Items for character item bag project.

 These are the items I chose to represent Shug Avery in my final project.

Many holidays center around traditions. Describe one tradition that is important to you or your family and explain why it still matters (or why it no longer does).

 Prompt Response: A tradition that only came to an end this year was the tradition of going up a few days before Christmas to celebrate my great grandmothers birthday. She passed December 10th of this year, 13 days before her 101st birthday. For everyone her birthday was the true start of Christmas, but now that she's gone we don't have a reason to go up to Macon and celebrate together before the holidays. 

Summary: Watched more of the color purple movie

Reflection: 

How have the holidays changed as you have grown older? Compare your experiences of the holidays during childhood with how you experience them now, focusing on shifts in perspective, responsibilities, or emotional meaning.

 Prompt Response: The holidays have become more and more tense as I become more of my own person instead of just a little kid my relatives can fawn over, I don't meet their idea of who they thought I would be so it just ends up being an uncomfortable time of year where half my family loves and supports me, while the other half wants me dead but wont say anything so they aren't banned from Christmas.

Summary: Watched color purple movie

Reflection: 

Write about a song that brings back a specific memory.

 Prompt Response: I think I need a new heart by the Magnetic Fields. TMF are my moms favorite band of all time and I was raised listening to many of their albums on cd. for years I didn't remember it since I was so little, but recently I heard the intro of the song again and it reminded me of Sundays with my mom in the car, listening to that song on repeat.

Summary: we started the literature circle project

Reflection: Celie and Nettie were able to stay so connected and close for over 30 years just through love for each others and thats so beautiful.

Write about the best gift you have received.

 Prompt Response: The best gift I ever received was my cat, Cleo. During my freshman year I was struggling heavily for many reasons, and I had dug myself into a deep hole of depression. But that year my mom surprised me by getting me a cat I had seen at the shelter weeks before and pet for nearly half an hour without moving. She saved my life and I still love her deeply.

Summary: We reached the final parts of the novel where Celie is making amends and becoming content with her life up to this point.

Reflection: A bad past with someone doesnt mean the relationship is ruined forever

At the end of the novel, Celie reconnects with Nettie and forms more peaceful relationships with the people who once harmed her. Reflect on the theme of reconciliation. Have you ever restored a relationship, forgiven someone, or been forgiven in a way that changed you? How does the novel’s ending shape your understanding of forgiveness across different cultures or families?

 Prompt Response: Forgiveness looks different for everyone, between cultures, or even between friendships and familial relationships. There are family members in my life I have cut out and refused to reconcile with, and close friends ive had falling outs with who I was able to talk to and become friends with again. Most people would frankly operate in the opposite way, always forgiving family and being more picky with friends, but its just so personal and subjective that theres no one true way to forgive people.

Summary: we completed the novel 

Reflection: We learned that Nettie was alive all along and they were finally able to reconnect

Pretend you are writing a blog entry as Celie; the moment you uncover the hidden letters. Describe what you would think, say, and do, and how this discovery would reshape how you see Mister and yourself. Reflect on why this moment would matter so much and how it would change your next choices.

Prompt Response: As I read through the letters id feel a growing sense of anger and hatred towards Mr, the final straw breaking my back and I fear I may do something I will regret.

Summary: We did a pop quiz on the letters and completed remediation work.

Reflection: Celie's relationship with her sister being so far off but still somehow close reminds me of me and my sibling

In Letters 46–50, Celie begins to see Albert more clearly—his flaws, his regrets, and the ways he changes when he is no longer in complete control of her. Their relationship slowly shifts from fear and dominance to honesty and distance. Write about a relationship in your life that changed over time as you grew older or more aware. What made the dynamic shift, and how did your understanding of that person evolve?

 Prompt Response: A year ago I was very close with a friend who was wild, loud, fun but admittedly immature. When I began to grow and shift as a person due to relationships ending and changing, he got upset that I was no longer as similar to him and we grew apart.

Summary: We read 5 more letters of the novel

Reflection: Although Celie's situation feels impossible there's so many aspects of it that share parallels with our everyday lives.

Discuss something meaningful or memorable you experienced over the break, or reflect on what you felt most thankful for during that time.

 Prompt Response:  Over the break I visited my 101 year old great grandmother, It was really amazing to talk to someone 3 generations back and be able to still hear her stories about her life.

Summary: We read through 5 letters of the color purple and answered discussion questions about them

Reflection: Learning more about Celie and Shugs growing relationship with one another