1. Supplementary Poetry Assignment for The Alchemist
CHOICES
Supplementary Poetry Assignment for The Alchemist

2. Overview
This lesson will serve to provide a prelude to the major theme of self-determination, choice and resulting consequence in The Alchemist.

3. We will begin with a quickwrite:
Step 1: List the choices you have made over the past week or so.
Step 2: Identify who or what influenced those decisions. Did you have to do something that you did not want to do?

4. Your Poem in an Envelope
Divide into groups of three.
Each group will receive an envelope with the title of a poem on the outside of the envelope, as well as the name of the author.
Open the envelope carefully.
Inside are the contents of a poem. Put the lines of the poem in logical order.
When you think you have it in proper sequence, call Mrs. Nardelli over to evaluate.

5. Once you have it…. Answer the following questions on your own paper:
Has the speaker had to make choices? If so, what were they and what were the consequences?
What is the speaker saying about choices in this poem (overall)?
Is the speaker happy or sad at the end of the poem because of those choices?

6. “Choices” by Nikki Giovanni
since i can’t go where i need to go … then i must … go where the signs point though always understanding parallel movement isn’t lateral
if i can’t do what i want to do then my job is to not do what i don’t want to do
it’s not the same thing but it’s the best i can do
when i can’t express what i really feel i practice feeling what i can express and none of it is equal i know but that’s why mankind alone among the animals learns to cry
if i can’t have what i want ... then my job is to want what i’ve got and be satisfied that at least there is something more to want

7. “Choices” by Allen Steble
We all have a choice to live a lie or be ourselves to laugh and cry or to follow someone else to look up and smile or bow down and frown to walk the whole mile or take off our crown We have a choice to shout out loud or chant a whisper to fly through the clouds or to be blown like paper to conquer our fear or hide in the shadow to the wise words hear or be thrown out the window We all have a choice to climb our highest mountain or fall into our deepest hole to drink from life's fountain or live life like a troubled soul  

8. “Choices of Tomorrow” by Fiona
As the sun sets, another day’s departed Distant memories light my way back home Mysteries aren’t for the faint hearted,  Can’t escape the past as it’s set in stone An ending leads to a new beginning,  But beginnings come to ends in the road Great times vanish, the Cheshire cat’s grinning These are words that I’ve bestowed Decisions in life may be good or dire You have to walk through the right doors in life  Your judgment may land you knee deep in mire,  Or otherwise lead you to joy or strife Who knows what my life’s journey has in store?  I shall wait to walk through tomorrow’s door

9. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

10. “Hard Choices” by Jojoba Mansell
A path is laid out ahead,  it forks before your feet. A decision filled with dread,  uncertain of what you’ll meet. A game full of chance,  of many hidden pit falls. To find true romance,  dare you risk losing all?  Choices never easy to make,  fog seems to cloud your way. You fear making a mistake,  of gambling and losing the day. But life is full of Hard Choices,  And risk is part of the game. Be brave, ignore doubting voices,  make the choice, life won’t be the same. 

11. Exit Writing Ticket
“Write about a situation where you were faced with a difficult decision; describe the situation in detail, describe what you decided, as well as the result.” Do you regret that choice and why?