Spare Parts - Reading Response Journal

Reading Response Journals (RRJs) are an informal space for you to explore the readings as well as
your own reading process. The first step to writing an RRJ is to read carefully, taking notes on the text as
you go. RRJs should include the following:
1. A brief summary of the chapters (5-8 sentences) including major events, characters, and
important information about setting (place and time).
The author ignores an email he received but it keeps invading his thoughts until he finally reads it.
It was a surprising email from an Intel member about a group of boys somehow making their way
to an underwater robot competition. Then the focus shifts to the competition itself where the four
boys explain their creation. Each teenager is described briefly as they answer questions about
their robot. The judge who worked with NASA explained that, from her experience, most people
who worked with robotics did not look like the four kids in front of her.

2. Your response to the reading (5-8 sentences) including your opinions about and reaction to the
assigned chapters. This section is a place to think deeply about the book and the emotions and
complex ideas it brings up for you.

There was something strange about the email that the journalist received, and the fact that it was
from an Intel worker made it even more strange. I wondered why the author couldnt keep it off his
mind, and why was the email so poorly written if it was from an Intel worker? I assume it was
written in a rush, or the worker was just too excited to notice what was being typed. The
teenagers were unique and did not fall in the racial stereotype that often dictated another persons
perception of what a race was capable of accomplishing. I enjoyed Cristians remark about
PowerPoint and it really showed that the kids were not there on a fluke.

3. 2 discussion questions. These should be open ended questions that could lead to an interesting
conversation, not fact based yes or no questions.

Do you think that the judges would give them more attention because they were underdogs, but
initially thought that it may be a joke that they were there?
Isnt the description of who Tom Swean was used to seeing somewhat stereotypical?

4. An explanation of your reading process. How did this weeks reading go for you? Discuss specific
sections that made you confused or questions that you have about the text. Point out strategies that
helped you overcome challenges in your reading. Choose one or two of the following prompts to
develop your ideas:
While I was reading,

I felt confused when so I

I was distracted by but then I
I started to think aboutbecause
The time went quickly because
I figured outby
I finally understood
I remembered that earlier in the book
I was reminded of
While I was reading, I found the text rather simple. The vocabulary was not difficult, and any word
I did not know the exact definition to was understandable through context. The time went quickly
because, while the text was short, the story was engaging from page one. The mysterious email
was the hook and the idea of four low-income minority students being part of a robotics
competition where topnotch college students meet left me wanting more.

5. 3-- 5 significant words from this particular readingwords that you feel are important to understand
the text, or that you have decided to learn to develop your academic vocabulary. Define the words you
choose and explain why you chose them.

thump-thump-thump is an onomatopoeia describing the music, but it felt that it was important
because of all the other words that could have been used, this one was chosen. It somewhat
relates to how poor the school was and make it less civilized in a way.
Gruff means low and harsh or a rough manner; its significant because it shows that just making
it to the competition wasnt enough, they will have to impress and overcome more challenges like
Tom Swean.
the future looked different isnt a word but I feel that it was an important phrase. It shows that
there is room for minorities to shine, even if the odds are against them and if it takes years for
someone to notice them.