Day 8: Part-Time Indian pps. 101-129

1. Sentence

3. Compound sentence with explanatory statement (clauses separated by colon)

The empty cookie tin on the kitchen counter could only mean one thing: Mary ate of the cookies before she was able to bring them to school.

2. Writing
None today

3. Discussion
Junior-isms: look back through the text and find those excellent one-liners that transform Junior's narrative from adolescent to transcendent.

For example: :There are all kinds of addicts, I guess. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away," (107) OR "If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing," (129).

What lesson does this Junior-ism reveal?
---------------
Tone. What is it (the narrator's attitude toward a specific subject) and how do we talk about it (with adjectives)? Let's look at the Thanksgiving chapter more closely.

Notice the contrast of the titles of the two chapters Thanksgiving and Hunger Pains. How do these chapters illuminate the vast differences between the white and Indian cultures written about in the novel?

What does Penelope's struggle reveal about her character?

What does Roger's compassion reveal about his character?

What does hiding his poverty reveal about Junior's character?

Day 7: Part-Time Indian pps. 77-100

1. Sentence

3. Compound sentence with explanatory statement (clauses separated by colon)

The empty cookie tin on the kitchen counter could only mean one thing: Mary ate of the cookies before she was able to bring them to school.

2. Writing
"Well, buddy," he would have said. "The first think you have to do is change the way you look, the way you talk, and the way you walk. And then she'll think you're her fricking Prince Charming," (81).

It's obvious that Rowdy's advice to Junior is a bit extreme. Why do you think Junior goes against this advice? I'd also like you to reflect on a time when you changed some aspect of yourself to fit in/find acceptance OR when you, like Junior, refused to change.

OR

How does Junior define a warrior? According to his definition, reflect on a time when you were a warrior.


3. Discussion

• What influence do the following people have on Junior's sense of self? Break up into six groups (one for each character) and find text evidence to support your claim. Share your ideas on the board.
• Rowdy
• Penelope
• Mary
• Mom & Dad
• Gordy
• Grandmother
• Let's color!!
• Draw hope.
• Go wild. Be creative. Color in one of the cartoons.

Day 6: In-class Writing Day is AWESOME!!

1. Get a laptop
2. Pick your favorite writing program (Pages, Word, Google Drive, etc)
3. Set-up a document with name in upper left OR right corner
4. Tell yourself YOU ARE AMAZING!

• Prompt

Question 2: Insider / Outsider

First Paragraph: Junior frequently feels alienated from his own community as well as from that of Reardan. How does being an outsider affect Junior? Is he ever an insider?

Second Paragraph: In what circumstances have you been an outsider or an insider? How have those experiences influenced you?

• 10 minutes of pre-writing/brainstorming

This can come in the format of an outline, a mind map, a free write, etc. I just want to see some planning on your part before you write. I want to see your process.

• Writing!

Get down to business. You can use the blog, the sentence patterns, an online dictionary and/or thesaurus to craft your ideas. You cannot use your book, any prewritten notes, any sources other than previously mentioned.

You do need to copy and paste the rubric into your own paper. Please include it at the end of your writing. An added note: the formatting will look great in Word and Drive, but it will look at a little wacky in Pages. That is ok.

• Handing this in

1. Save the document as a PDF (this can be done under SAVE AS in Word or EXPORT in Pages). Make sure you click the box that says "show extension"
2. Title the document as follows: Name_PTI_1_B/C.pdf
3. Email yourself a copy of the non PDF version of writing.
4. Go to dropitto.me/mcollie to submit paper (Password: EnglishRocks).
5. Check in with Mary quietly to make sure she has received your paper.
6. Return laptop to cart and plug it in.
7. Quietly rejoice because you are finished. You can read ahead, do other homework, or otherwise relax. Regardless, you must stay in the room and you must remain silent. =-)

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Day 5: Part-Time Indian pps. 48-76

Sentence

2. Compound sentence with elliptical construction

Mary likes punk rock music; Jamie, reggae.

Writing!

Let's look at the rubric for Thursday's writing

Discussion

But first ... a little slideshow (from the lovely E1 teacher Laurie Clark)

ABC story on current mascot names

NYTimes story with focus on money side of things

1. Top of pg. 50: what purpose does the description serve in the overall narrative?
2. On page 55, Junior discusses being a “warrior.”  Define different kinds of bravery that Junior exhibits. Discuss kinds of bravery an adolescent boy might possess. What would be brave for an adolescent girl (is it the same or different?).
3. Why do we only find out that Junior’s real name is Arnold Spirit at this point in the novel (60)?
4. What are the rules to fighting, according to Junior (61-2)? Have you noticed adolescent boys adopting the same or similar codes? Are there any differences? Why is there such an intricate code for dealing with conflict?
5. p.63: Racial slurs used against Arnold
6. Why does Rowdy punch Junior?
7. In what way is Arnold both a cultural and racial outsider? How does culture differ from race?

Day 4: Setting up Dropbox & Where I'm From!

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

2. Write, print, and love your Where I'm From poem. Don't forget to put your picture on the poem.

Day 3: Part-Time Indian pps. 25-47

Sentence

1a. Semicolon and conjunctive adverb!

English is awesome; however, math is fun too.

(other conjunctive adverbs include but are not limited to hence, therefore, thus, then, moreover, nevertheless, likewise, consequently and accordingly)

Free Write

In your family and circle of friends, who has the most hope and why?

Discussion

• What makes for a successful piece of personal writing? List 5-7 things that are content related and 5-7 things that are structure related.

1. When does Junior feel shame? When does Junior feel pride?
2. Junior says, "My hopes and dreams floated up in a mushroom cloud. What do you do when the world has declared nuclear war on you?" (31). What is the revelation he has that causes him to say this? What do you think is the real cause of his anger?
3. Mr. P says the white people were trying kill Indian culture. Why? What does this reveal about the whites involved in reservation life?
4. Is Mr. P helping Junior or putting unfair pressure on him?
5. Think about the lens through which Mr P experiences the reservation. First, describe the lens (Mr P's perspective) and, second, explain how that lens is limited and susceptible to bias.

Day 2: Part-Time Indian pps. 1-24

Some sentence work:

1. Compound sentence: semicolon, no conjunction.

English is awesome; I love the class.

Free write:

"So I draw because I feel like it might be my only real chance to escape the reservation" (6). Arnold uses drawing as a way to escape, a way to save himself. Think about something you do as a way to escape the chaos of your surroundings. This is a personal response, so you can use "I".

Discussion:

1. Notice Junior’s voice. Choose three descriptive adjectives to describe it:

2. What do you notice about Junior’s language? What techniques does the author use to convey Junior’s age, attitude, life experiences, cultural norms?

3. How does Junior view himself? What influences his sense of self?

4. List the problems that Junior says he has. Then decide which is the worst and why.

5. What is funny? (How does Alexie use humor in the text?)

6. When does the humor create discomfort? Why?

7. Junior feels weak while dealing with the death of Oscar. Do you think he is weak or brave? Support your response with the text.

8. What Indian stereotypes does Junior employ? How does he evoke the reader's sympathies for these hardships? (find specific examples from the text)

9. How does Junior's relationship with Rowdy impact his sense of self? What does Junior learn about himself from his relationship with Rowdy?

 

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