"We Beat the Street" Powerpoint for Parents - Sycamore Community ...

http://digitalbooktalk.com/?p=47
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3rmY29aXLQ

All School Read
Timeline
February 8– March 15
Each week, a guest speaker will read a chapter over the intercom and
introduce the next chapter. Connections teachers will lead discussion with
students using talking points. Parents are encouraged to discuss these at
home as well.
2/12 Ch. 1 and Ch. 2
2/15 Ch. 3 and introduces Ch. 4
2/19 Ch. 5 and introduces Ch. 6
2/22 Ch. 7 and introduces Ch. 8
2/26 Ch. 9 and introduces Ch. 10
3/01 Ch. 11 and introduces Ch. 12
3/05 Ch. 13 and introduces Ch. 14 & 15
3/08 Ch. 16 and introduces Ch. 17 & 18
3/12 Ch. 19 and introduces Ch. 20
3/15 Ch. 21 and introduces Ch. 22

ABOUT THE THREE DOCTORS
Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt grew up in
Newark, New Jersey, and graduated from Seton Hall University.
Davis and Hunt received their medical degrees from Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School, while Jenkins earned his dentistry degree
from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Today, Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt—who call themselves The
Three Doctors—work in New Jersey area hospitals.

ABOUT THE THREE DOCTORS
In addition to working in their respective hospitals, they run The Three Doctors
Foundation—creating opportunities for inner city communities through education,
mentoring, and health awareness. Their adult book, The Pact: Three Young Men Make a
Promise and Fulfill a Dream, reached the top of the bestseller lists and led to honors from
Essence, Oprah Winfrey, and many others. Speaking to parents and teachers throughout the
country, these charismatic men received numerous requests for a book that would make their
story accessible to children at risk of falling victim to “the street,” which led to the writing of
We Beat the Street.

WE BEAT THE STREETS
Discussion Starters
Introduction
1. For what reasons did the authors
write this book?
2. What obstacles do you face in your life?
In other words, what is your street?

Chapter 1: Sampson
“Opportunities”
1. What do we learn about Sampson‟s
neighborhood? What images come to
mind as you read this chapter?
2. A Conversation with Dr. Sampson Davis:
Hanging Tough “Some say there is a
reason for everything.”
Food for thought:
Discuss how we learn from our
mistakes.

Chapter 2:
“Self-control”
1. Grandma places high expectations on
Rameck. What effect do these
expectations have on Rameck?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck Hunt:
School Problems “Controlling your behavior
is just as important as what you learn in
school.”
Food for thought:
Do you agree or disagree with this
quote? Why?

Chapter 3: George
“Setting Goals”
1. What were Miss Johnson‟s expectations for
her students? What do your teachers expect
of you at Sycamore Junior High?
2. A Conversation With Doctor George
Jenkins: Influential Teachers
Food for thought:
George talks about how important Miss
Johnson was in his life. Think about a
person who was influential in your life.
Explain the role they played in your life.

Chapter 4: Sampson
“Consequences”
1. We are who we are based on our experiences
(things that happen to us). How do experiences
in the neighborhood shape Sampson and his
neighborhood friends?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson Davis:
Temptation and Its Consequences “We never
thought about the consequences and never even
considered that our stealing could get us in deep trouble.”
Food for thought:
What are examples of bad choices SJH
students make inside and outside of school?
Are the consequences for these actions
effective enough to change your behaviors?

Chapter 5: Rameck
“Making Decisions”
1. What do you think would have happened
with Rameck if he didn‟t give his mom the
money?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck
Hunt: Dreams & Missed Opportunities
Food for thought:
What should be your guiding principles
when making decisions? Who should
help you develop these principles?

Chapter 6: George
“Moments”
1. What does it mean when George said, “But it
was like Dr. Thomas had plugged in a cord
that buzzed with electricity and excitement.”?
2. A Conversation with Doctor George
Jenkins: The Beginnings of Dream
Food for thought:
Think of the dreams you have for yourself.
What are those dreams and when was the
first time you thought about them?

Chapter 7: Sampson
“Mentors”
1. What was the best advice Reggie gave
Sampson?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson
Davis: Living and Dying in the Streets
Food for thought:
Why is it some kids survive the streets
and and some don‟t? What other kinds of
“streets” do SJH school students face?

Chapter 8: Sampson and George
“Pride in Academics”
1. Sampson lied to his friends about getting
good grades. Why do you think he did this?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson
Davis: Making Good Grades Sampson talks
about how good grades were not valued by
his neighborhood friends.
Food for thought:
Is showing pride in academic performance
important to students at SJH? What
values do you personally place on
academic success?

Chapter 9: Rameck
“Positive Peers”
1. In this chapter, we see Rameck as an actor
and honor student at University High AND as
a tough street kid fighting and getting shot
at. Who is the real Rameck?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck Hunt:
The Call of the Streets
Food for thought:
What should you consider when
choosing friends who will be positive
influences in your life?

Chapter 10: Sampson
“Say „no‟ to drugs”
1. Why is Sampson able to walk away
from drugs but his friend is not able to?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson
Davis: So Easy to Fall Into the Drug Scene
Food for thought:
What is the most difficult thing about
walking away from something you know
is wrong?

Chapter 11: Rameck
“Making a Positive Difference”
1. Rameck leads a peaceful demonstration to
protest the lack of representation of African
Americans in the U.S. history textbook and
almost gets expelled from school. What do
these two incidences tell us about Rameck?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck Hunt:
Foolishness and Understanding
Food for thought:
Why do peaceful demonstrations often
have a more powerful effect than violent
demonstrations?

Chapter 12
“Strength in Numbers”
1. Just by chance, Rameck, George, and
Sampson listened to a presentation by
Seton Hall University. How much of their
success is due to “luck” or chance?
2. A Conversation with Doctor George
Jenkins: The Beginning of the Pact
Food for thought:
How much do you rely on your SJH
friends for strength and support?

Chapter 13: Rameck
“Freedom with Responsibility”
1. We see two sides to Rameck in this
chapter. Why is he constantly walking
the line between good and bad?
2. In A Conversation with Doctor Rameck
Hunt: Thanksgiving in Jail Rameck
notices that the other inmates lacked goals.
Food for thought:
What are some goals that every SJH
student should have? Why is it
difficult to stick to these goals?

Chapter 14: Sampson
“Taking the „Road Less Traveled‟ ”
1. How did Sampson justify robbing the
young drug dealers?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson
Davis: Never Again In this chapter,
Sampson realizes „the company you keep
plays tremendously in the outcome of
your life.”
Food for thought:
Do you agree with Sampson? Explain.

Chapter 15:
“Creating a Pact”
1. How did making the pact help Sampson,
Rameck and George succeed?
2. Re-read the last paragraph of A
Conversation with Doctor George Jenkins:
Strengthening the Pact
Food for thought:
What message does George give in this
last paragraph?

Chapter 16:
“Seeking out adult role models”
1. The boys were given an assignment to write
an acceptance speech for an award they
will receive as doctors. Why did the
professors want them to focus on an award
speech when they were only students?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson
Davis: The Possibility of Success
Food for thought:
What will you say in your acceptance
speech for an award you will receive when you
graduate from Sycamore Junior High?

Chapter 17:
“Self-discipline”
1. What does Rameck learn about other
cultures?
2. What do the boys do to help others?
3. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck Hunt:
The End of Violence and the Start of
Giving Back
Food for thought:
What kinds of things do SJH students
do to give back? What other things
could we do?

Chapter 18:
“Hobbies & Careers”
1. What event changed George, Rameck and
Sampson‟s minds about becoming rappers?
2. What did music provide for George,
Rameck and Sampson?
3. A Conversation with Doctor George Jenkins:
Rap Stars? “Music was the decoration.
Medicine is the solid foundation.”
Food for thought:
What things in your life could be
considered decoration? What makes up
your solid foundation?

Chapter 19:
“Goal Partners”
1. How did friends help Sampson during his
moment of doubt?
2. A Conversation with Doctor George
Jenkins: Hanging in There
“Try to find someone with goals that are
similar to yours, and use each other for
strength and stability”
Food for thought:
What kinds of goals is George referring to?

Chapter 20:
“Failure is not an option”
1. React to the incident Rameck had with
the police?
2. A Conversation with Doctor Rameck
Hunt: The Possibility of Losing the Dream
“Everybody goes through difficult periods in life.
The person who is successful is the one who
doesn‟t quit.”
Food for thought: Think about times when
you were about to give up on something; it can
be as simple as working on a school project.
What kept you from quitting? How can this
lesson be applied to your future endeavors?

Chapter 21:
Discipline Determination Dedication
1. What challenges did Sampson face as a first
year medical student?
2. Rameck is quoted as saying, “…sometimes you
gotta fail in order to succeed.” What have you
failed at only to work harder to succeed?
3. A Conversation with Doctor Sampson Davis:
Going Back to Where it All Began React to the
last paragraph on page 175.
Food for thought:
What opportunities do SJH students have to
show discipline? Determination? Dedication?

Chapter 22:
Sampson= determination & drive
George = long-range vision
Rameck = questioner, activist, encourager
1. George, Rameck and Sampson
graduated from medical and dental
school. Visit the websites below
and share your thoughts with the three
doctors.
www.threedoctorsfoundation.org
www.threedoctors.com

Conclusion
1. What is your street ?
2. What message do the
doctors leave with you?
3. What is your plan for overcoming
any possible obstacles that could
prevent you from achieving your
dreams? How will you “beat the
street”?