More workshopping

1. Set up a drobox account, create and share a folder with Mary, test sharing, high-5 neighbor for being so crafty!
2. How to submit:

1. Save the document as a PDF with the following file name: AlexieA/E_Name.pdf
1. Word users: FILE --> SAVE AS --> PDF (make sure to unclick the "hide extension" box)
2. Pages users: FILE --> EXPORT --> PDF (make sure to unclick the "hide extension" box)
3. Google users: FILE --> DOWNLOAD AS --> PDF
2. Go to dropitto.me/mcollie to send paper to Mary.
3. Password: EnglishRocks

Pre-workshop:
The handout

Groups:
A block

1. Caroline, Alexia, Ryan,
2. Cate, Zoe Nick
3. Delaney, Lizzie, Duncan
4. Adam, Mia, Felix, Nathan

E block

1. Emma, Justin, Joe
2. Macie, Nadav, Sam
3. Mackenzie, Jack, Maggie
4. Grace, Lane, Julia
5. Elly, Danielle, Lauren
6. Andy, Sierra, Coco

The process:
Work through the handout with your group mates. You must read each other's work and give feedback, edits, and suggestions for revision. This is a great time to learn that the more you put into this exercise, the more you get out.

The essay & workshopping

Review the writing assignment

Group work: Workshop Protocol (Please read protocol to students before you begin. Keep time to keep the discussions moving.)

1. Presenter gives an overview of the ideas/insights/writing for each grade. Start at Kindergarten and move through high school. Listeners are looking for overarching themes/ideas. Listeners don’t speak or respond at all, but they should take notes on what stands out, what they hear.. (5 mins)
2. Each listener summarizes what they heard the presenter say. (2-3 mins)
3. Listeners ask probing questions: These questions should be worded so that they help the presenter clarify and expand his/her thinking about the ideas presented. The goal here is to help the presenter refine each grade level story, and improve upon the style, voice, tone, and details. The presenter may respond to the group’s questions, but there is no discussion by the group of the presenter’s responses. (2-3 mins)
4. Presenter gets to ask questions. The goal here is to gain use your peers as a sounding board. What is missing? What needs elaboration?  (2-3 mins)

Workshop groups E

1. Emma, Coco, Sam

2. Macie, Lauren, Jack

3. Mackenzie, Grace, Joe

4. Danielle, Julia, Nadav

5. Sierra, Maggie, Lane

6. Elly, Andy, Justin

The Alexie Personal Essay

Here's the writing assignment.

"The Lone Ranger & Tonto ..." and "Witnesses, Secret & Not"

1. Some writing ... memories from 5th-8th grade. This should be a bit easier than K-4 memories.
1a. Check books and guiding question
2. Discussion Questions

Who is Tonto? Who is the Lone Ranger? TV show from 1950s.
Tonto comic book
Recent film
ABC story one some of the mascots

Good read on mascots from ESPN

The Lone Ranger & Tonto
1. What internal conflict is the narrator dealing with?
2. How does the narrator try to take advantage and ownership of Indian stereotypes?
3. Define the "new kind of warrior" the narrator is supposed to embody?
4. What conclusions does the narrator come to at the end of the story? What conclusions are the reading to draw on the evolution of the narrator?

Witnesses, Secret & Not
1. How does the narrator's view of his father change over the course of the story?
2. What's the main conflict of the story?
3. What's the relationship between Indian identity and the culture's obsession with the disappeared?

"Approximate size of my ..." & "Indian Education"

1. Some writing about the reading: how would you describe Alexie's style in Indian Education? What kinds of details does he include? How would you describe the tone?
1a. Check books and guiding questions
2. Some writing for yourself ... Modeling your structure after Indian Education, please brainstorm memories from kindergarten through fourth grade.
3. Discussion:

Approximate Size ...

1. This is a love story, why does the narrator fall in love with Norma?
2. How does humor help the narrator survive the struggles of every day life? What does humor allow the narrator to mask?

Indian Education

1. Your discussion questions ....

A Block

E Block

"Amusements" & "This is What It Means"

• Read "I remember ..." and write your own. Categories include: music, people, smells, tastes, places, advertisements, firsts, bruises/scars/broken bones, books, movies, vacations, and sayings.
• Book & guiding question check
• Discussion

Amusements (Internalized Oppression)
1. The plot of a story is the chain of major events. Summarize the plot of “Amusements”.

2. What does the plot tell you about Victor’s attitude towards Dirty Joe? Towards himself?

3. What is the significance of the title?

4. Sherman Alexie repeats the phrase “Crazy mirrors” three times at the end of the story. What is the significance of the crazy mirrors?


This is What It Means ... (the journey)

1. Think about Victor’s character. Describe him in the beginning of the story, the middle, and the end. Does he change? Explain.

2. Think about Thomas’ character. Compare him to Victor. How is he different? Similar?

3. Thomas Builds-the Fire has the ability to see things that others cannot. Why are his peers so unwilling to listen to his stories? What do his stories represent?

"Because My Father Always Said ..." & "The Only Traffic Signal on the Res"

1. Check books
2. What does it mean to annotate?
3. Discussion

Because My Father Always …

1. Describe Victor’s relationship with his father?

2. Why do you think Victor’s father was so adamant about saying he was the only Indian to see Hendrix play at Woodstock? What did it mean to Victor’s father to say he was there? What does Jimi Hendrix symbolize to the narrator?

3. By the end of the story, how has Hendrix's symbolism changed for the narrator? For his father?

The Only Traffic Signal …

1. What is the meaning, the value of basketball on the reservation?

2. Summarize what happens to Julius Windmaker in 3-5 sentences.

3. How does the broken traffic light serve as a metaphor for life on the reservation.

Day 2: Sherman Alexie redux

1. Where I'm From -- let's share!
2. Tribes -- some discussing & some writing: What tribes are you from? List 20-25 tribes you are a part of. Note how Alexie is specific and mentions emotions as well as tangible things. Drill down beyond your Where I'm From.
3. Bill Moyers & Alexie in conversation

Journal Rubric

Here's the rubric!