Waiting for the Rain Chapters 1-5

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 07:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 1538

In the first five chapters of "Waiting for the Rain," we meet the two main characters, Tengo and Frikkie. Since the age of three, the two boys have grown up on the farm as best friends. Where their relationship may have once been "close-knit," it is slowly unraveling (falling apart).



Examine and discuss the changes that are occurring in the boy's relationship: What changes are occuring; what is causing the changes; who is the changes affecting; and how are the changes affecting the boy's relationship?

Waiting for the Rain Chapters 6-9

Article posted November 28, 2006 at 07:01 PM GMT0 • Reads 99

After the events at the Oubaas' birthday party, Tengo begins to struggle with his need to learn more about the world and the ways of the white man. Explain why Tengo struggles with these concepts and how this conflict is affecting Tengo as a person as well as his relationships with the people around him?

Waiting for the Rain: Pass Project

Article posted December 2, 2006 at 03:53 AM GMT0 • Reads 72

As part of our understanding for the treatment of the different groups of people in South Africa during apartheid, our team had participated in the Pathfinder Pass Project. All members of our team has become part of the Pathfinder subgroup and has been required to carry an identification pass with them at all times during the school day for four days. We have been subjected to random stops and asked to provide proof of identification. If a student was found without having an "official" identification pass, they were sent to Pathfinder prision where they were required to perform jumping jacks as punishment. Each time the student was caught, the punishment was increased.



Now that the experiment is complete, how did it feel to be subjected to unfair treatment based on your group affiliation? Think about the surprise raids that the Pathfinder Patrol conducted. Were you caught off guard? Were you caught without your Pass? Take your experience and apply it to how this type of treatment must have affected the people of South Africa on a daily bases.

Waiting for the Rain: Chapters 10-13

Article posted December 6, 2006 at 06:28 PM GMT0 • Reads 164

Tengo is getting closer to finishing his studies and completing the matric examination which will offer a scholorship to college. All the while the turmoil is heating up in the township. Tengo fears that he will subcome to the pressures of the comrades to join the struggle for freedom in South Africa and be unable to write his matric.



Predict what you feel will happen to Tengo. Will he join the struggle or finish his studies? Explain your reasoning for your position.

Dr. Mutisya Visit to Social Studies Class

Article posted December 7, 2006 at 08:45 PM GMT0 • Reads 78

On Thursday, December 7th. Dr. Mutisya from North Carolina Central University took the time to come over and share with us his experience growing up in Kenya. He held a fabulous discussion, gave an awesome slideshow, and offereed tremenous feedback during the question/answer session.



What did you take away from his visit the most? Why did this impact you and how do you believe it impacts those who live in Kenya? Use examples from his presentation today and information you've learned in Social Stuies.

Waiting for the Rain: Chapters 14-16

Article posted December 13, 2006 at 02:24 PM GMT0 • Reads 56

At the end of chapter 16, Tengo marvels over the fact that he is now taller than Frikkie. Height has been mentioned several times in the early parts of the story. How is this "growth" significant within the boys' relationship?



Also, what does it symbolize within the story's theme?

Homeless Bird, Chapters 1 & 2

Article posted January 15, 2007 at 04:43 PM GMT0 • Reads 255

Koly is introduced to the reader. What issue is taking place in chapters 1 & 2 and what is an expected result of the issue. Additionally, how does Koly and her family respond to such issue?

Homeless Bird, Chapters 3 & 4

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:10 AM GMT0 • Reads 243

After Hari's death, Koly is continually mistreated by Sass. While Sassur is kind and teaches her. However, both deceive her in which ways? Give specific examples from the novel.

Homeless Bird, Chapters 5 & 6

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:12 AM GMT0 • Reads 247

Compare/Contrast Koly's wedding to Chandra's. How does Koly try to keep the status quo after Chandra leaves?

Homeless Bird, Chapter 7 & 8

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:13 AM GMT0 • Reads 324

After Sassur's death, Koly's life takes a turn for the worse. How is Sass' actions toward Koly a significant turning point in the novel?

Homeless Bird, Chapter 9

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:14 AM GMT0 • Reads 557

What occurs in Chapter 9 that links Koly's heritage and aides in her journey to better her life?

Homeless Bird, Chapter 11

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:15 AM GMT0 • Reads 86

Raji builds Koly a special room. What significance does the room have for Koly?

Homeless Bird, Finale

Article posted January 16, 2007 at 06:17 AM GMT0 • Reads 338

After reading the entire novel and completing the rest of the Blogs....



1. How does the title "Homeless Bird" signify Koly's journey? Give specific examples from the book.



2. How does Koly transform from before her arranged marriage to when she agrees to marry Raji? Give specific examples from the book.

Everyone's a Critic

Article posted January 22, 2007 at 08:00 PM GMT0 • Reads 221

After you have finished ALL your BLOG entries for Homeless Bird.

1.Look over the entries of your classmates in any article entry. Look at their answers with a critical perpective and choose one.

2. Respond to that person's blog (but do not write their whole name - just their first name on your blog)

3. What does their blog offer, or what could it offer to be more complete. You may add to what they wrote, maybe you have a different view point.(BE NICE)

Red Scarf Girl: Evaluate Fact and Opinion:

Article posted February 8, 2007 at 05:28 PM GMT0 • Reads 516

1.Compile several of the sayings from the da-zi-bao, the propaganda posters criticizing the educational system.

2.Refer to the glossary at the back of the book if you need help with unfamiliar terms.

3.Lead a discussion to determine whether these sayings are composed mostly of fact or of opinion.

Red Scarf Girl: Make Judgments and Decisions:

Article posted February 8, 2007 at 05:29 PM GMT0 • Reads 189

Identify some of the most trying decisions Ji-li must make and discuss their outcomes.

1.How are her decisions complicated by the pressure to become an " " child according to Communist standards and to break with her " " family?

2.How are Ji-li's decisions influenced by the Communist propaganda?

3.How would you have made these same choices and what their decisions would have been.

Red Scarf Girl: Understand Cause and Effect:

Article posted February 8, 2007 at 05:29 PM GMT0 • Reads 275

Frequently, Ji-li is shocked by the indifference with which people are interrogated and humiliated for seemingly simple things like the clothing they wear, family photographs, even using nicknames--anything that remotely represents the Four Olds.

1.What motivates the student inspectors, the Red Guards, and other citizens to interrogate people this way? Read Ji-li's epilogue (pages 265-272) as you discuss this question.

Red Scarf Girl: Recognize Point of View:

Article posted February 8, 2007 at 05:30 PM GMT0 • Reads 310

Consider the differences in how various characters feel throughout the Cultural Revolution, and write a paragraph from the perspective of one of the following characters detailing significant details about the revolution to communicate to the world:

ï‚« Ji-li

ï‚« Ji-li's father

 Ji-li’s brother

ï‚« Ji-yong (Ji-li's friend from jr. high)

ï‚« Chang Hong (Ji-li's grandmother)

Social Studies India Test Essay

Article posted February 8, 2007 at 05:33 PM GMT0 • Reads 91

Look at your Prime Minister for a Day Worksheet distributed in class today which displays the major problems of India.



If you were the Prime Minister of India what would you do to solve them? Choose 1 problem to discuss and use the format your LA teacher requires you use.



This is due to me by FRIDAY, February 9, 2007 since it's attached to your test grade.

Can Utopia Exist?: Utopia

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 09:22 PM GMT0 • Reads 369

Utopia: A place of ideal perfection especially in law, government, and social conditions.



You have just completed your before reading activities in which you have researched the term utopia. Have you ever thought about what an ideal community would look like? For 10 minutes, write your thougths about what your ideal utopian society would look like. What would be the laws or rules? What would happen if someone broke the rules? Include as many details about your ideal society as possible. That means . . . elaborate!

Can Utopia Exist?: Fear

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 09:26 PM GMT0 • Reads 162

As you meet the main characters of each novel, each is experiencing fear. Define in your own words what the feeling of fear means to you.



What are items, incidents, or times in which you have felt fear? Why do we fear things in our lives and/or surroundings? How do you overcome your fears

Can Utopia Exist?: Color

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 09:30 PM GMT0 • Reads 309

In each society, color plays an important role. In Jonas's society, color has been taken away and everything is seen in various shades of gray; in Kira's society, blue is missing; and in Matt's society, Forest is turning dark and black.



Color elicits various feelings, emotions, and actions within our own society. After completing the class activity, write how colors mak you feel. Describe what various colors represent in your life.

Can Utopia Exist?: History

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 09:33 PM GMT0 • Reads 128

The societies within our novels each have their own way of remembering thier past. In our own society, children are taught history throughout their educational career.



Why is history an important part of a societies existence? Should all people be educated about past events or should this knowledge be saved for only certain people within the society? Explain your reasoning.

Can Utopia Exist?: Freedom

Article posted April 11, 2007 at 09:36 PM GMT0 • Reads 2294

The people of each community are slaves to various sources within the community: The Giver, the Council of Elders; Gathering Blue, the Council Guardians; Messenger, Trade Mart, their greed, and Forest.



Within our own society are we truly free? Are there areas or times within our lives in which we are restricted from exercising our personal freedoms? Can people truly be free? Explain your response.