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

Lesson 20
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ELA

Unit 8

7th Grade

Lesson 20 of 23

Objective


Analyze how the author builds suspense at the basketball game.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  pp. 187 – 198

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does the author develop a suspenseful mood on pages 192-193? Answer in 7-10 complete sentences.

Key Questions


  • How does Sherman Alexie develop suspense on page 192?
  • On page 193, identify the climax of the chapter.
  • On page 193, what is most likely the explanation for the narrator's behavior in this sentence: "I stuck my tongue out at him. Like I was Michael Jordan. I mocked him."
  • Describe Junior's internal conflict on pages 195-196.

Notes


  • The teacher may want to include a Mini Lesson on suspense in this lesson. Suggested information to include in the Mini Lesson is below.
    • Suspense: feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
    • Watch clip from a movie to show kids the meaning of suspense (Ex. A movie clip from Jaws)
    • How does the filmmaker build suspense?  Authors can’t use music so they use other literary devices to create suspense. What does Sherman Alexie do?

Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.

Next

Identify and analyze hyperboles.

Debate whether it is possible to be yourself and part of a group—even if you don’t identify with parts of that group. 

Lesson 21
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