August 13, 2015

No homework. Enjoy the rest of your summer. It's been a pleasure working at MSCD.

August 12, 2015

Chapter 34, Page 319—A

At nine o’clock I stood in front of the apartment in number 129 and knocked and waited. The door opened. It was Ava’s mom. “Come in, hijo, come in,” she said, hugging me.

I stepped into the apartment. There was no one on the couch, no one in the parlor. I saw a stranger sitting at the kitchen table. Georgie, I thought. Ava was just coming out of the john. She hugged me and I looked past her into the bedroom, where Trina was standing at the door looking at me. Georgie smiled and I was introduced to him. He smiled and offered me a drink.

“No, thank you,” I said, and as a chair was offered to me, I added, “Mind if I sit in the parlor?” I sat on the chair that I imagined Georgie would have been sitting in and I looked at Trina. There was nothing to say, nothing to do. I just sat there and made small talk. Trina, say something,  I thought, anything.

But Trina didn’t say anything, and after what seemed like many days, I heard myself saying, “Well, it’s been nice visiting you all. I’m sorry, but I gotta go now, I, uh, got an appointment.”

“Oh, I’m sorry you have to go, hijo,” said Ava’s mom.

“We’ll see you again, won’t we?” Ava asked.

“Yeah, sure,” I said. I looked at Trina. She smiled something at me, and I walked out the door and down the stairs and into the cold street, thinking, What a blank that was. I should have known, nothing is run the same, nothing stays the same. You can’t make yesterday come back today.

Whose apartment did Piri go to?

Who did Piri see in the bedroom?

Why did Piri say he had to leave?

What did Piri and Trina say to each other?

Chapter 34, Page 319—B

At nine o’clock I stood in front of apartment 129 and knocked. The door opened. It was Ava’s mom. “Come in,” she said, hugging me.

I stepped into the apartment. I saw a stranger sitting at the kitchen table. Georgie, I thought. Ava was coming. She hugged me and I looked past her into the bedroom, where Trina stood looking at me. Georgie smiled and I was introduced to him.

“Mind if I sit in the parlor?” I sat on the chair that I imagined Georgie would have sat in and I looked at Trina. There was nothing to say, nothing to do. I just sat there and made small talk. Trina, say something,  I thought, anything.

But Trina didn’t say anything. After what seemed like many days, I heard myself saying, “Well, it’s been nice visiting you all. I’m sorry, but I gotta go now, I, uh, got an appointment.”

I looked at Trina. She smiled at me, and I walked out the door and down the stairs and into the cold street, thinking, I should have known, nothing is run the same, nothing stays the same. You can’t make yesterday come back today.

Whose apartment did Piri go to?

Who did Piri see in the bedroom?

Why did Piri say he had to leave?

Chapter 34, Page 319—C

I stood in front of apartment 129 and knocked. The door opened. It was Ava’s mom. “Come in,” she said.

I stepped into the apartment. Ava was coming. She hugged me and I looked into the bedroom, where Trina stood looking at me.

“Mind if I sit in the parlor?” I sat on the chair and I looked at Trina. There was nothing to say, nothing to do. I just sat there and made small talk. Trina, say something,  I thought, anything.

But Trina didn’t say anything. After what seemed like many days, I heard myself saying, “Well, it’s been nice visiting you all. I’m sorry, but I gotta go now, I, uh, got an appointment.”

I looked at Trina. She smiled at me, and I walked out the door and down the stairs and into the cold street, thinking, I should have known, nothing is run the same, nothing stays the same. You can’t make yesterday come back today.

Who did Piri see in the bedroom?

Why did Piri say he had to leave?

August 11, 2015

Chapter 33, Page 316—A

The next morning I was taken to a courthouse and jammed into a crowded bullpen. After half an hour I was called into the courtroom. I stepped through the door and into a paneled world of man-made justice, with its row upon row of spectator-filled benches and its black-robed judge shuffling men’s histories on white papers. I looked around for familiar faces, expecting none. I found two: big hara and little hara. They took their places behind me, and big hara said in a low whisper, “Good luck.” The district attorney said something to the judge. Another guy read off the charges against me. The judge said something and the district attorney said that my crimes had been serious and people had been hurt. The judge mentioned that I had been incarcerated for six years. The D.A. said that until investigation and probation reports and so on had been made no disposition could be made; he asked that I be held in $5,000 bail on each count.

Where did Piri go?

Who did he see there?

How much bail was Piri held on for each count?

Chapter 33, Page 316—B

The next morning I was taken to a courthouse. After half an hour I was called into the courtroom. I stepped through the door and into a world of justice, with its rows of benches and the judge shuffling papers. I looked around for familiar faces. I found two: big hara and little hara. Big hara said in a whisper, “Good luck.” The district attorney said something to the judge. Another guy read off the charges against me. The judge said that my crimes had been serious and people had been hurt. The judge mentioned that I had been incarcerated for six years. The D.A. said that until investigation had been made no disposition could be made; he asked that I be held in $5,000 bail on each count.

Where did Piri go?

Who did he see there?

How much bail was Piri held on for each count?

Chapter 33, Page 316—C

The next morning I was taken to a courthouse. I was called into the courtroom. I stepped through the door. I looked around for familiar faces. The district attorney said something to the judge. Another guy read off the charges against me. The judge said that my crimes had been serious and people had been hurt. The judge mentioned that I had been incarcerated for six years. The D.A. asked that I be held in $5,000 bail on each count.

Where did Piri go?

Who did he see there?

How much bail was Piri held on for each count?

August 10, 2015

Ch 33—Page 312.2 A

When we finished, it was about dinnertime. We went to a bar-restaurant and had some chow. After dinner I made another solo trip to the john. This juanito  was next to a back exit; I couldn’t help seeing that as I went inside. I thought how easy it would be to slip out the back way an cut out. I didn’t know what I was gonna do. I thought about those two warrants. Suppose I got more time? I remember that Bronx County had wanted Manhattan to give me and my boys a suspended sentence on attempted robbery in the first degree and turn us over to them so they could cool us for good on first-degree armed robbery. And the Bronx was handing out wild bits of time, like seventeen and a half to thirty-five years. If they had wanted us that bad, maybe even after six years they still had a yen. I didn’t know what had happened to Danny and Billy. Maybe the Bronx had them doing some big time.

Where were they?

What did Piri consider doing?

Who is in this passage?

When did this passage take place?

Ch 33—Page 312.2 B

When we finished, it was about dinnertime. We went to a bar-restaurant. After dinner I made another trip to the john, which was next to an exit; I couldn’t help seeing that as I went inside. I thought how easy it would be to slip out the back. I didn’t know what I was gonna do. I thought about those two warrants. Suppose I got more time? The Bronx was handing out wild bits of time, like seventeen and a half to thirty-five years. If they had wanted us that bad, maybe even after six years they still had a yen. I didn’t know what had happened to Danny and Billy. Maybe the Bronx had them doing some big time.

Where were they?

Who is in this passage?

When did this passage take place?

Ch 33—Page 312.2 C

When we finished, it was about dinnertime. We went to a restaurant. After dinner I made another trip to the john, which was next to an exit; I couldn’t help seeing that as I went inside. I thought how easy it would be to slip out the back. I didn’t know what I was gonna do. I thought about those two warrants. Suppose I got more time? The Bronx was handing out time, like seventeen and a half to thirty-five years. I didn’t know what had happened to Danny and Billy. Maybe the Bronx had them doing some big time.

Where were they?

Who is in this passage?

When did this passage take place?

August 7, 2015

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—A

“Okay, fella,” the hack escorting me said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling, “let’s go.” I threw my hand up and down in one quick salute of good-byes and followed the hack down the long echoing hall. Then I saw a solid sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, by the steps, some with brooms in their hands, others on make-believe errands or mopping, but all waiting to say good-bye, were my people, my con buddies, my con brothers. As I walked toward the cell-hall gate that led to the outside, from either side of me and from their places in the corners and by the steps, their hands went up. My throat felt dry and my knees trembled in sudden longing for them and the familiar green bars and gray walls and blue hacks. But only for an instant. I moved through the long hall that led to the outside. A tthe front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, music, and poetry I’d written; diplomas and old undelivered letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my accumulated savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages—and told to count it. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “and God bless you. You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

Who did Piri see on his way out?

What was returned to Piri?

What did the chaplain say to Piri?

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—B

“Okay, fella,” the hack said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling, “let’s go.” I threw one quick salute of good-byes and followed the hack down the hall. Then I saw a sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, all waiting to say good-bye, were my people, my con brothers. As I walked toward the gate that led to the outside, their hands went up. My throat felt dry and my knees trembled. But only for an instant. I moved through the hall that led to the outside. At the front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, music, and poetry I’d written; diplomas and old letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “and God bless you. You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

Who did Piri see on his way out?

What was returned to Piri?

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—C

“Okay,” the hack said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, “let’s go.” I threw one quick salute and followed the hack down the hall. Then I saw a sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, were my con brothers. As I walked toward the gate that led to the outside, their hands went up. My throat felt dry. But only for an instant. I moved through the hall that led to the outside. At the front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, and poetry I’d written; old letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

What was returned to Piri?

August 6, 2015

Make a prediction on what you think will happen in the story. How will it end? Will Piri change? Will he get better or worse?

Level A--5 sentences
Level B--3 sentences
Level C--1 sentence

August 5, 2015

Ch 29—Homework A

We hugged, and everybody left. I watched their backs and I felt bad ‘cause somehow they kinda took Trina with them. Like if they hadn’t come, she’d still be with me. I stepped out of the room and undressed for the frisk and dressed again and made the long walk to my cell, just putting one foot before the other. Then I gently opened the green-barred door and gently closed it behind me and heard the smashing and crashing of a master lock being closed behind me; and I saw, as almost for the first time, my wall, painted buff below and cream above, and the little bed and washbasin and toilet bowl in my fantastic little six-by-eight-by-nine world. I gently lay down and stretched long, and I put my hands behind the back of my neck and thought, Trina got married. Then, from the cell next to mine, Young Turk said, “Hey, man, you got a visit?”

“Yeah, yeah. My family.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah. Everything is all right.”

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What does his cell look like?

Who does he talk to?

What does Piri say to Young Turk?

Ch 29—Homework B

We hugged, and everybody left. I watched their backs and I felt bad ‘cause somehow they kinda took Trina with them. Like if they hadn’t come, she’d still be with me. I stepped out of the room and made the long walk to my cell. Then I opened the door and closed it behind me and heard the smashing of a master lock being closed behind me; and I saw my wall, painted buff below and cream above, and the little bed and washbasin and toilet bowl in my fantastic little six-by-eight-by-nine world. I lay down and put my hands behind the back of my neck and thought, Trina got married. Then, from the cell next to mine, Young Turk said, “Hey, man, you got a visit?”

“Yeah, yeah. My family.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah. Everything is all right.”

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What does his cell look like?

Who does he talk to?

Ch 29—Homework C

We hugged, and everybody left. I felt bad ‘cause somehow they took Trina with them. Like if they hadn’t come, she’d still be with me. I made the long walk to my cell. I saw my wall, painted buff below and cream above, and the little bed and washbasin and toilet bowl in my fantastic little six-by-eight-by-nine world. I lay down and put my hands behind the back of my neck and thought, Trina got married. Then, from the cell next to mine, Young Turk said, “Hey, man, you got a visit?”

“Yeah, yeah. My family.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah. Everything is all right.”

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What does his cell look like?

August 4, 2015

Ch 29—Page 271 A

Pops stood there, the perfect stranger to me, like he always was, and said, “That’s good, Piri.” Then he vaguely looked around and said to nobody in particular, “Jesus, I didn’t like for them to take my fingerprints. Did they have to?”

“It’s nothing, Pops,” my sister said. “They do it every time somebody comes to visit for the first time.”

“Yeah,” I said, “first time,” and I looked at Pops and my eyes told him that I knew he wasn’t coming again. It’s like you never came, Pops.

We all sat down and talked, but after a while I noticed something strange. A pall had settled over the conversation. “Whats the matter?” I asked James.

“Well, er,” said James, “aw, you tell him, Sis.”

“Well, er,” said Sis, “it’s about—you tell him, James. You found out about it.”

“Dammit, somebody tell me.”

“Trina got married.”

How many times had Poppa visited Piri?

What did they tell Piri?

How do you think Piri will react?

Ch 29—Page 271 B

Pops stood there, the perfect stranger to me. Then he vaguely looked around and said to nobody in particular, “I didn’t like for them to take my fingerprints. Did they have to?”

“It’s nothing, Pops,” my sister said. “They do it every time somebody comes to visit for the first time.”

“Yeah,” I said, “first time,” and I looked at Pops. My eyes told him that I knew he wasn’t coming again. It’s like you never came, Pops.

We all sat down and talked, but after a while I noticed something strange. A pall had settled over the conversation. “Whats the matter?” I asked James.

“Well, er,” said James, “aw, you tell him, Sis.”

“Well, er,” said Sis, “it’s about—you tell him, James. You found out about it.”

“Dammit, somebody tell me.”

“Trina got married.”

How many times had Poppa visited Piri?

What did they tell Piri?

Ch 29—Page 271 C

Pops stood there. Then he vaguely looked around and said to nobody in particular, “I didn’t like for them to take my fingerprints. Did they have to?”

“It’s nothing, Pops,” my sister said. “They do it every time somebody comes to visit for the first time.”

“Yeah,” I said, “first time,” and I looked at Pops. My eyes told him that I knew he wasn’t coming again.

We all sat down and talked, but after a while I noticed something strange. A pall had settled over the conversation. “Whats the matter?” I asked James.

“Well, er,” said James, “aw, you tell him, Sis.”

“Dammit, somebody tell me.”

“Trina got married.”

How many times had Poppa visited Piri?

What did they tell Piri?

August 3, 2015

Ch 27—Pages 260 A

Little and I walked side by side, down the ramp and into the large paint room we worked in. My guts tensed and sucked air. Casey, a big, kind, friendly guard, was on duty. He was one of the few rare human beings left in my kind of world. He looked up at us and at the casually strolling cons who wanted a good look-see at this rumble, and, sensing that something was up, eased his big hard brown wooden stick into a more favorable position. But he didn’t say anything. I looked at Little, who was standing close to me for a chance to reach me fast when we started throwing punches. I pushed him away and he almost tore my jaw off with a left cross. I hadn’t figured him to be a southpaw. I hit the floor hard and all I knew was to get up. I scrambled and grabbed him and punched and held, and he punched and held, and damned if I didn’t feel like at last here in front of me was somebody I could take out my mad steam on; and I guess he felt the same. Little actually was my friend, one of the clique—and now we were trying to mash each other. I tore into his guts with rights, lefts and elbows; he pounded away at my face. Suddenly, it was over by silent mutual consent. We just looked at each other, lips tight and bloodied. Then Casey came over quietly and said, “You guys got it out of your systems?” Our heads shook up and down in unison. “Okay, if you guys had picked up sticks or pipes, or used anything else other than your fists, I would have wrapped this billy stick around both your heads. As it is, I’ve seen nothing and you’ve done nothing. I don’t want no more of this.”

Where were Piri and Little going?

Who is Casey?

What did Piri and Little do?

What did Casey do?

Ch 27—Pages 260 B

Little and I walked side by side, down the ramp and into the large paint room we worked in. My guts tensed and sucked air. Casey, a big, kind, friendly guard, was on duty. He was one of the few human beings left in my world. He looked up at us and at the cons who wanted a good look at this rumble. He didn’t say anything. I looked at Little, who was standing close to me for a chance to reach me fast when we started throwing punches. I pushed him away and he almost tore my jaw off with a left cross. I hit the floor hard and all I knew was to get up. I scrambled and grabbed him and punched, and he punched. Little actually was my friend, one of the clique—and now we were trying to mash each other. I tore into his guts with rights, lefts and elbows; he pounded away at my face. Suddenly, it was over. We just looked at each other, lips bloodied. Then Casey came over and said, “You guys got it out of your systems?” Our heads shook up and down in unison. “Okay, if you guys had picked up sticks or pipes, or used anything else other than your fists, I would have wrapped this stick around both your heads. As it is, I’ve seen nothing and you’ve done nothing. I don’t want no more of this.”

Where were Piri and Little going?

Who is Casey?

What did Piri and Little do?

Ch 27—Pages 260 C

Little and I walked side by side, into the paint room we worked in. Casey, a friendly guard, was on duty. He was one of the few human beings left in my world. He looked up at us and at the cons who wanted a good look at this rumble. He didn’t say anything. I looked at Little, who was standing close to me for a chance to reach me fast when we started throwing punches. I pushed him away and he almost tore my jaw off with a left cross. I hit the floor hard. I scrambled and grabbed him and punched, and he punched. Little actually was my friend, one of the clique—and now we were trying to mash each other. I tore into his guts with rights, lefts and elbows; he pounded away at my face. Suddenly, it was over. We just looked at each other, lips bloodied. Then Casey came over and said, “You guys got it out of your systems?” Our heads shook up and down. “Okay, if you guys had picked up sticks, or used anything other than your fists, I would have wrapped this stick around both your heads. As it is, I’ve seen nothing and you’ve done nothing. I don’t want no more of this.”

Where were Piri and Little going?

Who is Casey?

What did Piri and Little do?

July 31, 2015

Chapter 27.5—A

I was jail-wise in picking my friends. There is a pecking order among prisoners. At the top are the con men, the smoothies. Just beneath them are the disbarred lawyers; their brains entitle them to respect. In the middle are the heist men. Thieves  and burglars rank just below them. And at the bottom are crooked cops, and junkies.

I wanted to learn all the hustles, all the arts of knowing people and their kicks. One older guy I got to know, Sam, was one of the best con men in the business. He told me how he worked, And always he ended up saying, “But you see, kid, I made a lot of money—but here I am.” My closest amigo was a big black Puerto Rican everyone called Young Turk, a gentle man who was doing five to fifteen for cutting a guy up in a fight.

Who is at the top of the order in prison?

Who is at the bottom of the order in prison?

Who did Piri get to know?

Who became Piri’s closest friend?

Why was he in jail?

Chapter 27.5—B

I was wise in picking my friends. There is an order among prisoners. At the top are the con men. Just beneath them are the lawyers; their brains entitle them to respect. In the middle are the heist men. Thieves and burglars rank just below them. And at the bottom are crooked cops and junkies.

I wanted to learn all the arts of knowing people and their kicks. One older guy I got to know, Sam, was one of the best con men in the business. He told me how he worked, And always he ended up saying, “But you see, kid, I made a lot of money—but here I am.” My closest amigo was a big black Puerto Rican everyone called Young Turk, a gentle man who was doing five to fifteen for cutting a guy up in a fight.

Who is at the top of the order in prison?

Who is at the bottom of the order in prison?

Who did Piri get to know?

Who became Piri’s closest friend?

Chapter 27.5—C

I was wise in picking my friends. There is an order among prisoners. At the top are the con men. Just beneath them are the lawyers. In the middle are the heist men. Thieves rank just below them. And at the bottom are crooked cops and junkies.

I wanted to learn all the arts of knowing people. One older guy I got to know, Sam, was one of the best con men in the business. He told me how he worked, And always he ended up saying, “But you see, kid, I made a lot of money—but here I am.” My closest amigo was a Puerto Rican everyone called Young Turk, a man who was doing five to fifteen for cutting a guy in a fight.

Who is at the top of the order in prison?

Who is at the bottom of the order in prison?

Who did Piri get to know?

July 30, 2015

Chapter 27—A

One of the worst feelings I can imagine is to be something or someplace and not be able to accept the fact. So it was with me—I was a con in jail, but nothing in the world could make me accept it. Not the gray clothes, not the green bars, not the bugle’s measure of time, not the blue uniformed hacks, not the insipid food, not the new lines in my face—nothing.

I couldn’t get used to it, no matter how hard I tried. It kept pounding on me. It came to me every morning and every evening and sat heavily, like death on living tissue. I hated the evenings because a whole night in prison lay before me, and I hated the mornings because I felt like Dracula returning to his coffin.

Where was Piri?

How did he feel?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

Identify a simile in this passage.

Chapter 27—B

One of the worst feelings I can imagine is to be something or someplace and not be able to accept the fact. I was a con in jail, but nothing could make me accept it. Not the gray clothes, not the green bars, not the blue uniformed hacks, not the food—nothing.

I couldn’t get used to it, no matter how hard I tried. It came to me every morning and every evening and sat heavily, like death. I hated the evenings because a whole night in prison lay before me, and I hated the mornings because I felt like Dracula returning to his coffin.

Where was Piri?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

Identify a simile in this passage.

Chapter 27—C

One of the worst feelings is to be someplace and not accept the fact. I was a con in jail, but nothing could make me accept it. Not the gray clothes, not the green bars, not the blue uniformed hacks, not the food—nothing.

I couldn’t get used to it. It came to me every morning and every evening and sat heavily, like death. I hated the evenings because a whole night in prison lay before me, and I hated the mornings because I felt like Dracula returning to his coffin

Where was Piri?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

Identify a simile in this passage.

July 29, 2015

Chapter 25—A, HW

When I got to the Tombs, the first thing I heard was: “What did you get, Piri?”

“What happened, kid?”

“How’d you make out?”

Everybody wants to know your bit, big or small, maybe to measure his hope by it.

“I got fifteen bolos,” I yelled. I said it in despair but with pride in my ability to do so.

“Tough,” or “Not so bad,” came some replies.

The upstairs cooed, “Ah tol’ you so.”

“Go screw yourselves,” I shouted.

I lit up a cigarette, dragged deeply, and lay back. At least the waiting was over. I knew where I stood.

What did everyone ask Piri?

What were some peoples’ replies?

How did the people upstairs respond?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

Chapter 25—B, HW

When I got to the Tombs, the first thing I heard was: “What did you get, Piri?”

Everybody wants to know your bit, big or small, maybe to measure his hope by it.

“I got fifteen,” I yelled. I said it in despair but with pride.

“Tough,” or “Not so bad,” came some replies.

The upstairs cooed, “Ah tol’ you so.”

“Go screw yourselves,” I shouted.

I lit up a cigarette and lay back. At least the waiting was over. I knew where I stood.

What did everyone ask Piri?

How did the people upstairs respond?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

Chapter 25—C, HW

When I got to the Tombs, the first thing I heard was: “What did you get, Piri?”

Everybody wants to know your bit.

“I got fifteen,” I yelled. I said it in despair but with pride.

“Tough,” or “Not so bad,” came some replies.

The upstairs cooed, “Ah tol’ you so.”

I lit up a cigarette and lay back. At least the waiting was over. I knew where I stood.

What did everyone ask Piri?

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

July 28, 2015

Ch 25, P. 245—A Homework

“I hereby sentence you…to hard labor…at Sing Sing…for not less than five, no more than fifteen years for attempted armed robbery in the first degree.”

Up came my head; there was no need to be humble, the judge didn’t dig my humility. I felt two hands grab me by each arm, and I was hustled away (I guess to keep me from doing anything angry or foolish). As I was being led away, the D.A. whispered something to the judge, who called me back and put five to ten more years on my back, for felonious assault, “the sentences to run…”

I held my breath. If he said “consecutively,” I’d have to finish up one sentence before starting the other; but if he said “concurrently,” the two sentences would run together.

“…concurrently,” the judge concluded.

I was still in trouble, but at least I could do two days for one.

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What was Piri sentenced to?

How long was he sentenced for?

What would it mean if the judge said “concurrently”?

Ch 25, P. 245—B Homework

“I hereby sentence you…to hard labor…at Sing Sing…for not less than five, no more than fifteen years for attempted armed robbery in the first degree.”

I felt two hands grab me by each arm, and I was hustled away (I guess to keep me from doing anything angry or foolish). I was being led and the judge put five to ten more years on my back, for assault, “the sentences to run…”

I held my breath. If he said “consecutively,” I’d have to finish up one sentence before starting the other; but if he said “concurrently,” the two sentences would run together.

“…concurrently,” the judge concluded.

I was still in trouble, but at least I could do two days for one.

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What was Piri sentenced to?

How long was he sentenced for?

Ch 25, P. 245—C Homework

“I sentence you…to hard labor…for five to fifteen years for robbery.”

I felt two hands grab me by each arm, and I was hustled away (I guess to keep me from doing anything foolish). I was being led and the judge put five to ten more years on my back, for assault, “the sentences to run…”

I held my breath. If he said “consecutively,” I’d have to finish up one sentence before starting the other; but if he said “concurrently,” the two sentences would run together.

“…concurrently,” the judge concluded.

I was still in trouble, but at least I could do two days for one.

What kind of conflict is in this passage?

What was Piri sentenced to?

July 27, 2015

Homework—A

“Hey, Piri,” Danny yelled, “they’re putting you on Murderers’ Row.”

My blood went cold. The cop hadn’t died, but suppose he did?…I said a quick prayer for his recovery.

Inside the cell, I spread a blanket for a mattress. But the bed was so hard, my bullet hole felt like it was getting crushed. I threw the other blanket on top, but it was the same. I decided to sleep sitting up. Major looked at me and went away. A few minutes later he returned with four or five blankets and dropped them on the bunk.

“Thanks,” I said, a little surprised.

“Why not, kid,” Major said, “you’ve got enough troubles now.”

On Murderers’ Row, I met Ramon, long, skinny Ramon. He had six fingers on one hand that helped witnesses identify him, he told me. He also said that Jimmy had fired the fatal shot. We played cards and cursed the tier above us who often yelled down, “Don’t worry, fifteen or twenty ain’t so bad,” or “The chair is quick and greasy.”

I was three or four months in the Tombs, waiting for trial, going to court, waiting for adjournments, trying to deal for a lower plea, and what not. I schemed and lay awake at night thinking of the thousands of years they could pile on me. I heard Louie was in the Tombs, too. They had traced our car back to him. He had turned chota on me.

What would happen if the cop died?

Who did Piri meet on murderers row?

What was unique about Ramon?

How long did Piri have to wait in the Tombs?

Homework—B

“Hey, Piri,” Danny yelled, “they’re putting you on Murderers’ Row.”

My blood went cold. The cop hadn’t died, but suppose he did?…I said a quick prayer for his recovery.

Inside the cell, I spread a blanket for a mattress. The bed was so hard. I threw the other blanket on top, but it was the same. I decided to sleep sitting up. Major looked at me and went away. A few minutes later he returned with four or five blankets and dropped them on the bunk.

“Thanks,” I said, a little surprised.

“Why not, kid,” Major said, “you’ve got enough troubles now.”

On Murderers’ Row, I met Ramon. He had six fingers on one hand that helped witnesses identify him. He also said that Jimmy had fired the fatal shot. We played cards and cursed the tier above us who often yelled down, “The chair is quick and greasy.”

I was three or four months in the Tombs, waiting for trial, going to court, and what not. I lay awake at night thinking of the thousands of years they could pile on me. I heard Louie was in the Tombs, too. They had traced our car back to him.

1. Who did Piri meet on murderers row?

2. What was unique about Ramon?

Homework—C

“Hey, Piri,” Danny yelled, “they’re putting you on Murderers’ Row.”

My blood went cold. The cop hadn’t died, but suppose he did?…I said a quick prayer for his recovery.

Inside the cell, I spread a blanket for a mattress. The bed was so hard. I threw the other blanket on top, but it was the same. I decided to sleep sitting up. Major looked at me and went away. A few minutes later he returned with four or five blankets and dropped them on the bunk.

“Thanks,” I said, a little surprised.

“Why not, kid,” Major said, “you’ve got enough troubles now.”

I met Ramon. He had six fingers on one hand that helped witnesses identify him. We played cards and cursed the tier above us who yelled down, “The chair is quick.”

I was waiting for trial, going to court, and what not. I lay awake at night thinking of the thousands of years they could pile on me. I heard Louie was in the Tombs, too. They had traced our car back to him.

1. Who did Piri meet on murderers row?

Friday, July 24

Chapter 25: Page 242-3—A

The questions came real fast and I pulled a weak act. The hara told me if I didn’t act right he’d knock me right out of the wheel chair I was sitting in. I yelled, “Nurse, I wanna throw up!”

The hara looked bad at me and went away. But the next day a stretcher on wheels was brought in, and I was lifted onto it, and handcuffed. 

“Where am I going?” I asked the attendant.

“Bellevue Prison Ward.”

In Bellevue I was put into a big ward with a lot of beds and a lot of guys. At one end of the ward were some solitary confinement cells (steel doors wit a square, barred opening) and a room that had been built into cells with bars—for the wild cats, I guess. My wounds were healing, but I still felt pretty lousy. It was cold in that ward. One guy died during the night. I thought maybe he was better off. One of the guards had told me that the cop I had shot died. For me, it would have been la silla, the chair.

What do you think a hara is?

Where was Piri going?

What happened to one guy during the night?

What did one of the guards tell Piri?

Chapter 25: Page 242-3—B

The questions came fast and I pulled a weak act. The hara told me if I didn’t act right he’d knock me out of the wheel chair I was sitting in. I yelled, “Nurse, I wanna throw up!”

The hara looked bad at me and went away. But the next day a stretcher on wheels was brought in, and I was lifted onto it, and handcuffed. 

“Where am I going?” I asked the attendant.

“Bellevue Prison Ward.”

In Bellevue I was put into a big ward with a lot of beds and a lot of guys. At one end of the ward were some solitary confinement cells and a room that had been built into cells with bars. My wounds were healing, but I still felt lousy. It was cold. One guy died during the night. I thought maybe he was better off. One of the guards had told me that the cop I had shot died. For me, it would have been the chair.

1. Where was Piri going?

2. What happened to one guy during the night?

3. What did one of the guards tell Piri?

Chapter 25: Page 242-3—C

The questions came fast. The hara told me if I didn’t act right he’d knock me out of the wheel chair. I yelled, “Nurse, I wanna throw up!”

The hara looked bad at me. The next day a stretcher on wheels was brought in, and I was lifted onto it, and handcuffed. 

“Where am I going?” I asked the attendant.

“Bellevue Prison.”

In Bellevue I was put into a big ward with a lot of beds and a lot of guys. At one end of the ward were some solitary confinement cells and a room that had been built into cells with bars. My wounds were healing, but I still felt lousy. It was cold. One guy died during the night. I thought maybe he was better off. One of the guards had told me that the cop I had shot died. For me, it would have been the chair.

1. Where was Piri going?

2. What did one of the guards tell Piri?

July 23, 2015

Chapter 25: Page 242—A

After a few days I began to dig myself better. The pain left and I could sit up. There was a cop always on guard, watching me with a hating look. He told me that the cop I had shot was dying. If he died, I would get the chair.

The people around me didn’t say anything, nor look bad-eye at me, but they knew. I could read their eyes; some felt anger, some pity, some nothing. They weren’t like me inside.

The days went by. I was helped up and made to walk, a nurse on each side of me to support me. Slowly, I got stronger. Just like in the movies—maybe I had seen to many of them—I started thinking of escaping. I won’t let them know I’m getting stronger. I lay awake and thought, If I can slip out of bed and crawl along the floor…I dreamed I was doing it. But always, always, just when I got up to the front gate after having crawled so far, I’d get shot down like a bom-bom. Then, one day, when I thought I was ready to really try it, the cops came to question me. (They had come before, but I had been too dropped up to dig their style).

What would happen to Piri if the cop died?

What did Piri think of doing?

What would happen when he got to the front gate?

What were the cops there to do?

Chapter 25: Page 242—B

After a few days I began to dig myself better. The pain left and I could sit up. There was a cop always on guard, watching me. He told me that the cop I had shot was dying. If he died, I would get the chair.

The people around me didn’t say anything. I could read their eyes; some felt anger, some pity, some nothing. They weren’t like me inside.

The days went by. I was helped up and made to walk, a nurse on each side of me to support me. Slowly, I got stronger. Just like in the movies, I started thinking of escaping. I won’t let them know I’m getting stronger. I lay awake and thought, If I can slip out of bed and crawl along the floor…I dreamed I was doing it. But always, just when I got up to the front gate after having crawled so far, I’d get shot down like a bom-bom. Then, one day, when I thought I was ready to really try it, the cops came to question me.

What would happen to Piri if the cop died?

What did Piri think of doing?

What were the cops there to do?

Chapter 25: Page 242—C

I began to dig myself better. The pain left and I could sit up. There was a cop always watching me. He told me that the cop I had shot was dying. If he died, I would get the chair.

The people around me didn’t say anything.

The days went by. I was helped up and made to walk. Slowly, I got stronger. Just like in the movies, I started thinking of escaping. I won’t let them know I’m getting stronger. I lay awake and thought, If I can slip out of bed and crawl along the floor…I dreamed I was doing it. But always, just when I got up to the front gate after having crawled so far, I’d get shot down. Then, one day, when I thought I was ready to really try it, the cops came to question me.

What would happen to Piri if the cop died?

What did Piri think of doing?

July 22, 2015

Page 68-69--A

I heard Momma’s voice: “Piri, Piri, que pasa?”

“Everything all right, Mis’ Thomas,” Miss Washington assured her. “This heah man was tryin’ to hit your son, but ain’t, ‘cause I’ll break his damn head wide open.” Miss Washington shifted her weight forward. “Damn, Ah got a good mind to do it right now,” she added.

The principal, remembering the bit about discretion being the better part of valor, split.

Everyone tried to calm Moms down. I felt like everybody there was my family. I let Momma lead me upstairs to our apartment. Everyone patted me on the head as we went by.

“You’re going to school with your padre in the morning,” Momma said.

“Uh-uh, Moms,” I said. “That principal will stomp my chest in with that finger of his.”

“No he won’t, muchacho. Your father will go with you an’ everything will be fixed up.”

I just nodded my head and thought how great it would be if Miss Washington could go with me.

1. Find one simile in the reading.

2. Why did Piri wish Miss Washington would go to school with him?

3. Who is going to take Piri to school the next day?

Page 68-69--B

I heard Momma’s voice.

“Everything all right, Mis’ Thomas,” Miss Washington assured her. “This heah man was tryin’ to hit your son, but I’ll break his head.” 

The principal split.

Everyone tried to calm Moms down. I felt like everybody there was my family. I let Momma lead me upstairs to our apartment. Everyone patted me on the head as we went by.

“You’re going to school with your padre in the morning,” Momma said.

“Uh-uh, Moms,” I said. “That principal will stomp my chest in with that finger of his.”

“No he won’t.”

I just nodded my head and thought how great it would be if Miss Washington could go with me.

1. Find one simile in the reading.

2. Who is going to take Piri to school the next day?

Page 68-69--C

I heard Momma’s voice.

“Everything all right, Mis’ Thomas,” Miss Washington assured her. “This man was tryin’ to hit your son.” 

The principal split.

Everyone tried to calm Moms down. I felt like everybody there was my family. Momma led me upstairs. Everyone patted me on the head as we went by.

“You’re going to school with your padre in the morning,” Momma said.

“Uh-uh, Moms, that principal will stomp my chest in with that finger of his.”

“No he won’t.”

I just thought how great it would be if Miss Washington could go with me.

1. Find one simile in the reading.

CHAPTER 7—p. 66—HOMEWORK A

“Ohhhhhh, you struck me,” she cried, in surprise as much as pain.

I thought, I did not, you liar. I just hit you.

“You struck me! You struck me! Oh, help, help!” she cried.

I cut out. Man, I ran like hell into the hallways, and she came right after me, yelling, “Help, help!” I was scared now and all I could think about was getting back to my Moms, my home, my block, where no one could hurt me. I ran toward the staircase and found it blocked off by a man, the principal. I cut back toward the back stairs.

“Stop him! Stop him!” dear Miss Shepard just yelled, pointing her finger at me. “He struck me, he struck me.”

I looked over my shoulder and saw the principal talk to her for a hot second and then take off after me, yelling: “Stop! Stop!” I hit the stairs and went swooning down like it was all one big step. The principal was fast and I could hear him swearing right behind me. I slammed through the main-floor door that led to the lunchroom and jumped over the benches and tables, trying like hell to make the principal trip and break a leg. Then I heard a muted cry of pain as a bench caught him in the shin. I looked over my shoulder and dug his face. The look said that he was gonna hit me; that he wasn’t gonna listen to my side of the story; that I had no side. I figured I better not get caught.

1. Find one simile in the reading.

2. What happened after Piri struck his teacher?

3. Who chased after Piri?

CHAPTER 7—p. 66—HOMEWORK B

“Ohhhhhh, you struck me,” she cried.

I thought, I did not, you liar. I just hit you.

“You struck me! You struck me! Oh, help, help!” she cried.

I cut out. Man, I ran like hell into the hallways, and she came right after me, yelling, “Help, help!” I was scared now and all I could think about was getting back to my Moms, my home, my block. I ran toward the staircase and found it blocked off by the principal.

“Stop him!” dear Miss Shepard just yelled, pointing her finger at me. “He struck me.”

I looked over my shoulder and saw the principal talk to her for a hot second and then take off after me, yelling: “Stop! Stop!” I hit the stairs and went down like it was all one big step. The principal was fast and I could hear him swearing behind me. I slammed through the lunchroom and jumped over the benches and tables, trying like hell to make the principal trip and break a leg. Then I heard a cry of pain as a bench caught him in the shin. I looked over my shoulder and dug his face. The look said that he was gonna hit me; that he wasn’t gonna listen to my side of the story; that I had no side. I figured I better not get caught.

1. Find one simile in the reading.

2. Who chased after Piri?

CHAPTER 7—p. 66—HOMEWORK C

“You struck me! Help!” she cried.

I ran like hell into the hallways. She came right after me, yelling, “Help!” I was scared now. I ran toward the staircase and found it blocked off by the principal.

“Stop him!” dear Miss Shepard just yelled, pointing her finger at me. “He struck me.”

I saw the principal talk to her and then take off after me, yelling: “Stop! Stop!” The principal was fast. I slammed through the lunchroom and jumped over the benches and tables, trying like hell to make the principal trip. Then I heard a cry of pain as a bench caught him in the shin. I looked over my shoulder and dug his face. He was gonna hit me. He wasn’t gonna listen to my side of the story. I figured I better not get caught. 

1. Find one simile in the reading (hint: find the word “like”).

July 17, 2015

This week, we learned about figurative language. For homework I want you to come up with examples.

Group A:
Write an example of simile, metaphor, and personification.

Group B:
Write an example of simile and metaphor.

Group C:
Write an example of simile.

Have a nice weekend!

July 16, 2015

HOMEWORK—LEVEL A: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 54

We split, everybody making it up some building. I felt bad they had made us split, but I kept running. I made it to number 109 and loped up the stairs. “Adios,” I yelled over my shoulder. “You ain’t got no heart!” I crashed through my apartment door with thanks that Momma had left it open, ‘cause two or three Jolly Rogers were beating the air inches behind me with stickball bats.

“Que pasa?” yelled Momma.

The Jolly Rogers outside were beating their stickball bats on the door for me to come out if I had any heart. I hollered to them, “I’m coming out right now, with my piece!” I didn’t have one, but I felt good-o satisfaction at hearing the cattle stampede down the stairs.

“What happened, muchacho?” Momma asked, in a shook-up voice.

I laughed. “Nothing, moms, we was just playing ring-a-livio”

“What about your nose, it got blood on it,” said Sis.

I looked bad at her. “Bumped it,” I said, then turning to Momma, I asked, “Say Moms, what’s for dinner? I’m starvin’.”

The next day I was back on the stoop, slinging sounds with my boys, yakking about everything we knew about and also what we didn’t, placing ideas on the common altar, splitting the successes and failures of all. That was the part of belonging, the good and bad; it was all for you.

Who is involved?

What is happening?

When did it happen?

Where did it happen?

Why did it happen?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL B: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 54

We split, everybody making it up some building. I felt bad they had made us split, but I kept running. I made it to number 109 and went up the stairs. “Adios,” I yelled over my shoulder. “You ain’t got no heart!” I crashed through my apartment door with thanks that Momma had left it open.

“Que pasa?” yelled Momma.

The Jolly Rogers outside were beating their stickball bats on the door for me to come out if I had any heart. I hollered to them, “I’m coming out right now, with my piece!” I didn’t have one, but I felt satisfaction at hearing them stampede down the stairs.

“What happened, muchacho?” Momma asked.

I laughed. “Nothing, moms, we was just playing.”

“What about your nose, it got blood on it,” said Sis.

“Bumped it,” I said. I asked, “Say Moms, what’s for dinner? I’m starvin’.”

The next day I was back on the stoop with my boys. That was the part of belonging, the good and bad; it was all for you.

Who is involved?

When did it happen?

Where did it happen?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL C: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 54

We split, everybody making it up some building. I felt bad they had made us split, but I kept running. I made it to number 109 and went up the stairs. I crashed through my apartment door with thanks that Momma had left it open.

“Que pasa?” yelled Momma.

The Jolly Rogers outside were beating their stickball bats on the door for me to come out.

“What happened, muchacho?” Momma asked.

I laughed. “Nothing, moms, we was just playing.”

“What about your nose, it got blood on it,” said Sis.

“Bumped it,” I said. I asked, “Say Moms, what’s for dinner? I’m starvin’.”

The next day I was back on the stoop with my boys.

Who is involved?

Where did it happen?

July 15, 2015

HOMEWORK—LEVEL A: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 53

Everybody was dealing hard. Somebody got between me and Giant. It was Waneko, and he began dealing with Giant. I took over with the Jolly Roger he’d been punching it out with. It was Picao. He had been fighting all along—not too hard, I suspected. I got most happy. I’d been aching to chill him. He didn’t back down and we just stood there and threw punches at each other. I felt hurt a couple of times, but I wanted to put him out so bad, I didn’t care about getting hurt. And then it happened—I caught Picao on his chin with an uppercut and he went sliding and just lay there.
I felt like king and I wanted to fight anybody. I had the fever. I started for Giant, who was getting wasted by Waneko, when one of our debs opened up her mouth like an air-raid siren. “Look out, ya gonna get sapped,” she shouted.
We saw more coming from Madison Avenue. They were yelling and waving stickball bats.
“Make it,” Waneko shouted. “They wanna make a massacre!”

Who is involved?What is happening?When did it happen?Where did it happen?Why did it happen?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL B: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 53

Somebody got between me and Giant. It was Waneko, and he began dealing with Giant. I took over with the Jolly Roger he’d been punching. He had been fighting all along. I got most happy. I’d been aching to chill him. He didn’t back down and we just stood there and threw punches at each other. I felt hurt a couple of times, but I wanted to put him out so bad, I didn’t care about getting hurt. And then it happened—I caught Picao on his chin with an uppercut and he went sliding and just lay there.
I felt like king and I wanted to fight anybody. One of our debs opened up her mouth. “Look out, ya gonna get sapped,” she shouted.
We saw more coming from Madison Avenue. They were yelling and waving stickball bats.
“Make it,” Waneko shouted. “They wanna make a massacre!”


Who is involved?
What is happening?Where did it happen?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL C: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 53

Somebody got between me and Giant. I took over with the Jolly Roger he’d been punching. I got most happy. I’d been aching to chill him. We threw punches at each other. I felt hurt, but I wanted to put him out so bad. I didn’t care about getting hurt. And then I caught Picao on his chin with an uppercut.
I felt like king and I wanted to fight anybody. One of our debs opened up her mouth. “Look out, ya gonna get sapped,” she shouted.
We saw more coming from Madison Avenue. They were yelling and waving stickball bats.
“Make it,” Waneko shouted. “They wanna make a massacre!”

Who is involved?What is happening?

July 13-14, 2015

Although I was absent from school, you continued to learn about "wh-" questions. There are three reading levels, followed by leveled questions.

HOMEWORK—LEVEL A: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 51

We were ready to fight. “We’re down,” I said softly, “An’ it’s on.”

That night we set a meet with the Jolly Rogers. We put on our jackets with our club name, “TNT’s.” Waneko and I met Picao, Macho, and Cuchee of the Jolly Rogers under the Park Avenue bridge at 104th Street. This was the line between their block and ours. They were Puerto Ricans just like we were, but this didn’t mean anything under our need to keep our reps.

“How’s it going to be?” I asked Macho.

Picao, who I dug as no heart, squawked out, “Sticks, shanks, zips—you call it.”

I looked at him and said, “Yeah, like I figured, you ain’t got no heart for dealing on fists alone.”

Macho, their president, jumped stink and said, “Timeman, we got heart, we deal with our manos. Wanna meet here at 10 tomorrow night?”

“Ten guys each is cool?”

“That’s cool,” Macho said and turned away with his boys.

The next night we got our boys together. They were all there with one exception—Crip. He sent word that he couldn’t make our little 10pm get-together. His sister, skinny Lena, was having a birthday party. We took turns sounding his mother for giving birth to him.

Who is in this passage?

What is happening?

Where does it take place?

When does it take place?

Why is it happening?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL B: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 51

We were ready to fight. “We’re down,” I said softly, “An’ it’s on.”

That night we set a meet with the Jolly Rogers. We put on our jackets with our club name, “TNT’s.” Waneko and I met the Jolly Rogers under the Park Avenue bridge at 104th Street. This was the line between their block and ours. They were Puerto Ricans just like we were.

“How’s it going to be?” I asked Macho.

Picao squawked out, “Sticks, shanks, zips—you call it.”

I looked at him and said, “Yeah, like I figured, you ain’t got no heart for dealing on fists alone.”

Macho, their president, jumped stink and said, “We got heart. Wanna meet here at 10 tomorrow night?”

“Ten guys each is cool?”

“That’s cool,” Macho said.

The next night we got our boys together. They were all there with one exception—Crip. He sent word that he couldn’t make our little 10pm get-together.

Who is in this passage?

What is happening?

Where does it take place?

When does it take place?

HOMEWORK—LEVEL C: Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. Page 51

We were ready to fight. “We’re down. It’s on.”

That night we met with the Jolly Rogers. We put on our jackets with our club name, “TNT’s.” Waneko and I met the Jolly Rogers under the Park Avenue bridge at 104th Street. This was the line between their block and ours. They were Puerto Ricans just like we were.

“How’s it going to be?” I asked Macho.

Picao squawked out, “Sticks, shanks, zips—you call it.”

I looked at him and said, “Yeah, you ain’t got no heart for dealing on fists alone.”

Macho, their president, jumped stink and said, “We got heart. Wanna meet here at 10 tomorrow night?”

“Ten guys each is cool?”

“That’s cool,” Macho said.

The next night we got our boys together. They were all there except Crip. He sent word that he couldn’t make our 10pm get-together.

Who is in this passage?

Where does it take place?

When does it take place?