Prince,Reagan- Number the Stars Reflection Journal_p

Number the Stars

Reflection Journal

By: Reagan Prince

Building Background
Knowledge

Text Connection #1:

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more
characters, settings, or events in a story, drawing on specific
details in the text.

Background of this Story:
In some countries around the world the government is

called a dictatorship. In a dictatorship, one person or a small
group of people have complete control of the country. In
many cases the military enforces the control.If a person does
not follow the rules, they may be arrested, threatened,
scared, or tortured. The citizens of that country are not
allowed to talk or act against the dictatorship. A person can
be rewarded if they tell the dictatorship about other people
who are against the government.

Interpretive Question: How does the dictatorship
system of government in the story affect Pedro, his
family, and the citizens it governs?

Are dictatorships harmful to their
citizens? In the book, The Composition,
we see that the answer to this is YES! We
can see the negative effect that the
dictatorship has on Padro when the
captain came into their classroom one day
and told the whole class that they had to
write a composition about what their
parents did at their house at night.Think
about what would happen of the other
classmates told the truth, think about how
many people of the society would be
taken and killed, this definitely affected
the society. This also affected all the
families in that country because those
compositions can make those kids to
never see their family again. Padros
family was so afraid when Padro read the
letter that he writes. This is how the
dictators affected the society, Padros
family, and Pedro.

Building Background
Knowledge

Text Connection #2:

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more
characters, settings, or events in a story, drawing on specific
details in the text.

Background of this Story:
“For centuries, the Star of David was a symbol of Jewish

pride. But during World War II, Nazis used the Star to
segregate and terrorize the Jewish people. Except in
Denmark. When Nazi soldiers occupied his country, King
Christian X of Denmark committed himself to keeping all
Danes safe from harm. The bravery of the Danes and their
king has inspired many legends. The most enduring is the
legend of the yellow star, which symbolizes the loyalty and
fearless spirit of the king and his people.”

Source: Peachtree Publishers

Interpretive Question: How did King Christian X’s
response to the yellow Star order in the story
affect the citizens of Denmark?

How did King Christian’s response to
the Yellow Star order and he did not know
what to do. Then he told a soldier to take
down a flag that was put on King
Christian’s house, then a soldier came and
said that the next soldier who takes down
that flag will be killed. Then King
Christian said “ Well then you will have to
kill me because I will be the one to take
that flag down.” That is how it affected the
king, but he knew that no one would kill
him so no one did. This affected all the
citizens because they all had to wear a
yellow star on the chest so they would
blend in with the jews. This affected all the
soldiers because they were all forced to
wear the star so it is noticeable to any one
even of they did not want to.

Building Background
Knowledge

Text Connections #3:

World War II and
the Holocaust

Learning Target: I can provide a summary of the text that
includes the main ideas and key details, as well as other
important information.

Summary of the article:

The article “World War II and the Holocaust” explains how
Adolf Hitler set out to rule the world. He came into power in
1933 and began to tell people that the Jews were bad people
and that we should not go near them. Starting in 1941,
Jewish people were getting captured and sent to
concentration camps. In these camps over six million died. He
joined forces with Japan and Italy. When Winston Churchill
bombed Germany in December 7, 1941, the United States
entered the war and fought against the Japan powers until
September 2, 1945 when the war ended.

Building Background
Knowledge

Text Connections #4:

Underground
Movements

Learning Target: I can explain the relationships or interactions
between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a
historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific
information in the text.

How have underground movements affected events

throughout history? Some of them Some of the
would say they soldiers were
Underground would fight and caught and
Railroad they left right in the killed for what
middle of the war they did

to help people

Some of the Underground World
soldiers would Movements War II
stow away and
help some of Before the war
the people started three
escape soldiers took
more than 15
families to
escape.

Where in the world?



Number the
Stars

Interpretive
Question
Responses

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 1

How are the characters’ lives
different than ours? Provide

Evidence.

Before Discussion After Discussion

There are many different ways There are many different ways
that the Denmark people and us that the Denmark people and us are
are very different. In Ohio we very different. In Ohio we have a
have a bunch of fun activities we bunch of fun activities we can do
can do and we can go up and and we can go up and down the
down the streets running and streets running and having race’s
having race’s with our friends with our friends and we are all
and we are all unique and we can unique and we can go running
go running around in the park around in the park on the streets,
on the streets, but not in but not in Denmark. Page 9 “ “Halt”
Denmark. “ “Halt” the soldier the soldier ordered in a stern voice.
ordered in a stern voice. The The german word was a familiar as
german word was a familiar as it it was frightening. Annemarie had
was frightening. Annemarie had heard it enough before, but it had
heard it enough before, but it never had been directed at her until
had never had been directed at now.” Another one is Page 9 “ “ He
her until now” Page 9. Another will remember my face mama”
one is “ “ He will remember my Kristi announced happily, “because
face mama” Kristi announced he said I looked like his his
happily, “because he said I daughter and that I am pretty” said
looked like his his daughter and Kristi. “If he has such a pretty
that I am pretty” said Kristi. “If daughter why doesn’t he go back to
he has such a pretty daughter her like a good father.” That is why
why doesn’t he go back to her I think that Denmark is very
like a good father” Page 9. different that Ohio and how many
things that we can do and that the
can not do.

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 2

The little boy in Papa’s story says, “All of
Denmark is his bodyguard.” What does this
mean and what does this tell us about the

people of Denmark? Provide Evidence.

Before Discussion:p After Discussion:p

The little boy that was talking to
Papa says” All of Denmark is his
bodyguard.” That Means that
they would do anything to
protect him even if it means that
they will die that reason why
they would do this is because
King Christian has been a
amazing king and he has done so
many good things for Denmark
so they would be his bodyguard.
This is my reasoning on page 14 “
Any Danish citizen would die for
King Christian, to protect him.”
My other example is on page 14 “
“You too Papa” “Yes” “and
Mama” “Mama too” Annmarie
shivered again, “ Then I will too”
said Anne Marie.” This is why I
think that is what the boy that
talked to Papa really meant.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 3

“Now I think all of Denmark must
be the bodyguard for the Jews as

well.” What does this mean?

Before Discussion After Discussion

Learning Target: I can describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view
influences how events are described.

Chapter 4

Tell a portion of chapter four,
from one of the Rosen’s (Ellen’s

parents) points of view.

Before Discussion After Discussion

I was so excited when I found the No After Discussion
chicken to roast up in the stove
but everything had to change.
When Ellen and I were on our
way church we just thought it we
be a normal time at church like
every other year, but when we
walked inside we saw the priest
with a list in his hand. Ellen and I
got a seat and sat down, everyone
was here and then he read the
names but at the end he finally
told us what it was for. Ellen and
I were dismissed to go pack our
things, then I had to tell Ellen
where she was going to have to
go. We all sat for a few moments
and then it was time for us to go.

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or
events in a story, drawing on specific details in the text.

Chapter 5

Compare and contrast the Danish
and Germans.

Before Discussion After Discussion

When the Germans came
to Annmarie’s house they
were not very nice and
very loud even when
Annmarie’s mom told
him to lower his voice
because the kids were
sleeping but he made it
louder. Annemarie's
parents were being as
nice as they can be and
that all of the Danish
people try to be nice to
anyone even the
Germans. So this is how
they are different.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 6

When is telling the truth
important? When is not telling

the truth important?

Before Discussion After Discussion

When telling the truth is When telling the truth is
important, when you tell important, when you tell the
the truth you feel good truth you feel good but if you
but if you are in a are in a situation like this than
situation like this than you would have to keep that in
you would have to keep your mind forever and it is
that in your mind going to be hard of there are
forever and it is going to soldiers at every corner and
be hard of there are every stop on the train, people
soldiers at every corner might say it is always the right
and every stop on the decision to tell the truth like in
train. When not telling page 53” I am sending Inge to
the truth is important, if you today with the children,
you are in situation like and she she be bringing you a
this and your little sister carton of cigarettes.” that is ok
is about to tell one of to tell the truth. When not
your deepest secrets it telling the truth is important, if
can be ok to not tell the you are in situation like this
truth. and your little sister is about to
tell one of your deepest secrets
it can be ok to not tell the

truth.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 7-8

How does war change people?
Why?

Before Discussion After Discussion

How does war change How does war change people and
people and why. I would why. I would say because in Page 66
say because in Page 66 it it says “ In the earlier times she had
says “ In the earlier times always overheard laughter. Tonight
she had always overheard there was no laughter at all.” This
laughter. Tonight there affects them because normally
was no laughter at all.” everyone is having fun but tonight
This affects them because no one was having fun. On page 53”
normally everyone is “I am sending you the children too
having fun but tonight no and a carton of cigarettes.”” I think
one was having fun. On that Annmarie is feeling a lot of
page 53” “I am sending feelings right now like who is Great
you the children too and Aunt Birte? How come I never met
a carton of cigarettes.”” her? Was she a bad person? Was she
that is how it affects the nice? How did she die? Annmarie
danish people. might also be thinking does Great
Aunt Birte even exist.Ellen would
probably be asking the same things.
Ellen is probably really scared that
someone will find her and that she
might never see her mother and
father ever again. This might also
be changing Annmarie’s mom and
dad because they have to tell them
all the stuff that they did not want
too.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 9-10

Compare and contrast Mama and
Annemarie and how they faced the
challenges when the German soldiers came

to the “funeral.”

Before Discussion After Discussion

For the compare with For the compare with Annmarie
Annmarie and Mama and Mama they both new that there
they both new that there was no Great Aunt Birte but they
was no Great Aunt Birte were both afraid of the soldiers but
but they were both afraid they both tried to stay strong. For
of the soldiers but they the contrast Annemarie did not
both tried to stay strong. now what Mama met about Great
For the contrast Aunt Birte but when she found out
Annemarie did not now that there was no Great Aunt Birte
what Mama met about she was confused that Mama didn't
Great Aunt Birte but tell her the truth but Mama was
when she found out that upset that she had to not tell the
there was no Great Aunt truth but she thought that it would
Birte she was confused keep them safe. Annmarie had to
that Mama didn't tell her face being brave to a soldier and say
the truth but Mama was a lie page 84 “”My Great Aunt
upset that she had to not Birte”she lied in a firm voice.” this
tell the truth but she is when Annmarie had to be brave.
thought that it would Mama had to be brave too page 85”
keep them safe. of course we can open the casket”
Mama was brave to speak up to the
soldiers.

Learning Target: I can describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view
influences how events are described.

Chapter 11

Tell a part of this chapter from
Mama’s point of view.

Before Discussion After Discussion

I new that Peter would open I was very scared when the soldiers
the casket for warm clothes came but I knew that I had to
so we could get the jews out protect Ellen and my children, I
of here. I knew we were all had to be brave what ever I do I
planning to escape and go to need to protect the Jews even if that
Sweden. I never knew that met that I had to die but I know
Peter was going to call me by that Peter of Henrik will take care
my first name, Peter has of them. I knew that Peter would
never done that before I open the casket for warm clothes so
think he is changing because we could get the jews out of here. I
he might not want knew we were all planning to
something to happen like escape and go to Sweden. I never
what happened to Lise. knew that Peter was going to call
Henrik was never this strike me by my first name, Peter has
as he was today I think he is never done that before I think he is
afraid of anything is going to changing because he might not
happen like of we get caught. want something to happen like
I never knew that peter was what happened to Lise. Henrik was
armed and of he was really never this strike as he was today I
think he is afraid of anything is
going to shot that soldier. going to happen like of we get
caught. I never knew that peter was
armed and of he was really going to
shot that soldier.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 12-13
How does Annemarie’s
transformation show us some of

the themes of the book?

Before Discussion After Discussion

This would be the theme NO AFTER DISCUSSION!!!!!!!!
that shows what is going to
happen, when you come to
the end of the rope, tie a
knot and hang on. The
reason why I think that this
is the theme is because
Annmarie is at the end of the
rope and she doesn't know
what is going on that much
and she wants answers so she
needs to to tie a knot and
hang on for Henrik or Peter
or Mama to help her find the
answers.

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more settings or events in a
story, drawing on specific details in the text.

Chapter 14-15

What is the author’s purpose of including
the story of Little Red Riding Hood during

Annemarie’s run through the forest?

Before Discussion After Discussion

I think that the author I think that the author purposely
purposely put the little
red riding hood story put the little red riding hood story
with Annmarie reading it with Annmarie reading it to Kirsti
to Kirsti because it shows because it shows how it keeps
how it keeps Annmarie Annmarie busy while she goes to
busy while she goes to Uncle Henrik and it is a MM for her
Uncle Henrik and it is a and Kirsti. The author would
MM for her and Kirsti. probably put that in the book so it
The author would can keep Annmarie mind off of the
probably put that in the stuff that is happening right now
book so it can keep and focus on the good things while
Annmarie mind off of the she is going on the journey. I also
stuff that is happening think that she put it in their because
right now and focus on it brings back a memory for
the good things while she Annmarie and to keep her calm and
is going on the journey. to keep you calm, until the next
thing.

Learning Target: I can explain how a series of chapters fits together to provide the
overall structure of a particular story.

Chapter 16-17 and
Afterword

Why does the author include the “Afterword?”
Why is it important to read the afterword,
especially in historical fiction books?

Before Discussion

I think that the author put in the afterword
because it shows why she made this book
and what inspired her to make the book
and how she got her characters how they
fit into the story where she found her
ideas. It is important to read the afterword
because then you know the history of the
book and all of this now background
knowledge about the book and what is the
purpose of the book and how will this
change the author's life.

Learning Target: I can analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to
the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.

Miracle at Midnight

Do you think the book or the movie is better?
Why?

Before Discussion After Discussion

I think that the book is better I think that the book is better because
because there is so much detail there is so much detail and you
and you wonder what is going to wonder what is going to happen next
happen next and that you just and that you just can't wait to read the
can't wait to read the next chapter next chapter because it is just that
because it is just that existing and existing and there's so many things
there's so many things that are that are happening and you want to
happening and you want to find find out more. Number the Stars is
out more. Number the Stars is like like a mystery book and a history
a mystery book and a history mixed together. There are so many
mixed together. There are so characters and they all count in the
many characters and they all book. You find out more information
count in the book. You find out as you go and there is so much more
more information as you go and that you can learn. You never know
there is so much more that you like did someone die, you don't know
can learn. You never know like what the soldiers are going to do. The
did someone die, you don't know movie did not connect together for
what the soldiers are going to do. me you barely know any of the
characters names were of we watched
the movie first I bet that most of us
would not even get what was
happening, it was hard to know what
was happening. Sometimes the
characters would mumble in the
movie and you could not know what
they were saying.