Cynthia Lord Extension Project Sample

The Fire Within

In “Everything Will Be Okay,” by James Howe, a young boy named James finds a scruffy kitten and takes it home to keep it as a pet.  Unfortunately, his family is less enthusiastic, and his older brother eventually takes him to the vet’s office to put the kitten to sleep.  Wanting to keep the kitten isn’t the only difference James has felt between his family and him.  He constantly feels pressure to “be a man” by playing golf and hunting with his brothers and father.  In the end though, James decides a different path.

In this section, the final scene of the story, James finally decides that enough is enough.  He is sitting at the kitchen table after his kitten has died, and he is silent.  He gets up and goes to the living room where he finally realizes what he needs to do.   He thinks, “I will decide for myself what kind of boy I am, what kind of man I will become” (p. 5).  This shows that for the first time, he knows that he should take control of his life and make choices based on who he is, not who others want him to be.  In essence, he needs to let the fire within him flourish.

I represented this idea with my collage of a hand holding a torch. The hand is James’ of course, and the torch represents James’ burning desire to lead his life the way he sees fit.  It will light up the darkness around him.  The black background represents that darkness, not only the dark living room where he is when he realizes this, but also his dark past when he was letting others tell him what a man should be.

The flame comes from a bundle of sticks that represent the branch where the dead deer hung.  That deer is at the heart of the flame.  I chose to put it there because when James stared at it from the kitchen table, he still saw life in it.  It is that life that inspired his desire to stand up for himself.  Finally,  I chose to include bits of yellow around the flame to represent sparks of life that have been ignited by James’ realization.  Like sparks landing on dry ground, these sparks will flame into future events in James’s life guided by his own hopes and dreams.

This is important because in life, we often don’t ignite our fires within.  We feel pressure from family and friends to do what they expect and what they want when we know that it may go against our true selves.  So next time you’re in a situation where you feel pressure, be sure to remember James and listen to your fire within.

Sample Art Response - "Everything Will Be Okay

This drawing is a visual representation of James's struggles fending off life's anvil.  The anvil represents the enormous pressures he feels from his brothers and father "to be a man."

James is a very empathetic, loving boy who is confronted with life's realities. James is hopeful and wants to save the kitten, but it isn’t to be so. The red represents his sense of love and devotion for all animals.The dark shadows represents his grief and confusion about having a different view about how animals should be treated from his family.

The expression on his face represented by the jagged lines demonstrates his determination to not let his family determine what he thinks is important. He makes the decision to to what is best for him.

At the end of the story James says, "I will never work for Dr. Milk. I will not go hunting with my father. I will decide for myself what kind of boy I am, what kind of man I will become." (pg. 4) By doing this he unburdens himself of the anvil and he is finally free to be the person he wants to be. Unfortunately he also loses his innocence or a part of his childhood.

This is important because in life sometimes we feel so much pressure that we’re trapped underneath it. We need to take charge in these situations and throw it off of our self.

Growing Up

I asked for this photo to be taken to mark a special occasion.  Taylor, my beautiful daughter, was all dressed up to go to the prom.

This picture represents much more to me than a special occasion. It is about growing up, and taking the next steps. In less then a month my little girl will be graduating from high school and then off to college. Before that she will be entering the adult world as an intern at the Straits Times here in Singapore. I wanted to capture this moment in time, to mark a significant milestone in her life and mine. Next year, will be different without her living with us.

Growing up - it is a part of life. As a parent, I worked hard for this day that I would see my daughter spread her wings and fly away. Watch out world my daughter is all grown up and heading your way.

A Race of Arrogance

Hermes, messenger of the gods, was filled with rage. His face burned bright red and he clenched his fists with fury.  How dare a mere human contest my running abilities. I shall teach Pheidippides a lesson. He needed revenge.

Pheidippides, an Olympian known for his running abilities, was needed by King Aegeus, the military power of Athens. Persian King Darius had already conquered Thrace in the north and his army was moving closer and closer to the city of Athens. “Pheidippides I need you to run as fast as you can to the city. General Miltiades was able to chase the Persian army away at Marathon, but now they are headed to Athens. We need to warn the people in the city. Please, run quickly and may the gods be in your favor,” ordered King Aegeus.

“I will do it, my king. You can count on me,” Pheidippides bowed as he responded. Feet pounding, heart pumping, running the entire way, Pheidippides delivered the warning allowing Miltiades and his army time to reach the city in order to defend it.

www.military-history.org

 “Pheidippides, you have saved the day. You indeed are a great runner,” boasted King Aegeus.  With this compliment, Pheidippides thought to himself, I am the best runner in the entire world. Even the leader of Athens said so. In reality I am better than Hermes. Unluckily for Pheidippides, Hermes heard what he had said and would not let anyone berate him. He was furious. No one is better than me, and that is the real truth, Hermes thought.

That night Hermes appeared to Pheidippides in a dream. “You proclaim that you are better than I,” Hermes angry demanded.

Pheidippides trembled, “I didn’t… I didn’t… I didn’t mean it.”

“You have challenged me and I accept the challenge. Tomorrow at sundown we will race from the plains of Sparta to the coast and we will see who is the swiftest runner,” then he disappeared.

www.marvunapp.com 

The next morning Pheidippides awoke knowing it wasn’t just a dream. Ready for the challenge and knowing he was sure to win, Pheidippides greeted Hermes at the prearranged meeting spot. “On the count of three,” Hermes commanded. “One, two three,” and they took off running. Blurring the view of the spectators, only a cloud of dust could be seen as they flew across the plain with their feet barely touching the ground. For the first stadion, it appeared to be a close race as they were neck and neck. But then, Hermes pulled slightly ahead of Pheidippides, glanced over his shoulder and almost felt sorry for him. He thought, I am impressed with this mortal, and yet, he shall be severely punished for his outrageous and shocking arrogance. Suddenly, Hermes dashed further ahead. Barely visible to the human eye, he was running at supersonic speed, the speed of sound.

Lagging far behind Pheidippides was thinking; this wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had. I shouldn’t have challenged a god. My boasting will surely cost me my life. Oh, Hermes please don’t let me die. Hermes heard Pheidippides; he decided it would be a shame to kill him. Instead he would allow him to live, but never forget his crime.

Pheidippides shrinking slowly, ever so slowly eventually was the size of a watermelon. A hard crust appeared on his back and his gait gradually slowed. Coming to a halt, he gazed at his limbs.  He saw in their place, scaly flippers.  He tried to run, but with great effort he only slightly edged forward. Standing motionless, he realized Hermes turned him into a slow moving turtle.

commons.wikimedia.org 

Hermes was nowhere in sight, but was looking down from Mt. Olympus proud of his deed and his lenience in sparing Pheidippides’ life.  From that day on, Pheidippides was a dawdling turtle on land. But alas, Hermes was also compassionate and allowed him to swim at great speeds and grace in the sea.

Images: Pheidippides

My Pick - Fire Girl

       After seeing and hearing Ainsley's book talk on Fire Girl by Tony Abott, I got so excited that I decided to reread this book. My take away from this book was that when we do even the smallest act of kindness toward someone we never know what impact we may have on someone. So be kind!

Book Talks - Presents to Ourselves

     

Tis the season to be jolly and giving gifts. And what wonderful gifts we have

given each other with our book talks. Such gifts as Fire Girl, The One and Only Ivan, Toby Alone, The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, Turtle in Paradise, Found, Mockingbird, Red Kayak, Out of My Mind, So B. It, Mick Harte Was Here, Esperanza Raising, and Revolution is Not a Dinner Party to name a few.

     Do you have a favorite? There are so many to chose from. Which one are you going to choose to take with you on your holiday to read? Maybe you can take two or three. What a fantastic gift.

   Did I mention that I was so proud of your book talks? Take a look at our I can statements and see which ones you are able to complete. I realized that some of you have never given a book talk before, while some of you are regular pros at it. It was great to see your confidence, clarity, and eye contact come through. Overall I was impressed with your enthusiasm as you delivered your hooks and gave wonderful succinct summaries. The excerpts that you read were well chosen and most picked a stand out idea to share. I can't wait to pick up one of these amazing books.

Air Ball

Personal Narrative Characteristics

After reading your personal narrative drafts, I want to review how writers choose to develop topics that are valuable or meaningful.  In other words, consider a story’s potential and why to tell that particular story.  

To do this, answer these questions:

• 

  Make sure you have all
  these characteristics
  in your personal narrative

  Which generating ideas do I have the most to say about?
• What mattered the most to me?
• Which story creates vivid images?

Let me show you how I did this with my drafts.

Which generating ideas do I have the most to say about?

• Playing basketball with Teresa - shirt/embarrassing moment
• Frank - my first love
• Richard - gingerbread houses

What mattered the most to me? Or why does this story matter?

• Frank
• Basketball - shirt/embarrassing moment

What did I learn/How did I grow from this experience? Which creates vivid images?

• Basketball - shirt/embarrassing moment

Now, I am ready to write my draft of my small moment about playing basketball with Teresa and loosing my shirt. Oh, how embarrassing!

Partner Talk

Now that we are reading the same book as our partner, it is time to talk about our books but to go beyond retelling and to really dig into our books.

In order to be successful with this we need to have the mini-lesson SOS in mind.

• Supplies - be sure to have the supplies that you need - book, reader's notebook, stickies, your log, pencil.
• On top of Reading - be sure to be on the same page as your partner. Do not read ahead!
• Something to say - be prepared with something to say. Use your stickies to make a strong claim and then find evidence (a quote) to support your claim.

Let the conversations begin. By having this in-depth conversation about your book, did you walk away with new ideas and thinking? I hope so!

Reading Responses - Stop Light Approach

When responding to our reading try using the stop light approach. Good readers respond to their reading by:

• Making strong claims
• Citing the text to support the claim
• Explaining the claim and quote in own words

In class we read "What's So Funny Mr. Scieskza?" and I provided samples of responses ( a low, medium, and high).  As you continue to write responses to your reading, use these samples to guide you. 

Low

Medium

High

Poetry by Me!

After reading Locomotion a novel in verse, by Jacqueline Woodson,
we decided to try to write our own story using poetry.

Introduction to Poetry

Poetry is an extremely special genre.  Through poems we can experience joy, grief, and wonder, but they also invite us to see every day life in a new light.  In "Introduction to Poetry," Billy Collins reveals a fascinating explanation of what poetry can do and how to enjoy it.  

To begin with,  Collins creates images through the use of similes and metaphors helping the reader understand his ideas.  By looking through the light of a colored slide, I can see the poem's meaning and by pressing an ear against its hive, I can learn to hear the sweetness the poem holds. From walking inside a poem's room looking for a light switch to gliding as a waterskier across the poem, I can get the feeling of experiencing the poem firsthand.

Later, Collins ends the poem with a change in mood and tone.  After his bright images of how a poem should be read, he ends his poem with, "But all they want to do/is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it."  This personification of a poem being tortured shows how forcing an interpretation out of a poem can be a criminal act.

In the end, this poem leaves a lasting impression. I chose it because I always used to think that there were secret interpretations of a poem that need to be found.  Instead, Collins knows how important it is for readers to find their own meanings and connections in the poems they read.

Mountains of Grit

Down sleeping bag, check. Thermal ski cap, check. Walking stick, check. Camera, check. Guide and porters, check. We were ready for our great trekking adventure in Nepal. Our family trip was going to be a venture of a lifetime: we were going to trek up 12000 feet to Madri Himal high camp and sleep in tents for five nights during the coldest time of the year. Little did I know that after all the discussions we had about perseverance and grit in home base the previous several weeks, it would take all the grit I could muster up to make it to the peak.

Working out three times a week with my trainer set my muscles up for the first day’s grueling four-hour uphill climb, but ascending 800 feet was difficult for my lungs. It was a tough beginning, but I have grit, although the frost on my tent the next morning had me shaking both physically and mentally.  I was unaware that we hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle of the altitude or cold. I was in for a shock.

Setting out on the third day to low camp was to be an easy day; only a three-hour climb of about 1000 feet and then a full afternoon to rest up for the big day ahead when we would climb to high camp. After lunch at low camp, the clouds came in and engulfed us. Yes, we were literally in the clouds; we were that high up. The temperature dropped twenty degrees as the sun disappeared, and it was too early to snuggle into our sleeping bags, so we huddled around an illegal campfire. Crouching around the fire for several hours, dodging the smoke, and battling the wind became so tiring that we ended up eating an early dinner and going to bed in order to stay warm. Knowing we were going to get up extremely early to get to High Camp the next day and not wanting to deal with the exceedingly cold, we went to bed with as many layers as we could.

We got up at 4:30 am so that we would reach High Camp before the clouds and with the wakening of the sun. My hot water bottle was still warm, so getting out of the sleeping bag, where even in the tent my breath could be seen as I exhaled, took an act of tenacity I didn’t think I had in me. Two layers on the bottom, three layers on top, plus a down jacket, neck warmer, gloves, and a wool hat: I was out of the tent and looking for something to keep me warm. A full moon surrounded by clouds in the sky made us wonder if we would be making this climb only to have a view of nothing but clouds rather than some of the most majestic mountains on earth. Was it possible that we had come all this way and would miss the magic moment we had worked so hard to experience?

We knew we had to go for it and hope the clouds would clear. After some warm soup, we took off with our headlamps lighting one step at a time. It was thrilling and scary at the same time as we were not really sure of our surroundings. At times the wind blew so fiercely that I thought I might be blown off the narrow precipice. My eyes watered and my fingers were tingling, but my mind was clear and it forced me onwards. Gradually, the sun started to peek over the horizon that almost seemed to be below us. I felt that I was on top of the world. It was a glorious sight.

 We still had another two hours of hiking before we would reach high camp and I was determined to make it. Through the cold, shortness of breath, and tired aching body, I finally reached the top where colorful prayer flags blew in the breeze. The view was amazing as the clouds waited below in the valley letting us take in two of the highest mountains in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas – Annapurna South and Machapuchare (otherwise known as Fishtail). We had reached an elevation of over 12,000 ft. With so many elements and obstacles to overcome, the resolve and indomitable spirit inside of me took over allowing me to make this incredible journey. It felt incredibly satisfying to reach the top.

After taking in the view, and a much-needed snack, we finished taking a few photos, before heading back down. We were far from finished for the day.  We still had to hike back down two hours to low camp, pack up our gear and trek another three hours before making camp for the last night. However, the long trek down gave me plenty of time to reflect upon all that I had experienced and accomplished over the past five days. I learned to take one step at a time. I learned to concentrate on the task right in front of me. I knew that if I stayed in the moment, believed in my own determination, had a hope or a vision of a possible positive outcome that I could do what I set out to do – and that it would be worth it.