Chapter 7: All alone in a war

In chapter 7, Ishmael gets separated from his brother and his friends. He walks for days without seeing any humans.
1. How would you feel if you were Ishmael?
2. Predict what you think is going to happen next.

Chapter 6 - Know who your enemy is

"This way we would be safe and avoid causing chaos. This was one of the consequences of the civil war. People stopped trusting each other, and every stranger became an enemy. Even people who knew you became extremely careful about how they related or spoke to you."

If you were Ishmael, how would you feel? How have your thoughts about your friends and community change? What would you do differently now (example, how would you act different on a day to day basis)?

Chapter 5 - Initiation and Interrogation

If you were Ishmael and you were forced at gunpoint to watch an old man be shot in the head, what would you do? How would you feel? Use examples and details from the story.

-- question submitted by Volkan

Chapter 4 - On the run and finding food

In chapter 4, we read that Ishmael and his friends try to survive the rebel attack while returning to Khililou's home. By using visualization, write about what you think the boys are:

1. seeing
2. smelling
3. hearing
4. feeling
5. tasting

* you must discuss all 5 senses in order to get the credit :)

Chapter 3 - When are the rebels coming?

Read the following excerpt from the book and answer the question "In a matter of seconds, people started screaming and running in different directions, pushing and trampling on whoever had fallen on the ground. No one had the time to take anything with them. Everyone just ran to save his or her life. Mothers lost their children, whose confused, sad cries coincided with gunshots. Families were separated and left behind everything they had worked for their whole lives..."

Question: Would you take anything with you? What would you be worrying about if you were Ishmael?

Chapter 2: Dreams and Nightmares

Ishmael dreams of pushing a wheel barrel with a dead body inside it. At the end of the dream he realizes that the dead body is him. What is the symbolism of this dream?

Chapter 1: The first sign of war

In the first ten pages, we learn that Ishmael and his friends are in another village when their home village is attacked. Would you go back to your home village after it's been attacked? Keep in mind that you do not know if your family is there or not. What do you think Ishmael and his friends are worried about?

Welcome to the English class blog!

Welcome to the English class blog!

Hello class of 2014!


As you already know, we are reading the book A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. We would like you to blog daily or as the chapters are assigned. You should blog your thoughts, questions, ideas, opinions, and everything and anything you would like to say about the book and it's literary elements (setting, characters, plot, conflict).


It is expected of you to blog daily and to respond to your peer's blogs as well.


Please have fun with this and remember to remain RESPECTFUL!!!


By blogging, you are meeting the English 2 standard for "proper use of technology in the classroom" and "can complete homework assignments". You can receive a P or an HP.


-Mrs. Clemenza, Mr. Canick and Ms. Voros