LAQ #3 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Topic
1)     I thought that the book I read was nonfiction because I remember my teacher back in 7th grade telling us that it was when we read it back then. It is not though, it is historical fiction which is somewhat close to nonfiction. This story though is about two neighboring families during world war 2 in Nazi occupied Denmark. One family the families is Jewish and both have two girls that go to school together. Nazi hostility towards the Jews leads to the Rosen family fleeing but leaving there daughter behind with the Johansen's who are helping Jews escape to Sweden.

2)     Lowry chose to write about this time because, it is a history filled time period. All though this time was a dark point in our history. It is good to tell stories about this time to remind people of what happened and how it should never happen again.

3)     I chose this book because I remember this book from junior high and I thought that maybe if I read it now, I would understand it better because now I know what the holocaust is. Also because I never returned it and its one of the only books I have that I thought was nonfiction.

4)     I found this book to be realistic because there is extensive history on the holocaust. From reading this also, it's believable to read this because in history books and videos, they talk about how Jews would be hidden by friends or helped to escape. I can't relate to this story at all because I will never experience a type of hardship like this.

Characters

1)      In my case, the author did create these characters. I feel though to create these characters, the author had to have done extensive research to get personalities and memories of people who were alive in that time and relate it to that time in history and make them believable characters who would do anything to survive.

2)     Ellen Rosen- She is Annemarie's best friend. She is a studious girl and serious. She is a Jew though so she is in immediate danger with the Nazi presence so she is seen being scared. Ellen has dark hair which makes her look different from the rest of Johansen family but is able to pull of being a daughter because Annemarie's dead sister had dark hair like Ellen.
      Annemarie Johansen- She is Ellen's best friend. She is said to be abnormally tall for a ten year old and she's very aware about the war going on around her. She doesn't have any fear of the Nazis because she knows that they aren't after her. She admires brave people and wishes that she can show her bravery.

3)     What makes these two characters so interesting to write about is the point of view that the book is written from. Most world war 2 and holocaust stories are told from the eyes of an adult. This book is so original because it is told from the views of two children who are trying to understand what the war is really about.

4)     The main character is Annemarie and she is a dynamic character. At the beginning of the novel she does realize that there is a war going on but doesn't understand the severity. After being stopped by a Nazi soldier, she began questioning what was really happening. Little by little she is fully let into the background of the war and details like how her sister really died because she was apart of the resistance. At the end of the war, Annemarie choses to where the star of david until she meets Ellen again.

5) The authors syntax changes when he begins to focus on Ellen. There is a more fearful tone because Ellen is the one who is at risk of being taken by the Nazis. The tone becomes more suspenseful during these times show Ellen's paranoia.

6) I feel after reading this book that I actually met a character. Annemarie was the most dynamic because from beginning to end you see growth in her. The war around her makes her more mature and insightful to the things around her.

Style
1)     One symbol that clearly stood out for me was at the end when Annemarie choses to where the Star of David until she is reunited with Ellen. It shows that she has a very close bond with her friend and that she will stand through anything for her.

2)     Lowry took a serious stance to the topic in this story. This period of time was a devastation to millions of people and wants us to see through a point of view of people caught in this situation.

3)     I think that the main characters in this story learn that even in the face of humanities evil behaviors, not everyone is like that and are willing to stand by your side to defend you. Ellen and her family knows this because the Johansen's were risking there own safety to help out those in need to escape the Nazis. I see this because Annemarie wants to show her bravery to help her friend and at the end of the novel, shows her devotion as a friend to Ellen.

Value of learning/ value of life

 Hamlet's Soliloquy Activities

• Activity 1

To me, being alive is actually doing something with your life. Not just sitting around letting things come to you but being a go getter. Being alive is a person looking for something to do, to be a change, looking for every opportunity that they can get. Life is made worth while when you are setting goals for yourself to achieve. Not just simple goals that can be obtained with no effort but something that you will have to work for in order to achieve.

• Activity 2

The word "Life" has different meanings to people. To one person life can mean physical life. An example is how a person looks at there well-being or the how people physically live. To others it can mean showing signs of thought or an indication of hope. The word can be interpreted in many different ways to show different meaning.

• Activity 3

1. I've only been to one play in my life and it was for my sister. I couldn't stand all the singing.
2. I noticed that it really doesn't rhyme and each line isn't end just because it goes down a line.
3. The text is written in iambic pentameter which Shakespeare is known to use a lot.

• Activity 4

1. Tragedy usually means something very disastrous happened. So in this case know Hamlet is a tradgedy, you know that it isn't going to end well.
2. Normally Shakespeare has very difficult plays to understand. Mostly because no one ever talks that way so it's hard to pull meaning out of what's said.
3. Normally I would just look up a summary on the reading because I had no way of understanding it myself.
4. Hamlet is deciding if he will kill his uncle or not. He has already made up his mind that it has to be done but now he's afraid to do it. He is scarred of the unknown that comes afterwards.

• Activity 5

opposition- support
action- stand by
endurance- unconditioned
mystery- solved
life- death

action- attack, commit, react, offensive
thought- hesitation, second-guessing, regret, uncertain
suffering- hurt, emotions, conflicted
mortality- short, unexpected, death
fear- unknown, death, nervous, confidence

• Activity 6

I would say that Hamlet is more of a pessimist just because the fact that he is hesitant. He knows that he must kill his uncle but is unsure of himself. He s scared of what might happen to him but also scared of what will happen if he doesn't. Nothing is looked at in a positive way.

• Activity 7

1. The main question is asked in line one when he says, "To be, or not to be."
2. Immediately after Hamlet asks the question, he begins describing what he means by the initial question.
3. Hamlet never does answer his own question but continues on and on about how he feels about it.
4. He also talks about death and wondering what it would be like if he was gone.
5. I don't think Hamlet actually ever finished his speech because it seemed like he would physic himself out when it seemed that he was coming to a conclusion.

• Activity 8

"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come/ when we have shuffled off this mortal coil/ must give us peace."
Death is the subject and shuffled is the verb.

• Activity 9

Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer

The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,

Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles

 

 

For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of time,
The Oppressor's wrong, the proud man's Contumely

 

 

Thus Conscience does make Cowards of us all

 

• Activity 10

  ...take Arms against a Sea of troubles- go against life's struggles

That makes Calamity of so long life- living with disasters makes like seem longer

But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered Country, from whose bourn- Scared of what happens when you die
No Traveller returns

Thus Conscience does make Cowards of us all- everyone is intimidated by there thoughts

Shakespeare talks in this weird way because the meaning isn't given away so clearly making the reader try to interpret their own meanings.

LAQ #2 Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

1. The novel I read is a non-fiction story about a high school football team in Odessa, Texas. An all black school was closed down to merge with an all white school, Permian High school. It talks about six unique players of the team and there lives on and off the field. The story follows the 1988 season of the Permian High School and its players with all the struggles they faced and triumphs they achieved.
2. The author chose to write about the Permian Panthers season because it is an interesting story that not only focuses on football, but also the life problems the players faced. In Odessa, Texas, there was racism, economic problems, high expectations of the boys playing, and how where they lived effected the living conditions.
3. I chose this book because I've watched the movie and it's very inspirational and shows there's more to life than just football. Once I heard there was a book of the movie though I really wanted to read it. My dad also recommended the book because he wants me to understand the true football experience and some of the hardships these players that have their hearts and souls poured into his is like. As I began reading, it went more into depth of each of the main characters than the movie did.
4. I found this book very realistic. The family bond showed by the players on this team and how hard they pushed eachother so hard is something I've always wanted to be apart of. This year I know our team isn't on the same level as the team I read about but its without a doubt the closest bond I've ever had with a team and I consider all my team mates my brothers.

1. Yes the author did have some affect on how the characters were portray but for the most part, the story is almost given in a type of report. The story jumps between the lives of the different players and I feel that the author accurately describe each ones life. You can also in a way compare them to what happened in the years following to get a better idea of if these portrayals were correct.
2. Brian Chavez- He loves to play football for the excitement it brings but unlike most the others he doesn't plan to have a career in it. He is the only Hispanic on the team and is more focused on his grades because he plans to get into Harvard after graduating his class of 88' as valedictorian.

          Boobie Miles- By far the best athlete on the team. He can do it all on the field, no matter what
          it is. He is one of the most highly recruited players in Texas but unfortunately, all he has is
          football and nothing to fall on. Being black in a racist community, he escapes it for the most
          part because of football. But after a career ending injury in a scrimmage. He is lost in life not
          knowing what to do next.
     3.  This is only a few of the players covered in the story but what makes them interesting to write
          the different backgrounds they come from and how they choose to live their lives. For instance
          Boobie Miles and Brian Chavez have two completely different looks on life. Chavez is looking
          For his future to continue in his education while Miles is completely reliant on football.

1. Examples of direct characterization is when they are telling you how big one of the players are and their appearance like when they point out that Brian Chavez is the only starting Hispanic on the team. Most of the indirect characterization comes when the author takes you into the life outside of football like the problems faced at home and how they react to them or how other people around Odessa talk about them.
2. When the authors attention shifts from the football field to the life of each player. There's a more serious tone that follows it. Each player has their struggle like Jerrod McDougal. There are intense periods of fighting between him and his dad and it is made apparent in front of the rest of the team. The author really has an intense tone when describing his life because it is his dad trying to live through his son.
3. It's hard to focus in on one protagonist but I would say that they are dynamic. After they all graduate, you see even if they move on in football or leave it, they end up having to change to life. Boobie Miles tried giving football another go on a lower level college but his injury held him back from being the player he used to be. Without football, he was forced to eventually leave it and find a new calling.
4. After reading the story, I wish I could not only meet the players of the story, but play with them. I want to know what that experience is like and how being around people like that would affect my life.

1. The author of the novel wrote in a journalistic report. Not only is he the author but he narrates the story because he was in the town of Odessa, Texas during the 1988 season. Surprised by what he found in this town he began following the Permian Panthers and their lives in Odessa. He tells the story from his viewpoint of the situations unfolding infront of him because he is considered an outsider to the town.
2. There is more of a focus on the action and dialogue unfolding in the town. There is many different things to see and here from the intense and emotional games and practices on the field where the entire town shuts down to watch the games on Friday night to the arguments and struggles that are the players over come like Boobie Miles fighting with doctors trying to prove them wrong.

         

To Be or Not To Be

My question is, should I or should I not.
Should I just sit back and let things happen or go and do something about it. If I take action, it will all be over and worries will be gone and if I don't, I'll sit there and wonder what if? It's these thoughts that make the struggles of life seem so long. Will I be able to deal with someone who was clearly disrespected my family. I'm scared of what will happen after because that is unknown to me, and my thoughts of it make me more fearful. What ever I choose to do, please forgive me.

Vocabulary 7

cursory- going rapidly over something.
The welder had cursory tendencies and that's why the weld qualities aren't the best.

impetus- a moving force.
His influence was impetus on people because they would vote for him constantly.

pinnacle- a loft peak.
After the win, the team was sitting on a pinnacle over the competition.

contumely- insulting display of contempt in words or actions.
His rival was contumely, he showed no respect at all.

bereavement- a period of mourning after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one.
The family was in bereavement after the tragic lost of their grandfather.

cache- a hiding place.
It seemed like a good cache for all of the soldiers ammunition.

consummation- the act of completing.
The student know for consummation of projects with great quality.

calamity- a great misfortune or disaster.
The calamity of the earthquake ruined many people's lives.

avarice- insatiable greed for riches.
The millionaire had an avarice personality, so he kept getting more money without using it to help anyone.

fortify- to protect or strengthen against attack.
We need to fortify ourselves better against terrorist attacks.
 

erratic- deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion.
The pilot was on an erratic course for the run way.

ubiquitous- existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time.
It seems that the president is ubiquitous, he always seems to be everywhere.

fortitude- mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.
I have respect for him because he shows fortitude in the face of the enemy.

nonchalant- coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited.
He has that nonchalant walk to him because he thinks he's the best.

affect- to act on something.
All players want to have an affect on the team that will help them to win.

effect- what is produced from a cause.
The effect of the chemical is that it produces carbon dioxide.

misappropriate- to put to a wrong use.
Using a toilet brush to brush your teeth is VERY misappropriate use.

pragmatic- of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
The teacher never listens to suggestions and sticks to his pragmatic ways.

metacognition- higher order thinking that enables understanding, analysis, and control of one's cognitive processes, especially when engaged in learning.
The student was a metacognition when it came to learning about subjects she really liked.

devoutly- devoted to divine worship or service.
Some people have devoutly life styles so intense, they are willing to start wars over it.