HW Mr. Padilla 5-12.16

Homework: Parents/Guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1:

What must it be like, I wonder, to live in a world where food appears at the press of a button? How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance if it were so easy to come by? What do they do all day, these people in the Capitol, besides decorating their bodies and waiting around for a new shipment of tributes to roll in and die for their entertainment?

Task: What is the biggest difference between the rich and the poor based on this passage? Support your respo0nse with evidence from the text.

Option 2:

…What must it be like… to live in a world where food appears at the press of a button? How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance (food) if it were so easy to come by? What do they do all day, these people in the Capitol, besides decorating their bodies and waiting around for a new shipment of tributes (The Hunger Game participants) to … die for their entertainment?

Task: List three things that Katniss is wondering in this passage. 

1.

2.

3.

Why do you think she asks herself these questions?

Option 3:

…What must it be like… to live in a world where food appears at the press of a button? How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance (food) if it were so easy to come by? What do they do all day, these people in the Capitol, besides … waiting around for a new shipment of tributes (The Hunger Game participants) to … die for their entertainment?

Task:

According to Katniss, how easy is it for the rich to get food?

What does Katniss she worry about? And why?

What does she think rich people do with their time?

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HW Mr. Padilla 5.11.16

Homework: Parents/Guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Food for thought: Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most widely celebrated in the USA.  In fact, it is estimated 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving day. This means that before the holiday, turkeys are prepped so they may be nice, fat, juicy and taste delicious.  The turkeys surely have no idea why they are fed so much as the holiday approaches, they just eat, eat, gobble, and eat.  Afterwards, well, you know how that turkey ends up…

Option 1

The supper comes in courses. A thick carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. Throughout the meal, Effie Trinket keeps reminding us to save space because there’s more to come. But I’m stuffing myself because I’ve never had food like this, so good and so much, and because probably the best thing I can do between now and the Games is put on a few pounds. “At least, you two have decent manners,” says Effie as we’re finishing the main course. “The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It completely upset my digestion.” The pair last year were two kids from the Seam who’d never, not one day of their lives, had enough to eat. And when they did have food, table manners were surely the last thing on their minds.

Task:

You just read about Peeta and Katniss getting ready for the games. Write a paragraph in which you compare their situation to that of turkeys before the holidays.   Be creative, be funny, be detailed.

Option 2

The supper comes in courses. A thick carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. Throughout the meal, Effie Trinket keeps reminding us to save space … But I’m stuffing myself because I’ve never had food like this… and because probably the best thing I can do between now and the Games is put on a few pounds. “At least, you two have decent manners,” says Effie as we’re finishing the main course. “The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages…”  The pair last year were two kids from the Seam who’d never, not one day of their lives, had enough to eat. And when they did have food, table manners were surely the last thing on their minds.

Task What is the difference between Katniss & Peeta and the “pair last year”?

Why are Peeta and Katniss being treated?

            How is this similar to what happens to turkeys before thanks giving?

   

Option 3  

… A thick carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. Throughout the meal, Effie Trinket keeps reminding us to save space … But I’m stuffing myself because I’ve never had food like this… and because…the best thing I can do between now and the Games is put on a few pounds. “At least, you two have decent manners,” says Effie …. “The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages…”  The pair last year were two kids from the Seam who’d … not one day of their lives, had enough to eat. And when they did have food, table manners were … the last thing on their minds.

Task:

What foods are Peeta and Katniss eating and why are they stuffing themselves?

What does Effie say is different between them (Peeta and Katniss) and the “pair form last year”?

Why do YOU think they are being fed so much? (there is no wrong answer, just explain your response).  Clue, think Turkeys.

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HW Mr. Padilla 5.10.16

Homework: Parents/guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1:

I bought our food at the market and cooked it as best I could and tried to keep Prim and my-self looking presentable. Because if it had become known that

my mother could no longer care for us, the district would have taken us away from her and placed us in the community home. I’d grown up seeing those home kids at school. The sadness, the marks of angry hands on their faces, the hopelessness that curled their shoulders forward. I could never let

that happen to Prim. Sweet, tiny Prim who cried when I cried  before she even knew the reason, who brushed … my mother’s hair before we left for school, who still polished my father’s shaving mirror each night…

The district had given us a small amount of money as compensation for his death (Katniss’ father), enough to cover one month of grieving at which time my mother would be expected to get a job. Only she didn’t. She didn’t do anything but sit propped up in a chair or, more often, huddled under the blankets on her bed, eyes fixed on some point in the distance. Once in a while, she’d stir, get up as if moved by some urgent purpose, only to then collapse back into stillness. No amount of pleading from Prim seemed to affect hers no other way to put it. I kept telling myself if I could only hold out until May, just May 8th, I would turn

twelve and be able to … get that precious grain and oil to feed us… We could well be dead by then.

Task: Hunger and poverty are two themes in The Hunger Games. Base responses on today’s reading.

Write a paragraph in which you explain how and why does Katniss take care of her family?  How would you describe Katniss as a person?

Option 2:

Because if it had become known that my mother could no longer care for us, the district would have taken us away from her and placed us in the community home. I’d grown up seeing those home kids at school. The sadness, the marks of angry hands on their faces, the hopelessness that curled their shoulders forward. I could never let that happen to Prim. Sweet, tiny Prim who cried when I cried  before she even knew the reason, who brushed … my mother’s hair before we left for school, who still polished my father’s shaving mirror each night…

The district had given us a small amount of money as compensation for his death (Katniss’ father), enough to cover one month of grieving at which time my mother would be expected to get a job. Only she didn’t. She didn’t do anything but sit …up in a chair …under the blankets on her bed…Once in a while, she’d stir, get up as if moved by some urgent purpose, only to then collapse back into stillness. No amount of pleading from Prim seemed to affect hers no other way to put it. I kept telling myself if I could only hold out until May, just May 8th, I would turn

twelve and be able to … get that precious grain and oil to feed us… We could well  be dead by then.

Task: Base responses on today’s reading.  In your own words:

How does Katniss describe the children from the community home?

How does she describe her little sister Prim?

How does she describe her mother?

How would you describe Katniss?

Option 3:

... it had become known that my mother could no longer care for us, the district would have taken us away from her and placed us in the community home. I’d grown up seeing those home kids at school. … I could never let that happen to Prim. Sweet, tiny Prim who cried when I cried before she even knew the reason, who brushed … my mother’s hair before we left for school, who still polished my father’s shaving mirror each night…

The district had given us a small amount of money as compensation for his death (Katniss’ father), enough to cover one month of grieving at which time my mother would be expected to get a job. Only she didn’t. She didn’t do anything but sit …up in a chair …under the blankets on her bed…Once in a while, she’d … get up as if moved by some…purpose, only to then collapse back into stillness. No amount of pleading from Prim seemed to affect her…I kept telling myself if I could only hold out until May, just May 8th, I would turn twelve and be able to … get that precious grain and oil to feed us… We could well be dead by then.

Task: Base responses on today’s reading.

What could happen if Katniss mother could not take care of her and Prim?

What happened when Katniss’ father died?

What did Katniss’ mother do after her husband passed away?

What did Katniss keep telling herself? What was her worry?

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HW Mr. Padilla 5.6.16

Homework: Parents and guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Connection between theme of Rich and Poor in Hunger Games and real life:

Option 1:

One of the most recent events that supports this theme is the Occupy Wall Street protests.

One of the main goals behind the protest was the unrighteous divide of the 1% Wall Street rich and the more common 99% of the working class. In the novel the working class encounters problems such as lack of food, shelter, clothing — the bare necessities that we are accustomed to. Whereas, the other half of the people in the novel are exposed to the finer things in life ranging from decadent pastries to glamorous costumes and wardrobe.

Mention a current real life (not Occupy Wall Street) event that supports the theme of Rich and Poor.

How is this real life theme similar to the novel?

Do you believe that the division between rich and poor in real life are as bad as in the novel? Can they become as bad? Explain why or how?

Option 2:

One of the most recent events that supports this theme is the Occupy Wall Street protests.

One of the main goals behind the protest was the …divide of the 1% Wall Street rich and the … 99% of the working class. In the novel the working class encounters problems such as lack of food, shelter, clothing — the bare necessities that we are accustomed to. Whereas, the other half of the people in the novel are exposed to the finer things in life …from decadent pastries to glamorous costumes and wardrobe.

In your own words,  compare Occupy Wall Street protests to the theme of rich and poor in the Hunger Games. You can use the chart below to organize your response.

Hunger Games	Occupy Wall Street

Option 3:

One …recent event that supports this theme is the Occupy Wall Street protests.

One of the main goals behind the protest was the …divide of the 1% Wall Street rich and the … 99% of the working class. In the novel the working class encounters problems such as lack of food, shelter, clothing — the …necessities that we are accustomed to. Whereas, the other half of the people …are exposed to the finer things in life …from … pastries to glamorous costumes..

A.     What recent event supports the theme of rich and poor in The Hunger Games?

B.     What was one of the main goals of the protest?

c. What is a problem that working class people and people today share in common?

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HW Mr. Padilla 5.5.16

Homework: Parents/guardians. Please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1

Even though trespassing in the woods is illegal and poaching carries the severest of penalties, more people would risk it if they had weapons. But most are not bold enough to venture out with just a knife. My bow is a rarity, crafted by my father along with a few others that I keep well hidden in the woods, carefully wrapped in waterproof covers. My father could have made good money selling them, but if the officials found out he would have been publicly executed for inciting a rebellion. Most of the Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to the few of us who hunt because they’re as hungry for fresh meat as anybody is. In fact, they’re among our best customers. But the idea that

someone might be arming the Seam would never have been allowed

Based on what you have learned so far in The Hunger Games:

A.      Why is trespassing the woods illegal?

B.      Why does Katniss have to hunt for food?

C.      Why do you think the peacemakers don’t’ stop her?

Option 2

Even though trespassing in the woods is illegal … more people would risk it if they had weapons. But most are not bold enough to venture out with just a knife. My bow is a rarity… carefully wrapped in waterproof covers. My father could have made good money selling them, but if the officials found out he would have been publicly executed for inciting a rebellion. Most of the Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to the few of us who hunt because they’re as hungry for fresh meat as anybody is. In fact, they’re among our best customers. But the idea that someone might be arming the Seam would never have been allowed.

Questions:

A.      Why are not more people trespassing the woods?

B.      What makes Katniss’ bow unique or special?

C.      What does turning a blind eye mean?

D.     Why do the Peacemakers turn a blind eye?

Option 3:

Even though trespassing in the woods is illegal … more people would risk it if they had weapons. But most are not bold … My bow is a rarity… carefully wrapped in waterproof covers. My father could have made good money selling them, but if the officials found out he would have been publicly executed…Most of the Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to the few of us who hunt because they’re as hungry for fresh meat as anybody is. In fact, they’re among our best customers. …

Questions:

A.      Why is it more people do not trespass the woods?

B.      How could Katniss’ father have made more money? Why didn’t he?

C.      Why do the Peacemakers turn a blind eye?

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HW Mr. Padilla 5-4-16

Homework: parents/guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1:

“Prim!” I scream. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps.  With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.  “I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!”

1.    How does Katniss protect Prim at the Reaping?

A shift has occurred since I stepped up to take Prim’s place, and now it seems I have become someone precious. The crow touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me.  It is an old gesture.  It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

2.    Why did Katniss become someone precious?

3.       What gesture does the crowd give Katniss?

4. What does the gesture mean?

Option 2:

“Prim!” I scream. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps.  With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.  “I volunteer! I volunteer…!”

1.    How does Katniss protect Prim at the Reaping?

A shift has occurred since I stepped up to take Prim’s place, and now it seems I have become someone precious. The crow touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me.  It is an old gesture.  It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

1.    Why did Katniss become someone precious?

2.       What gesture does the crowd give Katniss?

3. What does the gesture mean?

Option 3:

“Prim!” I scream. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps.  With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.  “I volunteer! I volunteer…!”

2.    How does Katniss protect Prim at the Reaping?

A shift  (change) has occurred (happened) since I stepped up to take Prim’s place, and now it seems I have become someone precious. The crow touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me…  It means thanks, … it means good-bye to someone you love.

1.    Why did Katniss become someone precious?

2.       What gesture does the crowd give Katniss?

3. What does the gesture mean?

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HW Mr. Padilla 5.3.16

Parents/Guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1:

Our part of District 12, nicknamed the Seam, is crawling with coal miners.  Men and women with hunched shoulders and swollen knuckles, lines on their sunken faces.

1.    Describe the men and women who live in the Seam.

When I was younger, I would blurt out bad things about the people who rule our country, Panem, from a far-off city called the Capitol.

2.    Who ruled Panem?

3.       Why do you think that Katniss sad negative things about the Capitol?

Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how we are at their mercy.  The message is clear. “Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do.”

4. Why does the Capitol force kids to kill each other?

Option 2:

When I was younger, I would blurt out bad things about the people who rule our country, Panem, from a far-off city called the Capitol.

1.    Who ruled Panem?

2.       Why do you think that Katniss said negative things about the Capitol?

Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how we are at their mercy.  The message is clear. “Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do.”

3.    Why does the Capitol force kids to kill each other?

Option 3:

Our part of District 12, nicknamed the Seam, is crawling with coal miners.  Men and women with hunched shoulders and swollen knuckles, lines on their sunken faces.

1.    Describe the men and women who live in the Seam.

When I was younger, I would blurt out bad things about the people who rule our country, Panem, from a far-off city called the Capitol.

2.    Who ruled Panem?

3.       Why do you think that Katniss (the speaker) said negative things about the Capitol?

HW Mr. Padilla 4.22.16

Homework: Parents/guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

In May we will be reading The Hunger Games. by Suzanne Collins.

Focus Questions: What is Suzanne Collin’s family history?

Option 1:

Growing up, Suzanne Collins was a military brat. Her father was a career airman in the United States Air Force, as a result, Collins and her siblings—two older sisters and an older brother—moved around frequently, spending time in numerous locations in the eastern United States as well as in Europe. The military, in fact, played a leading role in the family’s history. Collins’s grandfather had served in World War I, her uncle served in World War II, and the year Collins turned six, her father left to serve his own tour in the Vietnam War. War, consequently, was a part of life for Collins, something very real and not just an abstract idea. While her father was gone, she would sometimes see video footage of the war zone on the news, and she recognized that her father was there fighting. Though her father returned after a year, Collins’s connection to war didn’t end. In addition to being a soldier, Collins’s father was also a military historian and a doctor of political science. That knowledge and experiences serving in the Air Force and fighting in Vietnam had a profound effect on his relationships with his children, and he made sure they learned what they could about war. While other girls’ fathers were telling them fairytales, Collins’s father educated her about military history. When the family was moved to Brussels, Belgium, for instance, her father educated her about the region’s violent history and took her on tours of the country’s historic battlefields.

Q: Based on this passage, what was it like growing up for Suzanne Collins? What made her family different? What made her different than other kids? Give examples from the text to support your views.

Bonus: If you have read the book The Hunger Games or have seen the movie: How do you think her life inspired her to write the novel?

Option 2:

Growing up, Suzanne Collins was a military brat. Her father was a career airman in the United States Air Force… Collins and her siblings—moved around frequently, spending time in numerous locations in the eastern United States as well as in Europe. The military… played a leading role in the family’s history. Collins’s grandfather had served in World War I, her uncle served in World War II, and the year Collins turned six, her father left to serve his own tour in the Vietnam War. War… was a part of life for Collins, something very real and not just an abstract idea. While her father was gone, she would sometimes see videos …of the war zone on the news, and she recognized that her father was there fighting. Though her father returned after a year, Collins’s connection to war didn’t end. In addition to being a soldier, Collins’s father was also a military historian … and he made sure they learned what they could about war. While other girls’ fathers were telling them fairytales, Collins’s father educated her about military history. When the family was moved to Brussels, Belgium… her father educated her about the region’s violent history and took her on tours of the country’s historic battlefields.

Task: Write a brief summary of this passage (1-3 sentences). To make your task easier think of the 5W’s.

In your own words, what stands out the most about this passage? Give examples from the text.

Option 2:

Growing up, Suzanne Collins was a military brat. Her father was a career airman in the United States Air Force… Collins and her siblings—moved around … spending time in numerous locations in the eastern United States as well as in Europe. The military… played a leading role in the family’s history. Collins’s grandfather had served in World War I, her uncle served in World War II, and the year Collins turned six, her father left to serve …in the Vietnam War. War… was a part of life for Collins, something very real and not just an … idea. While her father was gone, she would sometimes see videos …of the war zone on the news, and she recognized that her father was there fighting. Though her father returned after a year, Collins’s connection to war didn’t end. In addition to being a soldier, Collins’s father was also a military historian … and he made sure they learned what they could about war. While other girls’ fathers were telling them fairytales, Collins’s father educated her about military history.

Q:

Why did Suzanne move around so much when she was growing up?

Where did she live during those years?

How did the military play a leading role in her family’s history?

What did he make sure Suzanne learned?

Name one way she was different that other girls:

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HW Mr. Padilla 4-21-16

Homework: Parents/guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Write a review of the novel Monster (you are not limited to any of these questions. Feel free to come up with your own questions or mix questions from other Option tasks).

Option 1:  Base response on what you learned about Monster.

Briefly summarize the novel.

What theme stood out for you most: Lies and Conceit; Justice or Fear and why?

After reading the novel, what did you learn about the justice system that you did not know?

Did the novel make you have more faith in the justice system, the same, or did you lose faith? Explain.

Option 2:  Base response on what you learned about Monster.

Name one character that you liked in the novel and why.

Describe the character that you liked (what he/she looked like and how he/she behaved)

Name one character that you disliked and why.

Describe the character that you liked (what he/she looked like and how he/she behaved)

Option 3: Base response on what you learned about Monster.

How did you feel about the novel Monster?

What did you like or dislike about the novel? Why?

What novel that we have read so far this year would you compare Monster to? Why?

Would you recommend this novel to someone? What would you say?

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HW Mr. Padilla 4.20.16

Homework: Parents/guardians, please assist your child with today’s homework.

Option 1:

1. What kind of conflict is present in Monster?

2.  Steve Harmon’s defense attorney, Kathy O’Brien, says she wants to make her client look like “a human being in the eyes of the jury” (p. 16) in contrast to the “monsters” who the assistant district attorney claims are “willing to steal and to kill, people who disregard the rights of others” (p. 21).

Why do you think Walter Dean Myers named his book Monster?

Option 2:

Read the following quote from the novel Monster and answer the questions that follow on a piece of paper. Hint: Read the quotes like a play.

Prisoner One says: Yo, Harmon, you gonna eat something? Come on and get your breakfast, man. I’ll take your eggs if you don’t want them. You want them?

Steve Harmon says in a subdued way: I’m not hungry.

Prisoner Two says: His trial starts today. He’s up for the big one. I know how that feels.

1. Context Clues: Look at the word in italics. Use the General Clues to figure out what this unfamiliar word means. What do you think the word subdued might mean?

Option 3:

Base response on the text below:

Jose

I went around behind the counter and I saw Mr. Nesbitt on the floor – there was blood everywhere – and the cash register was open.

1.   What did Jose see?

Sal Zinzi is nervous and slightly overweight.  He wears thick glasses.

2.   Describe Sal Zinzi.

Zinzi

Some guys were…harassing me. 

Question: What does …harassing mean to you?

HW Mr. Padilla 4.19.16

Homework: Parents/guardians. Please assist your child with today’s homework .

Option 1:

 “His crying got to me. Miss O'Brien said the judge could sentence me to 25 years to life. If he did, I would have to serve at least 21 years and 3 months. I can't imagine being in jail for that long. I wanted to cry with the guy.”

(If convicted—Steve would stay in prison until he's a middle- aged man, all for being the lookout.)

Task:

Part of growing up is making mistakes.  How do you think our justice system can teach young people lessons without having to punish them in such a harsh way?

What plan can you come up with that would be strict and teach a lifelong lesson?

Option 2:

“His crying got to me. Miss O'Brien said the judge could sentence me to 25 years to life. If he did, I would have to serve at least 21 years and 3 months. I can't imagine being in jail for that long. I wanted to cry with the guy.”

(If convicted—Steve would stay in prison until he's a middle aged man, all for being the lookout.)

Task:

Would this be a fair indictment? Why or why not?

What would be a fair punishment for his crime? And why?

Option 3:

“His crying got to me. Miss O'Brien said the judge could sentence me to 25 years to life. If he did, I would have to serve at least 21 years and 3 months. I can't imagine being in jail for that long. I wanted to cry with the guy.”

As a student, you know a lot about rules and consequences for breaking rules.

Would being grounded a month be a fair punishment for not doing one homework?

If a student doesn’t follow a rule, what would be the best way to teach him/her a lesson?  Explain why?

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