Sun-Shadow Mandala

Movie Project

Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher was placed in a foster home after he was born, and he stayed in foster care throughout most of his childhood as well. Antwone lived with a foster family for two years, and he was taken away from them because of the relationship he created with his foster mother could have ended up causing problems later on in life. He was then placed with a foster family named the Tates. There was Reverend Tates and Mrs. Tates, who already had nine children of their own. His life with the Tates was extremely dysfunctinal. He lived with the family for fourteen years and throughout those years he was physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. He was ignored by the family and also sexually abused by a neighbor and a family friend. He got in a dispute with Mrs. Tates and was placed back in social services, He later joined the Navy and spent eleven years serving his country. Here, he met Commander Williams, a psychiatrist who helped him through his emotional traumas. After being discharged he worked as a federal correctional officer and other jobs down the road. Eventually found his real family. His mother who was on drugs, and ther rest of the family who welcomed him so dearly. He later got married to a woman named LaNette and has now been married for ten years. They have two children together and Antwone still owrks as an author, as a poet, as movie producer, and also a writer.

Speak

Melinda Sordino started her freshman year in high school on the wrong foot. She was labeled as a "squealer" for calling the police to a house party the summer before. The reason for calling the police was that she was raped by a senior, Andy Evans. She was so silenced by the rape that she couldn't find the words to tell anyone. Melinda was shunned by her middle school friends and was forced to deal with social rejection. Her parents noticed a change in their daughter but they could not figure out what was wrong with her. She and a new girl named Heather became somewhat of friends who eventually left her when the chance to climb the social ladder arises. The only other student that hse has a positive relationship with is David, her lab partner. The high point of her day is when she has art class with Mr. Freeman. He encourages students to express themselves and Melinda began to slowly open up. As her first year in high school progressed she began to face her fears and tells Rachel about the attack when Rachel begins to date Andy, because it could happen to her too. She stands up to her power-crazy social studies teacher and Heather also. When Andy finds out that she told what he had done to her, he threatens Melinda again and she stands up to him. She is then finally able to talk to her mother about her rape and the party the summer before. By the end of the movie she comes completely out of her shell.

Speak 3 D.Q.'s

1.Discuss why Melinda skips schol and what she does.
-she wants to get away for a while
2.Why is it hard to be in between childhood and adulthood.
-more responsibility as you get older.
3.Discuss why Melinda and Heather's friendship ended. What effect did it have on Melinda?
-they were using each other.didn't effect her.
4.Analyze the events abd effects of Valentine's Day on Melinda and the aftermath.
-wasn't ready, but kind of likes David.
5.Melinda wishes her science teacher would teachthem about love and betrayal instead of about the birds and the bees. Explain how we can learn about love from a book?
-from nature
6.Discuss what happens when Melinda is placed in MISS.
-IT was there.
7.What was Mr. Freeman's effect on Melinda, inside and outside the art class.Do you agree with his statement, "When people don't express themselves,they die one piece at a time."
-yes they kill themselves by not talking.
8.Mr. Freeman tells his class, "You must walk alone to find your soul." What does this mean?
-you have to look inside yourself to find you.
9. Mr. Freeman also says that "art is about making mistakes and learning from them." What else is this like?
-life
10.Examine Melinda's self-image and her survival techniques after Heather's rejection.
-she was better off without her.
11.Examine Melinda's revelation about the night of the party and its lasting effect on her.
-she wouldn't be like this if she hadn't went to the party.

Speak 2 D.Q.'s

1.Discuss Melinda's decline, including physical symptoms.
-raped, cutting, depressed
2.Analyze the social studies "debate" and its aftermath. Is the teacher right or wrong? Do students have a right to challenge a teacher?
-they do if the teacher is wrong
3.Who is a "real" American? What do you think of Mr. Neck's opinion?
-citizens, it is wrong
4.Discuss the Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda's family and why is this significant.
-mom burned turkey, Melinda knows every year something goes wrong
5.Analyze Melinda's statement about her parents, "I bet they'd be divorced by now if I hadn't been born."
6.Examine Melinda's refrences to her "secret" and what this reveals about her relationship with her parents.
-they don't communicate
7.Discuss Melinda's athletic ability, and the comparison she makes between basketball and life.
-superficial athletes, most are shallow
8.Why did the relationship between Melinda and Heather deteriorate? Are the Marthas good friends to Heather? Why or why not?
-she wanteed to fit in with the Marthas, and they used each other. The Marthas are fake.
9.What qualities are most important in a person? What do you usually notice about people? Does that really matter?
-looks, how they act. Yes the way they act shows what kind of person they are.
10.Examine Melinda's reference to IT.
-Andy Evans, the guy who raped her, shes scared of him.
11.Discuss the school conference with Melinda's parents and the aftermath.
-dumb counselor, nieve parents, still doesn't tell anyonem it doesn't help anything.

150 Teen abuse

There are all types of abuse; physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, or a combination of those types of abuse. You can usually sense physical abuse first, because there are usually marks, like bruises. Physical abuse can be hitting, pinching, burning, choking, throwing, or beating are some types of physical abuse. Sexual abuse is any kind of sexual contact between an adult and someone under the age of 18, or between an significantaly older child and a younger child. Emotional abuse is the hardest to recognize because it can take some time to realize that there is abuse happening. Emotional abuse can be yelling or criticizing too much, or when parents dismiss their kids self-esteem or hurt their feelings too much. It is sometimes hard for a teen to recognize abuse, because when someone lives with it for a long time they may just be used to that lifestyle, and not know that it is abuse.
http://http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/families/family_abuse.html

Literary Terms Review

Theme
•Central idea or message in a work of literature
•Perception about life or human nature shared with the reader
•Theme is NOT expressed by one word, but rather by a statement.
Finding Theme
-To discover theme in a story: What happens to the central characters in the story? State the importance of those events as they apply to all human beings.
-To discover theme in poetry: What is the topic of the poem? Then, what does the poem say about the topic?
Imagery
-Use of words or phrases that appeal directly to the reader's taste, touch, hearing, sight, or smell. Imagery is any vivid or picturesque phrase that evokes a particular sensation in the reader's mind. Examples: "golden brass,” “silvery steel,” and “autumn blaze”
Simile
- Comparison between two unlike objects using the words “like” or “as.” In formal prose the simile is a device both of art and explanation, comparing an unfamiliar thing to some familiar thing (an object, event, process, etc.) known to the reader.
-The soul in the body is like a bird in a cage.
-My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun.
-The argument of this book utilizes pretzel-like logic.
-They remained constantly attentive to their goal, as a sunflower always turns and stays focused on the sun.
Metaphor
-Compares two different things by speaking of one in terms of the other. Unlike a simile, a metaphor asserts that one thing is another thing, not just that one is like another. Very frequently a metaphor is invoked by the to be verb
-Nature is an anchor in the storm of life.
-She became a cat during the jewel heist.
Symbol/Symbolism
-An object, sign, or image that is used to stand for something else, as a flag may be used to symbolize a nation.
-The systematic use of recurrent symbols or images in a work to create an added level of meaning. Example: In Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the fire symbolizes rescue and hope; the beast symbolizes fear and man’s capacity for evil.
Motif
-A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil.
-In the Book of Genesis, we see the motif of separation again and again throughout the story. In the very first chapter, God separates the light from the darkness. Abraham and his descendants are separated from the rest of the nation as God's chosen people. Joseph is separated from his brothers in order that life might be preserved.
Verbal Irony
-A subtle form of sarcasm, verbal irony is a rhetorical device in which the speaker either severely understates his point or means the opposite of what he says
-A guest politely describes a host's unimpressive wine as "nicely chilled“
-An extremely dull person is described as "not a likely Mensa (organization formed of those with an IQ in the top 2% of the population) candidate."
Conflict
-Struggle between two opposing forces/characters
-Internal conflict: The struggle is within the character
-External conflict: The struggle is between the character and an outside force
Personification
-Represents an animal or inanimate object as having human attributes--attributes of form, character, feelings, behavior, and so on. Ideas and abstractions can also be personified.
-The ship began to creak and protest as it struggled against the rising sea.
-We bought this house instead of the one on Maple because this one is more friendly.
-This coffee is strong enough to get up and walk away.
Alliteration
-The recurrence of initial consonant sounds. The repetition can be juxtaposed (and then it is usually limited to two words):
-Ah, what a delicious day!
-Often, though, several words not next to each other are alliterated in a sentence. Here the use is more artistic.
-I shall delight to hear the ocean roar, or see the stars twinkle, in the company of men to whom Nature does not spread her volumes or utter her voice in vain.
Allusion
-A short, informal reference to a famous person, event or literary work
-The best sources for allusions are literature, history, Greek myth, and the Bible
-The reference serves to explain or clarify or enhance whatever subject is under discussion, without sidetracking the reader.
-If you take his parking place, you can expect World War II all over again.
-Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

Speak Vocabulary and Sentences

SPEAK VOCABULARY
1.Obscene – offensive to morality or decency, repulsive
The construction worker used obscene language when he hit his thumb with a hammer.
-The railroad worker used obscene language when the railroad car derailed.
2.Abstinence – denying self any form of indulgence, appetite, or craving.
Many Catholics practice abstinence from various foods, pastimes, or indulgences as part of the season of Lent.
-Teens who practice abstinence have less of a chance of becoming pregnant or contracting an STD.
Savant – a person of learning; especially: one with detailed knowledge in some specialized field (i.e. science, literature)
The young man was considered a savant because he was a mathematical genius at an early age.
-Albert Einstein was considered a savant because he was so brilliant at such an early age.
Thespian – dramatic actor
The international Thespian Society is an honorary organization for high-school and middle-school theatre students.
-I am so good at being dramatic, I think I may become a thespian.
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.
Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, and quickly established a totalitarian and fascist dictatorship.
-Depression of the 1930's gripped the world and fascism became a worldwide tragedy.
predator – one that preys, destroys, or devours
To human predators, you are prey, and they have no conscience about harming or killing others.
-Predators in the wild kill to survive.
indoctrination– instruct, with doctrines, theories, beliefs. Can also be brainwashing.
Cult leaders often indoctrinate their followers with beliefs that give the leaders a place of power over them.
-The indoctrination of the new generation of kids, destroyed the values that their parents sent with them.
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.
The movie, Willow (1988), introduced the technique of morphing and transformed a goat into a woman.
-The morphing of the catepillar into the butterfly is an amazing thing to watch.
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.
-My friend suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
1.potpourri- a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usually kept in a jar and used for scent.
-The cinnamon and apple potpourri fled through the whole house.
2.Paparazzi - a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs.
The paparazzi surrounded Lindsey Lohan when she wrecked her Mercedes and was falling out of the car because she was impaired.
-The paparazzi always catch ridiculous photos of big stars.
1.synchronized- to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together: They synchronized their steps and walked together.
2.inspiration- an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
3.expiration- a coming to an end; termination; close: the expiration of a contract.
1.floundering- to make clumsy attempts to move or regain one’s balance.
-The newborn deer was floundering all over to regain it's balance.
2. blathers- to talk without making sense
-The moronic girl blathers without even thinking.
3. interim- a temporary arrangement, stopgap, make shift. The company had an interim CEO after the original one was fired for taking huge bonuses during an economic recession.
-The interim principal at our school eventually became permenant.
1.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.
2. xenophobic- a person who is very fearful or disliking of foreigners, people from other countries, or strangers.
-My next door neighbor is a complete drone.
1.Sun Shadow Mandala- Mandalas are symbolic, circular designs that represent outer (sun) and inner (shadow) dimensions of a person’s personality.
-My sunshadow mandala is very plain and bland.
2.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 guy went to the police station to redeem his stolen wallet.
1.abysmal – extremely or hopelessly bad or severe: abysmal ignorance; abysmal poverty.
-The young girl had abysmal burns from the fire.
2.demure - characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
Infante’s Paraphrased: chillaxed in a non-Xanax sort of way.
-The demure girl eventually came out of her shell.
1.bigoted – utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
_The Buddist religion is bigoted.
2.asphyxiated - to cause to die or lose consciousness by impairing normal breathing, as by gas or other noxious agents; choke; suffocate; smother.
-People who are asphyxiated usually have sever problems if they survive.

D.Q. 1 pgs. 3-46

1.She says she is outcast because she has no friends, and she doesn't fit in with her old freinds.

2.People sometimes don't like people who are good at things because they are jealous. It is fair because people can feel how they want. Adults are like this.

3.All of the lies that she illustrates in the book are mostly all true. Yes, I do think that they are valid.

4.Melinda characterizes her teachers by their appearance, and their attitude.

5.Yes, I have had similar experiences with a teacher who was carefree and very open.

6.Melinda's family doesn't communicate. They could talk instead of writing notes. Communication in my family will be very good because I will talk to and stay involved in my family's life.

7.Heather blathers, and Melinda kind of ignores her. They are friends. The fact that they are both new brings them together.

8.Yes, people act like they are something that they aren't because they try to fit in and make every one happy.

150 Word Blog "Are there enough programs to help teens who are abusive?

Some people wonder are there many programs that help abusive teens. I researched on the internet and I found a website called http://www.loveisrespect.org/. On this website I found alot of information. I found other links to some similar websites as well. They didn't have as much information though. On loveisrespect.org there are crisis hotlines, names of safe places you can go to, or where to go for help. There are also peer advocate hotlines, and blogs. Loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline was launches in Feb. 2007 with help from founding sponsor, Liz Clairborne Inc. Feb. 2nd to the 6th is the fourth annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness andPrevention Week. None of the other websites had as much information or as much help as Loveisrespect.org has to offer. My answer is no, I do not think that there are enough programs to help abusive teens.

Scenario

Your good friend keeps making lame excuses-like falling down or walking into a locker door- to explain her bruises and cuts. You suspect her boyfriend is beating her? What do you do or say?

If I had a friend who i thought was being abused by her boyfriend I would ask her first. I would talk to her to see if there were anymore sighs of abuse. If she continued to deny it I would go to her parents or a counselor. Hopefully that won't happen though.

In The Mix- Twisted Love

1. What kinds of abuse are addressed in the video? physical, emotional, sexual

2. What are the signs of an abusive relationship? control, manipulation, jealousy, loss of self-esteem.

3. What similar effect did the abuse have on both women? overpowered, lost control, was addicted to the abuse, thought they were in "love", scared.