orange icon book

Grade 7: Unit 3 – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: Whole Class Novel Seminars

Seminar 1: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars envision the setting and characters described by Sherman Alexie. They describe Junior’s perspective on poverty and how it affects life on the reservation.

Seminar 1:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club” and “Why Chicken Means So Much to Me” (pages 1–14)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Tell scholars that today, they will begin reading a highly controversial coming-of-age novel for young adults, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. As they listen to the opening pages, scholars should envision the setting and characters introduced by Sherman Alexie.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club,” pages 1–6

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What do we learn about Junior from these opening pages? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Alexie develop
      Junior’s character?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Why Chicken Means So Much to Me,” pages 7–14

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What is Junior’s point of view on poverty? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does Oscar’s death reveal about life on the reservation?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What is Junior’s perception of himself? Justify your argument with at least
      two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 2: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars understand how Junior’s style of narration develops their understanding of his character, life on the reservation, and his relationship with Rowdy.

Seminar 2:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Revenge Is My Middle Name” (pages 15–24)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to continue reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian today. Tell scholars that as they listen to the next chapters, they should think about how Alexie develops Junior as a character.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Revenge Is My Middle Name,” pages 15–18

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What do we learn about Rowdy from Junior’s description of him? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Junior’s style of narration help us understand their relationship?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “Revenge Is My Middle Name,” pages 19–24

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What do Rowdy’s actions suggest about how he feels about Junior? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What is Junior’s point of view on his and Rowdy’s friendship?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • How does Junior’s narration help the reader understand what life is like on the reservation? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Homework

  • Read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Because Geometry Is Not a Country Somewhere Near France” (pages 25–31)

Seminar 3: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars articulate how Junior’s interactions with other characters reveal powerful truths about life on the reservation. They understand how living on the reservation affects each character differently, and how the power of hope impacts each character’s actions.

Seminar 3: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Hope Against Hope” and “Go Means Go” (pages 32–47)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read more about Junior’s development as a character in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they listen to the next two chapters, they should think about how Alexie reveals his message about hope.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Hope Against Hope,” pages 32–39 (stop after “… hide in basements if they’re happy.”)

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: Why is Junior surprised to find out his sister wanted to be a writer? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does the conversation between
      Junior and Mr. P develop Alexie’s argument about life on the reservation?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Hope Against Hope” and “Go Means Go,” pages 39–47

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: Why does Junior decide to attend Reardan? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How do Junior’s parents react to Junior’s decision to attend Reardan?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What does Junior’s conversation with Mr. P reveal about hope? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 4: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars articulate Alexie’s argument about identity. Scholars understand how the Reardan students’ views of the reservation and Indians affect how Junior sees himself.

Seminar 4:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Rowdy Sings the Blues” and “How to Fight Monsters” (pages 48–61)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read about Junior’s transition to Reardan High School in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they listen to the next two chapters, they should think about Junior’s transition and how his feelings drive his actions.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Rowdy Sings the Blues,” pages 48–53

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What does Rowdy’s reaction to Junior’s news tell us about Rowdy’s character? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does Rowdy’s reaction reveal
      about how people on the rez feel about white people?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “How to Fight Monsters,” pages 54–61 (Stop before “The Unofficial and Unwritten…”)

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What do Junior’s descriptions of his classmates tell us about his point of view on the Reardan community? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Junior’s interaction with Penelope develop our understanding of Junior’s struggle with identity?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • How does the cartoon on page 57 develop Alexie’s argument about identity? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Homework

  • Read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “How to Fight Monsters,” “Grandmother Gives Me Some Advice,” “Tears of a Clown,” and “Halloween” (pages 61–81)

Seminar 5: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze how the different settings influence Junior’s identity. They begin to understand the significance of the novel’s title, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Seminar 5:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Slouching Toward Thanksgiving”
(pages 82–98)

Do Now — 10 minutes

Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read more about Junior’s time at Reardan High School in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that they should think about how Junior’s relationship to other students at Reardan are changing.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Slouching Toward Thanksgiving,” pages 82–88

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What does Junior discover about himself during his first few weeks at Reardan? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What can we learn about Junior’s sense of identity from his interaction with Mr. Dodge?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Slouching Toward Thanksgiving,” pages 89–98

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How does Junior’s relationship with Gordy affect the way that Junior sees himself? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How do the two settings in the novel— Wellpinit and Reardan—affect Junior’s sense of identity?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • How does today’s reading help you better understand the novel’s title, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 6: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze Junior’s changing relationships with the people around him. They understand how these relationships develop Alexie’s message about identity and coming of age.

Seminar 6:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “My Sister Sends Me an Email,” “Thanksgiving,” and “Hunger Pains” (pages 99–113)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read more about Junior’s relationships to other people in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they continue to read, they should think about how Alexie develops his message about identity and Junior’s
    coming of age.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “My Sister Sends Me an E-Mail” and “Thanksgiving,” pages 99–103

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following in pairs: Compare Mary and Junior’s reasons for leaving the rez. Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does the chapter “Thanksgiving” reveal about Rowdy’s feelings toward their friendship?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Hunger Pains,” pages 104–113

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How has Junior’s relationship with Penelope changed the way he sees himself? How has it changed the way other people see him? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Alexie use Junior’s
      narrations to develop other characters?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • How do Junior’s relationships with his Reardan classmates affect his sense of identity? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Homework

  • Read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Rowdy Gives Me Advice About
    Love” (pages 114–117)

Seminar 7: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars articulate how poverty contributes to Junior’s perception of himself, and how his honesty about his background deepens his relationship with others.

Seminar 7:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Dance, Dance, Dance,” “Don’t Trust Your Computer,” and “My Sister Sends Me a Letter” (pages 118–134)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read about Junior’s first time attending a school dance in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they read, they should think about how Junior’s honesty about being poor helps to deepen his relationships with other people.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Dance, Dance, Dance,” pages 118–123

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following in pairs: How has living on the reservation and attending school in Reardan affected Junior? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How do Junior’s expectations contradict what actually happens at the dance?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Dance, Dance, Dance,” “Don’t Trust Your Computer,” and “My Sister Sends Me a Letter,” pages 124–134

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How do Junior’s perceptions of his classmates influence his behavior? How has Junior’s perception of others changed the way other people see him? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Junior’s perception of himself change at the end of this chapter?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What is the significance of the closing line in “Dance, Dance, Dance”: “If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.”? (page 129) Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 8: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars examine Junior’s internal struggle to unite the two seemingly disparate parts of himself. Scholars further develop their understanding of Alexie’s messages about identity and relationships.

Seminar 8:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Reindeer Games” (pages 135–149)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read about Junior’s basketball tryout The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars they should think about how basketball plays a crucial role in Junior’s life, and how his struggle with his own identity drives his emotions during the game with Wellpinit.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Reindeer Games,” pages 135–141

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What does Junior’s basketball tryout reveal about his character? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: Why does Junior refer to himself as a “warrior”? (page 141).

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “Reindeer Games,” pages 142–149

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: Why is the mood at the basketball game so tense? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does the setting influence Junior’s actions?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What does coach’s visit to the hospital reveal about Arnold’s changing relationships to people at Reardan? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 9: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars evaluate the role of Junior’s parents and grandmother in his coming of age. They identify the different ways Junior comes to terms with his family’s behavior.

Seminar 9:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “And a Partridge in a Pear Tree” and “Red Versus White” (pages 150–158)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Tell scholars that today, they will read about a tragic event in Junior’s life in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars they should think about how Junior’s relationships with his family changes throughout his coming of age.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “And a Partridge in a Pear Tree” and “Red Versus White,” pages 150–154

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: According to Junior, what makes a good parent? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What is the significance of the chapter “And a Partridge in a Pear Tree?”

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “Red Versus White,” pages 155–158

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What lessons does Junior learn from his grandmother (both in the way she lived and died)? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: Why does Junior consider tolerance to be his grandmother’s “greatest gift”? (page 155).

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • How has being at Reardan changed Junior’s point of view on his family? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 10: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze the mood in this chapter. They will be able to articulate how Junior’s grandmother’s death affects Junior’s relationships on the reservation and develops Alexie’s message about home.

Seminar 10:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Wake” (pages 159–168)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Tell scholars that today, they will read about grandmother’s funeral and how the community comes together in support of Junior and his family in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indian. Tell scholars they should think about how Alexie’s message about home comes through in this chapter.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Wake,” pages 159–162

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How does the funeral change Junior’s relationship with his tribe members? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Ted’s presence affect the mood at the funeral?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “Wake,” pages 163–168

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What is Junior’s point of view on Billionaire Ted? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What is the significance of Junior’s mother rejecting Ted’s offer?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What do the paradoxical actions of laughter and crying show us about Junior’s community? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Homework

  • Read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Valentine Heart,” (pages 169–178)

Seminar 11: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze Junior’s relationship with basketball and they understand how Alexie uses basketball to develop the novel’s plot and central theme about identity.

Seminar 11:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “In Like a Lion” (pages 179–186)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read about the rematch basketball game against Wellpinit in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they read, they should think about why winning this rematch game against Wellpinit is so important to Junior.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

  • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “In Like a Lion,” pages 179–183 (stop after “…Spokane Indian playing against his old friends (and enemies).”)

Discuss:

  • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: Why is Junior a better basketball player at Reardan than he ever was on the rez? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
  • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: On page 180, what does Alexie
    communicate to readers about “the power of expectations”?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (5 minutes):

    • “In Like a Lion,” pages 183–186 (“A local news crew…” to page break)

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: From Junior’s perspective, what is at stake in the rematch against Wellpinit? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: On page 186, Junior tells the sports announcer, “I’m never going to quit living life this hard, you know? I’m never going to surrender to anybody.” How have we seen Junior embody this attitude throughout the novel?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • On page 186, why does Junior feel that the Wellpinit basketball game is “the most important night of his life”? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 12: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze how Alexie develops the mood during the basketball game at Reardan. They understand the significance of Junior playing against and beating the Wellpinit team.

Seminar 12:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “In Like a Lion,” and “Rowdy and I Have a Long and Serious Discussion About Basketball” (pages 186–198)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read more about the rematch basketball game against Wellpinit in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they read, they should think about how Junior and Rowdy’s relationship is affected by the outcome of the game.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “In Like a Lion,” pages 186 (page break)–189

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What has basketball taught Junior? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: Why is Junior so invested in beating Wellpinit in basketball?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “In Like a Lion,” pages 190–198

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How does Rowdy and Junior’s relationship drive the plot? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does Junior’s friendship with Rowdy suggest about the role of relationships in Junior’s life?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • Why is this basketball game significant for Junior? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 13: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze how Alexie conveys Junior’s grief when Mary dies. They understand how Junior differs from other people at the reservation and comes of age in the face of adversity.

Seminar 13:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses” (pages 199–213)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Tell scholars that today, they will read about another tragic event in Junior’s life in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars they should think about how Alexie conveys Junior’s grief, and how his relationships on the rez and at school have changed.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses,” pages 199–204

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What major differences between white and Indian populations does Junior identify? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does Junior’s initial reaction to hearing about Mary’s death show about his state of mind?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses,” pages 205–213

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How does Mary’s death affect Junior? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: How does Alexie convey the extent of Junior’s grief?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • What is the significance of Junior’s decision to go back to school the day after Mary’s funeral? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

Seminar 14: Whole Class Novel

What Does Success Look Like?

Scholars analyze the resolution of Junior and Rowdy’s fight and examine the novel’s cyclical structure. Scholars are able to explain Alexie’s messages about friendship, identity, and hope.

Seminar 14:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: “My Final Freshman Year Report Card,” “Remembering,” and “Talking About Turtles” (pages 214–230)

Do Now — 10 minutes

  • Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
  • Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.

Launch — 2 minutes

  • Get scholars excited to read about Junior in the last chapters of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tell scholars that as they read, they should think about how Alexie uses Junior and Rowdy’s relationship to explain his messages about friendship, identity, and hope.

Read and Discuss 1 — 15 minutes

Read:

    • Read Aloud (5 minutes): “My Final Freshman Year Report Card” and
      “Remembering,” pages 214–218

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What does Junior realize about his identity when he visits the graveyard with his parents? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What is Junior’s realization about his relationship with Rowdy at the end of this chapter?

Read and Discuss 2 — 15 minutes

Independent Reading (10 minutes):

    • “Talking About Turtles,” pages 219–230

Discuss:

    • Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: How does Alexie characterize Junior and Rowdy’s friendship in the last chapter? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
    • If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: Why does Alexie wait until the last chapter for Junior and Rowdy to resolve their fight?

Exit Ticket — 8 minutes

Write an essay of no more than 200 words:

    • Challenge and adversity can strengthen a friendship. Consider Rowdy and Junior’s reunion. Do you think their friendship is stronger now? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.

You Did It!

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of Literature Unit 3: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

As a result of teaching this unit, you as the teacher have:

  • Helped your scholars fall in love with this novel.
  • Built your scholars’ ability to articulate their understanding of texts both orally and in writing.

Your scholars can:

  • Notice interesting craft and structure moves used by an author and explain how these choices support the central themes.
  • Write and revise arguments of 200 words to demonstrate their understanding of texts.

Celebrate your scholars’ successes by acknowledging what they can now do as readers as a result of their work during this unit. Invite scholars to share how much they enjoyed Junior’s coming-of-age story.

Reflect on your successes and stretches, as well as those of your scholars. Have your scholars grown as readers over the last month? Do you have any readers who are not reading at Level Z? If so, create a plan to target those scholars during the independent reading portions of each lesson. Additionally, you must enlist parents to help get scholars over this hump!

Scholars must read at home, as well as in school. Do you have 100% of your kids reading nightly at home? Make sure at-home reading is happening, and meet with families who are falling short to recommit them to this team effort.

Do you have 100% of your scholars reading fluently? Using all of the tools at their disposal to figure out the meaning of what they are reading?

Do you have 100% of your scholars doing their literacy homework? You must insist that 100% of scholars are completing their homework nightly.

Going into the next unit, make specific reading goals for yourself. Set a percentage goal for how many children you will move. Set a goal for children who are not reading at home. Who will you get to consistently read at home? Set a goal for moving any scholars stuck below Level Z. Why are they stuck? Do they read fluently? Do they understand what they’re reading? Do they understand the big idea? How will you partner with parents to support their growth?

If you are having trouble meeting your goals, do not wait until you have NOT succeeded. Consult your colleagues. Consult your leaders. ASK FOR HELP so you can meet your goals!

resources

Related content

Access a wide array of articles, webinars, and more, designed to help you help children reach their potential.