1. Warm-up: Answer the following in complete sentences: 1.) Make a list of at least four CORE values that you have (not a concrete thing or person or place that you value, but of IDEAS that you value). Examples: justice, respect for authority, loyalty, creative expression, peace, equality, individuality, logic, intuition, generosity, safety, knowledge acquisition, personal connection, materialism, spirituality, etc. 2.) What in your life has shown your that you value this thing? (i.e. what relationship, what event, what role model?) 3) Out of the values that you just mentioned, which value would you fight for no matter what? (i.e., if this value was being challenged, you would fight for it, even if the fight came at a great personal cost for you)?

2.  If you need to finish your essay test, come in today after school.  All essays will be graded this weekend, so all essays need to be completed before then.  Period 6: Warm-ups please  Bring Black Boy on Tuesday and every day from there on out.  Turn in your “And of Clay Are We Created” packet.

3. Literary Response and Analysis 3.2: Compare and contrast the presentation of a similar theme or topic across genres…

4. What is a core value?

5. A core value is what you hold higher than anything else in life and which you strive to achieve throughout your lifespan.

6. A core value is not TANGIBLE (i.e.: not a person, place, activity or thing) but INTANGIBLE.  A value is an idea or abstract concept that you hold dear.  The following are not values:  Family/friends  Church/God  Car or bedroom  School  Food  Saturdays  Reading/writing  Going to the beach  Instead, ask what you value about what you have  Companionship/loyalty/trust/love  Community/Spirituality  Independence or autonomy  Wisdom/Intelligence  Pleasure/wellbeing  Freedom/relaxation  Intelligence/amusement/creativity  Peace/relaxation

7. This value can be a positive force in your life, if it is somewhat easy to attain. For example, if you value relaxation and you are often able to participate in relaxing activities, you may be able to easily maintain your values.

8.  On the other hand, this value can cause you to always feel as if something is missing– as if you are always searching/seeking/incomplete, or as if your life has been interrupted if you do not have what you value. Values can be missing for long periods of time, or can be challenged for a brief time due to a recent event in your life.

9.  Examples of events which challenge one’s values:  A fight with a friend (challenges loyalty)  Losing your job (challenges security)  Being unfairly accused of something (challenges justice)  Being drafted to a war (challenges peace)  Being denied from a college of your choice/class of your choice (challenges knowledge acquisition)  Being forbidden from doing what you love (challenges individuality or creative expression)  Losing a loved one (challenges personal connections/trust)  Losing a phone/IPOD (challenges materialism/security)  Being bullied (challenges individualism)

10.  As we read our first novel, we’ll explore the topic of values and see how values can motivate a person to strive to attain or to fight against an opposing force.

11.  Homework: Write one paragraph about a time when a core value of yours was being challenged. First, describe the event that you experienced. Then, explain why your value was being challenged and what you did to fight for your value.