Short Stories

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 6

9th Grade

Lesson 2 of 13

Objective


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.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  pp. 59 – 66

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What techniques does Alexie use to convey his message about the theme of identity in “How to Fight Monsters”? Explain using evidence from the text.

(This target task will require 10-15 minutes for students to complete. It will serve as a diagnostic assessment of students’ literary analysis writing.)

Key Questions


  • p. 60 "My name is Junior," I said. "And my name is Arnold. It's Junior and Arnold. I'm both." What is the author juxtaposing here? What does this juxtaposition reveal about Junior's conflict?
  • Based on what we have read so far, what is Alexie conveying about the thematic topic of identity in this chapter? What evidence supports this? (Amongst other quotes, "I felt like two different people inside of one body" could be used here.)
  • How does "The Unofficial and Unwritten Spokane Indian Rules of Fisticuffs" further develop this theme?
  • p. 62 "The rules I grew up in are no longer applicable in this situation." What is so important about this line? How does it relate to the conflict? Identity?
  • What literary devices does Alexie use to convey theme? (conflict, character, juxtaposition, text features, characterization, etc.)

Notes


  • Class should again begin with explicit instruction of vocabulary and literary terms to reinforce the routines established yesterday.
  • The primary focus of today’s lesson is to read, annotate, and gather evidence to write a written response to the target task.
  • The teacher should use the unit Writing Focus Areas to assess today’s target task and use this opportunity to teach students how to use Writing Focus Areas to guide their writing.

Next

Explain how the author uses specific diction to characterize the girls on p. 225.

Practice the systems and routines (same as yesterday, plus root study) of the high school literature classroom.

Lesson 3
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Lesson Map

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