Lauren+Chapter+Discussion


 * 1) I know this wasn’t in my chapter but I think it’s an interesting discussion starter and the premise of the book. In chapter 25, Emma changes her future by calling Jordan and deciding she won’t go to Tampa State because she isn’t happy with her future (or her future according to Facebook). **Have you every wondered if your future would be different if you chose another option or went down a different path?** I think this would be an interesting discussion with students to think about some of the decisions they’ve made in life or will have to make. We are all faced with hard decisions in our lives and it’s how we handle these types of decisions/choices. This is a good topic to discuss with students so they know how to deal with hardships in a healthy was, as well as be responsible and making the right or better choice.
 * 2) In chapter 33, Josh is finally being recognized by girls and guys because he’s going out with Sydney. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in young adult literature and moves—less popular student dates a popular student and is suddenly become popular themselves; in the end, it never works out between them. **Do you think this theme is correct? Are there different social cliques in high school and if so, do they interact with each other or ignore each other because they’re different? As a teacher, how can we get students from different “cliques” to interact with one another and respect each other (this can prevent bullying)?**
 * 3) On page 185, Josh says, “Now I have to rethink so many things I thought I knew about my brother.” He says this when he came across his brother’s Facebook page and finds out he’s gay; his brother never told him. This might be a sensitive but interesting topic for discussion. **If you found out someone close to you was gay, would this change your thinking about that person? Would you look at them differently?**
 * 4) **How are stereotypes presented or broken in this book?** Sydney is the popular, pretty girl who gives back to the community by helping out with a picnic at a prison on Memorial Day (251). Cody is the popular, handsome guy who turns out to not be Prince Charming but a jerk. **Do you think popular kids tend to be one way or the other? What about other social groups like the “Nerds” or “the Loners”?** Emma, Josh, Tyson and Kellan seem to have their own group. ** Do they fit a stereotype? ** High school is the time when we all have our social groups so this could be an interesting discussion for students.
 * 5) A common theme throughout the book is change. Emma tries to alter her future when she is unhappy with what she sees on Facebook. Josh seems happy with his future and goes for it by trying to date Sydney when he sees he’s married to her in the future. ** Do you think we control our futures or is there a higher power with our futures planned out? **


 * Discussion:**

**1. I have thought about this question several times throughout my life. I remember being so excited for college during my senior year of high school, but I was also stressed out because I knew the impact my decisions would have on my future life. Looking back now, I see there was really no reason to worry so much; life worked its self out (as it has a tendency of doing). I also see, though, that if I'd chosen a different college or moved to another state or decided to stay around my home town, my life would be drastically different. We could address this topic with our students (especially the seniors) as they embark upon a journey into the "real" world. What happens when they look into their future? What do they want it to look like, and what steps will they need to take to get there?** **2. I think this theme is somewhat accurate, although it's certainly skewed. There ARE definitely cliques in middle and high school. I felt that they subsided a bit once we entered high school, but they were still present none-the-less. How do we meld together and create a cohesive school where everyone socializes with everyone? That's a tough one. I hope to create this environment in my classroom through offering a space where everyone feels comfortable and secure. I will also attempt to get my students mingling through group work (small and large groups) and whole-class projects.** **4. I was frustrated with this book because the writing seemed juvenile. Granted, the book is written for young adults, but still it wasn't very well executed. The issue of stereotypes is a good example of how "The Future of Us" presents ideas in a vague manner. Yes, there //are// stereotypes that exist in high school, (just as in every other aspect of life) but the stereotypes are never as well defined as Asher makes them seem. I'd definitely want to discuss this issue with students to get their opinion on the matter. Also, so hopefully prove to them that there is almost always more to a person than their stereotype.**

**5. I think this topic is a hard one to talk about because no one knows the answer, nor will they ever. I think we control the choices and decisions that we make that can impact our future, but I also believe that if something is meant to happen, it will happen.** 
 * 1. I always wonder what my life would be like if I do different things. I wonder what would have been different if I would have chose Mount Union instead of Kent, or if i chose psychology over Integrated language arts. I think it is something that a lot of people stress over because they are afraid they are going to make the wrong decisions. **
 * 2. I think this is an important theme, although it is not always accurate. I think there are many social cliques in high school, and I think the way they interact with one another depends on the school. I know in YA books, a lot of the differences are dramatized. In my school, everyone was in different groups because of their interests, however, no one ridiculed anyone and everyone talked to one another and got along. Just because people's interests are different does not mean that they will not get along with the other people. I think by having class activities that let students show stuff that others may not know about them is a great way to get groups to interact with each other because something might interest another person that they never knew even existed. **

Every day of my life I operate under the “what if…” philosophy; I wonder what kind of impact each little decision I make in my life has. What would I be doing if I decided to try harder in High School? Or what would my life be like if I didn’t decide to go to Kent State?

I don’t think that if I found out someone close to me was gay I’d change my thinking of them. If they were open about it, I’d probably respect them more for having the courage to be themself in a nation where that is frowned upon.

I’m a bit of an existentialist, so I believe that everything is connected, but at the same time, I’m a control freak, so I have to think I’m in charge of my destiny; it’s a happy little contradiction. Sometimes something menial from my past will make an impact in a huge way, like in that movie //The Butterfly Effect//. 

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