The Pact
By Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and
Rameck Hunt
Segment 1
Pre-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.
Characteristic
Concept:
Example
PACT
Characteristic
Characteristic
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
Your definition of the word PACT:
Example
Segment 2
During 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 CLASSCreate 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. 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 3
After 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 4
Final 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 Jenkins
Food 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 Hunt
Food 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 Davis
Food 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 Pacts
to 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
I will have confidence in myself and everyone
self is agreeing to
around me. I will be kind, courteous and respect
live the best way for
myself and others. I will set goals that are
me. It is a way I can reachable and in my best interest. I will appreciate
be straight with my other people’s differences and learn from them. I
self.
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 am
making to myself are)
1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
Signed ____________________________
Date__________________________