - my heart in my throat - not wanting to stand there for fear the response would destroy me. Then the magical words came back to me. “Sure!” Instead of them not accepting me and my not fitting in, I found they were happy to meet me, and their comfortable conversations to make me feel welcome. A couple of the girls who were in my classes continued to make me feel welcome by introducing me to the others in the classroom. I soon found I was as part of a new group of friends similar to my old ones. Because I had the courage and determination to take a chance and speak up, I now have many new good friends.

This can stay

Explain how you kept your old friendships

Here, I would write how I was able to keep my friendships because I was determined and persistent. •I kept in touch by phone•We text each other all the time •We visited each other regularly •They met my new friends!

•Because I was persistent, I was able to keep my old friends.

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so.

Explain one way I did…Wow, I created a strong transition and topic sentence…

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week.

Here’s another way I did…

Add some meat to old friends

In addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way.

Let me add some details about the two of them…

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them.

What about my best friend? I’ll tell you how she felt about my new friends….

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them. At first, I was not sure how my best friend would feel about my meeting new friends, but was relieved when she expressed how happy she was that I took the chance and have quickly made new friends. Staying in touch soon became a habit we grew accustom to.

What about visiting each other? Did it stop there?

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them. At first, I was not sure how my best friend would feel about my meeting new friends, but was relieved when she expressed how happy she was that I took the chance and have quickly made new friends. Staying in touch soon became a habit we grew accustom to. However, my persistence did not stop there. Fortunately, my friends were a short distance away, so we made time for regular weekend visits.

Let me tell you how cool it was…

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them. At first, I was not sure how my best friend would feel about my meeting new friends, but was relieved when she expressed how happy she was that I took the chance and have quickly made new friends. Staying in touch soon became a habit we grew accustom to. However, my persistence did not stop there. Fortunately, my friends were a short distance away, so we made time for regular weekend visits. It was like old times to have my old friends come visit, except it was really “new times” because I introduce them to my new ones.

Here’s the result…

Add some meat to old friendsIn addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them. At first, I was not sure how my best friend would feel about my meeting new friends, but was relieved when she expressed how happy she was that I took the chance and have quickly made new friends. Staying in touch soon became a habit we grew accustom to. However, my persistence did not stop there. Fortunately, my friends were a short distance away, so we made time for regular weekend visits. It was like old times to have my old friends come visit, except it was really “new times” because I introduce them to my new ones. It made me feel good to expand the friendships between my old and new friends.

I need to wrap up the paragraph

Voilà!In addition to making new friends, I found it to be quite challenging at first to keep a strong friendship with my old friends. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep these friends because they were a special part of my life, and I found ways to do so. One such way was by telephone. It was difficult, but we made the effort to talk once a week. We found texting to be easier on a daily basis, and had many rich conversations this way. While I found texting easier, it was nice to actually hear my friends’ voices; it kept me more emotionally connected to them. At first, I was not sure how my best friend would feel about my meeting new friends, but was relieved when she expressed how happy she was that I took the chance and have quickly made new friends. Staying in touch soon became a habit we grew accustom to. However, my persistence did not stop there. Fortunately, my friends were a short distance away, so we made time for regular weekend visits. It was like old times to have my old friends come visit, except it was really “new times” because I introduce them to my new ones. It made me feel good to expand the friendships between my old and new friends. Because of my determination and persistence, I was able to keep my close ties with my old friends, make new ones, and connect them both together.

Now, add Jackie Robinson – good place would be background information before you overcame your barrier. Here are some examples.

You can use these as your writing inspiration.1. Jackie Robinson faced many obstacles when he agreed to cross the

color barrier in baseball. I know he had to face similar obstacles when he moved to a new team; however, he had the courage to take the first step to meet the new people he was going to play with as well as keep in touch with his friends and family. This gave me the strength to take a chance as well.

2. I learned about Jackie Robinson and the tough journey he took in order to break the color barrier in baseball. He is inspirational and instrumental in my moving in a forward direction and not letting obstacles get in my way of success. His inspiration is why I decided to take a chance.

3. I remember Jackie Robinson and the journey he went through to cross the colored barrier in baseball. He faced numerous drawbacks that tried to get in his way; however, he refused to let them stop him from his taking a chance and reaching his goal. This inspired me to do the same.

Wrap up your paragraph -- Remember, KISS (keep it short and simple) Restate your barrier and wrap up how you “broke through” it.

Moving and going to a new school was very frightening for me, and I found myself feeling self-doubt on my abilities to take that first step. However, by using courage, determination, and persistence, I was able to take the necessary steps to not only create new friends, but to also ensure I kept my old friendships strong.

I wrapped up how I restated my barrier in my I accomplished my goal. first body paragraph.

REFLECTION:

This is where you go back and see where you can: •Add better vocabulary (try not to use the same word twice – unless necessary). •Make stronger sentences: combine for compound, introductory phrases, dashes, or complex; switch wording around to sound better. •Incorporated dialogue if at all possible, but don’t make an entire conversation with it.•Check to make sure you kept on task and organized. •Be sure your spelling is correct (you have dictionaries!!!)

Put it all together….

Who Hoo!

And you are done!!!!!