Students will come to understand the concepts of flashback and symbol by looking at their own life and what they would miss if they were to leave the city that they grew up in. Students will also empathize with the main character as she makes a decision to leave home for college which is what some of the students will end up doing or may be thinking about doing.

Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information). Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and criticalmembers of a variety of literacy communities. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.

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Collect the journals that the students write.

Daily Language Practice Journal: write about a time you had to make a hard decision. Describe the situation; when and where it happen and who was involved. Use adjectives, adverbs and sub-ordinate clauses to make the journal more interesting. After you're done put an * next to adjectives, circle adverbs and underline subordinate clauses Have students share their journals in a class discussion. Notes on Jamaica Kincaid. Mini-Lecture on Flashback and symbol. Flashback sheet--fold a sheet of paper into 4 equal parts (can be more if you decide). Directions: if you were to move from your home town what would you miss. In each of the four squares write down one thing you'ld miss, explain why you'ld miss it and any memories associated with the place, person or thing. Begin reading story either as a class or individually depending on the class. A good way to improve comprehension is have students put dots next to key paragraphs (no more than 7) and have them write about whatever they are thinking about. It does not have to be about the story in particular but can be something that the story makes them think about. Model it for the students and then let them do it on their own.

Students will use Claris Works to type up their journals.