The PactBy Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and

Rameck Hunt

Segment 1Pre-reading Activities

Direction: Before reading the book, complete the following activities.

1. Look at the book cover. Discuss the following questions:

a. What did you notice first about the book cover? b. What does it imply about the plot of the book? c. What is written on the front cover besides the title and the

authors’ name? Do these words create any type of anticipation?

d. Is there anything about the lettering that makes an impression on you? Why or why not?

e. Read the back cover. Does the synopsis and reviews make you want to read the book? Why or why not?

2. Answer the following questions in your PACT Journal: a. What is the definition of success? Do you agree or

disagree with this definition? b. What does is take to become successful? c. Who do you think is successful? Why are they successful?

3. Read the Epilogue located at the end of the novel. Write down what parts of it you think are most important. Why? Explain your choices. Please choose at least 3 pieces.

4. Concept Definition Map: Create a word map using the word “PACT” as your concept. Consider what you wrote in your previous questions. Complete your map by writing your own definition of the word.

ExampleExample

Example

Characteristic

Example

Characteristic

Characteristic

Concept:

PACT

Your definition of the word PACT:

Segment 2During Reading Activities

1. PAIRS:As you read The Pact, identify positive and negative influences Sam, Rameck, and George lived with while growing up in Newark. Use GREEN to identify positive influences and RED to identify negative influences. Create a list or, split a circle in half, writing positive influences on one side and negative to the other side. Use a different form for each doctor. Use the circles at the end of your packet (there is one labeled with each doctor’s name) to complete this activity. GROUPS-Discuss with your group members. WHOLE CLASS- Create and complete a large circle for each doctor.

2. PACT JOURNAL REFLECTION: "How can a mother's plea compete with the thrill of having wads of cash handed to you when your pockets are empty and the pantry is bare?" Sam writes (p.53) "Sure, you see cats your age dying all the time, but you figure that's the price you pay for being born poor. And you accept your fate, unless someone or something convinces you that you have the power to change the script." Discuss the narrators' success in the context of this statement. Who or what provided that "someone or something" for these three boys?

3. WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION: The narrators cite role models as huge influences on their lives. Discuss how Mr. Jackson, Miss Johnson, Reggie, and Carla affected George, Sam, and Rameck.

Example

Do you think individuals are encouraged to take on leadership roles in troubled communities? Why or why not?

4. GROUP DISCUSSION/WHOLE GROUP SHARE OUT: How did family relationships influence these boys' lives? What stands out about each of their childhood experiences at home?5. PACT JOURNAL REFLECTION: The three doctors grew up on the inner city streets of Newark, New Jersey. a) How does this environment (the school, the neighborhood, etc.) affect the actions and development of each of the doctors?

6. WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION/JOURNAL REFLECTION: Each of the narrators describes a turning point at which specific decisions or choices—to turn away from certain friends, to never return to jail, to study harder—changed the course of their lives. Are such moments recognizable only in hindsight? Do you think that shaping the events of your life into a story would influence the importance you placed on specific events? Discuss.

7. JOURNAL REFLECTION: Peer pressure plays an enormous role in the lives of young people in every circumstance. How did it play into Sam, George, and Rameck's lives? What drew them together and what kept their "pact" alive?  

8. WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION: Rameck's grandmother tries to teach him a tough lesson when she takes back the money she's lent him for portfolio pictures because she found out that his mother used it to pay the utility bill. "You can't help nobody till you help yourself," she tells him. Do you agree with her philosophy? What do you think Rameck took away from that experience?

9. JOURNAL REFLECTION: What is the attitude of the three young men concerning learning, studying, and acquiring knowledge? How did they deal with friends who looked down on them or made fun of them for excelling in school or for dreaming of going to college?

10. GROUP DISCUSSION: Education is at the center of this success story. But teachers like Miss Johnson, who nurtured and inspired George, were less prevalent than those who "...just didn't know how to reach us and didn't seem to care. They expected and accepted mediocrity or less, and unfortunately, we usually gave no more." Why do you think George felt this way? To what degree are teachers—and students—to blame for this situation? Does the book suggest any ways to improve the system?

11. WHOLE CLASS: Create a vendiagram titled OUR ROLES, and labeled Teachers, Both, Students. Go over each groups roles, duties, expectations.

11. JOURNAL REFLECTION: If the EOP program that gave these three young men a chance at college—and the hundreds of other programs like it—didn't exist, do you think they would have succeeded anyway? Why or why not?

12. WHOLE CLASS/JOURNAL REFLECTION: George ends the book sitting at his desk, watching teenagers outside, wondering: "Where are their parents? Where are the cops?"—though he adheres to the unwritten code of the streets, of course, and doesn't call them—and finally, "Where are our young leaders to show the kids something different from what they see around here?" Has this book changed the way in which you'd answer those questions?

13. JOURNAL REFLECTION: After reading this book, what do you conclude is required to enable other young people in rough environments to achieve? Who is ultimately responsible for providing those opportunities? The individual? The family? The state?

14. GROUPS: Search the internet for Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs.’ “I Have a Dream Speech”. Compare and contrast the dream in both these literary pieces. You may want to use a graphic organizer of your choice to complete this activity (compare/contrast chart, Venn diagram, ect.)

Segment 3After Reading Culminating Activities

Directions: Select two of the following extensions activities. One must be a writing activity; the other may be a writing or an art activity.

1. Pretend that the movie, The Pact, is set to open in New York City next month. Your graphic design company is selected to promote the movie. Design a poster (or perhaps a website) to advertise The Pact. Briefly outline the rationale for your design and its relation to the original story. 2. Visit the Three Doctors Foundation website via the following link: http://www.threedoctorsfoundation.org/foundation.php The foundation’s mission is “To inspire and create opportunities for inner city communities through education, mentoring and health awareness.” Research the foundation by clicking onto the above link. Using your knowledge of the power of a persuasive essay, compose a speech asking your audience for funding to support The Three Doctors Foundation.

3. Research the “History of Hip Hop/Rap.” Create a timeline showing the evolution of the dance form. Research themes that are played out in the lyrics of Hip Hop music. What role do your students feel Hip Hop/Rap played in the culture of the characters’ lives in The Pact?

4. Reread Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. Create a poster on “The Rules of the Street”.

5. In Chapter Three, “Ma” (page 41), Rameck speaks on the subject of family. What message does Rameck reveal about his own family? Compose a Rap song that illustrates the same message.

6. Design your own book cover for The Pact. Then write a pitch to your publisher (me, the teacher) on why you choose your design?

What message will your cover convey? Why you this be the next cover for the book?

7. If you were to email The Three Doctors at: http://www.threedoctors.com, what would your comments or questions to them be? Create such an email in written format.

8. You are a member of an executive board and just received $10,000,000 from a very wealthy philanthropist. With your group decide how the monies will be budgeted to meet the needs of your community. Be prepared to present the budget. BE CREATIVE!!!!

9. Graffiti is an art form that evolved in the culture of the street. It carries a powerful message portrayed in art. Choose two chapters of “The Pact” and create a mini graffiti mural that fits on a single sheet of printer paper.

Segment 4Final Reflections

1. Has your view or definition of the word success changed? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

2. How are the experiences that the three young men faced during their teenage years similar to those faced by teens today? How are they different? What extra challenges did they face as teenagers?

3. Young people who have no social outlets, no place to go for fun or to play sports often tend to get into trouble as Sampson and Rameck did. What can be done to solve this problem?

4. Why do the doctors feel that forming a pact is so important? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer. If you were to form a pact, what characteristics would you yourself look for in others? What positive traits would you bring to the pact?

5. Choose one of the following quotes and answer the food for thought questions

a. “Sometimes the smallest, most insignificant events in life can develop into something large, important, and life-changing. Look for those moments and grab on to the possibilities.”—Dr. George JenkinsFood for thought: Think about events in your own life that have been life-changing. How have these moments helped to make you a better person?

b. “Getting good grades and staying out of trouble are really cool and really, really smart. It also makes you a leader.”—Dr. Rameck HuntFood for thought: What does it mean to be a leader? Do you consider yourself to be a leader? Explain. To be a leader, you need to be focused. How do you manage to stay focused?

c. “I feel strongly that giving back is a responsibility for all to embrace.”—Dr. Sampson DavisFood for thought: How have others positively influenced your life? In what ways can you “give back”?

d. “Everybody goes through difficult periods in life. The person who is successful is the one who doesn’t quit. Failure was not an option for me. It never was and never will be.”—Dr. Rameck Hunt

Food for thought: Think about times when you were about to give up on something; it can be as simple as working on a school project. What kept you from quitting? How can this lesson be applied to your future endeavors?

5. How do you plan on being successful this year in my classroom? In your academic endeavors? Social atmosphere? School climate?

DR. SAM

Dr. George

Dr. Rameck

Below is an

example of Pacts that people make to themselves. After reading the examples, create your own on the “scroll” provided.

A Pact to My Self

Definition of a Pact to Myself

Sample Pactsto My Self

A pact to my self is how I want to live

my life.

Dear Self,I pledge to start with the end in mind. I will

keep my eyes on the prize and follow less. I will be a true friend and sibling. I will be honest

with others and myself. I will always maintain a positive attitude and look for the win/win

situation. I will ask questions and build my support systems. I will try my best.

I think a pact to my self is agreeing to live the best way

for me. It is a way I can be straight with my self.

I will have confidence in myself and everyone around me. I will be kind, courteous and

respect myself and others. I will set goals that are reachable and in my best interest. I will

appreciate other people’s differences and learn from them. I will speak with my actions and not

just my words. I will be true to myself.A pact to my self is

like a promise. I am saying out loud that I want these things for my life.

I promise to care about others. I promise to care about myself. I promise to love my family, my world, my learning and myself. I will fight to

do well, to accomplish my goals, to graduate from college and to stand up against apathy. I promise to live my life so that I can impact the

world in a positive and productive way.

My Personal Pact

What I want out of life is (my goal for myself is)…

I know I will have succeeded because …

My plan for achieving my goal is (promises that I ammaking to myself are)

1. ____________________________________

2. ____________________________________

3. ____________________________________

Signed ____________________________

Date__________________________