The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2020)

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 8

7th Grade

Lesson 14 of 23

Objective


Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.

Explain the tension that Gordy describes between being an individual and being a part of a community.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  pp. 130 – 141

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

On page 136, what does the word 'optimistic' most likely mean?

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Sample Response

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Which diction best supports the answer to Part A?

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Sample Response

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On page 140, what does the prefix “im” mean in “immovable”?

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Sample Response

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Which diction best supports the answer to Part A?

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Sample Response

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Discussion Prompt

List 1-2 strategies you used to answer the questions above. 

Key Questions


  • What is the meaning of “repressed” as it is used in paragraph 2 on page 131? How do you know?
  • P. 138: What strategy can we use to make sure we understand who is saying what in this dialogue?
  • Why would an author use unassigned dialogue when author’s don’t use dialogue tags to indicate who is speaking in the text?
  • Gordy says, “Well, life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community” (p. 132).  What does he mean by this as it pertains to Junior?  
  • Self to Text: Describe a time when you struggled between being yourself (an individual) and fitting in with your community.

Notes


This lesson connects with an essential question: Is it possible to be yourself and part of a group - even if you don’t identify with parts of that group?

Common Core Standards


  • L.7.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  • RL.7.1 — Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Next

Determine how the author builds the mood.

Analyze how the game shows Junior's negotiation between his old and new identity.

Lesson 15
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Lesson Map

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