Making connections between what you read and your own life experiences is one important way to call upon and build background knowledge, or prior knowledge, about a topic. The journal prompts associated with each reading selection are designed to give you an opportunity to extend your experience with the topic of the article, and to think more about how it applies to your own life. You may use these prompts to get started, but the purpose of your journal is to write freely. If you find yourself going off in another direction than that indicated by the questions, that's fine. Any connections you can make with the reading topics will be valuable. Reading One: The New Workforce Do you know someone who has overcome a disability, and/or the public's perception of that disability, to become successful in school or the workplace? What, in your opinion, have been the biggest obstacles to this person's success? What elements have been positive influences for this person's achievements? Reading Two: Latinos Is there a strong Latino presence in your community or geographical region? Are there any other ethnic groups represented where you live? What benefits are there to having a diverse community? Do you speak more than one language? Will you study a foreign language in college? If so, which one? What else about that culture would you like to study? Reading Three: Muhammad What do you know about Islam? Knowing what you know about this religion, would you agree or disagree with the author's contention that Muhammad is the most influential person in history? Which person would you nominate as an important influence on the world? Why? Are there any contemporary figures who will make an important mark on history? Who are they, and why will they be seen as important as time goes by? | 
2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education