Question

Who is Ha? Based on the poem “Birthday Wishes" and one other poem

you have read so far in the novel, describe Ha as a character: her traits,
values, or beliefs. Write a paragraph in which you explain your current
understanding of Ha, using specific evidence from the text of both
poems to support your analysis. You may use your journal, your book,
Quick Write 1, and the Who Is Ha? Anchor Charts posted in the room to
support your answer. Be sure to indicate the title of the second poem (as
well as any other poems you choose) in your response. A complete
paragraph will meet all the following criteria:Answer the prompt
completely. Provide relevant and complete evidence. Include the
following: (1) A focus statement (2) At least three pieces of specific
evidence from the text (3) For each piece of evidence, an analysis or
explanation: What does this evidence mean? (5) A concluding sentence

Answer 1

Ha is a 10-year-old girl who wants to feel close to her family but instead feels very alone. She has three older brothers, but does not really play with them or feel close to them. In the poem “Kim Hà,” she says her brothers tease her, calling her names like “River Horse.” She says she “can’t make her brothers go live elsewhere,” which makes me think she wants to be separate from them. But then in “Birthday Wishes,”she says she “wishes she could do what boys do.” It’s like she wants to be close to them but at the same time she doesn’t, so she pushes them away. It’s the same with her mom. In “Kim Hà,” she says she still “loves being near her mother” and is always just “three steps away.” But then in “Birthday Wishes,” Ha says she wishes her mother wouldn’t “chide her,” and doesn’t talk about feeling close to her at all. I think she wants to be close to her family but doesn’t know how.

Answer 2

Ha is a 10-year-old girl who wants to feel close to her family but instead feels very alone. She has three older brothers, but does not really play with them or feel close to them. In the poem “Kim Hà,” she says her brothers tease her, calling her names like “River Horse.” She says she “can’t make her brothers go live elsewhere,” which makes me think she wants to be separate from them. But then in “Birthday Wishes,”she says she “wishes she could do what boys do.” It’s like she wants to be close to them but at the same time she doesn’t, so she pushes them away. It’s the same with her mom. In “Kim Hà,” she says she still “loves being near her mother” and is always just “three steps away.” But then in “Birthday Wishes,” Ha says she wishes her mother wouldn’t “chide her,” and doesn’t talk about feeling close to her at all. I think she wants to be close to her family but doesn’t know how.