2nd Quarter Warm Ups

Remember to respond to all prompts with a minimum of a

half-page on college-ruled paper.

Journal 1

What is your motto?A motto captures an individual’s attitude toward life in one phrase. The Ancient Roman poet Horace advised, “Never

despair.” The contemporary comedian Woody Allen summed up the secret to success as: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Ralph Waldo Emerson’s motto

“Trust thyself” sums up the essence of the ideals expressed in his essays and lectures.

What is your personal motto? To get started, consider the best advice you’ve ever given a friend. Write your motto

and explain why this is your motto. After 5 minutes, survey your classmates and add their personal mottos,

noting your favorite.

Journal 2

Read the article “The tale of one woman’s radically simplified ‘built-it-myself’ life”

Record your reactions as you read the story. Why did Dee Williams choose to downsize? Do you think this way

of living is too drastic? Could you do it? How does this type of living exemplify the Transcendental way of life?

TINY: 55:49

Journal 3

Freewrite

Journal 4

What Romantic and Transcendental elements have been present in The Dead Poet’s Society so far? List the elements present and examples of each element

seen in the film.**IF YOU WEREN’T HERE FRIDAY, WRITE ABOUT

YOUR FIELD TRIP.Romantic Elements- interest in the common

man/childhood, awe of nature, strong feelings/emotions, importance of imagination,

celebration of the individualTranscendental Elements- importance of nature, free

thought, confidence, self-reliance, nonconformity

Journal 5

What was your reaction to the ending of The Dead Poet’s Society? Did you predict the film would end in this way? Who do you think is responsible for the death of

Neil Perry? Should Mr. Keating have been fired? Explain your answers.

Journal 6

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Explain your answer.

Take out your poem that was homework.

Journal 7

Write about your favorite Thanksgiving or Christmas memory. Make sure to give me

details!

Journal 8

• Take out The Great Gatsby• Divide your paper into Chapters 1-4.• Under each chapter label, write down

important notes about the chapter (setting, characters, plot). For two of the chapters, write a quotation (dialogue or narration) that stood out to you. Cite the quotation correctly. Explain the significance of the quote in relation to the novel.

• Take out your Imagery assignment from yesterday and turn over to the egg side.

• Complete the West Egg vs. East Egg side using your novel.

Journal 9

If you were unbelievably wealthy and were planning to throw a party this weekend, what

would you include in your party and who would you invite? (No alcoholic beverages allowed!)

Journal 10Choose one of the following “life lessons” learned from The Great Gatsby and explain how it is taught through the novel with textual evidence. Then, explain why this lesson is so important to learn.1. Optimism is a noble, if futile trait.2. Money can’t buy you love (or friends).3. Unbridled passion isn’t always a good thing.4. It’s not easy to leave your past behind you.5. Don’t critique others.6. Physical beauty is fickle and futile.7. You know what they say about assuming…

Journal 11

If you had to make a New Year’s Resolutions, what would it be? Explain at least one resolution, and what you can do this year to achieve it.

END OF 2ND QUARTER JOURNALS