Student Name

Module 2 Journal Activities

In this module, you will have journal activities to complete, where you will make an entry in response to
a question (prompt) within the lesson.

You will use this document to record and save all your journal activities for the module. You are only
required to complete five of the journal activities for each module. Remember, the first time you save
this file you need to ‘Save As’ and title your document with your name and the name of the module you
are working on. After that, each time you access the file, save it on your computer so that you can easily
find it as you continue through each lesson. Please make sure you include your name in the title of the
file when you save it so that your teacher will know it is your work.

Each time you see a journal prompt that you want to complete, open this module journal file and enter
your response to the prompt. Save the file and upload it to the dropbox.

This file you create will be a running journal file for the module, so that each time you submit it to the
dropbox, you will have the previous journal entries on it. You will earn a grade for each submission.

Journal Prompts & Responses:

1. Inside Voices
Identify a passage in Chapter 8 that relies on figurative language for part of its meaning or
effect. First summarize the passage. Then analyze its style, using what you learned in this
lesson, and describe the effect the passage might have on readers. How did the passage make
you feel? What information were you able to gather about the characters featured in the
passage?
"Papa rubbed his mustache and looked up at the trees standing like sentinels on the edge of the hollow,
listening."
This passage is comparing a tree to a guard whose job is to stand guard and survey the area. In this
sentence the trees have human are standing upright as if they are on guard and given the human quality
of listening. Simile is used, "like sentinels" to add style to this passage. The effect this passage has is to
give character to the trees and help the reader visualize the scene. This passage made me feel like I can
picture the tress. When I took a trip to London, I was able to see the changing of the guard. Reading the
passage made me think how how professional, disciplined and serious the guards were and imagine the
trees being similar. From this passage I learned that Papa was a deep thinker and loved their land.

2. Side by Side
In Chapters 8 and 9, several characters in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry react to acts of
intimidation or harassment by white members of the community. Compare and contract the
reactions between two of these characters: Cassie, Mama, Papa, Stacey, and Mr. Morrison.
Explain why you think the two sets of reactions differ.
Kaleb Wallace, Mr. Harlan Granger and another white man did an act of intimidation when they
went to the black school. They said they were there because of Mama's teaching but the real
reason, according to mama, was due to them shopping in Vicksburg. In response to the
intimidation Mama refused to change her way of teaching and said she would not use the
book's approved by the board of Education. Because Mama disobeyed she was fired. Her
reaction was to stand her grown and do what she thought was right. Mama was sad because
teaching was her dream. Mr. Morrison's response was to try and help by offering to get a job
and bring money in. Mama and Mr. Morrison were both hurt by the intimidation that led to
Mama being fired. A difference is that mama wasn't able to offer a solution to bring more
money in while Mr. Morrison was able to problem solve and try to give a solution.
 3. A Shadow Falls
Choose a symbol that appears in Chapter 10, and explain what it means now, compared to
earlier in the story. What did the symbol mean originally, and what events have helped create
or change the symbol’s meaning?

4. Happily Ever After

Choose an important character in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and describe how he or she
changes by the end of the novel. Then explain how the character’s growth or transformation
helps express the novel’s universal themes related to coming of age and the value of sacrifice.
Cassie is an important character who changes by the end of the novel. In the beginning she is
not very aware of the realities of living during racism and what that means as a black girl. She's
an outspoken girl with a short temper who doesn't recognize her place within a Jim Crow ear.
Cassie even fights Lilly Jean without caring about the possible consequences. By the end of
the novel, Cassie has seen the impact of racism, appreciates the land they own and live on and
learns to better control her emotions. Her growth shows how life experiences and challenges
help to shape people. I also believe that sometimes you have to sacrifice being right when it
comes to your safety.

5. Thinking Together – Get Ready

Using the guidelines in this lesson, write down five questions about the novel – including at least
one question each about the characters, the setting, the plot, and a possible symbol in Roll of
Thunder, Hear My Cry. You’ll have a chance to ask these questions – and share your own views
– after this lesson.
 6. Thinking Together – Message Me
In your journal, write down two possible themes from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Then write
down a question about each theme that you could ask during a collaborative discussion.

1. Racial injustice: Land ownership for black families during this time was rare because being from an
enslaved background black people were poor, intimidated and did not usually have land passed down. It
took awhile for the Logan children to see that this was a luxury for them. What benefits did land
ownership give black people during this time?

2. Community: Throughout the novel black people had to stick together in order to survive and get
through the racism of their time. One example is when Cassie confronted Mr. Barnette at the Mercantile
in Strawberry for ignoring them and a black customer warned her to "hush up". A second example is
when Papa starts the fire in the cotton fields to prevent TJ from being lynched. What example of
community from the novel sticks out in your mind?

7. Thinking Together – Calling for Backup

In your journal, note the page number for at least one passage that supports your answer to
each question you wrote. Also include the chapter number and notes on important background
information for each passage.

8. Post or Publish
What kinds of changes should you make before submitting your essay to a publisher or sending
it to the owner of a blog?

Before submitting my essay to a publisher or the owner of a blog I would want to learn about the
audience. Like if the audience is very young I need to make sure my writing is understandable to
that age range or if it is a more mature audience make sure the writing fits. Also, I may need to
change the formatting depending on the formatting guidelines. Making sure I have a person look
over my writing to make sure it makes sense, flows smoothly and meets the goals I wanted to
me is also important. Lastly, pay attention to the length requirements. If I am submitting to a blog
they might not want my submission to be too wordy.