1. Precepts: REVIEW Precepts = rules about very important things. – The most important thing is WHO WE ARE. – Precepts are essentially inspirational quotes, sayings, or mottos that we can live our lives by. – EXAMPLES: “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” “No man is an island entire of itself.” “Kind words do not cost much. Yet, they accomplish much.”

2. If you were to write a precept about family relationships that applies to Richard Wright’s childhood, what would it be? (What conclusions does he come to about his mother’s support for him?) Explain your reasoning and use text evidence to support your response. A precept that could apply to Richard Wright’s family relationships and childhood would be “tough love helps develop a tough kid so he can get through tough times.” When he almost burns the house down, Wright tells readers that he was “lashed so hard and long that [he] lost consciousness.” His mother was also hard on him when she gives him a stick and tells him, “If those boys bother you, then fight.” At first, she was punishing Richard for creating the fire that nearly burned the house down. In the second example, she’s trying to teach her son to fend for himself, even if it means threatening to keep him on the streets if he doesn’t do what he’s told. Because Richard Wright doesn’t have a father figure, his mother is trying to teach him how to be independent so that he can get through these tough times.

3. If you were to write a precept about family relationships that applies to Richard Wright’s childhood, what would it be? (What conclusions does he come to about his mother’s support for him?) Explain your reasoning and use text evidence to support your response.

4. Revisit the precept you created for I Am Malala (#7 on sheet) Is your precept an inspirational quote, saying, or motto ? – Like “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” Does it relate to what she learned the day of the shooting? If you answered no to either of these questions, go back and fix it!