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Name: ________________________________

Period: __________

Poem Activity

Title of Poem: ___________________________

What is this poem about?

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

What is this poem meant to do?

Idea 1: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 2: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 3: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 4: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 5: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 6: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________

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Before After

1. _____ _____

2. _____ _____

3. _____ _____

4. _____ _____

5. _____ _____

6. _____ _____

7. _____ _____

8. _____ _____

9. _____ _____

10. _____ _____

Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

Directions: Before reading The Skin I’m In, in the “Before” column, respond to each

statement by putting a plus sign (+) if you agree with it, a minus sign (-) if you disagree, and a question mark (?) if you are unsure of your belief.

1. Teachers and other adults in a school should be respected.

2. The vast majority of people are racist in some way.

3. In order to be a healthy individual, we must openly confront our fears

instead of hiding from them.

4. The friends we choose and the people we hang out with are a reflection

of who we really are.

5. It is admirable to not tell on others, even if it means you get wrongly

accused and punished for something someone else did.

6. If someone is in danger, it is the right thing to do to help them, even if it

means putting yourself in danger.

7. Most people hurt others when they themselves are hurting inside.

8. No matter what happens, you should take responsibility for your

actions.

9. The idea of right and wrong are always clearly defined.

10. Peer pressure has more of an influence on us and the decisions we

make, than our parents do.

The Skin I’m In: What do you believe?

3

Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

The personalities, talents, fears, and insecurities of the characters are very important in this book. After

you read, color in the Character Mandela below based off evidence in the story so far.

The Skin I’m In: Character Mandela (Chapter 1-3)

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Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

The personalities, talents, fears, and insecurities of the characters are very important in this book. After

you read, color in the Character Mandela below based off evidence in the story so far.

The Skin I’m In: Character Mandela (Chapter 1-3)

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Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

“WHAT DOES YOUR FACE SAY TO THE WORLD?” Describe the features of your face (parts, color, shape, scars, etc.) and explain what your

face says about your identity and who you are. _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________

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The Skin I’m In: Journal Entry (Chapter 4-5)

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_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

In the boxes below, draw out one important scene from each chapter you just read. Think about the major

events that just happened – what things were most important, and what order did they happen in. Now

draw the scene out in the boxes. Write a simple, one sentence summary explaining what happened.

Chapter 10

Summary:

Chapter 11

Summary:

Chapter 12

Summary:

Chapter 13

Summary:

The Skin I’m In: Draw It (read Chapters 10-16)

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Continue on next page …

Chapter 14 Summary:

Chapter 15

Summary:

Chapter 16

Summary:

8

Continued from previous page …

9

Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

TRAPPED! In what ways has Mekeela been “trapped” in these last 2 chapters? Describe them in detail.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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In what ways have YOU felt “trapped” in the past? Describe your experiences in detail.

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The Skin I’m In: Journal Entry (Chapter 17-18)

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_____________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

What is THEME? ___________________________________________________________

The Skin I’m In: THEME Activity (Chapter 19-21)

Define “hope:”

What does this chapter say

about HOPE? (Think about

Meleeka’s slave entry, and her

interactions with Caleb)

Ch. 18

: H

OPE

Define “vulnerability:”

What does this chapter say

about VULNERABILITY? (Think about Ms. Saunder’s

conversation with Tai)

C

h. 19

: V

ULN

ER

AB

ILIT

Y

What role does hope and vulnerability

have in a friendship?

Ch. 19

: F

riend

ship

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Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

In this chapter, Maleeka finds a poem her dad wrote for her before he died:

Brown

Beautiful

Brilliant

My my Maleeka

is

Brown

Beautiful

Brilliant

Mine

Why is this poem so important to Maleeka? Think of 3 reasons and list them out.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________

Inside of each letter, write a reason why words are so powerful. One has been done for you.

Maleeka has turned into a writer. What does this say about her?

The Skin I’m In: Power of Words (Chapters 22)

Words

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Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

Chapter 23: Describe JuJu’s attitude when

she comes to the school.

What does this chapter say about taking

responsibility for your own actions verses blaming others?

Chapter 24: Give an example of bullying in

this chapter. Draw a picture of your example:

Chapter 25: Describe Char’s plan of

revenge for Ms. Saunders.

What is your opinion of revenge? Is it okay?

When? When is it wrong?

Chapter 26: What does this chapter say

about fear? Connection: What is a connection you can

make to Maleeka’s fear in this chapter?

The Skin I’m In: Chapter Guide (read Chapters 23-30)

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Continue on to next page …

Chapter 27: Why is Momma disappointed?

How has Char been abandoned? How do you

think this affects how she acts?

What does this the slave girl entry say about

patience and strength?

Chapter 28: Maleeka helps out John-John in

a really important way. List 5 qualities this event says about her character.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Draw a picture of the fight scene. Include Maleeka, John John, Caleb and the other boys.

Chapter 29 and 30: Compare and contrast Char with Ms. Saunders.

Ms.

Char Saunders

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Name: ______________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________________

Now that we have finished with the novel, in the “After” column(on the “What I Believe”

handout) respond again to the all the statements. Then, reply on this page to a statement where your belief has changed since reading the story. If nothing has changed, write about a

a statement that has been proven true by the book. (It needs to be a different statement than you responded to already!) Your entry must be at least 100 words!

I believe: _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Explanation:

_____________________________________________________________________________

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The Skin I’m In: Journal Entry – I Believe… (PART 2)

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