Period+7+Courage

​ Period 7 Group - Courage Novel - //Gathering Blue//

Your group writes two to three paragraphs on the theme of courage in Gathering Blue. You should briefly quote at least two parts of the novel that have to do with courage(does not have to be spoken or thought dialogue) and include the page(s) on which you find these examples. [This is in addition to p. 22] Do answer the questions on the handout, but let them be a guide as your group works together to write these paragraphs. NO FIRST PERSON HERE - You are the EXPERT! See FDIE for more on "first person."

**Here is see some good writing by the Courage group: P1 = short and, in my mind, not really thorough definition of courage, but also an introduction to what follows (good) P2 = Katrina's courage P3 = Kira's courage in the face of physical pain P4 = Matt's courage P5 = Christopher's courage P6 = a kind of summary

Good job using references to the text and organizing this, especially considering that this is our first wiki. I do realize that we took time in learning how to use wikis, how to save, how to edit, etc. Since we will use wikis not only in this class but also in other classes (and in life), I think it is a useful skill. I appreciate the work all of you put into this. As I will tell the class - I am asking that most groups focus on three revision ideas. However, your revision has to do with each paragraph, so you only have two revision ideas.

For this group they are the following: 1) Paragraphs, in really all cases, are too short. To remedy this, underline a topic sentence for your rewrite and then be sure to give at least four good additional sentences of support and detail; and 2) Without correct punctuation, you have some run-on sentences. Please talk to me and eliminate these.**

SEE BOTTOM

__Courage is an emotion/action that helps to guide someone through difficult times__. When someone tries to do something that seems impossible, that's courage. It makes them feel powerful and unstoppable. Courage is believing in yourself and your abilities. Never doubting yourself or letting other people put you down. Strength is related to courage because if you're courageous you can feel emotionally stronger. Bravery is also similar because it boosts self-confidence. Courage can be shown in different ways. Whether facing a death, or facing a beast. Courage is about taking risks and having faith in yourself and those around you. Many characters in Gathering Blue show courage. **NICE REVISION!**

On page five Katrina says, "__I could not let them take you away, I simply told them no."__ This is Katrina showing courage. She stood up for what she believed in. She has faith in herself, and believes in her daughter even though Kira is different. It was most likely a challenge/struggle for her to even think about doing this. There could have been a different outcome. They could have killed both Katrina and Kira. But with Katrina's courage, they suceeded. Then continuing on and succeeding against something much bigger and more powerful than herself. No one would ever think to go against the rules like that, but it was literally a life or death situation. Katrina couldnt just stand their and watch them take her only posession, her only joy, away from her. She had to bring out her courage **,** and it pulled her to success. **EXCEPT SF, missing apostrophe, and RO, ANOTHER GOOD REVISION**

Physical pain contributes to Kira's courage. "Your leg bent so wrong, I knew you could never run." (from page five) Katrina tells Kira of her crooked leg. __Many people looked down upon Kira.__ They consider her useless just because she is different on the outside. On the inside she is the same as anyone else. It might have gotten to her a little bit, but she learned to ignore them. That is courage. It made her emotionally stronger. She wanted people to simply disregard her leg and just focus on her. When her leg hurts, she works harder to try and prove herself. Courage showed her that she can do anything, even with a limp leg. **NICE REVISION!**

"On the other side of the stream, beyond the thick oleander bushes that were such a danger to tykes, lay the area known as the Fen." (from page 159) That sentence doesn't sound hospitable, but Matt has to live that way. I__n a smelly, dirty, dark and crowded environment.__ Most people would run away from a place like this, but Matt faces it like it's nothing. That's how he shows courage in this story.The only time Matt ran away from this horrible life was when he found blue for Kira. He also showed courage because he went on a long, unfamiliar journey on his own. Maybe he was scared, but no one would be able to tell. His positive attitude helped him and others around him (Kira, Thomas. etc.) to keep on going. **MAYBE BEST YET!**

Another character that shows courage is Christopher. He was a hunter and had to face the unknown. "Together at first, in groups, then seperating into pairs, and eventually finding ourselves alone, as we followed tracks or sounds deeper into the forest." (Christopher) pg.200. He had to keep hunting no matter what the challenges. For he knew that if he gave up, his family would starve. Even in blindness Christopher is courageous. He has to put alot more effort into things that most people can do easily. __Life is more difficult for him since he has no sense of sight.__ "And I felt a need to find my way by myself." (Christopher) pg.192. Christopher never gave up. He continued on as if nothing as changed. That takes courage. He also has courage when he returns to Kira's village. Christopher didn't know if Kira wuld likke him or not. He might have thought that people would look down upon him as they did to Kira. No matter, he never changed his mind and kept on believing.

If someone is a coward, they are the exact opposite of a person who is courageous. Alternatively, a coward can become courageous. A person with courage believes that they are able to do anything. __They would never doubt themselves, regardless of what other people think.__ A courageous person would need strength to be able to ignore mean comments. Even if they're scared, they face their fears and do it anyway, trying prove to that they are worth something. Of course, the friends around you can help you be strong and courageous. Everyone has courage somewhere inside of them, they just have to find it.

**Grade for this group without the revisions identified above: 40/50 POSSIBLE grade with excellent revision by end of Tuesday's class (September 29): 50/50**

**REALLY shows excellent work and improvement! 47/50! Good Job!**