I can statements:

• I can write for a variety of reasons (to entertain, persuade, describe, or to inform).
• I can analyze influential topics or texts to determine an argument that causes or has caused a debate in society. 
• I can choose a side of an argument and identify claims that support my choice and claims that oppose my choice. 
• I can identify and gather relevant information to share with my audience.
• I can use organizational/formatting structures to develop my writing ideas.
• I can compose a clear and logical piece of writing that demonstrates my understanding of a specific writing style. 
• I can use pre-writing strategies to formulate ideas, apply revision strategies, edit my writing, analyze my writing, and prepare a final draft. 

All journal entries MUST be on the same paper that you will hand in at the end.
Directions: For each of the four Quick Writes, read the prompt or look at the photograph and write a paragraph stating your ideas with support with specific details. Write five sentences for each. Points will be taken off for spelling and grammar errors. 

Journal entry #1 - Mental Disabilities 

-What is your experience with persons with mental disabilities? 
-Do you know anyone in your life who has a mental disability? If so, what are they like? 
-How does their disability affect their relationships with others?
 -If you do not know anyone personally with a mental disability, what are your impressions/feelings about people with      mental disabilities? 
-What do you think they are like? Please write 5-7 sentence paragraph responses.

JOURNAL ENTRY #2 - The American dream  

"But, Mousie, you are not alone
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes of mice and men 
Go often astray,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!"

What is the American Dream?
  Do you have a dream for the future? 
Are you optimistic or Pesimistic?
Do you think you should make plans or dreams for the future or will you only be disappointed? Explain.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #3 - Art Analysis 

Choose one of the pictures below and make a short story telling us what happened to the family and how the Great Depression has affected their lives. 

JOURNAL ENTRY #4 - Verbal Irony

The picture above is a Great Depression-era photograph of two men traveling together. In a well developed, 7+ sentence paragraph, respond to the following questions about the photograph: 

• Where might the men be traveling to, and why?
• What do you think they might be talking about on their journey?
• What types of hopes and dreams might they have for the future?
• What is ironic about the billboard in the background, which reads "Next time, try the train...RELAX"?

JOURNAL ENTRY #5 - Thankfulness

JOURNAL ENTRY #6- Responsibility 

What are you thankful for?
Do you take things for granted?
What is one thing you could not live without?
What is one thing you want to change?

JOURNAL ENTRY #7 - Lies 

Write in a paragraph form:
Have you ever taken care of someone before?
 What kinds of things have you done for them?
 What does it mean to be selfless?

Write in a paragraph form:
1. Have you ever told a lie for the greater good or to help someone out?
2. What was the lie?
3. Were there any consequences to the lie?

JOURNAL ENTRY #8 - Character Dialogue 

Write in a paragraph form: 
"Slim decides that Lennie "ain't mean...he's jes like a kid."
1. What does this mean and give three examples from the book. 

JOURNAL ENTRY #9 - Discrimination 

Write in a paragraph form:
1. Has anyone ever discriminated against you?
2. What happened?
3. How did it make you feel?
4. Have you ever made fun of or discriminated against someone else?

JOURNAL ENTRY #10 - Death Penalty 

Write in a paragraph form:
1.What is the death penalty? 
2. Should we have a death penalty here in Ohio?
3 What should the regulations of the death penalty be?