Journal

#1In approximately a page, respond to either or both of the following quotes on literacy
what are your thoughts/responses? Do you agree or not?
Literacy is not a luxury; it is a right and a responsibility. President Bill Clinton
You dont have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.Ray
Bradbury
Letter #1Literacy
In friendly letter format write a letter about a book, poem, play or article that you have read (at any
age). Positive or negative: write about your perspective on the piece, the circumstances under which
you read it, etc. Was it easy, challenging, dull, and inspiring? You can choose to write to me or to the
author.
Collaboration #1Literacy
You will be working with a partner. Exchange the articles that you each brought from thisibelieve.org
and work together to respond to the following:
1. Compare and contrast the overall message of the 2 pieces. Be descriptive; you can do this using
a Venn diagram or in sentence format.
2. Within each article describe their approach to the topic and the audience you infer they are
addressingis it more personal, more commentary, a mixture, something else?
3. What can you identify and/or infer about the author of each and their background? How do you
think their background impacts their perspective?
4. Identify the authors purpose for each. Support with a quote from each that substantiates your
assertion.
5. Overall, which article do you relate to more? Why? Include a line from the article that you feel
was particularly interesting or well-stated.
Journal #2
Choose one of the following quotes and reflect on what it has to say. In what way(s) do you agree or
disagree with what is stated? How can you connect what is said to your own experience? Would you
pass this advice/philosophy on to someone else? Why or why not?
1. Memories warm you up from the inside, but they also tear you apart. Hakuri Murakami
OR
2. The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. Its the loneliness of it. Memories need
to be shared. Lois Lowry, The Giver
Letter #2Memoir
In friendly letter format, write a letter about a memory of a famous persons death, where you were,
how it affected you and those in your life, your thoughts on that person, etc; you can write to me or that

personORwrite about your memories of a famous event in world history, where you were, how old
you were, how you felt then, now, effects it had, etc; you can write to me or to someone in your life at
that time.
Collaboration #2 (oral)
You will be working with a partner who read the article you did not read for this week. Work on the
following questions together but do not feel limited to only discussing these. Prepare to share with the
class.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

List at least 3 qualities of a memoir in each piece.

Create a Venn Diagram that lists at least 2 ways the pieces are alike and different.
Cite an example of how the writer tries to engage their readers.
Cite an example of vivid description that the author uses.
Describe an example of how humor is used in each .

Journal #3
Respond to the following quote. Do you agree or disagree? Provide at least 1 example to
support your point of view.
The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you
are good you will be happy - I mean that if you are happy you will be
good.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Letter #3
In friendly letter format write about any community that you have been a part ofteam,
band/orchestra, family, club, college student, employee, etc. Describe in detail what the community was
likewho was part of it, spoken and unspoken rules, activities, expectations, faults, etc. Include an
analysis of that communitywhat purpose it served, benefits/detriments, impact on you, larger
community, etc.
You can write to me or to a friend or family member who is/was not a part of the community you are
describing.
Names ___________________________

Article____________________________

Collaboration #3Written
Work with 1 or 2 others who read the SAME profile article as you did. Together (1 paper/group)
complete the following:

1. What/who is being profiled?

2. Identify the following with a paragraph # & quote:
2 examples of detailed description
2 examples that show organization stylechronological, comparison, narrative, etc.
2 examples that show the writers rolespectator, participant observer, detached
observer, immersion
2 examples of the writers perspective on the subject being profiled
3. In one sentence summarize the profile & bullet-point 2-5 key details.
4. Get together with a group who read the other article & share your information while creating a
Venn Diagram with 3 bullet points/section.
5. Share out with the classwhat was a strength of your article? What interested or surprised
you?
Journal #4
In 1 or 2 paragraphs use your inference skills to create a profile for the community shown in this photo.
Describe with vivid detail. Include an analysis of what you infer that is not obvious.

Letter #4
In a friendly letter format, write a proposal to a particular department here at Tri-C. Your
proposal should present a problem/area of concern and a possible solution. Areas could
include: class offerings, facilities, food, majors, security, etc.

Journal #5
Choose 1 of the 2 quotes below and relate it to the idea of identifying a concern and proposing
solutions. Add your own insight into what the quote is all about. Do you agree or disagree with the
philosophy it entails? According to the quote you have chosen, what is the alternative to doing
something about a situation you believe needs to be changed?
To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.
Mahatma Gandhi
There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for
changing them.
--Dr. Denis Waitley

Letter #5
In friendly letter format addressed to your past self, answer the following: If you could go back and
repeat the past, what event would you want to re-create? Why? How difficult would it be? What would
you gain/lose by doing so?

Journal #6
What are typical characteristics of the American Dream? How would they be similar to and different
from those in the 1950s? Is the American Dream illusive?

Letter #6
Have you ever attended a performance that went badly OR been one of the performers in said
performance? Write a letter to a friend who was a part of your life then recalling the who,
what, when & where of the performance and the feelings/reactions you had and that you
perceived others had. If you could go back, would you change anything? Describe why or why
not.
Collaboration #4 (oral)
You will be assigned to a chapter from Part 3 of the novel. You will have class time on 11/23
(Monday night class); 11/30 & 12/01 (M-F class @ PSH) to prepare your work. It will be your
groups job to teach & lead discussion on your assigned chapters. Areas to include are as
follows: brief summary of plot, theme(s) present, importance of events to the overall novel,
your opinion(s) about what occurred, important and/or thought-provoking quote (and why)
and 2-3 discussion questions to pose to the class. These will take place on 11/30 (Monday night
class); 12/02-12/04 (M-F class @PSH).

Journal #7
An action that is revolutionary is one that causes great change, often political. In what ways are any of
the characters or actions in the novel revolutionary? How does the title, Revolutionary Road, convey a
double meaning?

Letter #7
April convinces Frank that their lives would be better if they went to Paris. Choose to write in
the voice of either Frank or April and tell the other what could be gained by leaving. Consider
what life in Paris seems to mean compared to their life in Connecticut. OR When the decision is
made not to go to Paris, write a letter explaining why they should stay. Try to convey the
feelings, concerns and hopes of the character in whose voice you are writing.