TTBree

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 __was__ there when Rob died, many thoughts would be going through my head. I would be thinking, "//This can't be happening to my best friend. He can't go like this.//" Physically, I would feel like I was going to be sick. I would be crying, and I would be shaking all over. Mentally, I would feel broken; I would feel like everything was suddenly my fault. The next day, I would feel even worse. I would feel guilty that my best friend is dead; I would never forgive myself, even if I wasn't the cause of his death.

TB - were

2. When you hear or read of a car accident that involved teenagers, what do you assume is the cause of the accident - drinking, speed - drugs? What about if you hear about a car accident involving the elderly? Explain your answers.

When I hear of a car accident involving teens, I assume that the accident is __do__ to drinking or drugs. Teens want to have fun, and try new things. Some teens try new things so people will think they are cool. They won't be cool for doing drugs or drinking; They will end up dead. Being dead doesn't make you cool. It makes you stupid, just like doing drugs and drinking and driving is stupid. When I hear about a car accident involving the elderly, I think it is caused by driving to slow or not having good vision. Some elders drive under the speed limit, and could have a car run into them that is going faster. Some elders could __loose__ their glasses while driving, or not see a car pull out in front of them.

TB - not to bad

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 kids closer together? Does it set you off from others? Explain.

The purpose of slang between friends is because of fun. They do it to keep secrets, to be funny, or even just to be stupid and goof around. It would be a language that only you and this friend knows and understands without others trying to listen in and understand your conversation. Slang can bring you closer to the person who knows the secret language, but it might bring you apart from others who don't understand your talk.

4. In a paragraph rich with sensory detail, write about your own most frightening moment.

My most frightening moment, was when I found out about something very bad happening to my friend at home. It didn't really involve me, but I still felt bad for her; I even cried. She was getting hurt, and there was nothing I could do about it.. Everyday in the summer, I think about what was happening to her. I had nightmares. I thought she would be killed - or at least in the hospital. When I finally talked to her about it, she told me it was true. I had chills. I still worry about her, even though she doesn't live in the same place with the same people anymore. I still feel she will get hurt. If anything happened to her, I would **never** be able to live without her. That was my most frightening moment by far.

TB - good (just remember, if someone is being hurt and you know it is really happening, you should contact someone for help)

6. Even though many people cried, 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.

If a tradgedy occured and it is not someone in my immediate family, I wouldn't really have an effect. I would feel bad for the person and their family, but I would not cry or make a scene. If the person was a family member of a close friend, I would feel really bad, but I don't believe I would cry or let it bother me too much.

7. One //Herald// editorial says that statistics don't usually "mean much, but this statistic (Rob) had a name, face,..."When we hear of a statistic such as this that reports someone dying in a drunk-driving accident every 18 minutes - how do you feel? Do you agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the numbers when you do not have a face to relate it to?

When I hear that someone had died do to drug driving every 18 minutes, I feel sick. I don't know how people could go around drinking then get in a car and drive off. These accidents can be prevented very easily; But they could also happen very easily. If I saw someone who had been drinking and getting in a car, I would offer to drive them home. Even if I didn't know the person very well. It would be worth saving a life. I do not agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the numbers when someone does not have a face to relate it to. If someone was killed every 18 minutes, I would still feel emotional about all the people who have died from wreckless drunk driving.

8. 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.

If I could rid the world of three things, I would get rid of cancer, bad people, and cherries. Cancer kills many people and a lot in my family. I would get rid of bad people, because they cause other people pain. Some people lie, steal, or even kill. I would get rid of cherries, because I think they taste bad.

9. 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 important to me that my parents come to events that I participate in. If I'm going to be in an important event, I want them there to support me. If they didn't show up, I would feel that whatever I'm doing would not be important enough to them.

10.Andy mentions that some kids at school haven't looked him in the face since the accident; one even taped a mean note to his locker. How would you treat Andy now? Elaborate.

If I found out about the accident, I would comfort Andy, because I know how hard loosing a friend could be. However, I would not respect him as much as before the accident, because it was the boys' faults for getting in the accident in the first place. They caused their own problems.

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 answerwith three (3) points.

Yes, doing homework can help you perform better on tests. In my opinion, I think homework is a waste of time for some people that pay attention in class. If people pay attention then, they shouldn't have to do extra work. The people who mess around and distract the class should have homework. In my opinion, most kids don't do their homework or pay attention in class, so they score lower on tests.

12. Do you feel that your parents 'get' you or don't understand you at all? What makes you think this? Explain.

I feel that my parents don't really understand me, but then again, I don't believe that any parents //really// understand their kids - especially teens. I think this, because sometimes it's hard to talk to your parents about your problems. In some situations, you could have trouble explaining the issue to them. I would rather turn to a close friend, than talk to my parents sometimes. Other times, I would just like to have some time alone from them and friends.

13.Andy believed that his friends would talk about him if he won academic awards. 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?

I believe that academics should be important to teens. It could help them get ahead in their future and help them become smarter. Being smart doesn't make you cool now, but it will make you cool in the future when you have a job & money. Academic achievement is important to me, because I want to learn as much as I can now, and have a nice job with a lot of money and a big house in a nice town or city.

14. We learn about Andy's grades and study habits. Do you think the guidance counselor who advised him against going into pre-law was being realistic or unfair? Defend your answer.

I believe that the guidance counselor's opinion on Andy going into pre-law was totally unrealistic; Just because Andy plays sports, doesn't mean he can't learn or accomplish other goals. If Andy really tried, I believe he could study pre- law. Guidance counselors are here to guide you and give advice, not to ruin your dreams or tell you that you aren't good enough to accomplish something.

15. In a class discussion, Keisha says, "All of us at one time or another feel like a cinder among the snowflakes. You stand out when you just want to blend in, you get noticed whether you want to or not". In a paragraph, write about when you have felt like a "cinder among the snowflakes".

I felt like a "//cinder among the snowflakes//" when I attended my first theatre class. It seemed like everyone was staring blankly at me, like I didn't belong there. Everyone there was older than I was, and they were more skilled at acting than I was. I am a shy person, so I didn't talk to anyone. I stood out so much. At first, I couldn't wait to get to my first class, but then I couldn't wait to go home. I was nervous and scared. The next week, I met new friends, and started to enjoy the class.

16. Andy envisions Monty will have a future as a doctor or lawyer. 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 about your future?