November 8, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you may know, we have been reading That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E.
Hinton. This great novel was written in the early 1970’s after she wrote her famous
book The Outsiders. Both of these stories deal with real-world situations and issues
that were going on during that time period. As we were reading the story, we
discussed some of the behaviors and actions that were different from what we think
as normal today. However, we were also able to find many other teen issues that
still apply to the “coming of age” reality that we see today.
As we finish our novel, the students are to complete a reading response
project that will require your support and help. The project is divided into three
steps, and you are a vital part of the first step. I have attached the steps so that you
can know what your role will be during this project.
We are doing this project for several reasons. First of all, many times students
tend to forget that their parents were once teenagers, and that you could have gone
through similar situations. Also, as an adult you have many valuable experiences and
stories from when you were growing up. These experiences can and should be
shared with your sons/daughters and other teenagers. However, a lot of the time
this history is lost because it is not told and recorded. Therefore, this assignment
was developed in an effort to rescue these stories and experiences so that they can
be shared with our students.
Thank you in advance for all your help and support! I am very excited about
this project, and I hope you will be, too. If you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions, please feel free to let me know!
Sincerely,
Ms. Galvan
Ramsey Junior High
Eighth Grade English
That Was Then, This Is Now
Reading Response Project
Background information about the story: Mark and Bryon have been as close as brothers since
their childhood. However, as they start to grow up, things begin to change. They start drifting
apart because they no longer enjoy doing the same things, and they not longer think the same
way. Bryon starts to date; Mark feels replaced. As Bryon mentioned it, “I was changing and he
wasn’t” (page 88). Eventually their friendship is completely lost. All that they have left are the
memories of what was then and the pain of what is now. Thus, the title That Was Then, This Is
Now shows the reader that things happen, life moves on, people grow up, beliefs change, and
friendships end.
Step One:
(Twenty-Five Points)
Parents/guardians are to reflect on the title of the story. Then they are to share a little
of how life was different back when they were growing up. What customs, traditions, habits, or
lifestyles have changed from when you were going through junior high? Stories, anecdotes,
experiences, challenges, funny memories or actual examples are all possible responses. Please
write down a response, but it does not have to be an entire essay. A paragraph or two will be
more than enough.
Step Two:
(Twenty-Five Points)
The students are to respond to their parents’/guardians’ stories. What did you find
most interesting about the stories shared? They will do this in at least ONE paragraph. In
paragraph #2, students will make predictions on how they think life will be different when they
are parents of junior high students.
Step Three:
(Twenty-Five Points)
During a class discussion, each student will either read or give a brief summary of what
their parents wrote and their own response. We will have a class discussion about these
experiences and about how things have changed.
Assignment is due next Tuesday, November 15th!
That Was Then, This Is Now
Reading Response Project
Parent/Guardian Response
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Parent/Guardian Signature
Student Response to the Parent Response
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