Alphonso R's project

i chose the to make a cd because i like working with music and it helps me get a better understanding of what i am doing. making this cd was a pleasure because it let me expand my music library to match with the book. i believe in understand this book more now. i also think that the song carry on my wayward song really applies to this book because sam is like the wayward son who has gone off the path that was set for him.

1)Dave Mathews band- its not easy to be me: describes how tim feels because no one ever pays attention to him
2)foo fighters- my hero: tims hero is his brother sam
3)journey- don't stop believing: tim never stopped believing
4)juelz Santana- rumble young man rumble: tims brother sam who has to fight in the revolutionary war
5)Kansas- carry on my wayward son: Mr.meeker believes that his son sam is on the wrong path because he chose to fight in the war.
6)Kansas- dust in the wind: sam's death at the end
7)the fray- how to save a life: how tim trys to save his brother sam even though in the end he dies
8)sean Kingston- drummer boy: the British always marched to the beat of a drum
9)3 days grace- lets start a riot: the patriots fighting against the British and how tim feels since no one believes he can do anything
10)nickleback- far away: sam is so far away from home and his brother tim even tho he even hims he also misses him

dave Mathews band-its not easy to be me
I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find
The better part of me

I’m more than a bird…I’m more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me

I wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
'bout a home I’ll never see

It may sound absurd…but don’t be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed…but won’t you concede
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It’s not easy to be me

Up, up and away…away from me
Well it’s all right…You can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy…or anything…

I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
Men weren’t meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
inside of me ...... inside of me ...(x2)

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet
I’m only a man looking for a dream


I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

It’s not easy ... wu.. hoo.. hoo..
It’s not easy to be me...


Kansas- carry on my wayward son
Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say



Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know

On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say


No!

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
The center lights around your vanity
But surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry (don't you cry no more)


Alphonso R.

Mike Mezz's project

I chose to do a CD because it’s more of an original idea. I thought that making a CD was more fun for me and it helped me to apply different types of arts to one another. I learned how to look for important points in a song and that can help you to know what the song’s meaning is. I also chose a poem because I wanted to do something a little extra. I like to write rhymes so I figured I would write a poem.


The songs on my CD
1. Creep- Stone Temple Pilots
2. The Hand That Feeds- Nine Inch Nails
3. Far Away- Nickleback
4.Shipping up to Boston- Dropkick Murphy’s
5. My Hero- Foo Fighters
6. The Pretender- Foo Fighters
7. Ghost of you- My Chemical Romance
8. Goodbye For Now- P.O.D
9. Lose My Faith- Sting
10. Riot- 3 Days Grace
11. Attack- 30 Seconds To Mars





Sam is Tim’s hero
Tim likes to follow
Sam’s pride is so big that he could not swallow
Framed just like a picture
Convicted and killed
By his own kind it’s ironic and it gave people chills
Learn from this book
Learn a valuable lesson
That you should never be a crook
And you should listen to your parents and they’re not messin’
Gloomy as ever
Tim and his mother
Grieving the death of the father and brother
So say “I love you” to everyone you love
Because you may never know when the end is really THE END.







Stone Temple Pilots- creep
Forward yesterday
Makes me wanna stay
What they said was real Makes me wanna steal
Livin' under house
Guess I'm livin', I'm a mouse
All's I gots is time
Got no meaning, just a rhyme
Take time with a wounded hand
'Cause it likes to heal
Take time with a wounded hand
Guess I like to steal
I'm half the man I used to me
This I feel as the dawn
It turns to gray
I'm half the man I used to be
This feeling as the dawn
It turns to gray
Feelin' uninspired
Think I'll start a fire
Everybody run Bobby's got a gun
Think you're kinda neat Then she tells me I'm a creep
Friends don't mean a thing Guess I'll leave it up to me


The hand that feeds- nine inch nails
You're keeping in step ,In the line
Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
Because you do ,What you're told
But inside your heart it is black and it's hollow and it's cold
Just how deep do you believe? Will you bite the hand that feeds? Will you chew until it bleeds? Can you get up off your knees? Are you brave enough to see? Do you want to change it?What if this whole crusade's ,
A charadeAnd behind it all there's a price to be paidFor the bloodOn which we dineJustified in the name of the holy and the divine,
Just how deep do you believe?Will you bite the hand that feeds?Will you chew until it bleeds?Can you get up off your knees?Are you brave enough to see?Do you want to change it?So naïve,I keep holding on to what I want to believe,I can seeBut I keep holding on and on and on and onWill you bite the hand that feeds you?Will you stay down on your knees? [8X

Riot- 3 days grace
If you feel so empty
So used so let down
If you feel so angry,So ripped off ,so stepped onYou're not the only oneRefusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up,Let's start a riot, a riotLet's start a riotLet's start a riot, a riotLet's start a riot
If you feel so filthy,So dirty so f****d up
If you feel so walked on,So painful ,so pissed off,You're not the only one
Refusing to go down,You're not the only one ,So get up,Let's start a riot, a riotLet's start a riotLet's start a riot, a riotLet's start a riot



These three songs reminded me of the book My Brother Sam is Dead the most. In all three songs I made the text red because that symbolizes the words that made me think of choosing these songs as being the closest to resembling the novel. For Creep by The Stone Temple Pilots the words steal and the other words in red made me think of Sam being in the war and him and the other soldiers stealing cattle from regular people and him being half the man he used to be by being classified and compared to being an animal.
The Hand Feeds by the Nine Inch Nails is the second song I chose because the words bite the hand that feeds stuck out the most to me. I thought about when Sam went into the war even though his dad told him not to. He was biting the hand that fed him by going against his dad’s judgment by not listening to him.
Riot is the third song I picked. Mostly every single word in the song symbolizes how Sam felt and he isn’t the only one that felt that way because he joined the army with other people that felt the same.
Mike Mezz

John V.'s project

I chose to draw Sam and his father fighting over the Brown Bess. This scene is important because it changed the whole story from when the fight between Sam and his father happened. If Sam haven't came back for the gun, his father could've defended himself when the people captured him. ^_^

-John V.

Mike B.'s Project

I decided to draw a picture because I though this is the best way for me to show that I understood the book. I drew this to indicated the struggle of Tim picking a side to truely believe in. The shadow in the musket smoke is Tim showing that he is caught in the middle of the fighting.

Mike B.

Tim's father gets kidnapped

In “My brother Sam is dead” Tim’s father was kidnapped. The book makes us aware of this but I am revealing to you a deleted scene that will knock your socks off. I will go more in depth of the tragedy.

As I ran up the road, following the horse’s footsteps, I came upon the destination where the footsteps had ended. Right then I knew the “cowboys” had captured my father. I can only imagine what they must have done to him.
The cowboys surrounded my father and one of them said “So I see you sold your merchandise to the British.”
And Father said “I don’t care who buys it’ as long as I get the money.”.
Smack! One of the cowboys hit my father right off his horse. “Your going with us,” one of them said. My father replied, “What about my son?”
“What about him?” said a cowboy,
“Tim!” father yelled.
Then all of the cowboys started beating on so badly that he couldn’t stand on his own two feet. One of them took the horse and the others dragged him all the way to a rundown house. It looked abandoned. It was they house in which the cowboys kept the people the captured until the prison ship came.
Father went four days with no food, living on water alone. On top of that, the room he was in had a horrific smell. It smelled very bad because there were a few dead people lying around and plus there were no toilets, just buckets. The smell also came from people vomiting through out the day and because no one was able to bathe. On the fifth day, all the prisoners were placed into handcuffs and put on a prison ship where my father died.
Amber W.

A Tragedy of Loyalty

I decided to write a poem describing in my own, unique way, what the story My Brother Sam is Dead was about. Writing has always been a hobby of mine, and I felt that this was a good way to use a talent to express my thoughts. It helped me grasp a great understanding of the story.

To the ties of our blood, he was a foolish boy,

For me, a confused man.

He tested the limits of ongoing spat,

And defied the order of a parent's ban.

A lost cause it would be,

A waste of time some would say,

But even in all of that madness,

His mind no one could sway.

And he put in his all,

Yet sacrificed more,

I was constantly harassed with worried thoughts,

And horrid images of gore.

Even in all my homage,

I didn't want him to go,

I tried to manipulate his mind,

But was taunted by a constant "no."

With that fact, I was the work,

Especially when fatherwas taken.

Darker times got more immense,

Mother's spirits wouldn't reawaken.

He was still fighting for freedom,

And I watched lives be ruined and ended,

Nonetheless, no matter what I did,

His focus was not to be bended.

Necessities were then stolen,

And innocent were starting to become the accused.

They took him as a criminal,

And their story I refused.

Mother now a drained faucet,

And yet, I don't share her grief.

I tear only for the hope I had, and innocence gone,

No future signs of relief.

But I can't deny an image so planted in my head,

A war was fought, and guns were shot,

And my brother Sam is dead.

By Ashley M.

I choose to do this project, because I like to draw. This is a drawing of Sam during the middle of the war. I think that this shows the struggle that Sam has been through. I learned a lot from creating this project. Daniel J.

Pisith's project

Susann's project

Renata's project

Rachael's project

Nieema's project

Peter L. : Poem

I decided to do a poem for this project because rhyming is fun. Nothing really inspired me to do this certain project, I just felt like doing a poem. But what I learned from this was the understanding of the book. This basically is a summary of what happened in the story.

Mr. Meeker and Sam is dead,
While Tim and his mother cry in Bed.
Their death was horrible and tragic
Nor anything can bring them back
Not even Magic.

The cause of Sam’s death,
Was the cause of being called a cattle theft.

The capture and death of Mr. Meeker
Is the cause of the British Seekers.

Tim is a cool Kid,
What ever he was told he always did.

The Revolutionary War
Was just like a knock at the door
It came so quick
That’s when people started dying and becoming sick

My Brother Sam is Dead

The thing that I am doing is writting is a poem for the book my brother sam is dead. The reason that I am writting this is because I think that it would be an nice thing to do. I am not writting about his life but from my point of view and the things that I wanted to know.
If only you could go back,back in time would you
Or would you just be fine with the way it is
The way that you left and went off to war
Don't you know that Tim never really wanted you to go
You never gave your family the time that they need
See cause before they know it you were gone
First your father then went you know all thats left is Tim
He has to be the man of the house before it is his time
All you left was Tim and your mom with the pain to bare
You never thought or the way your family would feel
I guess you never know the pain that this would bring
But know its all over and theres not turning back
See cause you picked this fate for yourself.........

By:LAtifah Coleman 10C

Nieema's project

Nieema Reed

For my project, I chose to do a comic-book entry for "My Brother Sam Is Dead." I chose todo a comic-scene from the book because I thought that it would more creative. I was inspired because I like to draw and write poetry. However, I thought that a comic book would be more interesting. From this project, I learned that you can find much attraction toward a comic book than a story book due to the cartoon characters and the funny quotes they make.

My Brother Sam is Dead: Non-written

. Rachael Paul

I choose to draw a picture of when they hung Sam. The reason i choose to draw this picture because i thought the whole situation was wrong, and how could you kill someone who was fighting for the same thing as you? I also drew boats and other fighters with their guns to represent the story and the war.

My Brother Sam is Dead

this picture is when Tim was alone because his father was missing. He was scare to the cow boys because they might took all the stuff from the wagon. He ws trying to go into the wood, but the farmer cut off most of the trees to use for winter season. He would of go faster if he have horse, but he have oxen instead.

brother sam is dead

renata g.
I drew the picture of sam being hung by his own army. The reason why I drew this was because I thought it was horrible to be killed by tje people u fought side by side with for two years that's horrible. I also think that they should of listened to him like why waste his time fighting for something he believes in just to be killed by hiw own army.

Briah's Collage

Geno D: Creative Response

Introduction:
This particular project made it a fun and easy way to explain the book “My Brother Sam is dead” to other readers. The project inspired me because I like reading and understanding poems, and others ought to feel the same. I learned that using poems is a fast and efficient way to paraphrase a novel.


Poem:
The war was a big deal, to the British and Rebellious appeal.
For Sam it meant to seek braveness, but Tim thought Sam was outrageous.
Tim thought Sam had heart, even though Tim was jealous from the start.
With Father gone without a trace there are many obstacles Tim must face.
Tim feels under stress while his father and others are possessed.
Sam is at the war while his mother and Tim work at the store.
The Suspicion aroused when the British came riding into town.
As the British arrived, Ned and five others were mortified.
Mr. Meeker is dead and soon it’ll be Sam’s head.
Sam visited Redding for a short period of time,
Then blamed and held captive for a cattle crime.
Tim trying to help Sam escape will not change the minds of the officials
Mother still has faith even though he may not be safe
Sam wished to revolt, and death was his end result.


Geno D'Alessandro, 10c

Check out this soldier!

I am practicing my scanning and uploading skills. Any guesses who this person is? (Hint- this picture is more than 30 years old!)

Tyjma's project

Response Question: Sam (pages 164-end)

From the title of the novel, we knew this was coming, but Sam does not die until the end of the novel. How and why does Sam die? How is his death ironic? Does this situation change your opinions about war at all, particularly the Revolutionary War?

Response Question: Mrs. Meeker (pages 164-end)

On p. 174, Mrs. Meeker says, "War turns men into animals." What information has she just learned that prompts her to make this statement? Based on what has happened in the novel and your own observations, do you agree or disagree with Mrs. Meeker?

Response Question: Mr. Meeker (pages 164-end)

Tim and his family learn that his father has died on a prison ship. Are you surprised by Tim's reaction to this news? Are you surprised about how/why Mr. Meeker died?

Response Question: Winter of 1777 (pages 164-end)

On p. 168, Tim mentions that the Continental Army is camped at "a place called Valley Forge." Have you ever visited Valley Forge? What did you see? Find a picture of this historical landmark, right in our own backyard, and post it. Is it important for us to visit these places where history happened?

Response Question: Sam returns (p. 113-164)

After visiting with Sam, Tim realizes that they have both changed. "I had a funny feeling about seeing Sam. It wasn't just that he was more grown-up or that I was more grown-up. It was something else. For the first time in my life I knew that Sam was wrong about something; I knew that I understood something better than he did." What does Tim understand better? Do you agree with Tim? Are his feelings more accurate than Sam's opinions?

Response Question: the Redcoats arrive (p. 113-164)

Tim says to a British solider, "We're mostly Tories here." He then continues to himself, "Suddenly I realized that I was. Father's capture had done that." Why do you think Tim's opinion about the war has changed? By the next page (p. 140), Tim says he is full of mixed emotions. What are some of the things that Tim sees that make him feel so confused?

Response Question: Life in Redding (p. 113-164)

Tim talks about his family's store, and he says that it was illegal to raise prices. Why would the Connecticut General Assembly want to control prices? Why is money becoming such an issue? What is a commissary note?

Response Question: Heading Home in the Snow (p. 113-164)

On p. 119, Tim says, "There it was written out for me to see as plain as if I were reading it in a book." What is plain to see? What does Time assume has happenend?

Response Question: Trust and suspicion (pages 61-113)

Tim lies to his father about running errands for Mr. Heron. He is also confused about the information Mr. Heron shared with Betsy. Ultimately, Mr. Heron's message was just a way to test Tim, and this also frustrates Tim. Why is Tim confused? Why didn't Mr. Heron trust Tim from the beginning? Why are the people of Redding growing distrustful? Mr. Meeker is trying to keep his family out of the war. Is remaining neutral going to be an option for Mr. Meeker or anyone in Redding?

Response Question: Johnny cake (pages 61-113)

Johnny Cake is mentioned as a staple of Tim's diet. Find a recipe for Johnny cake and post it on our blog. Does this sound like something you would like to eat? Would you like to eat it on a regular basis? Why do you think Johnny cake was a staple of Tim's diet?

Response Question: Trip to Verplancks Point (pages 61-113)

Tim is very excited about making the trip to Verplancks Point with his father. Why is this trip symbolic for Tim? The trip does change Tim, but not in the ways he expected. How is Tim different after this experience?

Response Question: Tom Warrups (pages 61-113)

Tim is not sure what side of the Tom Warrups supports. Tim says, "He lived on
Mr. Read's land, and Mr. Read was a patriot. But he ran messages for Mr. Heron, and Mr. Heron was a Tory." Who does Tim assume that Tom Warrups agrees with either of these men? Why wouldn't Tom Warrups have his own opinion of the war? What do Tom Warrups' actions tell us about his opinion of the war?

Response Question: Sins and Fun (pages 1-61)

Sam's family seems to be very concerned with avoiding sin and treason, and sometimes Sam gets in trouble for being less than "perfect" in his family's eyes. What are some of the things that Sam does that his father might not approve of? Give one specific example. Do you think Sam is right in doing and thinking what he does, or should he be more loyal to his family's values? Why or why not?

Response Question: Bravery and Cowardice (pages 1-61)

In Chapter 4, Tim says that, “… anybody who joined the army to fight couldn’t be a coward.” Do
you agree or disagree? Why?

Response Question:: Arguing for War (pages 1-61)

In Chapter 2, Mr. Meeker states that "you never get rid of
injustices by fighting” and Sam says that “either we’re going to be free or we’re
not.” How is Mr. Meeker’s comment an argument against war? How is Sam’s
comment an argument for war? Which one do you agree with? Why?