Journal Entry #1

1. Journal Entry #1 Select ONE of the prompts to respond to. Write today’s date next to the prompt and keep it in your writing section so you can use it all week. • If a genie from a magic lamp were to grant you ONE wish, what would it be and why? • What is a “white lie”? Is there ever a time when it is okay to tell a lie?

2. Critical Writing From whose point of view has the story been told? Explain how you know this. What is this type of point of view called?

3. Journal Entry #2 • Describe in detail the emotions you think you will experience on your first day of middle school. Why do you think you will feel this way? • Explain the meaning of this phrase: When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. What are specific instances when you could apply this precept to your life?

4. Character Webs Over the next two days, your groups will come up with words that describe the main characters. You will complete at least one web on each of the characters, and you will use text evidence as justification for the word you have selected.

5. Character Webs • August Mom Dad Via Jack Will Julian

6. Big Bad Wolf Persistent

7. CW: Predictions While reading today’s chapters, make predictions about how August, Jack, and Julian may change over the course of the story.

8. Journal #3 • August’s favorite holiday is Halloween. Explain why you think this particular day of the year is so important to him. • Describe a time when you went along with what others were doing even though you knew it was wrong. Why did you do it? How did you feel about it afterwards?

9. CW: What did you learn about Via when the story shifted to her point of view? Has your opinion of her or your understanding of who she is changed now that you are “inside her head”?

10. Journal #4 • Why do you think Summer sat with August on the first day of school? Do you think YOU are the type of person that would do what she did? Do you know anyone who would be compassionate enough to sit with August when no one else in the school would? • Do you prefer to work independently or in a group? Why? What are the pros and cons of both working situations (independent and group work)?

11. Figurative Language What is the difference between simile and metaphor? “And suddenly there I was, like all those people who would stare or look away.” “August is the sun.” Scan the pages of the text to find an example of each. (Hint: pp. 82, 86, 87, 88, and 90)

12. Critical Writing How does the author’s use of figurative language impact your understanding of the story?

13. Journal #5 • Have you ever lied to protect a friend? Describe the situation and your friend’s reaction. • Have you ever done something you think was very brave? Describe the situation and whether or not you think you could do it again.

14. Compare & Contrast

15. Critical Writing What do you think August wrote about for Mr. Browne’s December precept? Describe what he has done that you think is brave?

16. Journal #6 • You have been in sixth grade for almost ten months. Thinking back to what you were like when you first started the year, how have you changed? Describe what you do differently now or how you feel differently about certain things. • If you could have bionic ears or bionic eyes, which would you prefer and why?

17. Dialogue “Oh, that’s because we did our homework together last night…” (August) “You must be so bummed you got stuck with him,” he said… (Julian) Find dialogue that develops your understanding of the characters.

18. Critical Writing Select a piece of dialogue from the story and explain what it tells you about the character who said it.

19. Journal #7 • Have you ever gone to summer camp or church camp? Describe the experience. What were the best and worst parts? • Many circumstances cause friendships to change. As you transition to middle school, your circle of friends will change. How do you think this will affect you? Describe what you can do to ensure truly great friends stay close? What will you do to make new friends?

20. Critical Writing Hero: a person who commits an act of remarkable bravery or shows great strength of character. Who do you think is a hero in this story? Use text evidence to support your answer.

21. Journal #8 • Which character do you feel changed the most over the course of the story? Describe the change. • What does it mean to be kinder than necessary? Being kind is a choice you make. Do you feel that YOU make that choice in few, many, or most circumstances? If we could give a “kindness award,” to whom in the sixth grade would we give it? Why?

22. Character Traits Use the graphic organizer to trace how a character has changed over the course of the story. Be sure to list text evidence to support your claim.

23. Critical Writing Which character do you feel changed over the course of the story? Use text evidence to describe the character at the beginning as compared to the end of the story. One to two paragraphs.

24. Journal Entry #1 Select ONE of the prompts to respond to. Write today’s date next to the prompt and keep it in your writing section so you can use it all week. • If a genie from a magic lamp were to grant you ONE wish, what would it be and why? • What is a “white lie”? Is there ever a time when it is okay to tell a lie?

25. Journal Entry #2 • Describe in detail the emotions you think you will experience on your first day of middle school. Why do you think you will feel this way? • Explain the meaning of this phrase: When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. What are specific instances when you could apply this precept to your life?

26. Journal #3 • August’s favorite holiday is Halloween. Explain why you think this particular day of the year is so important to him. • Describe a time when you went along with what others were doing even though you knew it was wrong. Why did you do it? How did you feel about it afterwards?

27. Journal #4 • Why do you think Summer sat with August on the first day of school? Do you think YOU are the type of person that would do what she did? Do you know anyone who would be compassionate enough to sit with August when no one else in the school would? • Do you prefer to work independently or in a group? Why? What are the pros and cons of both working situations (independent and group work)?