THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART TIME INDIAN

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 

Multicultural Literature/Morris

Let’s begin!

Supplies:

• Computer and printer OR  loose leaf paper and black or blue pen 

• Your copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 

• Project Planning Calendar (below)

PROJECT PLANNING CALENDAR

Week 1

Read p. 1-81 (about 12 pages each day) Complete comprehension questions for chapters 1 - 11

Week 2

Read p. 81-149 (about 10 pages each day) Complete comprehension questions for chapters 12 - 20 Complete activities #1 - 2

Week 3

Read p. 150-213 (about 9 pages each day)  Complete comprehension questions for chapters 21 - 27 Complete activity #3

Week 4

Read p. 214-230  Complete comprehension questions for chapters 28 - 30 Complete activity #4

Week 5

Get geared up to start high school!!!

Activity	Percentage of grade
Comprehension questions	10%
#1- Character Chart	20%
#2 – Facebook Page	10%
#3 – What do You Think?	20%
#4 – Critical Essay	40%

Comprehension Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper.

Chapter 1 (pages 1 – 6)

1. Why is Junior a member of “the Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club”? People with disabilities get beat up

2. Why does Junior draw cartoons? What do these images suggest about Junor? Wants to become rich and famous to get out of poverty

Chapter 2 (pages 7 – 14)

1. Junior say, “And hey, in a weird way, being hungry makes food taste better,”(page 8).  What does this statement suggest about Junior? He is optimistic  and finds humor and positivity in every situation.

2. How is poverty (being extremely poor) a cycle (a set of events or actions that happen again and again in the same order and never stop)for Junior’s family? Everyone in his family has been poor, its passed down to every generation (no generational wealth)

Chapter 3 (pages 15 – 24)

1. Describe Rowdy and Junior’s relationship. There best friends

2. What do Rowdy and Junior do for each other? Rowdy protects Junior, Junior draws Rowdy

Chapters 4 (pages 25 – 31)

1. Why is Junior so cynical (believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest)about white teachers? He thinks there a bit weird

2. What makes Junior angry about his geometry book? His geometry book was used 30 years ago

Chapter 5 (pages 32 – 43)

1. Why does Junior throw his geometry book?  What does this suggest about Junior? Realizes how old his book is, his hopes and dreams “Floated up like a mushroom cloud”

2.   What is Mr P’s advice to Junior? Why does he give him this advice? Leave the reservation, Junior has the most hope.

Chapters 6 – 7 (pages 44 – 53)

1. How do Junior’s parents react to his decision to change schools? Surprise but supportive

2. Why is it significant (very important)that Rowdy performed well at most competitions? He’s the only one from his school that is good as others

3. How does Rowdy react to Junior’s decision to move schools? Why does he have this reaciton? He is angry at Junior,Hi best friend is leaving him.

Chapter 8 (pages 54 – 66)

1. Why do people believe that Junior has  betrayed his tribe? Because he goes to school off the reservation.

2. How do the students react to Junior at Reardan? Being racist  and geeting called names.

3. Junior says, “Maybe I was telling the world I was no longer a moving target,” (page 65). How is this a significant (very important) moment for Junior? He told the world he will fight back

Chapters 9 -11 (pages 67 – 81)

1. “I realized how much of my self-worth, my sense of safety, was based on Rowdy’s fists,” (page 68).  What has Junior realized about himself that is significant (very important)? He is standing up for himself

2. How does Junior learn to stand up for himself? Learn from his friend Roger

3. What does Junior’s story about Dawn tell the reader about Junior? He is attracted to girls out of his reach.

Chapter 12 (82 – 98)

1. How does the author illustrate Junior’s loneliness? Playing by himself

2. What is significant about Junior speaking up in class? Because he is normally quiet

3. How does Mr. Dodge reply and how does this make Junior feel? Thinks the drawing is gay

Chapters 13 – 15 (pages 99 – 113)

1. Describe the cartoon Junior draws (page 102). Why is Rowdy’s respect still so important to Junior? Shows them as superheroes,he misses him and what they used to do.

2. What do YOU think of Junior’s reaction to Rowdy’s father? Explain your answer. Its no gay ,its very nice it shows the love he has for Rowdy.

Chapters 16 – 17 (pages 114 – 129)

1. Why is the novel called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian?  Being is like having a part-time job

2. Examine the cartoon on page 120. Analyze each of the pictures. What is Junior suggesting about himself? his cartoons speak louder than words.

3. What does Junior learn by the end of the chapter about Peneople and Roger?  If you let people in your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.

Chapters 18 – 20 (pages 129 – 149)

1. Why does Junior try out for the basketball team? Father told him to dream big 

2. What happens when Junior enters the gym? Explain his reaction.  1 on 1s with Roger, Runs 100 laps  and drills without complaining, know as a good shooter

Chapters 21 – 23 (Pages 150 – 167)

1. Describe Junior’s Christmas. Dad leaves til Jan. 2nd, has hangover with 5 dollars.

2. Why does Junior describe his grandmother as tolerant? Approaches every person the same

3. “We all have to find our own way to say good-bye,” (page 161). How does Junior do this? Most glorious noise he had never had

Chapters 24 – 25 (pages 169 – 196)

1. How does Junior cope with his grief (deep sadness caused especially by someone's death)? makes a list that brings him joy and draws what makes him angry

2. Describe what happens in Mrs. Jeremy’s class? Why is this so significant (important) to Junior? Criticizes Junior for being late, he is supported by the white kids

3. What happens at the end of the game? At the end of the game, Junior looks over at the Redskins and Rowdy.  What does he realize? Reardan wins the match, felt sorry for beating wellpit cause all them are in poverty and alcohol problems

Chapters 26 – 27 (pages 197 – 213)

1. How does Junior react to Mary’s death? Why does he have this reaction? going out of school waiting for his father, worried his father got into an accident

2. Why does Junior feel responsible in some way for Mary’s death?  He believes that Mary left the rez because he left the rez

Chapters 28 – 30 (pages 214 – 230)

1. Why do Junior and Rowdy climb the tree? What does this symbolise? It was there, hugh, and weren't afraid to fall, symbolizes overcoming obstacles. 

2.  ‘We didn’t keep score.’ (p. 230) What does the final line signify? All that matters is the game

3. Do you think Rowdy and Junior will remain friends? Explain. Yes, can’t live without each other 

Project Activities 

Activity #1: Character trait chart

Characters in novels are very important.  Ususally there is a main character or two on which the entire novel will focus.  A character trait is the description of a character’s personality. 

Fill out the character trait chart below. You will need to insert textual evidence (a quote from the book) to demostrate each charater trait you choose for Junior in the appropriate boxes. Then, you will need to write an analysis (a sentence or two) explaining how the quote reveals the theme. You may use a sheet of loose leaf if you cannot fit your answers in the boxes below. You should have a total of 3 different traits, 1 piece of textual evidence for each trait and 1 analysis for each trait.

Characteristic - How would you describe Junior	Evidence from the text - A quote that proves this characteristic	Analysis—How does the textual evidence reveal the theme?
#1 Junior is this type of person  that thinks doesn't take anything serious.	The quote that proves the characteristic is in Chapter 1 " With my big feet and pencil body, I looked like a capital L walking down the road."	This proves Junior is because this proves the characteristic, how he always finds a way to turn something bad to good. Junior made it an entertaining book.
#2 Junior is this type of person that stays to himself	The quote is in Chapter 1, when he says " Sure I want to go outside. Every kid wants to go outside. So, I mostly hang out alone in my bedroom and read books and draw cartoons."	This proves Junior likes to be himself and lonely, because if he goes outside he will get bullied, and won't allow him to make friends.
#3 Junior is the type of person that all his friends are family.	The quote is in Chapter 3, when he says" My house is a safe place, so Rowdy spends most of his time with us. It's like he's a family member, an extra brother and son.''	This proves Junior truly cares about Rowdy like family, he goes there for him through hell and back.

Activity #3: What do you think?  

Directions: Choose two of the following prompts and complete your response on loose leaf paper.  (Your response should be at least 10-15 sentences and include examples and quotes from the novel)

The Relationship with Oneself In Rearden (the town), Junior is “half indian.”  In Wellpinit (the reservation) he is “half-white.”  Do you think Junior struggles with his identity (how he sees himself)? How do you think Junior sees himself?  What are factors, people and events that affect how he views himself.  Explain your ideas fully using examples from the novel.

The Individual and the Relationship to Others Relationships between people are important. Junior is friends with, meets, and is family with many characters in the novel. Chose a character in the novel that you believe has an important relationship with Junior. Describe Junior’s relationship with that character.   How does this relationship affect both Junior and the other character? How does this relationship help Junior understand himself and the world?  Explain your ideas fully using examples from the novel.

Who Are You? Who are you?  There are many characters in the novel.  Which one do you believe is most like you? What is it about this character that you see in yourself?    What similar ideas, behaviors, thoughts, etc. do you have in common with the character? What flaws (weaknesses) do you both share? Would you react the same way to the same situation as the character in the novel does?  Explain your ideas fully and give examples from both the novel and your own life to support your answer.

The Relationship with Oneself

Yes, I think Junior struggles with what he identifies. The reason being some other towns accept Indians and others will accept his white side. On the reservation Junior won't go outside because he will get treated differently. He chooses to stay inside and draw cartoons because he is more safe. Also he is dealing with being in poverty cause he is Indian, he is used to being poor. For example his dad couldn't help Oscar go to the vet, so he ends up putting him down. Then when Junior goes to Rearden, he is the only Indian there. He was an outcast, so he gets bullied for being a different race by the other kids but they will never abuse him. Junior was feeling lonely  because they would ignore him and were being racist. With everything happening to him. Junior stood up for himself.

Who are you?

There are a lot of characters I can relate to. The person I can relate to the most is Junior and the way he deals with his friends. One reason, Junior is a real loyal friend and it's pictured towards the end. I can relate to that because any of my friends you ask know I will always be there for them. Another example, how Rodger takes things to far by making racist jokes knowing that will  mess with Junior. This ended up make them fight. I have dealt with something like that but it never led to fighting.  My experience people would make Asian jokes but they would take it to far. Constantly hearing something that is annoying will get to you. 

Activity #4: Critical Essay

Now that you have thought critically about Junior, what he is like  and who he is in the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,  write a 2-3 page critical essay using the prompt below.  You have the choice to use the graphic organizer to help you write your essay.  The final draft must be typed.

The task - The main character of Sherman Alexie’s book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Arnold Spirit (A.K.A. Junior), experienced a great deal.  Where he lived, his background, events, life lessons, and family and friends were extremely important to him throughout the novel.  Many people would say that all these factors changed Junior from who he was at the beginning of the story until the end.  Others would say that Junior stayed the same.  Do you believe that Junior changed or stayed the same over the span of the novel?    Write a 2-3 page critical essay explaining if you believed he changed or remained the same.  Explain your ideas completely and use quotes and examples from the story.

Be sure to include the following:

• State whether you felt Junior changed or remained the same (state your position in the introductory paragraph). 

• Be specific about what characteristic(s) about him changed or remained the same

(Hint:You may use quotes and ideas from the character trait chart – activity #1 )

• Explain how and why you felt he either changed or remained the same using  specific details from the novel to support your answers.

• Essay must be in the MLA format: Times New Roman, 12 -point size, and double-spaced.

• You must have an original title for your essay.

In this story, Junior has out of this world experiences. These experiences start every morning within his life. In many ways , in the story he changed and went back to his normal self through the story. Junior changes more than staying the same in the story. He changed his whole lifestyle. He changed the way he was adjusting, developing, and becoming more assertive. 

In the story “The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian” he had a bunch of adjusting to do. He had to adjust to new environments and people. Junior had to adjust to meeting and having new friends, everyone was not his friend. Junior had some very evil conniving people in his life. Also, he had to adjust from being on the reservation environment’s to the Reardan environment’s.  The reason being there are two different types of people. At the end of the story it showed how he adjusted as the main character in “The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian”.

Also, what comes with Junior adjusting comes him developing. Junior developed the whole story and picked up more intelligence. Before Junior had the mindset of being very childish by not taking anything serious. The obstacles and life experiences he went through helped him develop into the person at the end. Deeper into the story Junior started to realize the little things around and hate, he just embraced and developed at the end of the story.

With all the adjusting, developing Junior went through he finally became more assertive. In the story, Junior became Gordy’s friend and helped him with reading and studying. That helped Junior gain a sense of confidence. Assertiveness became a huge role to Junior changing as an individual. Junior becoming more assertive helped turn from a little boy to a man.

Through the whole story Junior changed a lot in “ The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian”. What plays a role with Junior’s change is adjusting, developing, and becoming assertive.  I explain all three reasons why and how he changed as a person. These three reasons helped develop Junior into a boy to a man. 

I really like Junior in this story and liked the way I could relate and read and visual of him growing into a man.