1. Journal 111.05.15 Examine the following two quotes regarding education: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” –Frederick Douglass “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” --Malcolm X Put each quote in your own words. How closely does each quote align with your own definition of education? Explain. Provide your own definition of education and what it means to be educated. You’re encouraged to think beyond academics. Explain.

2. Journal 211.09.15 “ I stood back from the table and looked at the both of them. I clamped my jaws so tight the veins in my neck felt as if they would burst. I wanted to scream at my aunt; I was screaming inside” (Gaines 14-15). In your journal, take 10-15 minutes to respond to the following prompt in a paragraph(5-6 sentences): In the novel that we are going to read, Miss Emma asks Grant to make her godson Jefferson into a man before Jefferson is executed. Grant, however, does not want to do this task. Describe a time when you had to do something you did not want to do. Be sure to include the people involved, the situation, what it was that you had to do, and why you did not want to do it.

3. Journal 311.10.15 Reflect on first quarter. You may focus solely on this class, or on all courses. What worked well for you, and why? What did not work so well for you; why? What changes will you make for next quarter? How will you implement these changes? What goals do you have for next quarter? What strategies will you use to reach these goals? Respond in a paragraph.

4. Choice Book! Find the people who have a matching post-it note. Bring your choice book, and sit with those people. One at a time, discuss the following: 1)Title and author of your book, 2) subject of the book, 3) what you liked about the book, 4) what you didn’t like about the book, 5) would you recommend the book and why, and to whom you would recommend the book/ who would like this book 6) what you plan to read next, and 7) how you found time to read, and how you can find more time to read.

5. Journal 4 11.12.15 “Inez left the kitchen as soon as the white men came in. I tried to decide just how I should respond to them. Whether I should act like the teacher that I was, or like the [boy] that I was supposed to be” (Gaines 47). Respond to the following prompt in a paragraph: Why does Grant feel uneasy? Describe a time when you felt uneasy and uncomfortable. Be sure to identify the situation, people involved, and why you felt uneasy.

6. Journal 5 11.16.15 “And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? … Is it just a vicious circle? Am I doing anything?” (Gaines 62). Respond to the following in a paragraph: How does Grant feel? Why does he feel this way? Describe a time in your life in which you’ve felt helpless, hopeless. Be sure to include the situation, people involved, and why you felt this way.

7. Journal 6 11.17.15 “The women at the table did not look at us and were afraid to look at one another. My aunt was like a boulder in the road, unmovable, so I had to go around her” (Gaines 113). Vivian meets Tante Lou for the first time. Describe an awkward greeting/ introduction you have experienced. Be sure to identify the people involved and the situation. Respond in a paragraph.

8. Journal 711.18.15 “ ‘Nothing is changing’… ‘Something is’” (141). Respond in a paragraph: Grant fears that nothing is changing; no progress is being made. Vivian reassures him that change is in fact on the horizon. Describe a time when things were not going so well for you, but then you found hope. Be sure to include the people involved and the situation.

9. Journal 8 11.23.15 “You’re more a man than I am, Jefferson.” “ ‘Cause I’m go’n die soon? That make me a man, Mr. Wiggins?” (225) Respond in a paragraph: Throughout the novel, Grant is tasked with making Jefferson a man before he dies. What does it take to be a man? Identify and explain three characteristics that you think make a person a man.

10. Journal 911.24.15 It may be argued that Grant is an alcoholic who has an affair with a married woman, abuses his students physically, emotionally, and mentally, and shows utter disrespect to his elders. Do you feel this is a fair assessment? Support your position with evidence from the text.