1. Journal entry What struggles do you face or have to overcome in your everyday life? What helps you deal with these challenges? (Remember: Journal entries are a minimum of 5 sentences in length. You do not have to share your response.)

2. Unit Question: What does it take to survive? In the next few weeks we will explore what it takes to survive. Survival is not only physical survival (life vs. death), but other types as well. o With a partner next to you, brainstorm the following question: o What other challenges may individuals have to overcome? o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgSMxY6asoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgSMxY6asoE o (music with Rocky scenes 4:00) o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEjgPh4SEmU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEjgPh4SEmU o (music with lyrics 4:28)

3. On this Veteran’s Day, think of the sacrifices and challenges that our military personnel face each day This is the amazing story of Louis Zapperini’s survival during WWII. Unbroken, by Laura Hildebrand Louis Zapperini, his story, and the power of forgiveness video of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0pulc6kDsk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0pulc6kDsk (9:48)

4. Here’s a real-life example of someone who has had to overcome adversity. Kyle Maynard video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFke91pbfUo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFke91pbfUo (3:18) For more on Kyle Maynard, read his autobiography entitled, No Excuses. My Suicide Story (Hannah Novak) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jexv1LMmSqY& feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jexv1LMmSqY& feature=related (3:50)

5. Poster Activity With someone next to you or individually: o Choose a quote from the ones provided. o Make a poster with your quote Your poster must include the quote and give credit to who stated it. Add borders, drawings or pictures from the internet to help us understand the meaning of the quote. Be creative ! Be neat! The best ones will be displayed in class throughout this unit.

6. What to expect during our survivor unit: Literature book: o Harriet Tubman (surviving slavery, racism, and being a fugitive) Poetry/song lyrics Georgia Author: Alice Walker o (surviving abuse, racism, and poverty in the South) Novel study: The Lottery Rose, by Irene Hunt (surviving child abuse) Literary Skills focus: o Characterization o Analyzing literary texts within different genres