The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian

• eng
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k, havo
• Leerjaar 3

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Today's plan:

• Discuss ATD
• Learn about the Spokane Indian Reservation  

Who is Arnold Spirit Jr. (aka Junior)?

Arnold Spirit Jr.

- 14 years old

- Indian / Native American 

- brain damage

- stutters & lisps

- big head/skull, hands & feet

- skinny

- has 42 teeth

- wears glasses

- likes to draw (cartoons)

- 1 sister

- has headaches and seizures

- best friend Rowdy

"I was born with water on the brain."

The ways in which Junior is different:

• He is a Native American
• He has physical problems
• He is poor 

"So I draw because to talk to the world. And I want the world to pay attention to me." 

"The main goals of Indian reservations were to bring Native Americans under U.S. government control, minimize conflict between Indians and settlers and encourage Native Americans to take on the ways of the white man."

The Spokane Indian Reservation - The Facts

• Spokane ancestors: river people 
• In 1858, U.S. soldiers marched through their territory
• In 1881, the reservation was established 
• Located in Wellpinit, Washington

Compare the video with what you know

• Are there any similarities/differences? 
• Is there a relationship between what Junior says and what the people in the video say? 
• Find specific quotes from the text 

Write

Prompt: What does it mean to pay attention to somebody's dreams?

Draw

Draw a picture that shows who someone might have been if somebody had paid attention to their dreams. Use words or captions to express feelings/ describe your drawing.

Thank you!

Find out yourselves: (research) : 

1. Use the 5 WH-questions as a start, then expand. 

1. Native American Indian Reservations
   
2. Life on Reservations (living conditions, poverty, crime, health care)
   
3. High School Sports
   
4. The Spokane Tribe of Indians
   
5. The author: Sherman Alexie
   

How? What? When? 

1. Word document 
2. Topic  
3. - 5 WH -questions 
4. -Other important information 
5. - Personal opinion 

Reading/Research time

Make a note of the information from the book or that you find, which you think is important or which speaks to you.

Chapter 2: Why chicken means so much me?

Explain the title: Why chicken means so much to me?

What happens to Oscar? Why?

What's most important about this illustration?

Reading time

Discuss these questions:

- Why does Junior throw his geometry book? What does it signify?

- Why does Mr. P. say the following? ‘Every white person on this rez should get smashed in the face. But, let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too. (p. 40)

- What is Mr. P.'s advice to Junior? Why does he give him this advice?