Using Act 1 from "The Diary of Anne Frank"

Links to an external site. share your response to the text. Some concepts to consider in your response could be:

A short summary of the selection.
How, if at all, did you connect personally with the selection? (Do not say you didnt make any personal connections. It can be as simple as saying something like "this story reminded me of...)
What predictions did you make while reading?
How did using mental images while reading help your understanding of what was happening?
How did the plot or theme of the selection impact you and what were your takeaways?
What did the writer use that intrigued or fascinated you such as word choice, description, conflicts, characters, plot twists, topics covered, etc.
You can always end your response with if you would recommend the selection to a friend to read.
As always, make sure to use specific references or quotes from the selection to support your responses.

3 answers

In Act 1 of "The Diary of Anne Frank," the Frank family, along with the Van Daan family, are hiding in the secret annexe to escape the Nazis during World War II. The act begins with the family settling into their new home and adjusting to the cramped conditions and constant fear of being discovered. As time progresses, tensions rise as the group struggles with limited supplies, conflicts between the occupants, and the constant fear of being discovered.

Personally, I connected with the selection on multiple levels. Firstly, as someone who has experienced living in a confined space with others for extended periods of time, I could empathize with the frustrations and conflicts that arise. Additionally, the constant fear of being discovered and the need to maintain silence reminded me of the anxieties I have felt during tense or dangerous situations.

While reading, I made predictions about how the characters would adapt to their circumstances and how they would navigate the challenges that arose. I wondered how they would manage their limited resources and how their relationships would evolve over time.

Using mental images while reading helped me visualize the cramped living conditions and the constant fear that the characters experienced. It allowed me to better understand the sense of confinement and the need for silence. For example, when Anne wrote about needing to suppress her laughter during the day, I could imagine the strain and difficulty of trying to contain emotions in such a small space.

The plot and theme of the selection had a significant impact on me. It made me reflect on the atrocities of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The portrayal of the characters and their experiences served as a stark reminder of the horrors that many people endured during that time. It also emphasized the importance of human connection and support during difficult times.

What fascinated me most about the selection was Anne's voice and perspective. Her diary entries were incredibly insightful and demonstrated her maturity beyond her years. The way she expressed her emotions and observations through her writing was captivating. It made me admire her resilience and strength, despite the challenging circumstances she found herself in.

I would highly recommend this selection to a friend. The diary provides intimate insights into the experiences of those living in hiding during World War II and is a compelling read for anyone interested in history, human resilience, and personal narratives.
now write it as a 7th grader would
In Act 1 of "The Diary of Anne Frank," there's this girl named Anne and her family, along with another family, are hiding from the Nazis in this secret place called the annexe. It's during World War II, and they're trying to stay safe from the bad guys. The act starts with them moving into this cramped hideout and trying to get used to it. They have to be super quiet all the time because if they make noise, they might be discovered.

I kinda connected with the story 'cause once I had to share a really small room with my sibling, and it was so annoying. But in this story, it's not just siblings, it's two families in one small place. I can't even imagine that! Plus, they're always scared and have to stay hidden. It made me think about how scary it would be to have to hide like that.

While I was reading, I tried to guess what would happen next. I was wondering if they would have enough food and stuff, and if they would fight with each other. I also wondered if someone would find them or if they would be able to stay hidden until the war was over.

When I imagined the scenes in my head, it helped me understand how they felt. Like, when they talked about being cramped and stuffy, I could picture them all squished together in that tiny space. Or when they said they had to be quiet, I could imagine how hard that would be. It made the story more real for me.

The story made me think about how awful war is and how people have to do crazy things to stay safe. It made me realize how important it is to appreciate the freedom and safety we have. It also showed me how strong and brave people can be in tough times.

What I found really cool about the story was Anne's diary entries. She wrote with so much emotion and she seemed really mature for her age. It made me wanna start writing in a diary too! I mean, maybe not every day like she did, but just to express my thoughts and feelings.

I would totally recommend this story to my friends. It's really interesting and you get to learn about history and what people went through during the war. It's also kinda inspiring to see how Anne and her family stayed strong and hopeful even in such a scary situation.