Their Eyes Were Watching God                                       Zora Neale Hurston

 
Janie’s Little Instruction Book
 
 
OVERVIEW
 
This project is based on H. Jackson Brown’s Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life. Since its introduction in 1991, this little book was listed for a long time on the New York Times bestseller list. It lists proverbs and gives suggestions of how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. From a dictionary definition, a proverb is defined as a short pithy saying in widespread use that expresses a basic truth or practical precept.
 
Examples from Brown’s book are listed below. For more information, go to www.instructionbook.com.
 
ü  Down Arrow: Chapter and page number citationCompliment three people every day
ü  Sing in the shower
ü  Plant flowers in spring
ü  Return all things you borrow




 

  
 

 

  
  
  

   

    
    

    

    
Chapter 1, page 1

    
 

    
 

    
Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board

    
 

    
Your wishes cannot come true until you make an effort to swim after them. 

    

    

    		
   

  

   		
 




 

PROJECT SAMPLE
 




 

  
  
  
  
 

 

  
  Right Arrow: The proverb you located or located in the text
 

 

  
  
  Left Arrow: Explanation of how you interpret this proverb. And how you can apply it to your OWN life.
 

 

  
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 

DIRECTIONS
 
Create your own version of Janie’s Little Instruction Book, listing your own philanthropic words of wisdom, to apply in one’s life. 
 
v             Select 10 passages from the book that reflect advise Janie might give someone
v             List one bit of advice, or proverb, per page
v             In the upper right hand corner of each page, cite the chapter and page number from where you obtained the suggestion
v             Include a creative cover that reflects Janie’s life
 
GRADING CRITERIA AND POINT BREAKDOWN
 




 

  
 

 

  
  
  

   

    
    

    

    
 

    
 

    
Name____________________________  Date_____  Period_____ Grade______

    
 

    
Purpose:                 ambiguous (5)         clear (10)                 compelling (15)

    
 

    
 

    
Quality and clarity of words by which to live:

    
 

    
limited     (5)           sufficient (10)         developed (15)

    
 

    
Size:                       small (5)                  adequate (10)          appropriate/engaging (15)

    
 

    
Creativity:             limited  (5)              average (10)             striking (15)

    
 

    
Effort:                     limited (5)               evident (10)             outstanding (15)

    

    		
   

  

   		
 




 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL POINTS ____________
 
 
 
DUE DATE: _______________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SAMPLES AND SUGGESTIONS
 
Click to see next page
 
EXCERPTS FROM BOOK IV – Brown’s latest book, currently available in bookstores, now
 
·         Remember that almost everything looks better after a good night's sleep.
·         Once every couple of months enjoy a four-course meal; only eat each course at a different restaurant.
·         Hold your child's hand every chance you get. The time will come all too soon when he or she won't let you.
·         Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
·         Never eat the last cookie.
·         Remember that you can miss a lot of good things in life by having the wrong attitude.
·         Never order barbecue in a restaurant where all the chairs match.
·         Remember that all-important truths are simple.
·         Surprise someone who's more than eighty years old or a couple celebrating fifty years or more of marriage with a personal greeting from the President. Mail details to The White House, Greetings Office, Room 39, Washington, DC 20500, four to six weeks in advance.
 
* Author website: www.instructionbook.com
 
 
REVIEWS from amazon.com readers
 
#1 New York Times bestseller. Since its introduction in 1991, this little book continues to touch the lives of readers with 511 suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and fulfilling life. Originally written as a gift to his son, H. Jackson Brown, Jr.'s simple fatherly advice is loved by people of all ages. 
 
This is a great book, including suggestions like: 
 
·         Compliment three people every day 
·         Sing in the shower 
·         Plant flowers in spring 
·         Return all things you borrow
 
 
 
SAMPLES FROM BROWN’S BOOK
 
1. Compliment three people every day.
2. Have a dog
3. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
4. Remember other people's birthdays.
5. Over tip breakfast waitresses.
6. Have a firm handshake
7. Look people in the eye.
8. Say "thank you" a lot.
9. Say "please" a lot
10. Learn to play a musical instrument.
11. Sing in the shower.
12. Use the good silver.
13. Learn to make great chili.
14. Plant flowers every spring.
15. Own a great stereo system.
16. Be the first to say, "Hello."
17. Live beneath your means.
18. Drive inexpensive cars, but own the best house you can afford.
19. Buy great books even if you never read them.
20. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
21. Learn three clean jokes.
22. Wear polished shoes.
23. Floss your teeth.
24. Drink champagne for no reason at all.
25. Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it.
26. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
27. Return all things you borrow.
28. Teach some kind of class.
29. Be a student in some kind of class.