"Chicago"- Exta Credit

Read the poem below. What is the theme of the poem? In other words, what do you think that the poet is trying to say about Chicago? Give two examples from the poem in your explanation.

"Chicago"
HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:

They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;

Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.

Favorite Book

Tell me about a book that you have read that you consider to be your favorite. What was the book about? Why did you enjoy it? Responses must be five sentences to receive full credit.

Body Paragraphs Practice

You need to come up with a body paragraph for the following topic sentence:

Fall is the best season because it is scenic.

Include the topic sentence, support, explain, support, explain in your paragraph.

Inspiration

Tell me about one time that you worked your hardest and tried your best. What happened? Why were you so determined?

Introduction Review

Write the introduction to the following essay prompt:

________________ is the best season. Persuade others to agree with you.

Here is the organization your introduction needs to follow:
-An observation
-This makes me realize
-A thesis statement with three reasons

One day, as I was walking home from school, I noticed how the sidewalk was covered with leaves. With every step I took, there was a loud crunch that made it hard to talk to my friend as I walked home. At one point, my friend and I stopped and began to have a leaf fight. We picked up handfuls of leaves and started to chuck them at one another. This made me realize how much I enjoy fall as a season. Fall is an incredible season because it is still nice enough to go outside and be with friends and have fun doing silly activities like having leaf fights with friends. Summer can be too hot to be outside; winter can be too cold. Fall is just right. I believe that fall is the best season because the weather is just right, all of the change in color in trees is beautiful, and because of the most enjoyable holidays all happen during fall.

Song Theme Practice

Think of a song that has a strong message to it (that is not violent or sexual). Tell me the name of the song, the message, and give me one sentence from the song that shows the message. Be sure to explain how the song shows the message. Your response should be at least ten sentences long.

Extra Credit Theme Practice

Read the story below. What do you think the theme is? Explain in one complete paragraph. Be sure to give an example from your life to explain your thinking.


Adapted fom the novel- Call Me Maria

There once was a greedy baker who wanted to charge a starving man for the smell of his fresh-baked goods, aromas which gave the poor manpleasure and hope. He took the beggar to court to make him pay for what he was taking from him. The judge, to everyone's amazement, agreed with the banker. "If a man enjoys the smells of your labor, good panadero, then he must pay you in kind." The judge gave the poor man some coins from his own pocket and called both men to the bench. "Now, my brother, I want you to put those coins in your pocket and jingle them so the baker can hear the sound of money and thus you will settle your debt to the baker.