The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian yr 9 w.35-41, 2023

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is a semi-autobiography and an award-winning bestseller by Sherman Alexie. The book is about a Native American teenager and deals with topics such as alcoholism, poverty, violence, bullying, sexuality, death and much more. It's humorous and sad, but also insightful and easy to relate to. It brings laughter as well as tears. Enjoy!

Reading Schedule

HOMEWORK - if you haven't finished reading during class!

1. For Thursday w.36: Read chapter 1-7 p.1-53 In class we will listen to chapter 8 (18 min)

2. For Thursday w.37: Read chapter 8-14 p.54-103 In class we will listen to chapter 15 (14 min)

3. For Thursday w.38: Read chapter 15-21 p.104-151 In class we will listen to chapter 22 (12 min)

4. For Thursday w.39: Read chapter 22-26 p.152-198 In class we will listen to chapter 27 (32 min)

5. For Thursday w.40: Read chapter 27-30 p.199-230 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Chapter	Pages
Foreword	0-1
1 The Black-Eye-of-the-month-club	1-6
2 Why chicken means so much to me	7-14
3 Revenge is my middle name	15-24
4 Because geometry is not a country somewhere nera France	25-31
5 Hope against hope	32-43
6 Go means go	44-47
7 Rowdy sings the blues	48-53
8 How to fight monsters	54-66
9 Grandmother gives me some advice	67-73
10 Tears of a clown	74-76
11 Halloween	77-81
12 Slouching towards Thanksgiving	82-98
13 My sister sends me an e-mail	99-100
14 Thanksgiving	101-103
15 Hunger pains	104-113
16 Rowdy gives mes advice about love	114-117
17 Dance, dance, dance,	118-129
18 Don't trust your computer	130-132
19 My sister sends me a letter	133-134
20 Reindeer games	135-149
21 And a partridge in a pear tree	150-151
22 Red versus white	152-158
23 Wake	159-168
24 Valentine heart	169-178
25 In like a lion	179-196
26 Rowdy and I have a long serious discussion about basket ball	197-198
27 Because Russion guys are not always geniouses	199-213
28 My final fresman year report card	214
29 Remebering	215-218
30 Talking about turtles	219-230
Reading group questions	233-236
Interview with Ellen Fourney –illustrator	237-244
Interview with Sherman Alexie – the author	245-251

 

LINKS

Listen and read the book: For ESL English Language Learners (esl-bits.net)

Word list: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Vocabulary Words (bertmccoy.com)

Study Guide (summaries of the chapters, descriptions of characters, main ideas, quotes, etc): The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: Study Guide | SparkNotes

Mixed material The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian | WebEnglish

INFORMATION about Indians and Native Americans

• What do Native people prefer to be called? (oklahoman.com)
• Frequently Asked Questions | Native Knowledge 360° - Interactive Teaching Resources (si.edu)
• Native American vs American Indian: Understanding the Difference (oprahdaily.com)
• Tribal Nations & the United States: An Introduction | NCAI
• History of Native Americans Animation - YouTube
• How the Navajo Nation Works (A Country Within a Country?) - YouTube
• These Native American Proverbs Are Life Changing - YouTubey
• Powwow: As Long As We Dance - YouTube
• The Canary Effect: Kill The Indian Save The Man - YouTube
• Native American Beadwork - YouTube
• PWNA Indian Casinos – Easy Money Or Not What You Think MASTER - YouTube
• Video What Would You Do: Woman introduces Native American fiance to white parents - ABC News (go.com)
• UA study shows perception of binge drinking Native Americans isn't reality - YouTube
• The Natives and the English - Crash Course US History #3 - YouTube
•  

 

w.35

Monday 28/8

• STARTER: The English plan yr 9
• Introduction Power Point - a discussion in groups of three about native Americans

Thursday 31/8

• STARTER: Which are the Native American ten commandments?
• We'll listen to and read the first chapter of the book
• Write about the main character, Junior.
• Continue reading chapter 2-7 (p.7-53). Not done? Homework for Monday 11/9

w.36

Monday 4/9

 

• STARTER: Write about the main character, Junior.  
• Continue reading chapter 2-7 (p.7-53). Not done? Homework for Monday 11/9

 

Thursday 7/9 VANDRING

w.37

Monday 11/9

• STARTER (4 and 4):

1. 1. Discuss the start of the book - Stars and Wishes + motivate
2. 2. Can your best friend be more important than your family? 
3. 3. What does Mr. P mean by this: “Son,” Mr. P said. “You’re going to find more and more hope the farther and farther you walk away from this sad, sad, sad reservation.”?

• We'll listen to chapter 8 (p.54-66) 18 min
• Read chapter 9-14 (p.67-103)

Thursday 14/9

• STARTER: Read chapter 9-14 (p.67-103)
• Not done? Homework for Monday w.38

Done with the reading? Answer questions on Teams: 

Go Means Go

1. How do Junior’s parents react to his decision to change schools? What does this

show about them?

Rowdy Sings the Blues

1. How are sporting results used to compare the two schools? Why is it significant that

Rowdy performed well at most competitions?

2. How does Rowdy react to Junior’s decision to move schools? Why does he

react in this way?

3. How does Rowdy disguise his pain?

w.38

Monday 18/9

• STARTER: We'll listen to chapter 15 (p.104-113) 14 min.
• Discussion 2 and 2:
  1. Read and discuss question 6 on p.235 in the book. What is bulimia/anorexia and why, do you think, does Penelope has Bulimia?
  2. Look at and read the text in the pictures in chapter 15. What do they mean?
  3. What dreams do you have? Why?

• Read chapter 16-21 (p.114-151)

Thursday 21/9

• STARTER: Read chapter 16-21 (p.114-151)
• Not done? Homework for Monday.

 

w.39

Monday 25/9

• STARTER: Write about inspiration (see Uppgift: Inspiration - chapter 20).

“Coach knew exactly what to say… If you care about something enough, it´s going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad, Arnold. Get mad.” (p.144)

How do you think this encouraged Junior? Would this have inspired you?

 

• Listen to chapter 22 (p.152-158) 12 min. 
• Read chapter 23-26 (p.159-198)

Thursday 28/9

• STARTER: Read chapter 23-26 (p.159-198)
• Not done? Homework for Monday

 

w.40

Monday 2/10

• We'll listen to chapter 27 (p.199-213) 32 min.
• Discuss (In groups of 3): Write your group's answers in a chat in Teams and send to me, Karolina Björsund.
•  
• 1.Do Junior's parents love him and care about him? Give at least 4 examples from the book. 
• 2. Describe Rowdy and Junior’s relationship. What do they do for each other? Give examples. Do you think Rowdy and Junior will remain friends? Explain!

• Read chapter 28-30 (p.214-230)

Thursday 5/10

• STARTER: Info examination 
• Read chapter 28-30 (p.214-230) Not done? Homework until Monday
• Search for information/facts about Native Americans/Indians (see links up above in this plan)

w.41

Monday 9/10

• STARTER: Information about the assignment for your Work Experience presentation (w.45 Monday 6/11)
• In groups of 3-4: What have you learnt about Indians' lifestyle today, culture, history, values/commandments, family and other relations? Write  one thing/Post-IT
• Discuss the MESSAGES + OWN OPINIONS about the book in general. Use quotes + important things from the book.
• Shortwriting 3 (Teams/Uppgifter/The Absolutely...Part-Time Indian): Write about:

1. Messages in the book
2. Your own opinions about the book.
3. Topics that can help you: alcoholism, poverty, violence, bullying, sexuality, death.
4. Motivate + give good examples + use some quotes from the book to support your thoughts.

• Prepare for your EXAMINATION: Search for information/facts about Native Americans/Indians (see links up above in this plan). When doing the EXAM - no keywords, just your knowledge!

 

Thursday 12/10

• STARTER: info PRAO task.
• Prepare for your EXAMINATION by reading and learning about Indians/Native Americans. The questions that will appear on the test:
•  
• 1. Indians - Native Americans: What's the differences and similarities? Which expression to use in the USA?
• 2. History: Life in the past, mentioned in the novel "...Part-Time Indians"?
• 3. Today: Life in the reservations in present time
• 4. How to improve life for Indians in the US
•  

• You will be assessed on the following criterias:
• 1. Realia (facts about Indians),
• 2. Written language (spelling/ grammar/fluency) 
• 3. Interaction (how well are you "listening"/taking in what your friend is "saying"/chatting about? Follow up questions on what they write (how come/why is that...?) / show interest (oh, really?) 

w.42 Work Experience: PRAO

 

w.43

Monday 23/10

• STARTER: Log in to the Teams chat, to the shared message from me, Helén.
• EXAMINATION "...Part-Time Indian": Discuss these questions about Indians/Native Americans:

1. Indians - Native Americans: What's the differences and similarities? Which expression to use in the USA?
2. History: Life in the past, mentioned in the novel "...Part-Time Indians"?
3. Today: Life in the reservations in present time
4. How to improve life for Indians in the USA

Thursday 26/10

• STARTER: Prepare for your presentation of your Work Experience (PRAO)
• EXAMINATION w.45 Monday 6/11

EXAMINATIONS

1. Discussions in class

2. Three shortwritings: Shortwriting 1 in DigiExam (or Teams) and Shortwriting 2 + 3 in Teams (Teams/Uppgifter/The Absolutely...Part-Time Indian)

3. Chatting with someone in Gamma or Delta: About life in reservations and being a native American in the USA today [Monday 23/10 w.43].

These are the topics for the chat in Teams to discuss. Your knowledge should be based on the facts and information you get from the novel.

1. Indians - Native Americans: What's the differences and similarities? Which expression to use in the USA?
2. History: Life in the past, mentioned in the novel "...Part-Time Indians"?
3. Today: Life in the reservations in present time
4. How to improve life for Indians in the USA

Uppgifter

Character description- describe Junior

Describe Junior! Remember to write in depth (the "inside", "outside" and "around") using the table as a help.

Messages + Own opinions

Write about messages in the book and your own opinions about the book.

Topics that can help you: alcoholism, poverty, violence, bullying, sexuality, death.

Motivate + give good examples + use some quotes from the book to support your thoughts.

Character description- Junior

Make a character description of Junior. Use the table as a help. Describe different aspects (the "inside", "outside" and "around").

Describing a character - a table.docx

Questions to the novel Oasen and Porten

Questions to A Part Time Indian, Porten och Oasen .docx

Questions to the novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian"

Questions to .docx