Cyberguide
The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Cyberguide for 6th grade
The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, By: Sherman Alexie
Book Summary:
This book is about a boy named Junior that lives on an Indian Reservation near a town called Wellpinit. He is beginning high school and couldn't be more excited. Junior loves math, but geometry especially. When he is given his math book in class, he realizes he gets the same book that his mother had when she was in high school. He gets frustrated and angry that the school can't even afford getting new books after that many years. He throws the book at his teacher, breaking his teacher's nose. Junior gets suspended and is recommended to attend a school outside of the reservation. So, Junior decides to go to school at Reardan High School, but immediately gets teased and picked on. Kids make racist comments towards him. Junior meets a girl named Penelope and they soon develop a close relationship which then makes Junior some what accepted. Rowdy, is Junior's best friend on the Reservation, so when they face each other on the basketball court, it gets a little heated. Junior's life on the Reservation isn't all that well. Everyone on the Reservation is mad at Junior for betraying what he said about how he would never want something more than the Reservation can offer. Junior's family life has been majorly affected by alcohol. His grandmother is hit and killed by a drunk driver, his father's best friend is shot and killed by a drunk man, and Junior's sister is killed by being drunk in a trailer as it catches on fire. The story ends with Rowdy saying he is still angry with Junior for leaving the Reservation, but plans on keeping in contact with him no matter what happens.
Activity 1: Literary Log
Junior faces many differences throughout his life between white people vs. the Indians on his reservation. As you read the book, watch for these moments of differences. Write a short summary of the moment and explain the effect it had on Junior's life. Open this into a word document and make a 2 by 8 table. Label the two titles on the top, Description of difference and Effect on Junior's life. Include the page number that you found the moment on.
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will identify different customs and roles of culture from the story, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Standards: SS.6-8.H.2 6th grade History: Understand the role of culture and cultural diffusion on the development and maintenance of societies.
Learning goal: The students will engage in activities relating to the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Activity 2: Spokane Tribe research
The author of the book, Sherman Alexie, grew up on the Spokane Tribe Reservation. Research more about the tribe by following the link below to explore the website. Your job is to write a one page paper on the geography, culture, history, or current life of the Spokane Tribe based on what you found from visiting this website. You will present your paper with the rest of the class.
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will describe different features of the Spokane tribe by researching various topics.
Standards: SS.6-8.H.4 6th grade History: Understand the role of individuals and groups within a society as promoters of change or the status quo.
Learning goal: The students will engage in activities relating to the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Activity 3: Analyzing the character
Throughout the book, the author expresses how Junior changes. A reader can get to know a character by paying attention to how he speaks, thinks, and acts. This evidence provides clues to Junior's traits and key qualities of his personality. Follow the link below to fill out the Analyze Character graphic organizer as you read the book.
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will describe how the character has changed throughout the book by listing key qualities and characteristics.
Standards: Rl.6.3 6th grade Reading: Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text.
Learning goal: The students will engage in activities relating to the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.