Speak Second Marking Period Study Guide Answers

The main theme of this marking period demonstrated by David and the rest of Melinda's social studies class is to 'stand up for what you believe in', even if others think you're wrong. The worse that can happen is others think your opinion on something isn't true because they don't agree. Speak Discussion Questions. Second Marking Period—p. How does Mel start making her closet more livable? (50) How does this closet now have a deeper connection to her bedroom? (50) Explain quote, “Mostly I watch the scary movies playing on the inside of my eyelids.” (50) Why is it actually getting harder for her to talk?

During the second school term, Melinda spends most of her time in her broom closet hideout. She covers the mirror with a poster of Maya Angelou so she will not have to look at herself. She brings in her drawings of trees to decorate the walls.

When she is outside this refuge, she hardly talks to anyone. Her throat is sore from lack of use, and her lips are sore from her biting habit. When she is alone with Heather, Melinda occasionally finds her voice and speaks a little. Around adults, however, she only stammers and fails to communicate. In her classes, Melinda makes little effort.

One day in social studies, Melinda doodles trees during a debate about immigration. The teacher, Mr. Neck, says the borders of the United States should have been closed to new immigrants in the year 1900. A student, David Petrakis, protests against the xenophobic tone of the lecture. When Mr. Neck tells David to sit down or go to the principal, David remains standing silently. Melinda is surprised at how much this boy can say with his silence.

Thanksgiving goes poorly for Melinda. She watches silently while her mother, swamped with work, tries and fails to cook a traditional dinner between frantic phone calls. Melinda’s father thinks he can do better, but he turns the turkey into an inedible goo. He buries the bird in the back yard next to the family’s dead beagle.

Gothic 2 edit abilities. Afterward, Melinda digs up the turkey’s bones and brings them to art class. Mr. Freeman is thrilled. He gives Melinda permission to skip Spanish and work on art made from the turkey bones. Ivy, one of Melinda’s former friends, asks permission to stay too. Although Melinda is heartened when Ivy acts friendly, she misses her chance to start a conversation. Instead, Melinda arranges her turkey bones with the head of a Barbie doll, making a creepy piece of art. “This has meaning,” Mr. Freeman says, “Pain.” Melinda does not stay to talk about this. Instead, she flees to her next class.

In social studies, David Petrakis sets up a tape recorder. Melinda finds out why when she overhears a secretary saying that David’s parents have hired a lawyer. The tape recorder and later a video camera are allowed in class to record “potential future violations” of students’ civil rights. Melinda privately decides David is her hero.

At home one afternoon, Melinda sets up the Christmas tree alone. She reflects that she must be a disappointment to her parents. She wishes the family could split up and she could go on with life alone. Feeling depressed, she decides to improve things by trying to act like Heather. Melinda makes snow angels and decorates the house, but it still does not feel like a celebration.

On Christmas morning, Melinda’s parents give her several gifts, including some art supplies. Surprised and touched that her parents have noticed her interest in art, Melinda begins to cry. She considers telling them the truth about the night of the party, but she cannot get herself to start. Her parents do not seem to know how to react to her tears. They wait a while, and then they leave the room. After they are gone, Melinda realizes she did not even thank them.

When school starts again, Melinda discovers she is an excellent shot at basketball. The gym teacher is excited until she learns that Melinda’s GPA is too low for her to play on the team. Melinda does not want to play anyway, but she does not say so. The teachers ask her to teach one of the star boy players to shoot foul shots. Melinda cannot..