1. Always Running

2. Pre-Reading Vocabulary Using a print dictionary or the dictionary on your phone, find definitions for these words. Write the words and definitions in your writer’s notebook. 1. disdain 2. obligation 3. shrill 4. spew 5. seize

3. Read and Respond Read this personal narrative taken from the book Always Running by Luis Rodriguez. Using complete sentences, answer these questions in your writer’s notebook. 1.Where did Rano and the narrator go? 2. Why do you think Rano and the narrator were hurt by the five teenagers? Give evidence from the story to support your opinion. 3. What did Rano want from his brother at the end of the story? Why did Rano want this? 4. In what ways is this personal narrative similar to a short story?

4. Discuss How is this personal narrative similar to a short story? Both short stories and personal narrative writing include conflict. The writer begins with exposition, describing the characters and setting in the first three paragraphs. The story ends with a resolution, giving details about the end result of the conflict. The writer uses literary techniques like imagery and figurative language to help the story come alive for the reader.

5. Write Describe a time that you experienced racism or unfair treatment. People are treated unfairly for a variety of reasons: age, gender, the way a person is dressed, religious beliefs. OR… Perhaps you have an experience with a biased teacher or coach. Did this person favor a player or a student or treat you poorly? Why?

6. Extend: Bonus Homework What are the Watts Towers? How were they made? Reread the passage from the story where Luis Rodrigues writes about the Watts Towers. In what way could the author be using the Watts Towers as a symbol? Thinking about the story, what could the Watts Towers represent?