Journal Entries English I 2015-2016€¦ · balcony scene in Romeo + Juliet different from William Shakespeare’s original script? Why do you think Luhrmann choose to alter the setting

Journal Entries English I

2015-2016Most recent entries are at the front of the file; the oldest entries are at

the back!

JE 34-W25 Lines or Full Page

Pretend that Life School is staging a production of Romeo and Juliet and you plan to audition for a part. Who do you feel would be the best selection for the title roles of Romeo and Juliet and why? Which character in the play do you feel you could best represent and why? What personality traits do you share with the character you would like to represent? What do you think you can learn from trying to think like and act like this character? Which character would you least like to try out for and why?

JE 34-T25 Lines or Full Page

Friar Lawrence has concocted a plan for Juliet to fake her death so that she can run away with Romeo. However, he has not covered all of the possibilities. He needs a plan B. Come up with an alternate plan based on the possibility that Romeo does not show up to rescue Juliet from the tomb. What can Juliet do instead, and how long should she wait to put Plan B into action?

Possible Problems

• What if Romeo never receives the letter?

• What if Romeo decides not to come after Juliet?

• What if Romeo tries to come but gets arrested?

• What if Juliet wakes up early?

• What if someone else shows up to visit the grave when Juliet wakes up?

JE 34-M25 Lines or Full Page

Over the past 4 centuries, Romeo and Juliet have been an inspiration in the creation of numerous works of art. Examine the paintings below and describe what you see in each one. Which painting do you think better captures the relationship between Romeo and Juliet?

JE 33-F25 Lines or Full Page

What are some of the differences between Shakespeare’s script of Romeo and Juliet5 and Baz Lurhmann’s film? Why do you think Lurhmann decided to make certain changes to the original script? If you were to be involved in the next remake of Romeo and Juliet, what changes would you recommend and why?

JE 33-Th25 Lines or Full Page

At this point in the play, both Romeo and Juliet have threatened suicide. Write a letter to Romeo or Juliet providing them with reasons why suicide is not a reasonable or valid option. ORWrite a letter to one set of parents warning them that their son/daughter is about to make a big mistake and giving them advice about how to handle it.


Select one of the 3 statements on the right. Write a journal entry about whether you agree or disagree with this idea. Be sure to use a specific example either from the play or from your personal experiences to support your point.

• Dreams can warn us about future events.

• If an adult knows that a young person is heading for serious trouble, he or she has a responsibility to tell that person’s parents.

• Boys suffer over unrequited love as much as girls do.


Romeo has committed a crime, and in his society the punishment was exile or banishment. However this is not a punishment that we use in today’s justice system. If Romeo were to go on trial today for Tybalt’s death, what would be the most appropriate charge and sentence? Is there any room for a self-defense argument in Romeo’s case?

Charges

• 1st Degree Murder

• 2nd Degree Murder

• Manslaughter

Sentences

• Death Penalty

• Prison

• Parole

• House Arrest

• Community Service and Probation


Which character in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet seems to be the most mature up to this point? Which character seems to be the least mature? Be sure to provide reasons for both of your choices.

• Romeo

• Juliet

• Benvolio

• Mercutio

• Tylbalt

• Friar Lawrence

• Nurse

• Father Capulet

• Lady Capulet

• Father Montague

• Lady Montague

• Paris


How is Baz Luhrmann’s rendition of the famous balcony scene in Romeo + Juliet different from William Shakespeare’s original script? Why do you think Luhrmann choose to alter the setting of the scene? What was the overall effect and which version do you like better and why? If you pick a different setting for the balcony scene where would you have it take place?


Read the quote below. Do you agree or disagree? How does this apply to Romeo and Juliet? What plans did they discuss for after the wedding? What options do they have for making a life together? What steps can they take so that their families might eventually accept their union?

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ~Benjamin Franklin


Read the quote below. Do you agree or disagree? How does this apply to Romeo and Juliet? Are they the perfect couple or is their relationship imperfect in some way? Do you think that their marriage has a chance to last? Why or why not?

“A great marriage is not when the perfect couplecomes together. It is when the imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”


In many historical cultures, including Shakespeare’s, arranged marriage was an accepted and respected practice. In Western culture today, arranged marriage is no longer popular and is often demonized. However, with the high divorce rate in our society, some argue that the practice still has value, and there are some contemporary cultures that still subscribe to arranged marriages. What is your opinion on arranged marriages? What benefits do they have, and what drawbacks do they possess? Would you allow your parents to be involved in your choice of a life partner? Why or why not?


As we watch Act I of Romeo and Juliet, create a journal entry in which you list and describe the various characters. Descriptions can be physical, but they should also describe character traits and qualities that reflect the behaviors and attitudes of the characters. Be sure to list reasons for the character qualities that you assign to each character.


Imagine that you or a close friend are preparing to go on a blind date with someone who you have never met in person. Describe some of the different things that you should remember to do in advance before going on the blind date.


If you had a friend or family member who was in love with someone who really didn’t love them back or even notice them, what advice would you give them for dealing with the pain of rejection? How would you recommend they move forward? Write your journal entry in the form of a letter.

JE 31-Tu25 Lines or Full Page

Do you believe that teenagers can fall as deeply in love as adults can? Why or why not? Be sure to use an example in your answer.

JE 27-Tu20 Lines

Select one of the following pairs to compare and contrast. Make sure you list 3 similarities and 3 differences that apply to the pair using lots of details. Finally, explain which one you believe is superior and why?

• Iphone vs Andriod

• Coke vs Pepsi

• Swimming Pools vs Trampolines

• Apples vs Oranges

• Books vs Movies

• Mars vs Jupiter

• Cars vs Trucks

• Glasses vs Contacts

• Basketball vs Hockey

• Rap vs Jazz

• McDonald’s vs Burger King

JE 26-W20 Lines

Describe at least 3 different foods that you truly dislike. Make sure to give reasons why you dislike each of your choices and why you believe that the world would be a better place without these foods. Uses lots of details.

JE 26-M20 Lines

Explain the steps necessary for making and keeping friends. Explain why it is important for people to continue to make friends throughout their lifespan.

Bonus Journal # 920 Lines

Explain some of the causes and effects of prejudice.

JE 23-F20 Lines – Make sure that your lines extend all the

way across the page!Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered if you could trust a person? If not, imagine that you are in such a situation where you need to develop a test or a challenge to determine whether you should trust a certain person. What kind of test would you develop? How would you know whether this person passed your test and was truly a person you could trust.

JE 23-W20 Lines – Make sure that your lines extend all the

way across the page!(Re)read the end of Odysseus’s sea journey on pages 892-893 of the textbook. (It starts on line 314.) What is ironic about the resolution of this section? According to the outcome, what seems to be more powerful, fate or free will? Do you think that Odysseus could have done anything different to change the outcome, and if so what could he have done? If not, why do you think his destiny/fate led him to lose everything on his journey?


According to a Czechoslovakian proverb, “Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

JE 23-M20 Lines – Make sure that your lines extend all the

way across the page!Examine Grant Snyder’s cartoon strip on the left side of the screen. What is the primary message he is trying to communicate about motivation? Do you agree or disagree? What motivates you? Do different ideas and concepts motivate you in the different areas of your life (social, personal, academic, athletic etc.)? What other type motivation would you add to Grant’s cartoon?


way across the page!Sometimes in life we have to make difficult choices.

These choices might involve several possible outcomes, but we do not particularly like any of the possible outcomes. The extreme dilemma around the impossible choice is called the Catch-22. Catch-22 is a situation where no matter what you choose, you lose. Think of a situation in your own life or in a story from popular culture that you are familiar with where someone is faced with an impossible choice. Write in your journal about what the choice was, what the options were, and what the potential outcomes were. Then write down what the person’s actual choice ended up being and why.


way across the page!Read through the list of character traits on the right side of the screen. Which character traits fit with Odysseus’ personality and behavior choices? Which character traits do not fit his profile? Use examples from the text to support each trait that you write about in your journal entry.

Textbook pages 863-879

• Organized

• Proud

• Prepared

• Curious

• Selfish

• Compassionate

• Reflective

• Impulsive

• Creative

• Trustworthy


way across the page!Examine the image to the right and describe in detail what you see. Be sure to include details about the colors, figures, objections, and positions in the painting. What do you think is going on in this painting and why? How does this painting relate to what we have read so far in The Odyssey? How can we as readers use this episode from The Odyssey and apply it as a lesson to our own lives?


According to a Czechoslovakian proverb, “Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

JE 20-M20 Lines – Make sure that your lines extend all the

way across the page!

This week the lottery is projected to exceed 1 billion dollars. If your family were to win the lottery this week, what would you do with the money? Do you think that there should be a cap on the lottery or a maximum amount that can be won in a single drawing? Why or why not?



If you could study one subject or topic in school that isn’t currently offered, what would it be and why? What types of materials would be used in the classroom of your dream subject? What would the assignments be like, and how would the tests look?



Read through the New Year Reflection Questions below. Select one or more questions to respond to in a 20 line paragraph in your journal. •How can you improve your life in 2016?

•If you could have a New Year’s wish, what would it be?

•How do you feel at the start of a new year?

•What is your favorite New Year’s memory?

•How do you celebrate New Year’s?

•Why is New Year’s a good time for resolutions?

•What are you the most excited for in 2016?

JE 15-F15 Lines

Many people feel that the use of surveillance cameras in public places, such as parking lots, is a good idea that can help ensure our safety. Others worry that too many cameras violate our right to privacy and give law enforcement officials too much power. In your opinion, should we install more surveillance cameras in public places? Why or why not? Support your position with specific reasons and examples.

JE 15-M15 Lines

Some parents give children a weekly or a monthly allowance regardless of their behavior because they believe an allowance teaches children to be financially responsible. Other parents only give children an allowance as a reward for completing chores or when they have behaved properly. What is your personal experience with allowances, and what do you believe parents should do and why?

JE 14-W15 Lines

Examine the image to the right. What message do you think the cartoonist is trying to send? What is the cartoonist attitude towards veterans? Do you agree or disagree? If you could change one thing about image to clarify or alter its theme, what would you change?

JE 13-W (15 Line minimum)

Consider the following scenario and respond in your journal:

In order to save money and improve grades and testing scores, your school is thinking about canceling all field trips for the year. Write a journal entry about whether you think this is a valid option or not. Be sure to use specific reasons and example to support your opinion.

JE 13-M (15 Line minimum)Film Notes – Falling Action, Resolution, Irony

As we continue to watch the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, take some notes about what you are seeing. You can also write down questions you have, comments about what you observe, and/or responses to how the film makes you react or respond. Complete sentences are not necessary for this – just make sure you end up with 15 lines!

JE 12-F (15 Line minimum)Film Notes – Climax, Conflict, and Suspense

As we continue to watch the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, take some notes about what you are seeing. You can also write down questions you have, comments about what you observe, and/or responses to how the film makes you react or respond. Complete sentences are not necessary for this – just make sure you end up with 15 lines!

JE 12-Th (15 Line minimum)Film Notes

As we begin to watch the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, take some notes about what you are seeing. You can also write down questions you have, comments about what you observe, and/or responses to how the film makes you react or respond. Complete sentences are not necessary for this – just make sure you end up with 15 lines!

Bonus Journal # 6 15 Lines

Look at the cartoon below. What type of comment do you think the artist is trying to make about libraries? How does the artist feel about books? Do you agree or disagree with his/her opinion?

JE 12-M (15 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

In Chapter 5 of The Outsiders Soda Pop writes Ponyboy a letter expressing how concerned he is about Ponyboy running away.

Put yourself in Ponyboy’s situation, and write a letter back to Soda Pop that responds to his concerns and expresses Ponyboy’s feelings about the situation.

JE 11-F (15 line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

View the commercial linked below. What title would you give to this commercial? What message do you think the director of this commercial is trying to communicate? What social issue or problem is the director trying to explore? Do you agree or disagree with this message? How does this apply to your life/experiences?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrSUe_m19FY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrSUe_m19FY

JE 11-F (15 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

Use 15 lines of your journal to respond to the topic below. Make sure that you are filling all 15 lines of your journal with ideas. Do not take a short cut and write a single word on each line. Complete sentences are not necessary for this.

25 Things to Do on a Rainy Day include…….

JE 11-W (15 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

In Chapter 5 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy and Johnny attempt to disguise themselves. Why are they disguising themselves and what do they have to sacrifice in order to mask their identities? If you ever had the need to disguise yourself, how would you go about it? What key parts of your identity would you need to give up so that others would not recognize you?

Bonus Journal # 5Anecdote – 15 Lines

Talk about a time that you did something you had never done before for the first time. What compelled you to try this new experience? How did you feel before, during, and after? Would you try this experience again – why or why not? What did you learn about yourself from trying something new?


In Chapter 4 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy and Johnny end up in a deadly encounter. Describe what happens. Why do you think S.E Hinton chose to recount the story about this fight in the way that he did? What important parts did he leave out? What message might he have been trying to send about violence by censoring the actual moment where Bobby is killed?


Use the following sentence starter to begin a 1 page journal entry being as descriptive as possible!

If I was a crayon, I would…..


At the end of Chapter 1 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy says, “But I was still lying and I knew it. I lie to myself all the time, but I never believe me.”

What does Ponyboy mean here? What is he lying to himself about? What are some reasons that people might lie to themselves? In your opinion, it is okay to lie to yourself? Why or why not? What kind of things do you lie to yourself about? How does this lying help or hinder you.


Examine the image to the right. Describe in detail what you see. What message do you think this image is trying to send to viewers? Is this message literal or figurative? Do you agree or disagree with the message in the image? Why or why not?


Read the following quotes about self-respect and select one that aligns with your personal definition of what it means to respect yourself. Explain why you picked the quote you did, what you think it means, and how it applies to your life experiences.

“Respect yourself. If you don’t others won’t either. Remember, the world sees what you put out there, so hold yourself to a high standard of grace and elegance.”

“That you may maintain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.” – William J.H. Boetcker

“Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.” - Clint Eastwood


What are the “lima beans” or the qualities about you that make you unique, special, or different? Describe them in detail. Do you share these qualities with others, and if so who? If not why do you keep these to yourself? Do you feel that other accept you for these differences or not?


Examine the image to the right. Use details to describe exactly what you see. Who do you think the person in the picture is, and how do you think she is feeling? What evidence in the pictures helps you to draw a conclusion about the artist’s meaning? What message or theme about life is being communicated in this picture? What is ironic about this image?

Bonus Journal # 3 (10 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

Examine the story starters provided below. Pick one of the story starters, copy onto the top line on a clean page in your journal and then add details and ideas to try to complete the story.

The horrified butterfly breeder boiled a potato in the pencil museum in April for the doctor.

The timid hat tester flew a helicopter near a neat closet at sunset to create a diversion.

The exhausted bowler crawled into the kitchen when the grandmother arrived to avoid the argument.

Bonus Journal # 2 (10 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

Examine the image to the left. This is an example of a visual metaphor. Visual metaphors use pictures and images to represent ideas, messages, and meanings about the human experience. First describe in detail exactly what you see. Then speculate as to what you think the artist’s message is and what in the picture acts as evidence to support the message you selected.


Examine the scene to the left and describe in detail what you see. What do you think has happened or is happening in this scenario? What evidence from your picture backs up your theory? Use this journal entry to construct a short newspaper story that explains exactly could have happened to produce a scene like this.


Review and think about the quote below.

Many young children start out liking school in the early grades, but by the high school years they just don’t feel as excited and passionate about it anymore. American education is often accused of crushing and denying creativity. Do you agree with this idea or not and why? Where was the turning point for you in your education? Where did the content start to be less interesting and fun for you? What if anything do you think your teachers can do, could have done differently to help you connect to the fun part of learning while still building the skills that you need to be successful when you exit the public school after your 12th grade year?

“Education is great…but it’s my creativity that’s taught me that I can be much more than what my education told me I am.” ~ Raghava KK


Examine the three quotes below from The Most Dangerous Game. They each use figurative language to communicate a message indirectly instead of literally. Select a quote and describe the metaphor that is being constructed through the language – in other words, what is being compared to what and why? Why didn’t Richard Connell just come out and say exactly what he meant – why use this veiled and tricky language to express an idea?

• “The job was finished at last, and he threw himself down behind a fallen log a hundred feet away. He did not have to wait long. The cat was coming again to play with the mouse.” (36)

• “Now he had got a grip on himself, had stopped, and was taking stock of the situation. He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would bring him face to face with the sea. He was in a picture with a frame of water, and his operations, clearly must take place within that frame.” (34)

• “The lights of the yacht became faint and ever-vanishing fireflies; then they were blotted out entirely by the night.” (24)


Early in The Most Dangerous Game, Rainsfordcondemns General Zaroff for condoning and participating in murder. Yet at the end of the story, Rainsford returns after escaping to take revenge and murder General Zaroff. Do you agree with Rainsford’s decision at the end of the story? Why or why not? Has Rainsford changed? What has he learned from this experience? What important lessons does he seem to have missed?


Read the following quotes and select the one that best matches your personal worldview and values. Describe what you think the quote means and how it applies to your experience. Finally, how do you balance the need to develop your self without becoming selfish with the need to support your relationships without completely losing yourself?

• We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. - Cesar Chavez

• There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway

• Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self. - B. R. Ambedkar

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/cesar_chavez.html

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/ernest_hemingway.html

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/b_r_ambedkar.html


Examine the image to the right. Describe in detail what you see, and then explain what message you believe the artist is trying to communicate.


Write a letter to a friend or family member that persuades him or her to stop doing something that is dangerous or harmful. Be sure to include some strong reasons in your letter.

JE 4-W(10 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

The quote below contains a metaphor related to an important life message about the kinds of choices we make. What do you think it means? Provide an example from your own knowledge or experience.

“If you want to climb a mountain, don’t look for the stairs.”


Reread Whitney’s and Rainford’s Discussion about hunting from “The Most Dangerous Game” on page 22-23 starting column 2 on 22 and ending in column 1 of 23. What is the difference between Rainsford’s and Whitney’s opinion on animals? Do you agree or disagree and why? How does this dialogue help us predict what might happen later in this story?

Bonus Journal # 1 (10 Line minimum)

Select one or more inanimate objects to compare yourself to using metaphors.

For example, I am a pencil because I am sharp, and sometimes people erase me from their lives.


Think about all of the different types of weather or climate that we experience each year. Which type(s) of weather is your favorite and why? Which type(s) of weather best match your personality or your feelings?

JE 3-W(10 Line minimum)Discuss Briefly in your Small Group and then write!

Which is the stronger emotion –love or jealousy? Write a journal entry describing a situation in which a person might act out of love and one in which a person might act out of jealousy.


Read the following 3 quotes about jealously, and select the quote that best reflects your beliefs and experiences about jealousy. Write about what you think the quote means and then give an example that fits with the quote you picked.

• “Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes they’re better than you, and sometimes they’re not.” ~ Mary Schmich

• “Jealousy is just a lack of self-confidence.”

• “Jealousy comes from counting other’s blessings instead of our own.”

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Journal Entries English I 2015-2016€¦ · balcony scene in Romeo + Juliet different from William Shakespeare’s original script? Why do you think Luhrmann choose to alter the setting