Journal Topics Inspired by the House on Mango Street

Journal Topics Inspired by The House on Mango Street

As their assignment for The House on Mango Street, students were to read aloud one vignette, share a personal response they had written in response to this vignette, discuss any universal themes they saw at play in their vignette, and finally assign a journal topic for all students to write about. Those journal topics are listed below.

"The House on Mango Street"

~~Write about a time you were disappointed in a decision your parents made. (R. Stanton)

~~What would you miss most if you suddenly had to move to a different city? (R. Stanton)

~~Describe your home. (R. Stanton)

"Hairs"

~~Describe your own hair. (R. Stanton)

"Boys and Girls"

~~The best thing about being a boy/girl is..." (R. Stanton)

~~The hardest thing about being a boy/girl is..." (A. Rivera)

"My Name"

~~Write an acrostic poem about yourself using your first name. (R. Stanton)

~~If you could choose a new name, what would you pick? (R. Stanton)

"Cathy Queen of Cats"

~~In your life, what is it that you are always moving away from? (E. Evans)

~~Write about your neighbors. (E. Daun)

~~In today's society, is there a lot of categorizing of people? (D. Goldin)

"Our Good Day"

~~Did you ever blow anyone/anything off for someone/something else? Did you regret it? (S. Speer)

~~What makes a real friend? (R. Stanton)

~~Write about a special relationship you have with someone who is younger than you. (C. Eschenbrenner)

~~Write about your first bicycle. (J. Iorio)

"Laughter"

~~Write about an embarrassing incident. (E. Evans)

~~Write about one person in your family that you are like, and how. (T. Tan)

~~What is the best/worst thing about having a brother/sister? (A. Garcia)

~~Write about something you have in common with a sibling or a friend. (I. Collins)

"Gil's Furniture Bought and Sold"

~~Write about a time you wanted something you couldn't have. (A. Gomez/A. Rivera)

~~Describe something you own that is priceless. (A. Cronk/S. Surdovel)

~~Write about a desire you have for something/someone/etc. (G. Lawson)

"Meme Ortiz"

~~What do you think jealousy has done to our society? (R. Lubin)

~~In ten years, what will you remember most about where you live right now? (J. Medley)

~~Write about a time you got hurt. (I. Djokovic)

~~Write about what's most important in your home. (S.J. Rho)

"Louie, His Cousin, and His Other Cousin"

~~Tell about an exciting adventure. (E. Evans)

~~Write about your favorite kind of car. (K. Wright)

~~When has pride made you struggle? (S. Hall)

~~Write about an experience you've had with your cousin. (M. Veguilla)

"Marin"

~~Who do you look up to as a role model? (R. Stanton)

"Those Who Don't"

~~Write about a time you visited someone in a different neighborhood. (J. Stephenson)

~~What do you think goes on in the ghetto. (J. Walker)

~~Write about discrimination. (J. Kim)

~~Write about fear of the unknown. (J. Iorio)

"There Was an Old Woman..."

~~Write about a bad kid you know. (M. Nared)

~~Tell about someone who has too many children. (R. Wilson)

~~Write about a time you were disrespectful. (T. Ferranti)

"Alicia Who Sees Mice"

~~Write about someone who has left your family and what you had to do in their place. (M. Tucker)

~~Write about what scares you when you go to sleep. (A. Moubarak)

~~Describe your self-imprvement plan. (J. Kim)

~~Write about a time you were the only person to see something important. (S.Dreier)

"Darius and the Clouds"

~~Who or what inspires you? (A. Naif)

~~Write about the God-entity that gives you security. (J. Belflower)

~~Write about daydreams. (K. Naidoo)

~~Where, except at home, do you feel most at home? (A. Cronk)

"And Some More"

~~Write about a time you had an argument with a friend. (M. Murphy, J. Stephenson, M. Riesdorph, L. Warren)

~~Write about stupid, immature people. (J. Kim)

~~Write about a time you got in a fight because neither of you would admit you were wrong. (A. Blackwell)

"The Family of Little Feet"

~~Write about the impact your image has on you as a teen. (E. Evans)

~~Write about shoes. (D. McBath)

~~Write about a time you received negative attention. (I. Djokovic)

~~Write about a time you tried to impress a certain someone. (B. Cowan)

"A Rice Sandwich"

\~~Write about a time you got in trouble in school. (J. Stephenson)

~~Write about your least favorite food you have to eat anyhow. (M. Murphy)

~~What kind of rice do you like best? (A. Lohn)

~~Write about a time you felt embarrassed. (K. Nordstrom)

~~Write about something that disappointed you. (C. Jessup)

"Chanclas"

~~One a scale of 1 - 10, where does your self-esteem rate? Why? (M. Murphy)

~~Write about a time in your life that you pitied yourself. (P. Bergeron)

~~Write about a time you went to a dance. (D. Lehmer)'

~~Describe a time you felt out of place. (E. Segielski)

"Hips"

~~Write about your thoughts of growing up as you realized you were beginning to mature. (C. Drooger)

~~Write about your self-image. (M. Murphy)

~~Write about a time someone defended you. (L. Warren)

~~Write about a favorite game you played as a child. (A. Boettcher)

"The First Job"

~~My idea of a perfect job is... (E. Kehlenbeck)

~~First Kiss (D. McBath)

~~Write about a job you would like to have. (K. Naidoo)

~~Write about your first day of work or school. (D. Pecoraro)

"Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark"

~~Describe your father. Be poetic. (R. Stanton)'

~~Write about a funeral you have been to. (C. Stewart)

~~If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you regret not have=ing said to someone you know? (R. Stanton)

~~How would you respond to a death in your immediate family? (R. Cross)

"Born Bad"

~~If I woke up tomorrow unable to walk..." (R. Stanton)

~~Write about something you are really good at. (N. Ferry)

~~Even though prejudice is part of human nature, should we still try not to do it? (C. Reijer)

~~Write about a time you were mean to someone. (J. Zwald)

"Elenita Cards Palm Water"

~~Do you believe in psychics? (J. Stephenson)

~~Would you be willing to go to a professional palm reader? (B. Morris)

~~Do you believe in your horoscope? (R. Stanton)

~~What one thing would you like to know about your future? (K. Coatney)

"Geraldo No Last Name"

~~Do you believe in love at first sight? (R. Stanton)

~~What do you do to get ready for a date? (R. Stanton)

"Edna's Ruthie"

~~Is there anything you noticed but did not understand the importance of? (B. Celestin)

~~Write about one friend you have to watch out for and keep on track. (C. Bryant)

~~Write about a dream you had that didn't come true. (C. McClelland)

~~Write about a personal experience, movie, etc. about a person with a mental illness. (J. Akachukwu)

"The Earl of Tennessee"

~~Do you like country music? (R. Stanton)

~~What's your favorite music? (A. Rogers)

~~Write about a time you were naive. (R. Stanton)

"Sire"

~~Write about a time you were scared but couldn't let it show. (J. Cooper)

~~Write about someone you have/had a crush on. (C. Obianyo)

~~Write about someone you liked that your parents didn't like. (M. Riesdorph)

~~What kind of husband/wife do your parents want for you? (R. Stanton)

"Four Skinny Trees"

~~Have you ever put yourself down? If so, why? (W. Estes)

~~Who can you talk to when you have a problem? (B. Benton)

~~What keeps you going? (A. Hoffman)

~~Describe a goal you have reached despite obstacles that were in your way. (T. Burroughs)

"No Speak English"

~~Write about a time you felt out of place. (G. Cangtin, B. Randall)

~~Write about a time you had to leave somewhere and who you missed. (C. Bryant)

~~What would you do if you were Mamacita? (K. Robinson)

"Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut and Papaya Juice on Tuesdays"

~~Write about dreams that you have had. (R. Kashani)

~~What have you done while your parents weren't looking? (A. Lohn)

~~Write about a time you felt depressed. (T. Scott)

~~Write about a time you were controlled by someone or something. (S. Young)

"Sally"

~~Write about a time you thought about running away. (G. Jiminez)

~~Have you ever felt like an outcast? (C. Forthuber)

~~In what way can it be considered dangerous to be "too pretty"? (R. Stanton)

~~Write about a time you didn't fit in. (K. Cook)

~~When has change happened in your life? (C. Young)

"Minerva Who Writes Poems"

~~What kind of writing do you do for yourself? (R. Stanton)

~~How do you express your anger or sadness? (S. Boylan)

~~Write about a hard time you have had ior are having. (A. Cronk)

"Bums in the Attic"

~~Write about something you wanted but couldn't have. (R. Micheli, S. Birchfield)

~~What would you do if you won a million dollar lottery? (D. McBath)

~~Tell about someone who forgot who they were. (J. VanDorsten)

"Beautiful & Cruel"

~~Write about a day in your life when you did not look your best. (V. Ortega)

~~Write about independence. (R. Wilson)

~~Write about wehen you decided to do something your own way. (I. Djokovic)

~~What are you waiting for? (K. Archer)

"A Smart Cookie"

~~Tell about a time you gave up something. (N. Garcia-Mayor)

~~If you were to drop out, what could you still accomplish with the talents you have? (B. Haddad)

~~What dreams do your parents have for you? (K. Nordstrom)

~~Write about something you quit. (N. Blair)

"What Sally Said"

~~Write about a time you stayed over at a friend's house. (B. Smith)

~~What is ghe silliest thing your parents ever got mad about? (A. Rivera)

~~Write about a friend who was/is in trouble. (C. Forbes)

"The Monkey Garden"

~~Write about your favorite place to hang out. (E. Badio)

~~Describe a secret place you had when you were a kid. (R. Smith)

~~Write about a place you used to play when you were a kid. (J. Zwald)

"Red Clowns"

~~Write about a friend who turned their back on you. (M. Ivery)

~~Write about a carnival experience you've had. (J. Maloy)

"Linoleum Roses"

~~What would you do if someone took your freedom away? (M. Robayo)

~~In your future marriage, who will be dominant in your relationship? (R. Stanton)

"The Three Sisters"

~~If you could have just one wish, what would you wish for, and why? (M. Thompson, A. Fillmore)

~~Tell about a time you made a selfish wish. (S. Surdovel)

"Alicia & I Talking on Edna's Steps"

~~Write about someone you look up to. (E. Evans)

~~Explain what home means to you. (E. Bailey)

~~Write about your ideal home. (C. Forbes)

~~Write about something you're ashamed of. (A. Rogers)

~~Write about something you want to leave behind. (L. Warren)

~~What embarrasses you? (L. Rosa)

"A House of My Own"

~~Write about a time you had to move to a new place. (N. Garcia-Mayor)

~~Write about a time you wanted to get away from everybody else. (G. Bonanno)

~~Write about your own personal independence. (R.Stanton)

~~Write about your dream home. (J. Iorio)

~~Write about something you wish you had. (J. VanDorsten)

"Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes"

~~Write about a time you said goodbye. (G. Jiminez)

~~Write about a time you had to say goodbye. (D. McBath)

~~What would you entitle your own life story? What would it be about? (R. Stanton)

~~Write about an activity you do that allows you to temporarily forget your troubles. (E. Barnett)