1. Journal # 15 War is a very touchy subject. Some people are pacifists, which means that they object to all wars. Others believe that a nation must fight to protect the rights of its citizens, or to free people in other countries from oppression. Where do you stand on the issue of War? Do you believe that any fight is worth the cost in human lives? Explain your answer.

2. Journal #16 What do you know about other countries in the world? Have you traveled? If so, tell me where? If you have not, tell me what you know about countries in Europe, The Americas, Asia, or elsewhere? Do you care about other places? Have curiosity? Write what you know or want to know.

3. Journal # 17 Describe this Art An Allegory by Sean Keating

4. Journal #18 Six-Week Reality Check: Write a long paragraph about how the first third of the semester has gone for you. How are your grades looking? Have you figured out edline? Are you meeting/reaching/achieving the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year? If so, how do you feel about it? If not, what can you do to re-set your goals and make your next six weeks more successful?

5. Journal #19 (long journal write; no grammar. you are not “done” until I tell you to stop.) Think about the ending of The Sniper. If you were the young man in the story, what would your next actions be? What would you think or feel about the role you played in your brother’s death? Write a narrative (that’s a story) paragraph where you use the 1 st person to tell what the sniper does in the minutes, hours, or days following the death.

6. Journal #20 To which member of your family are you closest? How much does this relationship mean to you? Give some examples of things about this person that make him or her your closest family. As you mature, how do you expect this relationship to change?