Initiating Experiences

The four main focus questions will be presented to students. The quotes below will be printed on a piece of paper and one quote is placed at each table group (in this case there are five table groups). Students will rotate to each table in groups to read and discuss each quote. The focusing questions should guide the students' conversations and they will talk about how the quote relates to one or more of the focus questions. Conversations about possible themes of Home of the Brave and predictions of content should also be encouraged.

Also at each table, place a piece of chart paper and invite students to write down their groups' thoughts and ideas about each quote.

Quotes:

• “Our stories don't make their homes in heavy books. We hold our stories in our songs.”
• “In my old home, where death sneaks into your home in the hush of the night, good-byes were a precious thing."
• “I try to understand, but all I hear is a river of words, rushing and thundering and pushing me beneath the surface. Now and then a word I know darts up like a sparkling fish, but then it’s all dark moving water again.”
• "Of all the things I didn’t know about America, this is the most amazing: I didn’t know there would be so many tribes from all over the world."
• "I feel glad I found enough words to make people happy. When a friend laughs, it's always a good surprise."