1. A Lesson Before Dying Journal Assignments
Ms. Milton
AP Language and Composition

2. Journal Assignment 1: Read chapters 1-7 (pages 3-58)
Due date: January 19, 2016
Assignment value: 70 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Describe the jury for Jefferson’s trial.
Based on Jefferson’s lawyer’s arguments, explain why the defense attorney did a poor job.
Describe the narrator of the story.
Describe how the town of Bayonne is divided between blacks and whites.
Describe Vivian.
Describe Grant’s school.
What agreement do Guidry and Grant reach?

3. Journal Assignment 2: Read chapters 8-14 (pages 59-109)
Due date: January 25, 2016
Assignment value: 50 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Explain why although Grant’s former teacher Antoine hated being a teacher in the plantation school, he taught Grant and stayed.
Describe two other ways blacks are separated from whites in this town.
Describe the argument Grant tries with Jefferson to get him to eat, talk, and get through the imprisonment and the death sentence with dignity.
While Grant is at the Rainbow Club, who are the other customers discussing? Why is this man important to them?
Why is Grant not living in California? Why is this so important to the plot?

4. Journal Assignment 3: Read chapters 15-20 (pages 110-159)
Due date: February 8, 2016
Assignment value: 50 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
How do Tante Lou and her friends react upon meeting Vivian? Why do they behave in this manner?
What surprising thing happens when Miss Emma and her group visit Jefferson?
Miss Emma is now even more upset than she had been and insists that Grant return to Jefferson’s cell and continue to work with him. What reason does she give for wanting him to go back?
Why does Grant bring up the words “moral obligation” for discussion with Jefferson in their first dayroom visit?
Grant often stays with Jefferson even after the prisoner has shut down and refuses to speak. Why does he do this?

5. Journal Assignment 4: Read chapters 21-26 (pages 160-210)
Due date: February 15, 2016
Assignment value: 30 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
So far in the story, we have met three teachers. Now, we are told that there is another supporting character who also wants to be a teacher. Describe this person.
Grant tries to explain a very complex phenomenon he believes is in play in the community. Summarize his explanation.
Grant is beginning to feel better about his visits to Jefferson, but what spoils his mood when he gets to the bar? Why do you think this happens?

6. Journal Assignment 5: Read chapters 27-31 (pages 211-256)
Due date: February 22, 2016
Assignment value: 80 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five points for providing detail evidence for each component answer.
On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Although Reverend Ambrose does not have a college education, why does he think he is more educated than Grant?
Why does Grant tell Jefferson, “You’re more a man than I am, Jefferson”?
What information does the reader learn about execution by the electric chair?
What are some surprising things the reader learns from reading Jefferson’s thoughts?
How does the black community observe the grim occasion of Jefferson’s execution? How does this differ from how the white community reacts to Jefferson’s execution? Why do you think the reactions are different in each community?
Does Jefferson die a coward or the man Grant was trying to teach him to be? Explain.
What hope does the author give the reader that the situation in this town has truly changed?
The final scene depicts Grant back in the classroom. What reason might the reader have to believe that he will be a better teacher from this day on?