How do you map your heart? How do you visualize the core of who you are?

On Friday, we used an exercise I got from a writer and teacher Penny Kittle. She uses the heart maps to generate ideas for writing. I am using it with Anthem as kids are formulating their own beliefs, values, and understanding of self. The culminating writing is NPR's "This I Believe", so this is a great visual and foundation piece as the students begin to think about their paradigms. After the students drew their heart maps, they will look at it, think about it, and then write a free-verse poem about their heart map.

Today, students, post your 1st draft of your free-verse poems. (You may want to open a word processing page first to type...to catch spelling mistakes).

Convictions--are they worth risking...everything?

The following statement is one that I think many of us will believe in; however, really think about the second part of the statement. What would it be...the cost...the sacrifice...and for what or whom??

The statement is this: When we believe something strongly, we should stand up for our belief no matter what the cost. Do you agree or disagree and why?Think about this statement in regards to history first. Who stood up for what they believed in? Use Google to search for some examples:

Search possibilities: people who stood up for what they believed in, famous people who stood up for what they believed in, people persecuted for what they believed, leaders who stood up for what they believed, people who died for their faith, people who died protecting others...

Today's assignment:
1. Open a word processing document
2. Research several people that stood up for their beliefs keeping track of the website you used for information. Copy and paste the link to your word document along with 1-3 sentences IN YOUR OWN WORDS explaining what the person believed in, why they had to stand up for their beliefs, and what was the outcome of doing so.
3. Write a topic sentence and a paragraph with specifics that answers: Can you stand up for your beliefs to the same extent that the person you researched did?

*** You may have researched someone who stood up for their faith and you might not, but you could imagine doing so for your family, country, team, etc.

Ex. topic sentences:

Despite my strong faith, I cannot imagine defending my beliefs like Cassie Bernall did at Columbine High School because of my own fear of death.

Like Cassie Bernall stating her love for God right before the Columbine shooter shot her dead, I too would defend my faith because of my deep rooted belief in the afterlife.

--->Notice I am stating my belief, stating the person I researched and what their belief was, and WHY I would or wouldn't do the same.

Is it better to conform than to be different?

....or do they? Think about teenagers, the peer pressure many of you may feel as we all try to fit in. The 2nd statement on our Anticipation Guide is: It is better to conform than to be different. In a thoughtful response, state your opinion.

Make sure you tell the why you feel that you do. As always use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar; you might type it in Word first and then copy/paste it into the comment box.

Guided Imagery Reaction

Without talking, without critiquing your thoughts, write down your reaction: emotions, wonderings, questions...

What if that was true? What if that was your life?

"Invictus" poem by William Ernest Henley --student reaction

Reread Henley's poem below, if needed and then choose a line from it that captures the theme of the piece, makes you think about your life, America, our freedoms, etc. Start you topic sentence with the line and the poet's name, stating what it means to you.

Ex. In William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus" the line "Out of the night that covers me," captures the...

"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley


Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

Do you believe the individual is more important than the group?

In a complete paragraph, starting with a focused topic sentence, agree or disagree (or somewhere in the middle) with the following statement: The individual is more important than the group.

If you are not sure how to start, restate the prompt and show your position:

You could start with the prompt and add because...at the end.
You could start with the prompt and add is NOT more important than the group because...

What Does America Mean to Me?

Getting out our What America Means to Me collage, open a word document and write down words, phrases, images, and emotions you were trying to convey.

Then, write a topic sentence that answers: What does America mean to me?

Continue on your EEE's writing your paragraph that explains in detail, using your images and words, what America means to you.
         1. Use a topic sentence,
         2. a thoughtful, spell-checked, properly punctuated, specific example-listed discussion,
         3. and a concluding sentence.
***Do this in Word first and then copy and paste it onto this blog.

After reading "The Scarlet Ibis" respond:

(Taken from The Language of Literature, McDougal Littell, 1997.)

The narrator says, "There is within me...a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love." Think about your relationships with people you love, especially in your family. Think about your response on the Google doc to the question: can love and cruelty coexist?

In a thoughtful paragraph, starting with a topic sentence, discussing specific details, and ending with a concluding sentence, write your response.

Here is my response:

In "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the author shows readers that love and cruelty can, and in fact, do coexist; this is relationship however that is inevitably going to fail. The narrator is embarrassed of his brother he nicknamed Doodle, wishing he had never been born; "It was bad enough having an invalid brother, but having one who possibly was not all there was unbearable, so I began to make plans to kill him by smothering him with a pillow" ("Short Story Packet" 47). The narrator actually never acts on these plans and instead concocts plans to help him learn to walk, to swim, and to run. He becomes so proud of Doodle's accomplishments, that he even plans a surprise for his family showing them he learned to walk. The narrator struggles with the love he feels for his brother and his hatred at his brother being so different. In the end, though, it was the narrator's hatred and selfish behavior that led to Doodle's death; this is the destruction that was bound to happen. Cruelty should never be a part of love.

*** Make sure you are using at least 1 quote that has a lead-in prior to the quote.
*** Make sure to use in-text citations (see mine above)
*** Make sure to use proper capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Why is learning to write EFFECTIVELY important?

Parents, one of our focuses this semester is writing persuasively. We start with an effective paragraph with strong topic sentences and move to a multi-paragraph persuasive essay, literary analysis essay, narrative writing, poetry, summaries, and online writing.
We would love your input on how writing is important in your line of work. We greatly appreciate your thoughts and explanations knowing the time this takes to put together ideas for us. Please know that we appreciate your time and look forward to reading your thoughts about the importance of writing in today's world.

***You may type your answer in Word to catch spelling errors and then copy and paste it into the comment box, or type directly into the box. Once you have commented, your student will use his/her login to post the comment.

***Please put your answer in this format:

Michele's dad, Jim Hurley--lawyer: 
Michele's grandma, Sherry Hurley--stay-at-home mom:

***Please complete this by next Tuesday, September 22nd. Thanks so much! ~ Mrs. Davis