1. War Connections Madison Alicia Niskanen

2. War Games By Derek Stuart In the text it says that the kid crawls to blast the waste paper basket this reminds me of all of the children that soldiers have to leave behind this makes me think of how the children want to follow in their fathers or mothers footsteps. This connection now helps me understand what sacrifices are made for defending our country. In the text is says that the news reporter reads a list of statistics... Cushioned by distance. This reminds me of how at home parents cook and clean and make money to support us but they are truly sheltering us from the real world. This makes me think of how parents are protecting their kids from what is really happening because in the real world it isn't easy. I understand that like in the story us kids are cushioned from what is really going on outside the comfort of your home. In the text it comes across that the child is treating war like a game. This makes me think of how the child is not looking at war as a big deal like what is happening in real life. He makes it seem fun and easy. I now understand why the author called the poem war games. This made me further understand the story. In the text it says that the child is wearing a star wars t-shirt. This reminds me of how star wars is a fiction show about fighting/war. This makes me think of how this is how war is portrayed to young children. I now understand the authors purpose better than before. Nov. 8 2010 Poem

3. Hero's Welcome By: Barbara Haworth-Attard In the text it says that their father was returning. This reminds me of when my father left when I was 2 and came back when I was 8 just like what happened to Thomas. This makes me think of how Thomas might have felt. I now understand that Thomas had grown older and matured just like I did. Making this connection helped me better understand the short story. In the text it said that the mother started to make breakfast for their father. This reminds me of how when my grandparents old friends showed up at their house unexpectedly. This makes me think of how both my grandparents and Thomas's mom wanted it to seem like they never left. I now understand that they wanted their father to feel like he never left. Nov. 9 2010 Short Story

4. In the text it says that the professional sat with sand bags and a bomb fence around him. This reminds me of how when I had to wear a harness while rock climbing. This makes me think of how much protection is needed to do such a dangerous job. I now understand that without proper protection both soldiers and I cannot perform certain activities. In the text it says that on of the guys were doubtful that it was a bomb, which was the wrong idea. This reminds me of when I tried out for Lakers B team I was very doubtful that I would make it, which was also wrong. This makes me think of how you can be doubtful about what others say just like that guy and myself were. I now understand that the more doubtful you are the more dangerous it can be or less confidence. In the text it says that they tried to destroy the bomb not knowing what it was. This reminds me of Indiana Jones (not the movie) and how he masked an ancient sculpture to look priceless and the customs officer tried to scratch it, which would have destroyed it just like they tried to do to the bomb. This makes me think of how easily things can be destroyed. I now understand that you need to be careful with what you handle. Lucky Escape By: Bob Jollife Nov. 10 2010 newspaper article

5. The Letter By David Sandford In the text it says that on the windows there were peace signs. This reminds me of when I went on the cancer walk and I drew the cancer ribbon on my cheek. This makes me think of how both the children and myself drew a sign to help/ bring awareness to a cause. I now understand the importance of how the letter ended. This connection furthered my understanding. In the text it say that the younger kids wondered if the people would drop a bomb on them. This reminds me of my first day of kindergarten and how we were all scared that the terrorists would attack us. This makes me think of how both myself and the kids were concerned that they would attack us. Making this connection helped me understand how the children felt when this subject was brought up on the bus. Nov. 12 2010

6. Operation Hero poster Nov.15 2010 In the text it says that if you raise a minimum of $1000 you can help. This reminds me of Terry Fox because he raised money to fight a cause. This makes me think of how both are school and terry fox were raising money to help a very special cause. I now understand that even the littlest amount of money can make a big difference. This connection furthers my understanding In the text it says that together we can make a difference. This reminds me of how my Lakers coach tells my team to work together and victory will be ours. This makes me think of how if our school works together then we will change things. I now understand what they meant by together we can make a difference. Georgian college

7. Liberation of Netherlands Nov. 16 2010 Historical Recount In the text it says that they started to write thank you Canadians on the roof. This reminded me New Orleans when hurricane Katrina hit and they had to write thank you and help on there roofs. This makes me think of my aunt who lived in New Orleans and knowing how she felt. I now understand how the Dutch felt scared angry sad.. Making this connection helped me understand better. In the text it says that the Netherlands people were suffering. This reminds me of how the British went to attack on Quebec in January and they all froze and suffered. This makes me think of how they felt and how they were doing physically and mentally. I now understand that both British and Dutch suffered. Veterans affairs Canada

8. Halifax Explosion Historical Recount In the text it says in the narrowest stretch of the harbour this reminds me of when I went on the harbour hopper in Halifax and they explained the history of the explosion. This makes me think of how it was a complete accident. I now understand how easily an accident can happen In the text it says how devastated the people in Nova Scotia were about the explosion. This reminds me of the death of my great aunt Alicia I was so devastated. This makes me think of how both the Nova Scotia people were devastated just like me. I now understand the way that they felt Nov. 17 2010 In the text it states that it was an accidental explosion. This reminds me of when my grandma got into a car crash from to cars colliding just like the boats. I now understand how it was possible to have been an accident. This connection helped me realize this. History textbook

9. Ambush In the story it says I was afraid of him or afraid of something. This reminds me of the time I was most scared. This makes me think of how confused you can be when you are scared just like he/she was. I now understand the feelings crossing her mind when it happened . In the text it says the mosquitoes were fierce this reminds me of when I was camping at Algonquin Park and when the mosquitoes attacked me. I now understand why she/he felt it so important to say because many people can relate to it. In the text it says all I could do was gape at the fact of the young mans body. This reminds me of the book hunger games and how when Katniss felt when she killed her first tribute. This makes me think of how both Katniss and the mom/dad felt by not being able to get ride of the image. I now understand the pain of killing someone for your own survival. Personal Recount Nov. 18 2010 By Tim O'brien In the text it implies that the parent wanted to lie for the protection of his/her daughters feelings . This reminds of a story that I was told when I was little and it is about a girl who lies to her mom so she doesn’t hurt her feelings. Just like in ambush. I now understand that the protection of others is important.

10. Vimy Ridge Nov. 18 2010 In the text it says that Vimy Ridge was a great victory. This reminds me of our county victory last year against Marchmount we were all determined and fought for this victory. This makes me think of how both our team and Vimy ridge had a great victory. I now understand that with hard determination , effort and strength victory can happen. In the article it talks about success. this reminds me of when our rugby team was successful in winning third place in areas. This makes me think of how both the soldiers and my team were able to be successful in are game/fight. I now understand why Vimy ridge was considered the highlight of success and victory. Magazine Article JL Granastein and Norman Hillmer

11. My Picture In the picture I see pain. This reminds me of when I lost my dog forever because she died and when my great aunt died just like in the picture he lost someone too. This makes me think of everything running through his head agony, discomfort, he must be scared I know I was . I now understand why his face looks so upset the pain is so real I had it happen before. In the picture I see hurt. This reminds me of when I sprained my ankle in track and field. So both me and the guy in the picture experienced different hurt. This makes me think of how he feels probably pain, sadness, anger and many more emotions. I now understand that with out proper safety many people get hurt. Nov. 22 2010

12. In the text it says that the kids were talking about war like it was no big deal. This reminds me of the text war games because it is more kids making war seem fun. This makes me think of how far we stretch war even though it isn’t. I now understand that the media needs to put war out as more than just a game so the young and old don’t think of it as an unserious game . Making these connections really helped me understand this assumption. The Letter to War Games In the text it talks about how the Halifax harbour exploded. This reminds me of the lucky escape because if the construction workers kept cutting the bomb it could have made England explode. This makes me also think of how in the background of my picture the house is on fire from explosions near by. I now understand that all across the world explosions risk the lives of others everyday . Halifax explosion to the Lucky Escape And My picture In Ambush the daughter wanted to know what the parent had done in war. This reminds me of the story Hero's welcome when the kids we surrounding the father asking him all about his time at war. This makes me think of the anticipation that the kids must have been feeling also the pressure put on the parents o be forced to tell or lie. I now understand the pressure put on a solider upon their return. Ambush to Hero's Welcome

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