Noticing Sentences

Irony They were singing Christian songs. I had grown up singing some of those songs in church, and I wondered why murderers would be singing them. p5 Life Lesson She would shush me. "It doesn't matter if he smells. He's still a person. A person is a person, no matter what," she said. "You must do what you can to help people. What you do comes back around to you." p34 "Beauty is in your head, not on your body," Dad would say. p141 It's exhausting when you think that you're not entitled to your emotions. p272 For genocide unit description of school p46-47 They [parents] were determined to raise us peacefully, even though we were growing up in a conflict zone. They taught us tolerance and forgiveness. I didn't understand why the Congolese kids were mean to us. I wanted to say to them, "Don't you have parents who teach you respect?" p46-47 an attack p63-65 another attack p73 Interhamwe p86 watching Hote...

"If life is so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" I know now what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" p13 I feel like it would be really interesting to have students think about this more complete quote-- especially in light of the historical context. A good starting point for an irony discussion, I think.

Power of Kindness She was a legend not only in the school and the community, but in my house, because Bernadette had her the same year as Mr. Mustache bullied her, and Ms. G saved her by being nice, because Ms. G is always nice. p32 Bad dad jokes "Your generation ruined the planet," Bernadette said to Dad as she landed on St. James Place. "I didn't personally ruin the planet," Dad said. "I don't know who told you I did, but whoever it is, is lying." p32 Irony Now there were so many houses I couldn't count them all. During Phase One , they erected a huge sign with a map of numbered building lots and the name of the development, THE ORCHARDS. Of course they had to tear down the actual orchards to build the houses. p48 100 years ago-- p51 prejudice Dreams Discussing what he wants to be when he grows up Something where I could help nature and be cool and nerdy at the same time. Something Ms. G would approve of. Something wher...

Lists-- no commas I hate it when she does this, makes me feel young and obvious and stupid. p 40 All We Have Left by Wendy Mills Confidence/ Strength "Yes," she says. "What I wanted to say is this: you are stronger than you think you are. We all are." p76 All We Have Left by Wendy Mills "The more I discovered the more I want to know." p291 All We Have Left by Wendy Mills Religion/ Faith Eventually my father intervened, telling me gently that faith was a road map to happiness, God willing, not a roadblock to fun , and asked me to go to my room to calm down. p92 All We Have Left by Wendy Mills While I'm on this topic for a moment, I live in a rural area with not a lot of diversity of race, ethnicity, or religion. For my students, this book gives them one point of view that they can use to start opening up their minds to more than the very limited point of view they may witness in popular culture and news. I found the discussions of ...