Standing+Against+the+Wind

Standard: Language Arts- Analyzes an author’s use of literary devices

After reading “Standing Against the Wind” as a class, the students will then focus on an activity referencing the following paragraph from the book. (pg. 128-129)

Monty talking to Patrice: You know that empty parking lot near school? Patrice: Yeah, why? Monty: “Well, the whole lot is filled with junk and trash and crap, but last spring, in the middle of the trash this flower bloomed. This pretty little flower, right there, in the middle of a lot full of garbage. It was the weirdest thing. I mean, where did it come from? I didn’t know whether to pick it or let it keep growing. I’d go by there every day to look at the stupid flower cause it was so unique and pretty and it tripped me out that could bloom in the middle of all that trash. Then one day I went by and someone had thrown an old stuffed chair over it and broke it. Killed it. I told myself that the next time I saw something beautiful trying to survive in the middle of trash I’d do what I could to protect it, to make sure it grew and that nobody messed it up. So, I guess you’re my flower.” Patrice started at him.” Wow, she said softly. “Wow. I – Thank you, Monty! Monty looked at her and smiled. “Hey, no problem. My pleasure.” Activity- The teacher asks the students what this paragraph means to them. - Give all the students a folder with paper in it and have them write what that paragraph means to them. - Then we will plant flowers together (each in a little Styrofoam cup) and have the students discuss what they must do to keep them alive. - The students will keep a journal based on the progress of the flower. - We will do this for about a week. - The teacher will plant a flower that will be neglected and mistreated and allowed to die. - The students will then write at the end of the week about what they had to do to help their flowers grow and contrast that with how one of the flowers died.

- ** Discussion- Friendship and Bullying ** o We will discuss how this relates to friends/friendships, and bullying. Like the way Monty was to Patrice and how he protected her from their classmates who bullied her. This relates to friendship because if you help someone who needs help and you show how much you care for them, this can help that persons esteem and make them feel better. This also allows the person to feel loved and it let them know that a person really does care for them, like Monty does for Patrice. o How does this relate to bullying? How can the flower that died relate to bullying? If you have a flower that you can nurture, and you don’t take care of that flower. How do you think that the flower felt when you mistreated them? In the story when the classmates bully Patrice, how do you think that makes her feel?

- **Multicultural Discussion**- o Do you think that she was bullied because she was African American? It could have happened because of that but it never really told the race of the other students, if they were a different race than Patrice. o How should you treat people of other backgrounds? You should treat everyone the same no matter what race they are, everyone comes with their own unique characteristics.

Have the students read this poem and explain what it means to them and how this relates to the story.
- __**Looking Back At You **__ __-__ Written By: Praveen - The good you find in others, is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well. - The beauty you see around you, is your beauty. The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are. - To change your world, you must change yourself. To blame and complain will only make matters worse. - Whatever you care about, is your responsibility. What you see in others, shows you yourself. See the best in others, and you will be your best. - Give to others, and you give to yourself. Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Admire creativity, and you will be creative. Love, and you will be loved. - Seek to understand, and you will be understood. Listen, and your voice will be heard. Show your best face to the mirror, and you’ll be happy with the face looking back at you.

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