HUMANITY'S TEMPORAL RANGE

1. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

2.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay.

3. Answer these questions in 250 words: What does Green mean when he says we are so "shockingly, stupidly persistent"? And relate this quotation to Covid.

OUR CAPACITY FOR WONDER

1. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

2.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay.

3. Answer these questions in 250 words: Green notes that the world is full of awe-inspiring beauty and wonder in “Our Capacity for Wonder” (29-33). He suggests, though, that “our attentiveness … is in short supply, our ability and willingness to do the work that awe requires” (33). High school is a time when there is so much competing for your attention; however, it should also be a time when your sense of wonder helps you grow as a learner, a student, and a person. It is a time when people become involved in classes, clubs, sports, and activities that help shape them. Reflect on how well you keep your sense of attention and wonder. What can you do to expand your sense of wonder? Why does a sense of wonder matter? How might a better sense of wonder help you as a student and in your life?

WHISPERING

1. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

2.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay.

3. Answer these questions in 250 words: Think of another thing that we as humans do, like sneezing or foot-tapping or biting our nails. Evaluate that bodily movement or tick the way Green does here.

THE HALL OF PRESIDENTS or TEDDY BEARS

1. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

2.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay: Presidents or Teddy Bears.

3. Answer these questions in 250 words: Nostalgia and memory are components of many essays in the book (“Teddy Bears,” “The Hall of Presidents”). What childhood memories, items, or places stay with you? Why are they so powerful? Reference John Green's essay here.

INDIANAPOLIS

1. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

2.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay.

3. Do this in 250 words: Despite beginning the review “Indianapolis” (159-63) sounding less than impressed with the city, even once playing with the motto “Indianapolis: You gotta live somewhere,” Green goes on to explain the benefits of living there. He ends the review by giving the city four out of five stars. How would you review your hometown? How many stars would you give it? Why? Do you feel like most others from the place would agree? Why?

ACADEMIC DECATHLON

1. Note: This is my favorite essay in the book. I coached AcaDec (we called the participants AcaDorks!) at my previous high school, and it was one of the highlights of my teaching career! And I have such memories of AcaDec. Ask me someday to tell you about 02/02/02.

2. Read this essay in the book. As you read, take notes on how John Green lays out his claim, reasons, evidence, and explanation. Look at his rhetorical choices.

3.  Listen to the podcast associated with this essay.

4. Do this in 250 words: In “Academic Decathlon” (89-94), Green covers how he came to join his high school’s team and how that team, by rule, featured students with GPAs ranging from excellent to average. One of Green’s points, whether directly or indirectly, is that you don’t have to be an “A” student to be intelligent and to be an interested learner. During his time on the academic decathlon team, Green started to earn better grades through better study skills and by building confidence. Reflect on ways you can become a better student and gain from the experiences in your writing and other classes. How does writing help you become a better learner and student? How much do grades matter to you and why? Are grades always a reflection of how much you learn and grow from academic experiences? Why or why not? How might better study skills help you in ways beyond grades?