TTErica

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 were one of the boys who escaped the crash, but was forced to watch Rob __died,__ I would have a mix of feelings. I would feel mad at myself because I couldn't help Rob. I would also feel sad that he had to die that way, and that he would be gone forever. Lastly, I would feel scared for Rob's parents and what they would have to go through. The next day I would probably try to make the incident feel like it was just a dream. Then I would realize it wasn't and then get all of the feelings from yesterday in my head again.

TB - good job

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 an accident that involves teenagers, I first think of drinking, drugs, and speeding. The second thing I think of is that they couldn't control the car, since they are new, inexperienced drivers. When I think of a crash with elderly people, I would think they couldn't control the car or they didn't notice they were over the speed limit or were going off the road.

TB - ok

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.

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

6. Even though many people cried, Rhonda did not cry after the accident occurred; 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.

When a public tragedy occurs and none of my family or friends were not in it, I am not very affected by it. I feel bad for all of the people and their families, but it doesn't depress me. I feel that it is hard to try to connect emotionally with something when it doesn't affect you in some way.

TB - ok

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 read or hear about an accident about a drunk driver and I do not know the person, I feel sorry for the family and friends of that person, but I have a hard time relating or feeling emotional about the problem.

8. In his homework assignment, 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.

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 my sporting events or other events, but I feel that they don't have to come to every one for some events. If it was some kind of competition, then I would like them to come to every one. If I have sporting events where we have a game every week, I don't feel they would have to come to all of 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 were in Andy's school after the accident occurred, I would have tried to treat him with sympathy, since his best friend just died and it would have been hard on him. I would have also tried to be as helpful and supportive because he would have probably blamed the accident on himself.

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.

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

(pick 6)

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?

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.

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". . 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?

(select 10)

TB - You are doing a great job. I do believe that you could expand on your answers a little more.