Life As We Know It The People Who Surround Us [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.]

2010-

2011

kimosenga Geary County USD 475

2010-2011

Life As We Know It: The People Who Surround Us

Inquiry Questions:

What does it mean to belong?

Are people basically good?

Objectives:

o Students will read, view, & analyze texts critically.

o Students will use higher level questions to think

about the texts they read.

o Students will reflect on the people who surround us.

o Students will write an essay answering 1 of 2 writing

prompts.

Texts:

o “The Elevator” William Sleator

o “The Landlady” Roald Dahl

o This I Believe II, “Be Cool,” —Christian McBride pp. 158-160

o This I Believe II, “Peace Begins with One Person” –Ivory Harlow pp. 100-102

o Letters to a Bullied Girl, Introduction, pp. 11-12, 86-87, 200

o “Listen to the Wind” Mortensen & Roth

o “If Everyone Cared” lyrics and music video

Video:

o World of Jenks—“The Street Queen” episode 3

http://www.mtv.com/shows/world_of_jenks/video.jhtml?filter=fulleps

o What Would You Do? Muslim in Bakery www.abc.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqbQWxHIn4U

o “Stand by Me” across the globe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

o “I’ll Stand By You” Carrie Underwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L49bwSGiW4k

Writing Activities:

o Response to World of Jenks, What would you do?, Stand by me,

o Question, Comment, Connect—If everyone cared, peace begins…,

Other Activities:

o Socratic Circle-If everyone cared

o Philosophical debate-Peace begins with one person

o Vocab. & summarization technique-Be cool

Reading Indicators:

1.3.1-Context Clues, 1.4.5-Inferences, 1.4.6-

Text Structure, 1.4.8-Cause/Effect, 1.4.9-

Summarization, 1.4.10-Author’s Purpose,

1.4.15-Fact/Opinion

Writing Indicators:

1.1.2-Expository text using the writing

process

Focus Correction Areas: Ideas & Organization

Name:

Core:

Process: Key Traits (6-Trait Writing)

Prewriting activities:

In class on ____, we will list stories and real-life examples related to our two inquiry questions. Take Notes.

Based on those notes, your writing in your writers notebook, do whatever prewriting activity you find most effective so that you are ready to write a sloppy copy. (outline, web, etc.)

Drafting activities:

We will examine model thesis statements and decide on the qualities that make them work. In class, you need to decide your opinion about the topic you chose and basic supporting details. Develop a thesis statement by ______.

At the beginning of class on _______, you will have your sloppy copy of your essay to turn in to Ms. O.

On ______ you will receive your sloppy copy back with notes from Ms. O. Revise your sloppy copy as you see fit, a new copy is due _____.

Revising activities:

On ______, you will read aloud and peer revise yours and others’ second drafts for the focus correction areas listed above.

On ______, you will make the revisions you feel are necessary to you second draft.

Editing activities:

On _____, I will demonstrate how to use the computer spelling/grammar check to learn to correct your personal errors. You will then have time to use that process to perfect the conventions in your essay.

Polishing activites:

The polished draft of your essay is due ______. Make sure your name and core are on top of your essay.

1. Ideas

*Presents a THESIS STATEMENT that clearly

identifies the topic and controlling idea of the

paper

*Supports the thesis with EVIDENCE, such as

examples, facts, statistics, and expert opinions

*Synthesizes information from sources and

includes QUOTATIONS

*Includes the writer’s OWN IDEAS

2. Organization

*Follows a clear organizational PATTERN

*Connects ideas with TRANSITIONS

*Includes an interesting INTRODUCTION and a

thoughtful CONCLUSION

3. Voice

*Maintains a formal, ACADEMIC tone

4. Word Choice

*Uses PRECISE words to explain ideas

5. Sentence Fluency

*Varies the lengths of sentences

6. Conventions

*Uses correct GRAMMAR, SPELLING, &

PUNCTUATION

*Credits sources

*Uses correct formats and style

Focus Correction Areas:

1. IDEAS—presents a clear thesis statement 2. IDEAS—includes at least 3 quotations from

texts 3. ORGANIZATION—includes a unique and clear

introductory paragraph

● ● ●

Team 8 Writing

Formatives

● ● ●

Writer’s Road Map

Writer’s Choices

What does it mean to BELONG? Are people basically GOOD?

Writing Situation:

In many of our texts (both print and non-print) we

have witnessed people on the fringe of society, who

are outcasts either at school, at home, or in society.

What does it mean to belong? Is it important for

people to belong? How can feeling like a person

belongs somewhere change their life?

Writing Situation:

As we’ve studied our texts this semester we

have met some sinister characters and read

some articles about people who have tried to

make a difference. Through all of these, we

have been asking ourselves, “are people

basically good?” What does it mean to be

“basically good”? Is everyone basically good?

Directions for Writing:

Write a letter to an antagonist explaining what

it means to be basically good. Does the

antagonist already have some good in them?

Provide evidence from your reading to

support your thoughts. How could that person

change to redeem themselves? Outline a plan

of action for the antagonist to change

themselves in the letter. Make sure that you

provide 3 quotes from the articles we read to

support your views.

Directions for Writing

Write an advice column to a person on the “fringe”

about belonging. You could write to a fiction

character or non-fiction person. Make sure you

include at least 3 quotes from articles or stories we

have read. In your column explain what it means to

belong, if it is important to belong, and how the

person’s life could change if they felt they belonged.

Visit pages R37 through R40 in your textbook for tips on how to write a successful EXPOSITORY text.

OR

Texts I Connect to “What does it mean to BELONG?” Texts I Connect to “Are people basically GOOD?

Excerpts from Letters to a Bullied Girl

Introduction:

For Olivia Gardner, an epileptic, the bullying began in middle school. It took the form of name-calling after she suffered a seizure in front of her peers. Olivia was singled out as different, rejected by her peers, and tormented in the hallways and on the Internet with an “Olivia’s Haters” website created by her classmates. Olivia’s bullies dragged her backpack through the mud, taunted her in school and wore “I Hate Olivia” bracelets. With each incident Olivia withdrew. Wouldn’t you?

Olivia considered ending her suffering by taking her own life until one small act of kindness by complete strangers gave her a reason to hope again.

In March 2007, sisters Emily and Sarah Buder read about Olivia’s story in the local newspaper. They felt her pain and took action. The sisters mobilized a letter-writing campaign called “Olivia’s Letters.” Emily and Sarah encouraged their peers to write letters to the bullied girl; messages of healing, hope, inspiration, and understanding. Their goal was to let Olivia know that she was not alone and that she had reason to believe in herself again.

As word spread about “Olivia’s Letters,” the girls’ P.O. box started to overflow. Outpourings of stories, support, emotion and encouragement arrived from complete strangers drawn to Olivia because something in her story touched their hearts.

In these letters, people of all ages and backgrounds share their experiences. Some are young, others are adults who themselves were tormented when they were children. There are also letters from former bullies who reveal years later why they targeted others. This collection of personal memories is the first of its kind ever compiled. The extraordinary honesty in these letters gives us a rare and much-needed look into the life-altering effects of bullying.

From these messages of healing and hope, Olivia was ultimately able to find solace. Today Olivia, who had fled the school environment for the comfort of her own home, is back in school. She has new, caring friends and is forming healthier relationships. Though she’ll never forget what happened and is still dealing with painful memories, Olivia now has reason to hope.

The following pages contain a selection of the more than four thousand letters Olivia received. Though the letters begin, “Dear Olivia,” they speak to all who have been bullied or who are currently bullies themselves.

Letters to a Bullied Girl exposes the bullying issue with the words of those who know it best. These letters containing real-life examples can help other targets of bullying cope and inspire bullies to change.

This book is only the beginning of what can be a worldwide movement to confront bullying and change the way people treat each other. Through the true stories of the many strangers who reached out to Olivia, Letters to a Bullied Girl proves that it is possible for a bully to become a friend and a target of bullying to become an inspiration.

Permission from Olivia’s Mother…

Dear Janet, Emily and Sarah’s mom,

I am Olivia’s mother and I cannot tell you how touched I am by your idea. Olivia is in sooo much pain right now. She has been taken out of school

by her therapist and physician and she is feeling very isolated; especially since she is an only child. The project you proposed where your girls collect

letters of encouragement is one of the best things that I think could happen to Olivia right now. To hear from her peers is much more powerful than

what “mom” says. The hateful energy is still being directed at her and she is really doubting herself. You have my permission to let the girls be our

angels on earth and do this kind endeavor. Thank you for being who you are.

Kathleen, Olivia’s mom

Citation:

Gardner, OIivia, Buder, E., Buder, S. Letters to a Bullied Girl: Messages of Healing and Hope. New York: Harper, 2008.

From a bully…

Dear Olivia,

I am a junior in high school and a member of a peer resource group where we support students who have issues at school. My motivation for joining this group was because I have had several experiences throughout school where I witnessed bullying and never did anything about it. Some middle school incidents involved name-calling and put-downs, and in high school, they tend to involve mean-spirited exclusion of people who were once friends. I feel so awful and guilty that I have stood by and watched people get hurt and never come to anyone’s defense.

Now I spend many afternoons dealing with the fallout from these kinds of problems, and I don’t think people realize how devastating and traumatic these experiences can be. Most kids tend to look the other way like I did to avoid causing trouble out of fear that their friends will turn against them. I feel very guilty that I never supported or stood up for someone the way these two sisters have. Being a bystander to bullying is almost as bad as doing it, because if you remain quiet, it seems like you support what is going on.

Good luck. Your story has taught a lot of kids the right thing to do.

Zoe

Bullied No More…

Dear Olivia,

Thank you for being so brave as to put your story out for the world to know. By doing this, you are

helping to bring an end to this soul-wrenching torture that so many of us have endured over the years. You are

no longer a target, but instead have become an advocate and a champion for those who want to rise above their

bullies. The two sisters who stepped in on your behalf are examples of the closest things we have to angels in

this world.

I am writing with tears as I remember (I am now 52) my years of isolation and hiding from classmates

and even one teacher. I tend to put out of my mind those years until I read stories like yours.

My bullying nightmare started because my father was a scout leader in my school. He ran the troop like it

was the Marine Corps boot camp. Many of the scouts were the older brothers of my classmates. The scouts, not

being able to retaliate directly against my father, instead turned their younger brothers to attack me starting

in third grade through high school. One teacher, who I deeply admired, even conjugated the word ugly using me

as an example for the superlative, ugliest. The class roared with approval. For years I was always ashamed to

show my “ugliest” face to anyone and years later rarely dated. As a result I changed from a regular outgoing kid

to one who learned that people were mean and to be avoided. So I avoided people as much as possible. It wasn’t

that I disliked people, I just felt I was so wretched that it was better to not inflict myself on others.

It was a few years after high school that I began to see that bullies were truly tiny-minded cowards,

something I actually was not. I also began to make friends with caring, emotionally mature people and gradually

came to believe that the vast majority of people won’t tolerate bullies, especially as the awareness of this all too

common horror continues to grow. The Internet has tremendous power!

My experience has helped to make me a compassionate, understanding human being. As the expression

goes: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” I’ve also found this to be true.

You are really fortunate to have been able to see how many people care about you in a huge way.

Best regards,

Jack

Be Cool

I believe people have become tighter, meaner, and less tolerant

than ever. I never remember people being so uncool. I don’t remember

people getting the third degree because they decided to wear brown

shoes instead of black. If you get too close to someone on the road, they

want to get out and shoot you for possibly hitting their car. What’s wrong

with these people?

I believe it pays to be cool. Most people in this day and age are

always terribly stressed and hypersensitive to absolutely everything. They

will age quickly. Cool people stay young forever.

Ten years ago, cell phones were still a luxury. People still had “land lines” for their primary phone

numbers. Remember when it was okay to have dial-up? Now, people don’t even bother asking for a home

number anymore. Is it because we’re so busy, people don’t even bother being at home anymore? Or is

business so important that people need to get in touch with you upon demand? Didn’t people survive just fine

not being contacted by their boss while having dinner with their families?

As for the Internet, it amazes me that when you walk into a Starbucks, it looks like a CompUSA with all

the dog-gone laptops with people stressing out over whatever. When people need to work on stressful work-

related on their laptops, they go to Starbucks to drink coffee?

Me, on the other hand, I’m cool! Why do I know that? Because I sleep well at night, and I work with

people who apparently like to work with me.

Now let me make something very, very clear: I’m not always cool. I’ve had my meltdowns in life. Once,

I had a musician in my band who was a little less than cool—he was flat-out lazy! After fifteen months of

playing the same music, he never bothered to memorize it. Instead of pulling him aside and addressing the

situation like a rational person would have done, I let him have it like I’ve never let anyone have it before.

After it was over, I realized that I’d cleared the room. Everyone was so scared (or annoyed), that they just left.

Well, “lazy guy” left the band and has never spoken to me ever again. I’m very sorry for that. I can only learn

from that, and I try very hard not to have another meltdown, ever.

Pleasing everyone doesn’t always mean saying “yes” or “that’s great” or “no problem.” Sometimes you

have to say the opposite but with a clear, sensible, and gracious tone. Being cool is not what you say or do, but

how you say or do it.

So I say, “Be cool.” You’ll see more. You’ll learn more. You’ll make better decisions. You’ll be happier.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Christian McBride learned how to play bass from his father and uncle—and how to be cool from his

grandfather. McBride has played with jazz legends McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard, as well as pop artists BeBe Winans and Sting.

Citation: A l l i s o n , J a y , a n d D a n G e d i m a n . T h i s I B e l i e v e I I : M o r e P e r s o n a l P h i l o s o p h i e s o f R e m a r k a b l e M e n a n d W o m e n . N e w Y o r k , N Y : H e n r y H o l t a n d C o . , 2 0 0 8 . 1 5 8 - 1 6 0 .

Peace Begins with One Person

I serve coffee at a counter style-diner in Texas. I often see a look of

isolation in my customers’ eyes. They come in the front door, wander to the

counter, pick up the menu and look around the diner for something they can’t

short-order: a connection.

In an age of online chat, online shopping, and even online school, it’s no

wonder people come into the diner starving for human connection. Most of my

customers can remember a time when the milkman came to their front door. As

I serve up their eggs and bacon, they offer updates on their grandchildren. They

ask me about the happenings in my life.

One day, I walked to the back of the smoking section to pass around a

fresh pot of coffee. There was a woman who had been sitting in a corner booth

for at least three hours. She asked me, “How much is just one breakfast taco?” I

told her I didn’t know, that I’d never served just one by itself. Going back to the

kitchen I thought about her rotted teeth and tired eyes, and how she’d

consumed enough caffeine for three people already. I offered her a free pancake

breakfast. I fibbed that it was a leftover from an order I had messed up. She

asked me borrow bus fare and promised to return and pay me back. I handed

over tip money from my apron pocket. She smiled a ragged grin on her way out

the front door.

Three weeks later she returned my two dollars. She had gotten a job and

a friend’s couch to sleep on. She offered to buy me breakfast on my break!

This kind of thing gets me wondering if something as simple as a short

stack of pancakes can bring about a small shift in society. I’ll go even further: Can

one act of friendliness start to generate peace? I believe it can. Peace begins

with one person but spreads like warmed syrup. When I connect with my

neighbors, they return it in kind.

So I believe in friendliness and an open ear. For me, it starts with making

eye contact when I pour coffee and ask my customers, “How you doing?” and

then listen to their answers.

My job is to take care of customers at a counter in a small Texas diner,

but I also believe we’re in this world to take care of each other.

Ivory Harlow began working as a waitress after a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force. She is studying for a bachelor’s degree in

business administration. Harlow lives in San Antonio with her husband and dog, and she enjoys writing poems and nonfiction.

Citation: A l l i s o n , J a y , a n d D a n G e d i m a n . T h i s I B e l i e v e I I : M o r e P e r s o n a l P h i l o s o p h i e s o f R e m a r k a b l e M e n a n d W o m e n . N e w Y o r k , N Y : H e n r y H o l t a n d C o . , 2 0 0 8 . 1 0 0 - 1 0 2 .

Questions, Comments, Connections:

Watch the Video. Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. What is the message of the song?

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2. At the end of the song there is a quote that says:

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. In deed, it is the only thing that

ever has.” –Margaret Mead

How does that quote connect to the message of the song? What connections

could you make to those ideas?

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3. What is the mood of the music video? Support your answer with evidence.

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4. What was one fact shared with the audience? Are there any opinions that are

shared? What are they?

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Now that you watched the video, interact with the lyrics. Be ready to discuss both the

lyrics and video at tomorrow’s Socratic Circle!

For tomorrow you need to have read and DUG DEEPER with the following text. By DIGGING DEEPER with the text I

mean that you have personalized it by marking your questions, comments and connections and reactions in the

margin next to the text. Organizing your thoughts by using different colors to mark different ideas is extremely effective.

(Make sure you write your thoughts, or questions, don’t just highlight!) Some people think of this as having a dialogue or

conversation with the actual words on the page. Things you should consider doing include:

*circling and then looking up any vocabulary words that you do not know

*Identifying Figurative Language!

*keeping track of the idea as it unfolds

*noting word patterns and repetitions or anything that strikes you as confusing or important

*writing down questions, comments and connections!

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If Everyone Cared

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky Confusing stars for satellites

I never dreamed that you'd be mine But here we are, we're here tonight

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive Singing Amen, I, I'm alive

[Chorus:] If everyone cared and nobody cried

If everyone loved and nobody lied If everyone shared and swallowed their pride

Then we'd see the day when nobody died And I'm singing

Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive

Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive

And in the air the fireflies Our only light in paradise We'll show the world they were wrong

And teach them all to sing along

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive Singing Amen, I, I'm alive (I'm alive)

[Chorus x2]

And as we lie beneath the stars We realize how small we are

If they could love like you and me Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried If everyone loved and nobody lied

If everyone shared and swallowed their pride Then we'd see the day when nobody died

When nobody died... [Chorus]

We'd see the day, we'd see the day

When nobody died We'd see the day, we'd see the day When nobody died

We'd see the day when nobody died

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