Short Stories

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 6

9th Grade

Lesson 1 of 13

Objective


Explain how Sherman Alexie uses juxtaposition to characterize Junior.

Practice the systems and routines (vocabulary acquisition, annotation, independent reading) of the high school literature classroom.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  pp. 54 – 57

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains how Alexie uses juxtaposition to characterize Junior in these pages?

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Sample Response

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Which quotation below best proves the answer to number 1?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

What is Alexie revealing about Junior through his use of juxtaposition? Explain in one to two sentences.

Key Questions


  • What do we learn about Junior on pages 54 and 55?
  • How does the narrator's use of the word "crucified" on p. 55 affect the reader?
  • How has Junior "betrayed" his tribe? Has he really?
  • How does the author use juxtaposition to characterize Junior? What examples have we seen on pp. 54-56?
  • How does the diagram on p. 57 serve as an example of juxtaposition?

Notes


  • Students are reading a chapter from a novel, so a little background knowledge will be necessary. Junior, the protagonist, lives on the Spokane Indian reservation and has decided to attend an all-white off-reservation school in order to get a better education. This chapter describes his first day at the new school.
  • Also, students using the Match curriculum in middle school will have read this novel in its entirety in 7th grade. In the spirit of this unit being a bridge from middle to high school, we think it is fine to re-read this except through a high school lens. Alternatively, the teacher could substitute in a different piece of short fiction focused on identity.
  • Vocabulary for explicit instruction: betray, translucent
  • Terms to be defined through image or quick definition for today’s reading: crucified, “the rez”
  • Literary terms for explicit instruction/definition: characterization, juxtaposition
  • Either for homework on this evening or as a Do Now the following day, students should answer the unit essential question --not in relation to any text, just for themselves. “Who or what defines who we are? Can each individual decide and shape his or her own identity?”

Next

Explain the techniques Alexie uses to reveal and develop theme.

Practice the systems and routines (same as yesterday, plus evidence-based writing) of the high school literature classroom.

Lesson 2
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