Alex+08

Bonilla, Alexander March 3, 2009 Period 3 Becky Essay The story “Becky and the Wheels and Brake Boys” is written by James Berry. This story is about a girl named Becky who wants a bike but her mom disagrees. Becky is a credible character because of how she acts, feels, and what she says.

First of all, Becky is credible because she begs and begs to her nom that she wants a bike. As Becky says, ”Over and over I told my mom I wanted a bike”. Becky begs to her mom that she wants a bike more than anything so she pleads to her mom. This proves that Becky is a realistic character because a lot of kids bug their parents for what they want.

Secondly, Becky is a believable character because she fought with her friend and got angry with her. Becky thinks to herself, “For the first time Shirnette and me had a real fight because of what I hated most.” She was mad at her best friend because Shirnette let a cockroach fly down Becky’s blouse. She is credible because friends frequently fight with each other.

Last, she is a believable character because she asked her cousins for help on learning how to ride a bike. Becky asks the wheel and brake boys,” Can somebody teach me to ride?” Becky doesn’t have a bike because in her neighborhood girls are not encouraged to ride them She wants to be a part of the group so she asks them to teach her a new skill. Becky stands up for what she wants just like any kid would.

In conclusion Becky’s actions, emotions, and words prove that she is a credible character. You might even know someone like Becky that is in your neighborhood. Or, it could even be you.

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Bonilla, Alexander February 26, 2009 Period 3 Eleven The story “Eleven” was written by Sandra Cisneros. This story is about a girl who is upset because the class thinks that an old wrinkled sweater hers. It is another girl’s sweater but she says its Rachel’s sweater because the teacher made fun of it. On top of that it is her birthday and she feels awful. She denies the sweater, she is shy, and she called the girl stupid. Rachel denies that the sweater is hers. She knows it is not hers but the teacher insists it is hers. The sweater is old and wrinkly. I would deny the sweater because I would be positive it’s not mine. “not mine, not mine, not mine”. She is very credible because she is mad at people who accused her. I do that when I no people are lying.

Rachel is shy and can't speak clearly when she is confronted. I would also be shy if all eyes were on me and everyone was wasting time because of me. "That's not,i don't, you're not'... not mine," is an example of her being shy when she is on the spot. Rachel is credible because when people are shy and scared they stutter.

Rachel called the girl who said the sweater was hers stupid. Yes I would call her stupid to because it is hers and she says it's mine because the sweater is ugly. She said," That stupid Phylis Lopez......" I think she is credible because when people are mad they let their anger out on eachother.

In conclusion she is very credible because that's just the way we kids are. We call names, cry, and wish we didn't exist. Kids exagerate but that is just one of the many unforgetful stages.

Bonilla, Alexander February 12, 2009 Period 3 Dear Mom and Dad, I just wanted to let you no that you are the best mom in the world. I no you do everything for me but I have one more favor. I want a German-Sheppard because it will teach me to be responsible and will help me when I have children. I will do anything I have to even get a job. Please, please, pleeeeeeaaaaase. The dog will help me later in life when I have children. It is kind of the same because you have to feed it, clean its poop, stay up all night, and teach it things. Ii will get exercise by walking the dog and it will get to know the neighborhood incase it gets lost. With this scary dog no one will try to brake in because they would be scared. They will comfort me and make me feel safe when I stay alone because it will give me warning by barking if someone is coming. And you always say that we are growing up so you want another baby you can take care of the dog. My brother and I are not allergic to it so you don’t have to worry. We will also clean up the poop and train it to poop in one area. It won’t be aloud to be inside the house unless it knows not to touch anything. When it dies we can get a new one and a different breed if you like. Or by then I will be in college. It will get used to the neighbors and the mailman overtime. We will also shower it every two weeks. I can get less allowance in order to keep it. If you don’t believe me we can try it out for a month. I will never ask you for anything else. I promise you everything I said and I have hardly lied to you and my dad. If I have to do anything else before the dog I will do it.

Monday, October 6, 2008 Prewrite 1. What are you good at? CLASSWORK Monday, October 20, 2008 Answer the following questions Chapter 6 1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they? 2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet? 3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging? Basketball but sometimes i choke. 2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at? I feel good because it's my hobby. 3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at? Sad because thats what i enjoy

Tuesday, October 7, 2008 CLASSWORK Chapter 1 1. What problems or conflicts are presented in chapter one? Tao needing to find a rabbit is an obvious one; identify at least two more (not having anything to do with the rabbit!). 2. Predict the resolution of each conflict.

Example: sample conflict : Tayo needs to find a rabbit. sample predicted resolution: He will find the one he lost.

conflict 1:Tao has a bad foot so he probably won't be a chosen one and enter the Big Cave. predicted resolution 1: He will become a chosen one and be able to enter the cave.

conflict 2:Tao isn't allowed to draw and thats what he likes. predicted resolution 2:Drawing won;t be a taboo anymore.

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CLASSWORK: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Answer the question below Chapter 2 What two important events happen in this chapter?

1. Tao hasn't eaten for two days.

2. Tao past the line where the evil spirits were.

CLASSWORK Friday, October 10, 2008 Answer the questions below Chapter 3 1. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together?

2. What decision does Tao tell Volt?

3. Look at Tao's decisions and actions from Volt's perspective. Pretend you are Volt. Write a first person paragraph explaining how you feel.

1. They learned how to hunt together.

2. Tao tells him they would hunt better with a wolf.

3. I feel that he is disobeying the clan because that is a taboo. Tao is foolish ; the other clan boys don't think like that. Tao want's to do anything he wants. I might kick him out of the clan. Im going to make sure he doesn't draw.

CLASSWORK Monday, October 13, 2008 Read Chapter 4 in class. Answer the following questions Chapter 4 In a good paragraph, describe Tao's mother. Start with an interest grabber. Then write your topic sentence. Give three details or examples to support your thesis. Use a quotation from the chapter.

Tao's mother Vedra was determined to keep Tao safe from the village people.She was generous to. Vedra made bracelets and beads so she could give them to her tribe for free. Since she had a crippled kid they had to feed him to the hyenas, but she did not give up. "Again and again they tried to take you away,but she fought like acave lion,screaming, biting, refusing to give you up.

CLASSWORK Friday, October 17, 2008 Finish reading Chapter 5 in class Answer the following questions Chapter 5 1. Which two animals does Tao try to draw? 2. Which is easier for him and why?

1. He drew a horse and Ram. 2. Ram was easier because he knew that he could do better watching it now with his eye and drawing at the same time.

CLASSWORK Monday, October 20, 2008 Answer the following questions Chapter 6 1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they? 2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet? 3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging?

1. He has painted pictures and hunts with a wolf. 2. He goes on forbidden land. 3. That he was attacked by a wolf and the slough is cured because he was attacked with his mom and she died.

CLASSWORK Thursday, October 23, 2008 Write your reaction to the last paragraph in the chapter. Do you agree or disagree with Graybeard? Is what he says true for those times, but not now? Or is the reverse true: is it true now, but wasn't true then?

Graybeard is write because everything has rules and without them it would be a wild society. You can't always do what you want. If you have rules at your house how would you feel? If you followed rules it would be a safer environment. Rules are ment to be followed.

Chapter 8 An important theme in this novel is that people should follow their dreams and do what they believe is right, even if they don't follow their society's expected ways. The author examines this theme in a stone age setting. Imagine a similar situation today, where a person's desires go against society's expectations What situation did you imagine?

In the situation you imagined, should the person follow his or her dreams or should they follow society's rules? Give your opinion.

It depends if it is a situation with money they should do what they like. If it is a gender they should do what they want but Im against gay things like cutting hair. But if you are straight it is okay with me.

CLASSWORK Monday, October 27, 2008 Chapter 9 Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind? What does this tell you about his character?

Graybeard changed his mind because he saw how determined and dedicated Tao was.

This tells me that Graybeard is understanding and knows how Tao feels about drawing.

CLASSWORK Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Chapter 10 1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"? 2. What almost happened to Tao?

1.Mountains that walk are mammoths 2.He almost got crushed by a mammoth

CLASSWORK Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Chapter 11 Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why? Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why?

Yes because he teaches Tao how to mix colors and make different shapes. Yes because he has much experience in art. --CLASSWORK Thursday, October 30, 2008 Chapter 12 1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most? 2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter?

1.He used blood, animal fat, yellow clay, and limestone powder. The animal fat amazed me the most because it doesn't have color. 2.He feared that graybeard might die.

CLASSWORK Monday, November 3, 2008 Chapter 13 1. Even if Ram had succeeded in hunting the deer, do you think it was a good idea of Tao's to "show off" his dog's ability to hunt? Explain. 2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene

1. Yes because Volt might of seen how well he hunts and would have thought about having wolf dogs. 2. Tao comes and gets Ram because the leaders are chasing them. They run away.

CLASSWORK Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Chapter 14 1. Why does Tao cross the river? 2. What decision does Graybeard reach?

1. So he could escape from Volt. 2.He decides to tell Tao to take his place drawing the buffalo.

CLASSWORK Wednesday, November 5, 2008 Chapter 15 What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter?

1. his lamp goes out in the dark.

CLASSWORK Thursday, November 6, 2008 Chapter 16 Look at the website of the Laxcaux Caves: http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/ Find a picture that resembles the one Tao is painting. Copy it as your answer to this question.

Chapter 17 Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction.

1. I never would of thought that Volt was Tao's father.I also thought he would of been eaten alive. That is probably the best chapter. I wonder if they become a family or something.

CLASSWORK Friday, November 7, 2008 Chapter 18 Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People?

He feels he needs to show them he is a cave painter.

Extra Credit Write a narrative describing what happens next. Make sure your plot has a conflict, a climax, and a resolution. You can add new characters if you want.