Prompts for Student Writing

Gary described several challenging and discouraging moments, yet he found the courage to press on. Discuss your thoughts about Gary as he experienced these obstacles. Do his experiences remind you of a similar challenge in your life?
Gary had some hard decisions to make when he packed. There may be things that he had to decide to do without knowing that he might not be able to "buy" it along the way. Think about all of the "stuff" that belongs to you. If you had to choose and keep only 3 things what would they be and why? (Money and credit cards do not count)

Gary has met some people who have had challenges in their lives. For example, the owners of the Wall Drug Store could have just given up and closed the store but they made it into a famous and successful business. The countryside and weather is still rugged and not for the meek. Think about the first pioneers. Discuss the hardships and courage that they (the pioneers) must have endured.

Gary expressed a great sense of accomplishment after riding over the Rocky Mountains. Describe a time in your life when you had a sense of great accomplishment.

Most of the time Gary is quite alone on the road. He does meet people and make new friends. At times he depends on people’s honesty and trustworthiness. Describe a time when you or someone in your family needed to depend on the "kindness of a stranger" (or someone you did not know very well).

Today you created a birthday message for Gary. Since he is away from home on his birthday this should brighten his day for him. Describe a favorite birthday that either you had or that you helped make special.
Gary was very excited about being able to spend time with relatives who live far away. Discuss any similar situation that you may have: 1)Do you have any relatives or friends who live far from you?; 2)Do you wish that you could spend more time with them?; 3)Are you better able to keep in touch with them through email, phone, or letters?; and 4) Are you able to visit them annually, monthly, etc.?

Things change and not always for the better. Gary was disappointed several times when he witnessed the industrial and population growth that spoiled natural resources. Discuss something that either you have seen change or your parents have seen change for either the better or worse.
As you read the first half of October’s GASP journal entries Gary talks about focusing on one mile at a time when he was trying to bike on the 9^th. How does this relate to you or someone you know?
Discuss at least one new idea or piece of information that you learned from Gary’s journals (Oct. 17-31) today.
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. We stop and take time to think about the people in our lives who give us reason to be thankful. Gary has much to be thankful for. He has good health, ambition, and friends. Take a few moments and discuss some of the people and/or things for which you are thankful.
Gary had to do quite a lot of planning and preparation in order to make his adventure successful. Discuss a time in your or your family’s life when you had to plan and prepare for an event.