Classroom Activities
Informational Text Analysis: Sherman Alexie’s Wall St Journal Article, “Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood”
The informational text selected is Alexie’s response to criticism of the mature themes of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. This is widely available online via a simple Google search. Students will read and annotate the text, responding first individually on points of concurrence and/or dissent with Alexie’s argument, then collectively in small groups of three to five. This analysis and following discussion will create the foundation to references for the argumentative essay that follows this activity.
Argumentative Essay
After reading the text of Absolutely True Diary, creating notes or mind maps on lectures and information presented on contemporary Native American history by the teacher and reading and analyzing the informational text, “Why the Best Kids Books are Written in Blood,” students will prepare an opinion paper on the prompt: Should Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian be taught in American high schools?
Students will take a pro or con side of their choice and write an argumentative essay using the resources provided in class throughout the unit.
Public Forum Debate
After students have draft, revised, peer-edited and finalized their essays, they will present their arguments in a public debate forum. The class can be split into several pairs of teams, at least four, in which one pro and one con group will present while the rest of the class evaluates the debate. Evaluation can be via rubric, score from 1 to 5 or, even, simple two-column glow/grow feedback. This element of the debate is the optional choice of the teacher based on management needs, time constraints and student skill levels. Additionally, it is highly suggested that the class creates a list of norms for the debate environment prior to beginning the speeches.
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