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

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 8

7th Grade

Lesson 4 of 23

Objective


Identify and analyze the theme of hope.

Identify the meaning of text features (italics and dashes).

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  pp. 31 – 46

  • Article: “Kill the Indian, Save the Man” by Jane Yu 

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

Read the excerpt from page 42: “No, I mean you have to leave the rez forever.” Why does Alexie italicize the word “forever”?

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Sample Response

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Which statement best captures the theme in this chapter?

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Sample Response

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Which piece of evidence best supports the answer to Part B?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

How does Sherman Alexie develop the theme of hope in this chapter?

Key Questions


  • p. 32 - Text Feature: Italics What is the effect of italicizing "something" and "somebody" in the text? The author wants you to emphasize these words. Read them slowly and loudly.
  • p. 41 - Text Feature: ( - ) A dash symbolizes an interruption, even a self- interruption.
  • p. 43 - What does the author mean by, "I was carrying the burden of my race, you know? I was going to get a bad back from it."?
  • According to Mr. P, how will Junior find hope?
  • If "hope" is the thematic topic, what is the thematic statement of the chapter?

Notes


  • Teacher should be reviewing with students what a mastery short answer response looks like during class. This will set them up to succeed on the unit test short answer questions.
  • (Optional) Teachers can teach a Mini Lesson on theme. Below is suggested information to include in the Mini Lesson.
    • A theme is the central message of a text. Theme is complicated because it can be summed up in one word (the thematic topic) or stretched out into multiple words (thematic statement).  We will have to get used to using the words “theme” in both ways.  
    • For example, the thematic topic of Romeo and Juliet is “young love” but a theme is "young love is fickle and unreliable.”
    • For example, the thematic topic of Hunger Games is “inequality between rich and poor” but a thematic statement is "the inequality between rich and poor leads to disobedience (or revolution or defiance).”
    • The thematic statement is a sentence that sums up what the author is trying to teach the reader through the story. 
    • Themes are universal topics or messages that an author writes about that can be applied to other stories, or the real world. 
    • To make a thematic statement, state the author’s opinion about the topic (What is the author trying to teach us about courage? About hope? About friendship?).
    • Thematic statements should NOT begin with:
      • I think….
      • The author thinks…
      • The author’s opinion is… 
    • Thematic statements SHOULD include the topic and the author’s opinion about the topic.

Common Core Standards


  • L.7.3 — Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
  • RL.7.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

Next

Analyze how the author contrasts Rowdy’s and Junior’s perspectives to develop the theme of hope in the text.

Practice the habits of discussion in class.

Lesson 5
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