We Were Here

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Final Journal Entries”

Complete three final journal entries to explain what happens to Rondell and Miguel in the years following their return to the Lighthouse.

At the conclusion of the novel, Rondell and Miguel continue their relationship, but there is still some unresolved conflict in Miguel’s life. Use examples from the novel to support what you suspect may happen to Miguel and Rondell after the conclusion of the novel. Use the questions below to guide your thinking.

• What short- and long-term goals will Miguel accomplish?
• What are Rondell’s goals, and how will he find success in life?
• What role does Jaden play in Miguel’s life?
• How does Miguel interact with the other people at the Lighthouse?
• What happens between Miguel and his mother?
• What will Miguel’s school and career goals be?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be beneficial to offer examples of ways to provide evidence from the novel in support of students’ entries. After the submission of their journal entries, students might be permitted to present their ideas to other students. Students may do this by taking turns highlighting the main points of their journal entries, or you might host a discussion using a cooperative learning activity such as a carousel, in which students move from location to location in the classroom, meeting and briefly sharing ideas with another student before moving on.