Page 57 - BB_Textbook

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
We were born to make manifest the giftedness* that is within us.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
* the word “giftedness” is substituted for the “glory of God” for context purposes.
Discussion Questions
1. Describe Akeelah’s skills and talents. How does she feel about her talents?
2. What are some of the difficulties she faces?
3. In addition to her skills and talents, what are her
opportunities and how does her community support her?
4. Dr. Larabee has a framed picture of these words from
Marianne Williamson: What do you think these words
mean?
5. How does Akeelah learn to spell?
6. What motivates Akeelah?
7. How does Akeelah’s community feel about her success?
8. Why does Akeelah spell her word wrong to let Dylan win?
Why does Dylan spell his word wrong?
BENDING BAMBOO
Write to respond to this prompt: Akeelah had many difficulties as she tried to achieve success. Have you ever had difficulties to face as you tried to achieve a goal? Or do you have a future goal and what may be the difficulties you will face? Akeelah had a community of supporters. How does that help her achieve her goal? Who is your community and how do they support you?
Another Resource:
http://www.mainstreettheater.com/youththeater/materials/ Akeelah_edmats.pdf
study guide
Journaling
Every chapter concludes with a personal writing exercise. Journaling is an important norm that challenges you to keep thinking, reflecting, and writing. It is freewriting, in one sense. However, it is well-considered reflection, in another sense.
By the end of this chapter, you and your classmates— alone or alongside peers of other schools through global classrooms—have worked on a number of activities,
tasks, and norms related to Identity. You have pondered name, lineage, individuality, and collectivity. You have
also combined SLA and sustainable development learning. Reflect here on the Guiding Questions posed at the start of the chapter.
Step One. Allow yourself thirty minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time to journal.
Step Two. Use a notebook that you are sure to keep. Step Three. Date your entry. Add your own title, but note
as well the chapter topic and your grade level.
Step Four. Write honestly. This journalism will not be graded. Your teacher will, however, check to see that it is completed.
Step Five. With your written permission, Bending Bamboo asks to use your journaling anonymously for purposes of Action Research. In this case, your teacher will make a copy of your entry, provide no attribution that this is your journaling, and work with Bending Bamboo colleagues
to assess your progress, and how useful you find the Bending Bamboo materials. Tell your teacher if you are willing to share your anonymous journaling. Thank you for considering this request.
IDENTITY | CHAPTER 1 57