Devin

**__ March 3, 2009 __** **__ Period 4/5 __**
 * __ Figueroa, Devin __**
 * __ Becky and The Wheels and Brake Boys __**
 * In the story “Becky and The Wheels and Brake Boys” written by James Berry, a girl named Becky wants a bike, but her mother disagrees with the idea. Becky is a credible character because of what she does, feels, and what she says. **
 * First of the reasons she’s credible is because she begs her mom for what she wants. Becky says, “ Over and over I told my mom I wanted a bike.” She really wants that bike, so she begs her mom. That explains that Becky is a credible character. **
 * Secondly, Becky is a believable because she fought with her friend & got angry with her. Becky thinks to her self,” 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 her blouse. She is credible because friends fight frequently with each other. **
 * The third reason Becky is credible because she asks for some help to learn to ride a bike. Becky asks, “ Can anyone teach me how to ride?” She doesn’t have a bike because where she live girls don’t ride bikes. She wants to fit in, so she asks the boys to teach her a new skill. Becky stands up for what she wants just like any other kid would that’s why she a credible character. **
 * Becky is a realistic character because of her actions, her emotions, and her words. You may even know somebody like Becky that is your neighborhood, or it can be you!! **

Figueroa, Devin February 25, 2009 Period 4/5

The name of this story is “Eleven”. The author of this story is Sandra Cisneros. She likes to write about Hispanic kids who are isolated from the mainstream culture. “Eleven” is about a little girl named Rachel who’s her birthday was ruined because of a stupid red sweater. That’s why I think Rachel is a credible character. One of the reasons that I think she is credible is that she tries to defend her self when the teacher blames Rachel that the red sweater is hers. That is believable because I would stand up for my self. But I wouldn’t stutter like this, “That’s not, I don’t, you’re not… not mine.” Well she’s a girl so I don’t blame her. Another reason why I think she is credible is because she avoids the sweater. “I moved the red sweater to the corner of my desk with my ruler.” If the sweater wasn’t hers why should have it sitting on her desk? Who would want to have a smelly sweater on their desk? I wouldn’t keep that on my desk. The last reason I think she’s credible is because she cries when the teacher makes her wear the sweater. She got so filled wtih anger that she burst out in tears. Well like I said shes a girl so its okay. with anger

Dear Mommy and Daddy, I have been thinking about something for a long time. We have 1 boy dog and I think he’s lonely. I was thinking that we could have a girl dog so Spikey won’t be lonely. He’ll have another dog to play with. We can also be safer with 2 dogs. Spikey can be lonely because he’s the only dog and since were barely home we don’t have time to play with him. But, with another dog he can play any time. Did you know that there’s a 65% chance that you won’t get robbed with a dog. And with 2 dogs it’s a 130% chance that we won’t get robbed. I know you guys may be concerned with taking care of 2 dogs but, I can take care of one dog and my brother can take care of the other dog. Another thing you may be concerned about is doo-doo droppings of 2 dogs. On Saturdays or Sundays my brother and I can clean it up. So I hope that I have convinced you because it will help us and our dog. We will be safer, more responsible, and our dog will be happier.

Your son, Devin Figueroa Devin's Home Page Monday, October 6, 2008 Prewrite 1. What are you good at? I'm really good at soccer. 2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at? I feel passionate every second I play. 3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at? I would feel angry and I would try to find somewhere to play soccer.

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.

conflict 1:Tao is always late and and doesn't catch enough food for the other people. predicted resolution 1:I think that after the talk with Volt he'll start to focus on the hunting.

conflict 2:When Tao is drawing in the hut it gets dark and he's late because of his bad foot. predicted resolution 2:I predict that he'll find a way to walk better.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Answer the question below Chapter 2 What two important events happen in this chapter? Tao figures out what was the problem was with the little wolf and why it didn't want to eat. Tao started to hear noises by the swamp and thought that they might be evil spirits.

CLASSWORK Friday, October 10, 2008 Answer the questions below Chapter 3 1. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together? Tao and Ram learn that they make a good hunting team. 2. What decision does Tao tell Volt? He tells Volt that they can hunt better if they had a wolf dog. 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. If I were Volt I be mad at Tao because he is thinking to use a evil spirit to catch thier food for them. What I would do is punish him again and make him learn the do's and don'ts of the tribe. And if he dosen't he's going to pay.

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 was a good woman. She was a person that would make many things out of things she can find. Her name was Vedra. The clan law was to discard of any crippled child for the clan's good. But she wouldn't give in."But she wouldn't give in. She fought like a lion screaming and biting beacause she loved you."

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 ?He tries to draw a horse and a wolf dog (Ram). 2. Which is easier for him and why? Drawing Ram was easier because he was right in front of him.

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?He draws on the walls thats a taboo the other is hunted with a wolf dog. 2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet? That he hunts on forrbiden land. 3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging?That he is a good man ,but he dreams about too much about evil spirits and demons.

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? I agree with Graybeard because any where you live there's rules but yeah I understand that Tao is tempted but hey, rules are rules. I don't think you will like that someone comes butting in your home and break the rules.I didn't think so!!

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. One day in the very rich part of San Salvador a boy named Jonathan was one of 3 kids. His 2 older brothers were doctors but Jonathan wanted to be a horse rider and trainer for the horse in Santa Rita, Chalatenago. His father didn't like it. One day he snuck out of the house and headed for his dream. I think people should follow their dreams and don't let someone to tell you you can't do something.

CLASSWORK Monday, October 27, 2008 Chapter 9 Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind? Graybeard changed his mind because he saw the passion in Tao that he loves to draw. What does this tell you about his character? This tells me that he is an understanding person.

CLASSWORK Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Chapter 10 1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"? The mountains that walk are Mamoths. 2. What almost happened to Tao? Tao almost lost his life beacause of a Mamoth almost crushed him but, Ram saved him.

CLASSWORK Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Chapter 11 Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why? Greybeard is a good teacher becuse he's expirenced and explains very so clearly. Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why? I would beacuse if something is explained clearly I learn quickly. CLASSWORK Thursday, October 30, 2008

Chapter 12 1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most? They used yellow clay and lime stone powder. The red dirt surpried me because I thoutht it wouldn't work. 2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter? Tao is afriad that Greybeard may 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. Yes because if Volt saw then mabye Tao can bring Ram anywhere without worring. 2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene. The hhunters will attempt to kill Tao insted of Ram but he'll run away.

CLASSWORK Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Chapter 14 1. Why does Tao cross the river? He needs to escape from Volt. 2. What decision does Graybeard reach? Greybeard decides to let Tao take his place as the cave painter for the hunt.

CLASSWORK Wednesday, November 5, 2008 Chapter 15 What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter? His lamp goes out and he's lost.

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.

Read Chapter 17 together in class (not for homework)

Chapter 17 Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction. Wow!!!!! I can't belive he lived! I actually thought he was gonna die. I think the spirits helped him. I would have never thought Volt was Tao's father.?!!

CLASSWORK Friday, November 7, 2008 Chapter 18 Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People? Tao thinks he needs to go to the Mountain people to prove that he's the new cave painter.