Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a novel about a girl who is sexually assaulted
at a party just before she enters high school. Her friends do not know what happened
to her that night and have all turned against her. Throughout the book Melinda feels all
alone and withdraws from everyone around her. Eventually she is able to speak and
work through what happened to her. The book deals with high school issues and would
be appropriate for late middle school or early high school students.
Melinda goes through various stages of depression throughout the book. As she
becomes more and more depressed she speaks less and less, but as she starts to find
her way out she slowly starts to speak more and more. The book takes the reader
through the whole cycle of depression.
Through the use of a novel like Speak I hope that students are more sensitive to
issues that their peers might be dealing with. In the novel Melinda is clearly depressed
but her “friends” either shun her or tell her to snap out of it. Even her parents and
teachers only punish her for not speaking. I hope that students will be more empathetic
towards peers who are depressed or are dealing with issues similar to Melinda.
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Speak Activities
Day 1
Assigned reading: p.3-24
Before reading activity:
Internet Workshop on Depression (see attached)
During reading activity:
Think about Melinda’s relationship with her friends and her parents. Be prepared to
discuss in class.
After reading activity:
Create a Wordle (http://www.wordle.net) using word to describe the various social
cliques at Merryweather High School.
Day 2
Assigned reading: p.24-46
Before reading activity:
Discuss Melinda’s relationship with her friends and her parents. Share Wordle’s with
class.
During reading activity:
Create your own word poem similar to wordle but in the shape of a tree, using words
that are important to this section.
After reading activity:
The very last section entitled “Nightmare” talks about IT. What do you think IT is and
how do you think IT is effecting Melinda?
Day 3
Assigned reading: p. 49-68
Before reading activity: Share Tree Poetry with the class, discuss what IT is.
During reading activity: Make note of how Melinda’s family interacts especially during
the holidays.
After reading activity: Character analysis- Contrast David Petrakis with Melinda.
Day 4
Assigned reading: p. 69-92
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Before reading activity: Be prepared to discuss your character analysis with the class.
During reading activity: Look for more details about IT. Make note of what you
discover.
After reading activity: Sketch to Stretch Melinda is half way through her freshman year
at Merryweather High School. Using either an electronic image or an image you create
by hand create an image that represents Melinda’s high school experience thus far.
Day 5
Assigned reading: p.95-119
Before reading activity: Share you sketch to stretch images with the class.
During reading activity: As you read make a list of the various places that Melinda
escapes to.
After reading activity: As you read this section of the novel choose a sentence that you
find meaningful. On a sheet of paper copy the sentence with a page reference, then
give a brief description as to why you chose this particular sentence. Finally add
images or a design to your paper. This will be displayed together with your classmates
in a quilt like fashion.
Day 6
Assigned reading: p.120-137
Before reading activity: Share your story quilt with the class.
During reading activity: Recall how the information you have so far about the party
Melinda went to before school started. Pay attention to the new information you are
given about the party. Does that change your attitude towards Melinda?
After reading activity: Using www.toondoo.com or by drawing your own; create a
cartoon that illustrates a particular scene you found important in this section.
Day 7
Assigned reading: p.141-171
Before reading activity: Share your cartoon with the class.
During reading activity: Reflect on how the author used trees as a symbol throughout
the novel.
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
After reading activity: Complete the vocabulary activities related to this novel.
Day 8
Assigned reading: p.171-198
Before reading activity: You are now in the final section of the book. Make a prediction
as to how you think the story will conclude.
During reading activity: Make notes of how Melinda’s character has changed over the
course of the novel.
After reading activity: After completing the book reflect on the book. Did you connect
with the book? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to others? Why or
why not?
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Internet Workshop
Depression
Go to the website: www.depression.com
(5 questions)
1. Under the tab “understanding depression” click on “depression basics”;
According to the website what are some symptoms of depression?
2. What are some examples of treatments that are offered for people suffering from
depression?
3. Under the tab “understanding depression” click “who gets depression”; After
reading this section what information did you find most interesting? Were you
surprised by who gets depression?
4. Think about being a teenager with depression? How would that affect your social
life? Family life? School life?
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Resources
Internet Resources:
http://www.depression.com
This website is site that gives facts about depression and how depression is treated.
This site is run by GlaxoSmithKline.
http://rainn.org
This website is an organization devoted to dealing with sexual abuse, specifically
among teens.
Book Resources:
Safe by Susan Shaw (2007). 13 year old Tracy must go on a journey of healing after
dealing with being raped and her mother’s death.
Raider Night by Rober Lipsyte (2006). A high school football star witnesses the rape of
a fellow teammate as part of a hazing incident.
Target by Kathleen Jefferie Johnson (2003). Grady moves schools after being raped
but he must come to terms with the secret that is holding him back in life.
Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick (2010). This story is about a young teen girl
who battles depression.
Depression by Faye Zucker (2003). This is an informational text about depression that
is classroom friendly.
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain
(1998). This is an informational book that discusses depression and ways to cope with
depression. This book is designed for teens.
Maya Angelou edited by Edwin Graves Wilson, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue (2007).
A collection of poems for young people by Maya Angelou.
Pablo Picasso by Susan Hodge (2004). This book is an informational book that tells
about the life of Picasso as well as shows examples of his work.
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Rubric for Speak Activities
Internet Workshop
Wordle
Tree Word Poem
Character Analysis
Sketch to Stretch
Story Quilt
Cartoon
Vocabulary Activities
Final Reflection
\15
\10
\10
\10
\10
\10
\10
\10
\15
Total
\100
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Vocabulary Assignment
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Vocabulary Words:
1. inconspicuous p.7
2. obligation p.58
3. conundrum p.98
4. imbecile p.103
5. vulnerable p. 127
6. indoctrination p.172
Day 1:
Student Friendly Definitions
Inconspicuous: invisible, not noticeable
Obligation: duty, responsibility
Conundrum: difficult situation, problem
Imbecile: stupid or weak person, idiot
Vulnerable: tender, can be attacked easily
Indoctrination: teaching someone a set of beliefs; brainwashing
Activity One: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonym
Word
Inconspicuous
Obligation
Conundrum
Imbecile
Vulnerable
Indoctrination
Antonym
Answer Key
Synonym
concealed, invisible
duty, requirement
trap, dilemma
idiot, moron
accessible, exposed
training, brainwashing
Word
Inconspicuous
Obligation
Conundrum
Imbecile
Vulnerable
Indoctrination
Antonym
exposed, noticeable
treason, irresponsibility
solution, understanding
genius, smart
protected, secure
confusion, uneducated
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Day 2:
Activity Two: Sentence Stems
I tried to remain inconspicuous while I was in ________________________.
One of my obligations on Tuesdays is ______________________________.
I had tickets to go to the concert but I found myself in a conundrum because
________________________________.
At the party John acted like an imbecile when he______________________.
Because I am vulnerable I _______________________________________.
My mother tries to use indoctrination to _____________________________.
Answer Key
I tried to remain inconspicuous while I was in locker room.
One of my obligations on Tuesdays is take my sister to soccer practice.
I had tickets to go to the concert but I found myself in a conundrum because I had to
finish my 10 page essay.
At the party John acted like an imbecile when he jumped off the roof into the pool.
Because I am vulnerable I wear sunscreen when I stay outside for more than an hour.
My mother tries to use indoctrination to convince me to go to college.
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Day 3:
Activity Three: How surprised would you be if






You were obligated to join to United States Army?
You were called an imbecile by your best friend?
You were vulnerable to a thief?
You were inconspicuous at your own birthday party?
You were asked to help in the indoctrination of upcoming freshman?
You were in a conundrum of going to the Super bowl or helping in a soup
kitchen?
Speed Round: Applause! Applause!
Clap to show how much you would like to be described as being:
 Inconspicuous in a crowd
 Obligated to finish high school
 The cause of a conundrum between two friends
 Vulnerable to disease
 Against the indoctrination of hatred among different groups of people
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Day 4:
Activity four: Alike and Different
What is alike or different about these words:
Inconspicuous and Invisible
Conundrum and Trap
Obligation and Choice
Imbecile and Genius
Vulnerable and Open
Indoctrination and Teaching
Answer key:
Inconspicuous is when someone is trying to keep from drawing attention to themselves.
Invisible is when someone is truly not noticeable at all.
Conundrum is a difficult situation that through much effort can possibly be sorted out,
but a trap is a situation that may not have an escape.
An obligation is something a person is required to do but a choice is a decision
someone makes to do something.
An imbecile is someone who is stupid and a genius is someone who is smart.
Someone who is vulnerable is more susceptible to attack and may not have any
defense against and attack, however someone who is open may have a defense.
Teaching presents material to be learned by the student but indoctrination forces certain
ideas upon someone.
Speed Round: True/False
1. You can be inconspicuous in a crowd of many people.
2. Choosing what show to watch on television is a conundrum.
3. You are obligated to own a dog.
4. Someone who invents a car that doesn’t use gas is an imbecile.
5. A prison is vulnerable to intruders.
6. The jihad uses indoctrination to train terrorists.
Answer Key.
1.true 2.false 3.false 4.false 5.false. 6.true
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Day 5:
Activity Five: Forms of the Word
Noun
inconspicuousness
conundrum
obligation
Imbecile
vulnerability
Indoctrination
Verb
Adjective
inconspicuous
obligate
obligatory
imbecile
vulnerable
indoctrinated
Indoctrinate
Final Assessment:
1. Which of the following describes someone who is trying to remain
inconspicuous?
a. A hunter dressed in camouflage
b. A clown dressed in bright colors
c. A construction worker dressed in bright orange
2. Which of the following is not an example of a conundrum?
a. There are two forks in the road
b. You just won the lottery
c. You were invited to two parties on the same day
3. Which of the following is an obligation of a high school student?
a. Attend the prom
b. Complete detention
c. Do your homework
4. Which of the following is an imbecile?
a. Someone who drives drunk
b. Someone who smokes pot
c. Someone who volunteers in the community
5. Which is an example of vulnerability?
a. Leaving your doors unlocked at night
b. Locking your car
c. Shredding important documents before discarding them
6. Which of the following is an example of indoctrination?
a. Telling children the tooth fairy doesn’t exist
b. Teaching children to recycle
c. Assigning math homework
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010
Answer key:
1.a 2.b 3.c 4.c 5.a 6.b
Explanation of Word Choices
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a novel about a girl who is sexually assaulted
at a party just before she enters high school. Her friends do not know what happened
to her that night and have all turned against her. Throughout the book Melinda feels all
alone and withdraws from everyone around her. Eventually she is able to speak and
work through what happened to her. The book deals with high school issues and would
be appropriate for late middle school early high school. While reading the book I looked
for words that would be useful for students, as well as words that were important to the
story.
The words I chose were: inconspicuous, conundrum, obligation, imbecile,
vulnerable, and indoctrination. I chose these words because I thought that they not only
related to the story but could be used in other contexts as well. In teaching vocabulary
it is important to use words that students can apply in other areas. I tried to include
activities that were meaningful for students and that were not the usual copy the
definition and use the word in a sentence. I hope that in the future if I am in a situation
teaching middle or high schoolers I will be able to use similar strategies to help students
learn new vocabulary and apply what they have learned across the curriculum.
Jessica Dover
Integrated Unit 7/1/2010