Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Go Means Go
How hard would it be for Arnold to go to an all-white red neck school? How hard would it be for you to go to a school where you were a minority? What would you be feeling?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
When making posts to a blog, it's important that you realize that these posts go out to everyone. Make sure you stay safe on the net. Remember to use only your first name or a nickname and don't give too much information about yourself.
Stay safe and have fun.
http://www.schooltube.com/video/26851/Profile-Penalty
http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/safetytips.htm
Stay safe and have fun.
http://www.schooltube.com/video/26851/Profile-Penalty
http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/safetytips.htm
Racism and Native American
I just watched Australia where the idea was to educate the "native" out of the aborigine. Mr. P. says something quite like that when he says, "That's how we were taught to teach you. We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child." How would you feel if we educated you to get the whatever your nationality out? What would you do about it? Take a look at this article and make your comments. We have a lot of controversy here in Wisconsin over the use of Indian mascots.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/23/171336/99/601/665544
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/23/171336/99/601/665544
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Take a look at this water buffalo post and video. Here we are seeing the kind of poverty that Junior describes on the reservation in Seattle. Can you imagine that a gift of $250 could make sure a difference in a family's life? This is their livelihood. I think it is hard for us to imagine a life where a gift of a water buffalo would be a life-changing experience. I think I was so affected by this video because I've been to China. The first time I went was during the SARS epidemic and the Chinese didn't have many foreign visitors. The money they counted on from tourists didn't materialize. Many of the Chinese people don't have much of anything, but they were kind and wonderful to a small group of teachers from Madison. You come away realizing how much we have and how much we take for granted. I came home grateful for space, for the ability to have pets, to have a place where I had room for myself. I was grateful for things I never would have known were things to be thankful for without interacting with the Chinese people who were so gracious.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Revenge Is My Middle Name
I've had a pretty good life. It was painful for me to read about Rowdy's dad beating up both his mom and him. It just seems on this reservation that everyone drinks too much. I don't know if that is true on every reservation, but it seems to be true here. Junior still finds humor in the situation maybe because that's the only way to survive. For instance, when Junior describes the Pow Wow, he says he wants no part of it because he is one of the losers that always gets beaten up. Rowdy says that he will protect Junior.
I like Rowdy. I can understand why he is so angry. He really protects Junior and is loyal. Junior talks about hopes and dream and how important they are to people. Why do you think Junior keeps talking about that? What are your dreams?
I like Rowdy. I can understand why he is so angry. He really protects Junior and is loyal. Junior talks about hopes and dream and how important they are to people. Why do you think Junior keeps talking about that? What are your dreams?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Chapter 2
I know that in the past I've said that I was poor, but I've never known the crushing poverty that Junior and his family know. I've always had enough to eat. I can pay for my animals when they get sick. Can you relate to Junior and his problems? How did his description of life in his family affect you?
I loved the cartoons about what his parents might have been if they could follow their dreams.
I know that in the past I've said that I was poor, but I've never known the crushing poverty that Junior and his family know. I've always had enough to eat. I can pay for my animals when they get sick. Can you relate to Junior and his problems? How did his description of life in his family affect you?
I loved the cartoons about what his parents might have been if they could follow their dreams.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Chapter 1
This first chapter introduces you to the main character as he describes himself. How has racism affected Junior and his family? Did you enjoy Junior's style of writing? Make comments giving your opinion about the first chapter.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Book Discussion by Sherman Alexie
Here is Sherman Alexie at a book lecture discussing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The next book we are reading in English 12 is Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. This book is a semi-autobiographical novel about the author, Sherman Alexie. The main character is Junior, who was born with hydrocephalus. Junior is determined to rise above the poverty found in the Spokane Indian reservation where he lives. He decides that the only way to get a good education is to get off the reservation and go to the all white school in a neighboring town. The story tells about his life and the difficulty in being someone different in a white school that really doesn't want him there. I think most teens can relate to this story. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It's a National Book Award Winner, and I think you'll enjoy it.
The first thing I'd like you to do is take a look at the authors website. http://www.fallsapart.com/
Let me know what you think.
The first thing I'd like you to do is take a look at the authors website. http://www.fallsapart.com/
Let me know what you think.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)