Today we’re going to learn how to…. SLAM!!

What is SLAM? Why is it so important? SLAM is a method to use when you need to answer an extended response question. Why is it so important? SLAM helps students to write complete and comprehensive answers to their questions. Also, this method can be used in any class!

Make sure your response is a SLAM dunk! S- State part of the question in your first sentence L- Locate evidence (quote) from the text to prove your answer is right. Say where you found it in the text. A- Add your own original idea stating why the quote was important to use for support. What does it prove? M- Make a meaningful conclusion or connection. (Ex: What do you think will happen next? What is your opinion on the matter? Do you have a personal connection with the topic?) When responding to questions, use SLAM responses to make sure your answers are well thought out, include textual evidence, and are complete.

Get ready to SLAM your first response!

Remember…. Always read the question before you answer! Summarize Review lines 62-77. What specific incident in his life is Powell writing about? Why might this incident be important for Powell to include in his memoir? Re-read lines 62-77 Explain what event you read Explain why this event was included in the memoir

Lines 62-77 The next summer, I wanted something better than standing in a crowd every morning hoping for a day’s work. My opportunity came when the hiring boss announced one morning that the Pepsi plant in Long Island City was looking for porters to clean the floors, full-time for the summer. I raised my hand. I was the only one who did. The porters at the Pepsi plant were all black. The workers on the bottling machines were all white. I didn’t care. I just wanted work for the summer, and I worked hard, mopping up syrup and soda that had spilled from overturned pallets. At summer’s end, the boss told me he was pleased with my work and asked if I wanted to come back. “Yes,” I answered, “but not as a porter.” He agreed, and next summer I worked on the bottling machine and as a pallet stacker, a more prestigious and higher-paying job. It wasn’t exactly the Selma March, but I integrated a bottling machine crew. Review lines 62-77 What specific incident in his life is Powell writing about? Why might this incident be important for Powell to include in his memoir?

S tate part of the question in your first sentence During lines 62-77, Powell writes about the summer he worked as a porter at the Pepsi factory and how working hard lead him to be promoted to the first black member on the bottle machine crew. This incident is important because

L ocate evidence to prove your answer During lines 62-77, Powell writes about the summer he worked as a porter at the Pepsi factory and how working hard lead him to be promoted to the first black member on the bottle machine crew. This incident is important because Powell explains that his "experiences established a pattern for all the years and careers that came afterward." Powell stated that, "Every job is a learning experience, and we can develop and grow in every one." This proves that Powell included the porter incident in his memoir to show how even the simple porter job helped him grow and taught him qualities that he used during his entire career.

A dd your own original idea During lines 62-77, Powell writes about the summer he worked as a porter at the Pepsi factory and how working hard lead him to be promoted to the first black member on the bottle machine crew. This incident is important because Powell explains that his "experiences established a pattern for all the years and careers that came afterward." Powell stated that, "Every job is a learning experience, and we can develop and grow in every one." This proves that Powell included the porter incident in his memoir to show how even the simple porter job helped him grow and taught him qualities that he used during his entire career. In my opinion, including the porter story in the memoir illustrates how much Powell valued hard work.

M ake a meaningful conclusion or connection During lines 62-77, Powell writes about the summer he worked as a porter at the Pepsi factory and how working hard lead him to be promoted to the first black member on the bottle machine crew. This incident is important because Powell explains that his "experiences established a pattern for all the years and careers that came afterward." Powell stated that, "Every job is a learning experience, and we can develop and grow in every one." This proves that Powell included the porter incident in his memoir to show how even the simple porter job helped him grow and taught him qualities that he used during his entire career. In my opinion, including the porter story in the memoir illustrates how much Powell valued hard work. I think Powell’s memoir teaches us that if we try our best, we can achieve great things in life.

Okay… Now let’s review! S L A M How do you SLAM a response?

Interpret Review lines 87-92 Interpret Review lines 87-92. What do you think is the meaning of the expression “If you take the king’s coin, you give the kind his due”? Why do you think Powell shares this message? S L A M Re-read lines 87-92 Explain what you think the expression means AND WHY Explain why you think Powell included this expression in his memoir

Review lines 87-92. What do you think is the meaning of the expression “If you take the king’s coin, you give the king his due”? Why do you think Powell shares this message? I think the expression means that if you accept somebody’s money to do a job, you need to do that job well. I think Powell shares this message in his memoir because on page 256 he says, “Always do your best, no matter how difficult the job, or how much you dislike it, your bosses, the work environment, or your fellow workers.” I believe Powell shares this expression because he wants the reader to take his advice. I think this advice is great, especially for young readers, because it is important to have a good work ethic early in life.

One important element of a memoir is the inclusion of people and events that influenced the writer. Review the selection. Which person or event do you think was most influential in his life? Why do you think so? I think Jay Sickser was one of the most influential people in Powell’s life because on page 254 Jay tells Powell, “’I want you should get an education and do well. You’re too good to just be a schlepper. The store will go to the family. You don’t have a future here.’” Powell shows that Jay had his best interests at heart and believed that he could do better in life than as an employee at a furniture store. I think Jay Sickser helped Powell believe in himself and believe that, if he worked hard and got an education, he could be successful.