The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian

Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the 'rez' to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Under de kommande veckorna ska vi arbeta med boken The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian.

Boken läser ni på nätet där det även finns möjlighet att lyssna på texten.

Här hittar ni boken:

http://esl-bits.net/ESL.English.Learning.Audiobooks/Absolutely.True.Diary/indice.html

Uppgifter kommer att publiceras löpande under fliken Uppgifter.

Uppgifter

Before starting with the book

1. What countries colonised North America? What does "colonise another country" mean? 2. How come the native inhabitants of North America were called Indians? 3. What is a reservation? 4. Why were reservations created? 5. Who are the Spokanes? 6. Where do they live? 7. What is life like on the reservations today?

Podcast - an oral examination

- Friendship is important in the book. Who is your best friend? Describe him or her. When did you first meet? What do you have in common? Do you Think you and your best friend will keep in touch when you grow older? Why? Why not? Title: My best friend - Mr. P and the coach both play important parts in Junior´s life. Are they good teachers? What do you think characterizes a good teacher? Have you ever had a particularly good teacher or one who was very important to you? Describe him/her and explain why she/he was such a good teacher. Title: Teachers Choose one of the topics above and record a short 2-5 minutes podcast about it. You do this task at home. Important! Record your podcast and then listen to your recording. If you feel that you could improve it, do that! Remember: use synonyms, vary between longer and shorter sentences, make it sound interesting.

Book report

Book report 1. Introduction. • Tell us the title of the book • The author’s name • The time when and the location where the story takes place • Tell us who is telling the story. Is it first person or third person? 2. Summarize the characters and setting: • Names and a brief description of each of the characters you will be discussing. • What positive characteristics does the character possess? • How does the character affect other characters? • What do the main characters want? Do they have a problem? What do they do? You do not need to talk about every small detail, just include the most important information. 3. Describe the plot. This is where the action is. Use many quotations and examples from the book to support your opinions. 4. The end. What happened? Don´t reveal everything. 5. What is the tone of the book? Is it funny, creepy, an adventure, or a mystery? 6. What are the book’s good and bad points? 7. What do you think? Did you like the book? Why or why not?

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian chapter 3-7

Read chapters 3-7. Answer the following questions here on Unikum: 1. Junior seems to be a very special person. How would you describe him? 2. Junior´s family is a blend of broken dreams. Compare who his parents and his sisters could have been to who they actually are. 3. Mr. P Believes he deserved to be hit in the face. Why? How does Mr. P feel about the reservation? How does Junior react to what his teacher tells him? 4. Mr. P wants Junior to say out loud that he deserves better. This makes Junior cry. Why? 5. Why is Rowdy so aggressive? Is there any truth to the explanation Mr. P gives? Why have Rowdy and Junior become such good friends? 6. Mr. P tells Junior he must leave the reservation. Rowdy on the other hand Thinks Junior is a traitor when he tells him about his plans. What advice would you give Junior? Is he right to transfer to a school outside Wellpinit or should he stay on the reservation with his people?

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian: Chapters 1-2

Before we start: 1. What countries colonised North America? What does "colonise another country" mean? 2. How come the native inhabitants of North America were called Indians? 3. What is a reservation? 4. Why were reservations created? 5. Who are the Spokanes? 6. Where do they live? 7. What is life like on the reservations today? Read and listen to chapter 1. 1.How does the novel start? Choose one of the alternatives. Does it start with….. • somebody saying something • a description (of the environment or of a character) • something happening • an explanation of the background to the story • something else 2. Do you think it's a good beginning? Why? 3. Was it easy or difficult to ”get into” the book? 4. How do you like the novel so far? Explain why and motivate your answer. Read and listen to chapter 2. Then answer the following questions here on Unikum. Work in your groups: 5. In the middle of chapter 2, there is a picture of Junior's parents. Look at the picture and discuss the questions: - What do you think happened to Junior's parents in real life? - What might stop a person from becoming who he/she wants to be? - What do you dream about? Do you have dreams about your own future? 6. Junior seems to be very special - how would you describe him?

Chapter 8-14

Discuss the following questions in your groups and hand in your answers to your teacher below. 1. Junior gets into a fight with Roger, one of the jocks at his new school. The outcome of the fight confuses Junior. Why? Is he right to punch Roger? How do you think Roger feels about it all? 2. Junior is shocked when he finds out his sister has moved to Montana. What feelings does he go through? Does Mary´s sudden departure have anything to do with Junior? 3. Junior finds a new friend in Gordy. What do they have in common? Do you think Gordy can replace Rowdy? 4. Find out more about (write a short informative text about each topic): Pilgrims Michelangelo Buonarotti Albert Einstein Emily Dickinson

Chapters 15-23

Answer the following questions: 1. Junior and Penelope discuss their dreams. What does Junior think of Penelope´s dreams? In what way are their dreams alike? What are the chances of making them true? 2. Winter Formal turns into a very good night out for Junior after all. Explain. 3. Gordy claims "life is a constant struggle between being an individual and a member of the community". What does he mean by that? Is this true for Junior? For Gordy? 4. Describe the basketball game between Reardan and Wellpinit. What makes Junior want to play in that game? 5. Junior´s grandmother held on to traditional Indian beliefs and yet comes across a very modern person. Explain. 6. Find out more about: - Stanford - Vince Lombardi - Winter Formal - Freshman - The Sioux - The Oglala Hand in your answers here below.

Chapters 15-23

Read chapter 15-23. Answer the following questions: 1. Junior and Penelope discuss their dreams. What does Junior think of Penelope´s dreams? In what way are their dreams alike? What are the chances of making them true? 2. Winter Formal turns into a very good night out for Junior after all. Explain. 3. Gordy claims "life is a constant struggle between being an individual and a member of the community". What does he mean by that? Is this true for Junior? For Gordy? 4. Describe the basketball game between Reardan and Wellpinit. What makes Junior want to play in that game? 5. Junior´s grandmother held on to traditional Indian beliefs and yet comes across a very modern person. Explain. 6. Find out more about: - Stanford - Vince Lombardi - Winter Formal - Freshman - The Sioux - The Oglala Hand in your answers here below.

Thanksgiving

1. What do you know about Thanksgiving? Discuss it with your group. 2. Watch these two videos and compare the two different perspectives: the American and the Indian one. 3. Discuss and write down your thoughts in your groups: - how does the video "History of Thanksgiving" present the holiday for us? - what are the thoughts of the Indians about the same holiday? - why do you think the Indians see it as a Day of Mourning or Thanks taking? Read the chapter Thanksgiving in the book. How does Junior´s family celebrate Thanksgiving? What are his thoughts about it?