Daily Journals
You will be given a prompt to write about. I expect at least three complete sentences for 15 points. You will also be given a word to define from the Sporting Words in the story we are reading. Find the word by looking at the page it is referenced-to and write out the definition for me. This is worth 10 points. Each day you have the potential of 25 points to gain or lose from this activity. If you miss a day this PowerPoint is available on my web site at School Rack. I expect the make-up for the Daily Journals turned in by the Friday of the week it was missed. If you miss Friday I expect it by the next Monday. Exceptions to this will be done on a case by case basis with no guarantees from me that they will be granted. If you are a persistent truant I reserve the right to revoke you ability to make this work up at all.
What is your favorite sports memory? Say what it was and why it is your favorite memory. Sporting Words: Define: “contender”
Tell me what you already know about the sport of boxing. Sporting Words: Define: “sweet science”
What is your favorite sports based movie and why? Sporting Words: Define: “sports journalism”
What is your favorite sport and why? Sporting Words: Define: “NCAA”
“You have to start by wanting to be a contender, the man coming up, the man who knows there's a good chance he'll never get to the top, the man who's willing to sweat and bleed to get up as high as his legs and his brain and his heart will take him.” The Contender by Robert Lipsyte What does Mr. Donatelli mean by this statement? Explain Sporting Words: Define: “protagonist”
“The kids these days aren't interested in learning to fight. It's hard work. Nobody wants to work no more. Who knows, maybe they're right.” The Contender by Robert Lipsyte What does Mr. Epstein mean by this statement? Explain Sporting Words: Define: “contemplate”
Where does Alfred work? Is the fact that Alfred works and his friends do not important to the story? Defend your answer. Sporting Words: Define: “quitting”
Why do Major, Hollis and James choose the Epsteins' store to break in to? Sporting Words: Define: “fitting in”
Why doesn't Alfred warn them about the alarm system? Do they have a right to be mad at him because he did not tell them of the alarm system? Defend your answer. Sporting Words: Define: “peer pressure”
Why is it so important to Alfred to maintain his friendship with James, even when it seems James could not care less? Sporting Words: Define: “diffidence”
What role do socio- economics play in the book? Sporting Words: Define: “socio- economics”
Why does Mr. Donatelli go out on a limb for Alfred? Sporting Words: Define: “allusion”
What do you think Lipsyte is trying to say about race relations in the book? Explain your answer. Sporting Words: Define: “marginalized”
Why does Lipsyte pick boxing as the subject of a text about a boy coming of age and learning about himself? Why not another sport? Why a sport at all? Sporting Words: Define: “Coming of age”
Alfred is running in the park at first light Monday morning. His stride is smooth and easy. Birds sing, the breeze is cool, and he feels a rare joy. Alfred Brooks is smiling. Suddenly his reverie is smashed by two policemen, one of whom shouts, "Hold it right there." Alfred explains that he is in training, managed by Mr. Donatelli. The cops have heard of Donatelli and ease off. The mood, however, is broken. What is the author trying to say about New York City policemen and race? Explain. Sporting Words: Define: “disillusion”
In Chapter 5 we see that the Epsteins no longer trust Alfred with the bank deposit. Do you believe their excuse is sincere? Do you think their action is fair? Explain you answers. Sporting Words: Define: “regimen”
Chapter 6: Upon entering the gym for his first official day of workouts, what is Alfred greeted with and how does it make him feel? What did it remind him of? Sporting Words: Define: “intimidation”
What makes Alfred feel like overcoming his fears is paying off? Why was this such a good thing? Sporting Words: Define: “the Garden”