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

Our reading plan:

- Get a copy to keep with you 

- You will have some time to read in class, and also need to read at home

- I will give you deadlines when chapters should be finished at the latest (March 22th) 

Who is Arnold Spirit Jr. (aka Junior)?

Arnold Spirit Jr.

- 14 years old

- Indian

- brain damage

- stutters & lisps

- big head/skull, hands & feet

- skinny

- had 42 teeth

- wears glasses

- likes to draw (cartoons)

- 1 sister

- has headaches and seizures

- best friend Rowdy

What does Arnold use to express himself?

1. Photography
2. Basketball
3. Writing
4. Drawing

Why is drawing so important to Junior?

What is one thing his cartoons can never do?

Wat weet je van het leven in een reservation?

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
   

Reading/Research time

We start together (first chapter), then you will continue on your own.
Copy a line you think is important or which speaks to you.
(Or some lines)

What's most important about this illustration?

Chapters 1-3

> Discuss these chapters: what's most important?

> Predict the rest of the book: which themes might be important?

> Write down a few questions + possible answers for each other

Reading time

Promote the book 

Write a short book promotion about the PT-Indian. 

Try to make your reader curious and interested. 

Chapters 4-9

Chapter 5: Hope against hope

Why was Junior suspended?

1. He stole a maths book
2. He fought with a classmate
3. He threw a book to Mr. P's head
4. He forgot his schoolbooks

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. advice to Junior? Why does he give him this advice? 

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