speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Please write at least five sentences.  Do you think Melinda’s experience in high school is pretty similar to what most teenagers go through? Why or why not? List at least one example from the text to support/demonstrate your opinion.

Journal #1  How can you relate to Melinda?

Journal #2  Brainstorm the way you view yourself vs. the way others view you.  Write two paragraphs, one explaining how you view yourself and the other explaining how you think others see you.  Just to consider: How are these two views similar, and how are they different?

Identity  School identity : How is the identity of the school confused and unsettled, with no clear character/distinction/personality? Name at least one example and explain.  Melinda’s identity : How does Melinda view herself? How do others view her? Why is this a difficult time in her life?  Your personal identity : How do you view yourself? Is it positive or negative? What has shaped the way you view yourself?

What things in your life define who you are? Brainstorm a list (try to get at least 10).

Journal #3  What are your desires and dreams for the future?

Think about it:  What is “eloquent silence?”  Analyze the relationship between Melinda and Mr. Freeman.

Journal #4  Pretend you are Melinda’s mother. What do you think she should do for Melinda? What do you wish she would do/say???

 Predict what you think will happen next… What is to come in the third marking period?

Response Questions ( )  What interest does Mr. Freeman show in Melinda? Do you think she should trust him? Why/why not?  How does Melinda’s experience in biology foreshadow what may be coming in the book?  What’s your interpretation of David Petrakis?  In one sentence, sum up how Melinda views herself. Start with “I.”

Journal #5  Free-write your response about what happened to Melinda. Just write whatever comes to mind.  If you are stuck, think about…  What do you think of Melinda now? Is her situation and perspective on life a little more understandable? Is she wrong for not telling? What would you do if you were in her shoes?

Note/Think about it:  As you are reading pages , note…  The lack of identity still present in the school and how this relates to Melinda.  Once again, Melinda’s family situation is emphasized.  Has Melinda’s view of high school changed since the school year began?

When you finish reading…  Complete questions 5, 6, and 7 on the back of your half sheet of paper. Be insightful— show me what you’ve learned about Melinda and her character. Be explanatory in expressing your opinions.  What does Melinda’s concern over Rachel show us about her character? (150)  Is Melinda wrong to be overly concerned about Rachel after the way Rachel has treated her this year? Why/why not? (150)  Does Melinda do the right thing in writing Rachel a warning note? Explain. (152)

Journal #6  Create a TOP 10 LIST of hopes/dreams/wishes/ desires you have for your family someday. Reflect on both your family and what we have seen of Melinda’s in the novel to help you create your list.

Who are the suffragettes ?  As you are watching the following two films (about 8 minutes), on a half sheet of paper, take five notes about things that stand out to you, surprise you, make you upset, etc.  Make them notes that are INTERESTING, not just the first five things you hear.

Journal #7:  This might be a tough one…  Think about it: What lie does Melinda tell herself in this section of the book?  Then respond: What lies do teenagers often tell themselves? Why do they do this?

Journal #8:  Consider what Melinda says about the photo of her in the yearbook on page 172. What is the picture of? What does it say about her?  Then, think about you and how you portray yourself. What does a random snapped photo say about you? Journal : What about you is “more than meets the eye”? In other words, what more is there to you that we don’t see when we just look at you and the way you appear?

Journal #9  Why would Rachel respond this way? Was Melinda wrong to tell?  If you were Rachel, how do you think you would have responded?  If you were Melinda, would you have told Rachel? Why?

Journal #10  How is the tree a metaphor for Melinda throughout the novel?  Why does the author end the novel with these words? What does this say about Melinda?