1. Put yourself in place of one of the boys who escaped the crash but was forced to watch "helplessly as Rob died." What is going through your head? How do you feel physically and mentally? How do you think that you will feel tomorrow?
~*~ If I had to watch as one of my friends died helplessly I would be thinking, What will I tell their parents?, Will everyone think this is all my fault and I refused to help them?. Physically I would feel pained from the accident and mentally I would feel distressed and that it was all my fault. The next day it would be hard to deny and the kids at school would probobly blame me for everything even though it was an accident.
2. When you hear or read of a car accident that involved teenagers, what do you tend to assume was the cause of the accident? What about if you hear about an accident involving the elderly? Explain your answers.
~*~ When I hear of an accident involveing teenagers I would assume the accident accured because of reckless driveing or alcohol. When I hear of an elderly person in an accident I assume they had a medical issue or feel asleep at the wheel. I tend to assume these things because a teen is more likely to be drinking and driveing than an elderly person and an elderly person is more likely to have a hart attack or another medical issue than a teenager.
3. Andy and Rob have their own slang and manner of speaking. On the surface they seem to be putting each other down, but it is clear to us that they are close friends who respect each other. What purpose does this style of language serve? Does it draw you closer together? Does it set you off from others? Explain.
4. In a paragraph rich with sensory detail, write about your own most frightening moment.
5. Although many people did cry, Rhonda did not cry after the accident occured; she was angry. When or if a public tragedy occurs and it is not someone in your immediate family (9/11/01), how do you respond? Explain.
~*~ No matter what, it is tragic when someone dies. I did not cry on 9-11-01 but many other people did. Even though I did not cry they were still in my thoughts.
6. One Herald editorial says that statistics don't usually "mean much, but this statistic (Rob) had a name, face,..." Do you agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the statistics when you do not have a face to relate them to?
~*~ I find it hard to relate to a statistic without a face because you can not feel the true pain this person went through. With a face you can see the pain and suffering in their eyes.
7. In his homework assigment, Gerald writes that he would rid the world of 3 things. What 3 things would you rid the world of? Stick to concrete items, and back up your choices with personal reasons why you are eliminating them.
8. Neither of Andy's parents bother to show up for the game. How important is it for you that your parents turn out for the events in which you participate? Explain.
~*~ It is very important to me that my parents come to support me in what ever I do. I do not know what it would be like if they didn't. They have always been there if they wanted to be or not. They want me to feel supported, and I do.
9. In Rob's absence, Andy becomes the star of the basketball team. Write about a time when your talents were overshadowed by a friend or a sibling. How did it make you feel? Did you wish that something would happen that would give you a chance to shine? Elaborate
10. Andy mentions that some kids at school haven't looked him in the face since the acident;one even taped a mean note to is locker. How would you treat Andy now? Elaborate.
~*~ I would still treat Andy the same as before the accident. He deffinitly regrets the accident and wishes he could of helped. It was his fault that he was drinking and driveing but it was not his fault that his best friend was killed.
11.Does doing homework help you to perform better on tests? Does homework seem purposeful to you, or is it basically a waste of time? What alternate do you suggest? Defend your answer.
~*~ I think doing homework helps you on test. It gives you practice because you may need help with that topic. Doing homework also helps you get better grades.
12. Do you feel that your parents 'get' you or don't understand you at all? What makes you think this? Explain.
~*~ I think my parents get me. I think my mom gets me because she was wonce my age and went through simular situations and can help me if I need it. My dad on the other hand I don't really know if he gets me because I do not see him as much as I'd like to because he is at work.When I do see my dad we have alot of fun together. I fell my mom gets me more than my dad does just because she sees me more, but I know they will both always be there for me nomatter what.
13. Andy believes that his friends would talk about him if he won academic awards, and then consider Marcus's unpopularity due to his achievement. Is academic failure or apathy built into teenager's notions about what is 'cool'? What effect does academic achievement have on you?
14. We learn about Andy's grades and study habits. Do you think the guidance counselor who advised him against pre-law was being realistic or unfair? Defend your answer.
15. In a class discussion, Keisha says, "All of us at one time or another feel like a "cinder among snowflakes. You stand out when you want to blend in. You get noticed whether you want to or not." In a paragraph, write about a time when you have felt like a "cinder among the snowflakes".
16. Andy envisions that Monty will have a future as a lawyer or a doctor. But when he thinks of his own future, he sees a blank or darkness. Can you picture who you will be in 15 years? What do you envision for your future?
~*~ In 15 years I will be 29 years old. I can see myself in a nice house, married, and being a Physical Therapist. I envision myself being sucessful and proud of my accoplishments. I hope when I am 29 years old all of these things will be true.
~*~ If I had to watch as one of my friends died helplessly I would be thinking, What will I tell their parents?, Will everyone think this is all my fault and I refused to help them?. Physically I would feel pained from the accident and mentally I would feel distressed and that it was all my fault. The next day it would be hard to deny and the kids at school would probobly blame me for everything even though it was an accident.
2. When you hear or read of a car accident that involved teenagers, what do you tend to assume was the cause of the accident? What about if you hear about an accident involving the elderly? Explain your answers.
~*~ When I hear of an accident involveing teenagers I would assume the accident accured because of reckless driveing or alcohol. When I hear of an elderly person in an accident I assume they had a medical issue or feel asleep at the wheel. I tend to assume these things because a teen is more likely to be drinking and driveing than an elderly person and an elderly person is more likely to have a hart attack or another medical issue than a teenager.
3. Andy and Rob have their own slang and manner of speaking. On the surface they seem to be putting each other down, but it is clear to us that they are close friends who respect each other. What purpose does this style of language serve? Does it draw you closer together? Does it set you off from others? Explain.
4. In a paragraph rich with sensory detail, write about your own most frightening moment.
5. Although many people did cry, Rhonda did not cry after the accident occured; she was angry. When or if a public tragedy occurs and it is not someone in your immediate family (9/11/01), how do you respond? Explain.
~*~ No matter what, it is tragic when someone dies. I did not cry on 9-11-01 but many other people did. Even though I did not cry they were still in my thoughts.
6. One Herald editorial says that statistics don't usually "mean much, but this statistic (Rob) had a name, face,..." Do you agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the statistics when you do not have a face to relate them to?
~*~ I find it hard to relate to a statistic without a face because you can not feel the true pain this person went through. With a face you can see the pain and suffering in their eyes.
7. In his homework assigment, Gerald writes that he would rid the world of 3 things. What 3 things would you rid the world of? Stick to concrete items, and back up your choices with personal reasons why you are eliminating them.
8. Neither of Andy's parents bother to show up for the game. How important is it for you that your parents turn out for the events in which you participate? Explain.
~*~ It is very important to me that my parents come to support me in what ever I do. I do not know what it would be like if they didn't. They have always been there if they wanted to be or not. They want me to feel supported, and I do.
9. In Rob's absence, Andy becomes the star of the basketball team. Write about a time when your talents were overshadowed by a friend or a sibling. How did it make you feel? Did you wish that something would happen that would give you a chance to shine? Elaborate
10. Andy mentions that some kids at school haven't looked him in the face since the acident;one even taped a mean note to is locker. How would you treat Andy now? Elaborate.
~*~ I would still treat Andy the same as before the accident. He deffinitly regrets the accident and wishes he could of helped. It was his fault that he was drinking and driveing but it was not his fault that his best friend was killed.
11.Does doing homework help you to perform better on tests? Does homework seem purposeful to you, or is it basically a waste of time? What alternate do you suggest? Defend your answer.
~*~ I think doing homework helps you on test. It gives you practice because you may need help with that topic. Doing homework also helps you get better grades.
12. Do you feel that your parents 'get' you or don't understand you at all? What makes you think this? Explain.
~*~ I think my parents get me. I think my mom gets me because she was wonce my age and went through simular situations and can help me if I need it. My dad on the other hand I don't really know if he gets me because I do not see him as much as I'd like to because he is at work.When I do see my dad we have alot of fun together. I fell my mom gets me more than my dad does just because she sees me more, but I know they will both always be there for me nomatter what.
13. Andy believes that his friends would talk about him if he won academic awards, and then consider Marcus's unpopularity due to his achievement. Is academic failure or apathy built into teenager's notions about what is 'cool'? What effect does academic achievement have on you?
14. We learn about Andy's grades and study habits. Do you think the guidance counselor who advised him against pre-law was being realistic or unfair? Defend your answer.
15. In a class discussion, Keisha says, "All of us at one time or another feel like a "cinder among snowflakes. You stand out when you want to blend in. You get noticed whether you want to or not." In a paragraph, write about a time when you have felt like a "cinder among the snowflakes".
16. Andy envisions that Monty will have a future as a lawyer or a doctor. But when he thinks of his own future, he sees a blank or darkness. Can you picture who you will be in 15 years? What do you envision for your future?
~*~ In 15 years I will be 29 years old. I can see myself in a nice house, married, and being a Physical Therapist. I envision myself being sucessful and proud of my accoplishments. I hope when I am 29 years old all of these things will be true.