Discussion/Study Questions Pages: 49-92

1. Discuss Melinda’s decline, including physical symptoms

She doesn't care about her health, her physical appearance, and doesn't talk.

2. Analyze the social studies “debate” and its aftermath. Note who challenges the teacher and the position each person takes. How do you feel about this type of debate? Is the teacher right or wrong? Do students have a right to challenge a teacher?

Patrakis is the student who stands up to Mr.Neck. Other students just agree with the teacher just so they don not get into trouble.The teacher is definitely wrong. I think do have the right to challenge a teacher when appropriate.

3. Who is a “real” American? What do you think of Mr. Neck’s opinion? Going by his definition, are some of you not really Americans?

A Native-American to me is a real American. Mr. Neck is completely wrong. He believes that he is a real American but I bet if you traced his family back a couple generations you would find he truly isn't American. Yes he was born in America but that doesn't mean he owns the country. Mr. Neck believes that if you were born here you are American but to me that doesn't make me American. My mom's mom was born in Puerto Rico making me Puerto Rican and my dad's parents were born in England and Wales making me Welsh and English. Really if I wanted to move to England because I have a dual citizenship.

4. Discuss the Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda’s family and why this is significant.

Melinda's mom believes if they all sit down at a table together and eat a turkey that they are a true family but Melinda knows that this really doesn't make them any more of a family then what they already are.

5. Analyze Melinda’s statement about her parents, “I bet they’d be divorced by now if I had not been born.” What does this reflect about her self esteem?

Melinda means that it is because of her that her parents haven't divorced. like she is the glue to her parents relationship. It's kinda like it's all her fault that her mom and dad have to live together.

6. Examine Melinda’s references to her secret and what this reveals about her relationship with her parents. What do you think happened at the party?

Melinda was raped at the party. When Melinda wakes up screaming due to a nightmare and her mom thinks it's due to friends, this shows how not in tune her mother is in Melinda's life.

7. Discuss Melinda’s athletic ability, her attitude toward being on the basketball team, and the comparison she makes between basketball and life.

Melinda has not athletic abilities and doesn't want to be on the team.

8. Analyze the deterioration of the relationship between Melinda and Heather. Why is it that people sometimes like us more when they can get something out of us? Are the Marthas good friends to Heather? Why or why not?

Melinda and Heather are not real friends at all. Heather just used Melinda to climb the "social ladder." The Marthas just used Heather to do the same.

9. What should we value in other people? What qualities are important in a person? What do you usually notice first about people? Does that really matter?

People today take others for granted. I think you never truly love the things you have until you no longer have them. Qualities that are important in a person are: trustworthiness, honesty, etc. The first thing I notice about a person is usually how they present themselves and it does matter because it shows me a little about how that person behaves.

10. Examine Melinda’s reference to IT. Pages 85-86 & 89-90

IT: Andy annoys her

11. Discuss the school conference with Melinda’s parents and the aftermath. What do you think about Melinda’s suicide attempt? Was it real? What does it indicate? What do you think about her mother’s reaction?

The school conference was no help at all.Melinda's Suicide attempt was silly and unsuccessful and her mother should pay more attention so it's not so shocking.

Speak Vocabulary with Sentences

1. Obscene – offensive to morality or decency, repulsive
He was obscene to language the boy said.

2. Abstinence – denying self any form of indulgence, appetite, or craving.
She has taken on abstinence for a better and brighter tomorrow.

3. Savant – a person of learning; especially: one with detailed knowledge in some specialized field (i.e. science, literature)
The Spanish teacher is a savant.


4 .Thespian – dramatic actor
Lindsey Lohan is a thespian.

5. fascism – a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as the Fascists) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a government headed by a dictatorial leader.
Today fascism is a big part of America.

6. predator – one that preys, destroys, or devours
He is a predator to little girls.

7. indoctrination– instruct, with doctrines, theories, beliefs. Can also be brainwashing.
The teacher is indoctrinating his students into believeing the way of life did not come from the Lion King.

8. morphing – a special-effects process used in film or video production in which persons or objects seem to change shape, form, etc., in a smooth way, created in a digital environment.
A catipillar morphs into a butterfly.

9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Examples are combat, rape and natural disaster. PTSD is diagnosed six months after the traumatic event. Three major symptoms are: heightened startle response, easily scared, and irritability.
PTSD can be very seious and should be taken care of early.

10. potpourri- a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usually kept in a jar and used for scent.
The restraunt had potpourri in the ladies room and it smelt wonderful.

11. Paparazzi - a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs.
The paparazzi are always following Jessica Simpson around.

12. synchronized- to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together: They synchronized their steps and walked together.
The synchronized swim team work well together and always make sure they are on the right time.

13. inspiration- an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
Jojo has been an inspiration to me in the world of singing.

14. expiration- a coming to an end; termination; close: the expiration of a contract.
The penut butter is no longer good because of the expiration date.


15. floundering- to make clumsy attempts to move or regain one’s balance
Jaskson floundered around the classroom to regain his balance.


16. blathers- to talk without making sense
Jackson blathers on and on sometimes without thinking.


17. interim- a temporary arrangement, stopgap, make shift.
Im not exactly sure how to use interim in a sentence.

18. drones- A male bee, especially a honeybee, that is characteristically stingless, performs no work, and produces no honey. Its only function is to mate with the queen bee.
2. An idle person who lives off others; a loafer.
3. A person who does tedious or menial work; a drudge.
Drones are honey bees.


19. xenophobic- a person who is very fearful or disliking of foreigners, people from other countries, or strangers.
If I were xenophobic I would not be able to go to the mall.

20. Sun Shadow Mandala- Mandalas are symbolic, circular designs that represent outer (sun) and inner (shadow) dimensions of a person’s personality. We made sun shadow mandalas in class.

21. Redemption- the act or process of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.
Redeem – to buy or pay off; to recover what has been lost; to discharge in full; to deliver from sin and the consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.The lord will give redemption to those who pray.

22. abysmal – extremely or hopelessly bad or severe: abysmal ignorance; abysmal poverty. The bruise was abysmal.

23. demure - characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
I am demure in the way I talk.

24. bigoted – utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
She is bigoted at the conference.

25. asphyxiated - to cause to die or lose consciousness by impairing normal breathing, as by gas or other noxious agents; choke; suffocate; smother.
She was asphyxiated after being hit by the car.

Discussion/Study Questions Pages:3-46

1. Analyze Melinda's reaction to the first day of high school and why her fears seem more intense than that of others. Analyze why she says, "I am Outcast."
Melinda's reaction to the first day of high school was a little abnormal. She has no friends at all and everyone around her is in a clan or clique which she has nothing. Her fears are more intense because unlike the others, she has no one so she has to in a way be more careful with the choices she makes because she is all alone and to her it's like everyone has their eyes on her ready for her to do something stupid. She doesn't know where to sit in the auditorium because again she has no friends and plain and simple its hard when you have no one to support you. To be an outcast is to be without friends, be different, look/act weird, etc. I think Melinda feels this way because of the fact that all of her friends want nothing to do with her.
2. Examine the meanings of the "clans" and the prevalence of high school cliques. Why do we sometimes not like people who are really good at things, like sports, music, art, or school? Is this fair? Are adults like this?
Clan- A group of people who have simalar interests. Like a clique. High school cliques are all about grouping kids together. For example: if you are in a sport then your known as a jock.Sometimes people who do something better than you can, can make you angry. This is true because someone might want to sing but can't so they will secretly hate the person that can. It's not fair but I guess this is life. Adults can sometimes be like this. For example when they are fighting for a promotion or something along those lines.
3. Discuss the "first ten lies they tell you in high school." Compare with your first day. So you think Melinda's assumption that they are "lies"is valid?
The "first ten lies they tell you in high school" dont really apply to me. Melinda may feel this way because of her current state of mind.
4. Examine Melinda's characterization of the teachers. What do these descriptions reflect?
Melinda's characterization of the teachers is how she feels they are. She catergorizes the teachers into clans.
5. Discuss Mr. Freeman's approach to teaching art. Have you had similar experiences in classes with this type of teaching style?
Mr.Freeman doesn't teach the students' he lets them loose to see what they come up with. Similar experiences - a teacher gives you an asssignment to see what you can do because sometimes students only show their true self in their work.
6. Discuss Melinda's home life. How does communication break down in Melinda's family? What could each person do to improve it? If you were a parent, how would communication be in your family?
Melinda's home life is that no one really communicates to each other. It's more scream until someone listens kind of thing. If I were the parent, I would make sure my child knew that I was their for them no matter what. I would always be there to listen.
7. Discuss the interaction between Melinda and Heather. Are they friends? What brings them together?
Melinda and Heather at first aren't the best of friends. THey become friends after a while when they both don't belong to groups.
8. Are we sometimes different people on the outside than we are in the inside? How? Why is this true, do you think?
Sometimes people can act a certain way to fit into a clique or clan just so they are acepted. For example, someone could act really good at a sport just to fit in with the jocks, but on the inside they really like to draw but if they joined the art club they would be permantly a freak for the rest of the year.

Scenario

Scenario: Your good friend keeps making lame excuses - falling down or running into lockers - to explain her bruises and cuts. You suspect her boyfriend is beating her, what do you say or do?

Answer: Situations can be tough when is comes to people you care about. If I suspected my friend was being beaten by her boyfriend I would talk to a guidance counselor and teachers. I would see what they could come up with to help the situation. Honestly, I would talk to my mom as well. She has worked with people who have been abused all her life and I think she could give me some tips on how to help. The most important thing I would do is make sure my friend is aware that I am there for them whenever they need me. That's what I would do if I was in that situation.

Questions -> In The Mix - Twisted Love

1. What kinds of abuse are addressed in the video?
*Physical Abuse, Mental Abuse & Sexual abuse

2. What are the signs of an abusive relationship?
*Being hit, kicked, punched, pushed, etc.
*Being told their stupid or not worthy.
*Being tricked or forced into something.
*Not feeling good about themself or low self-esteem.

3. What similar effect did the abuse have on both women?
*They both felt bad about themselves, they believed their boyfriends were above them, they were not good enough for their boyfriends and that why they had to be punished all the time, and they believed they were being punished out of love.

In dealing with anger, what are some possible alternative behaviors to violence?

When dealing with anger there are many different ways you can let violence out. No, I don’t mean beating someone up either. Different ways to help with anger issues is:
-Get involved in a sport.
*Running, swimming, baseball, softball, join a gym, dance, soccer, etc.
-Talk out the issues.
*Talk to a counselor at school or to a family member / friend.
-Count down to 1 from 10 and shout it out loud.
-Take out your aggression on a pillow. Punch, Kick, or hit it.
-Write an “angry letter” then throw it away.
When dealing with anger it is important to express how you feel because if you keep it bottled up it just gets you even angrier until you explode! Finding the right way to let out you frustrations is easy. Do one of the following above and it is sure to help. When your angry you should ask yourself, “Why am I angry?” Is the reason even worth getting upset about? Most the time the issue is something you should just shrug off. But we all know life is not that simple...

Help: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/anger.html