Sherman Alexie Webquest

To get the most out of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, you must have background knowledge about Sherman Alexie, the Spokane Indian Tribe and the history of Native Americans in the United States. Below are questions to answer in order to better understand this culture. Use the websites that we have indicated in order to answer the questions.

WHO ARE THE SPOKANE INDIANS?

http://www.ohwy.com/wa/s/spokintb.htm

1. In what part of the United States do the Spokane Indians live?
2. What sort of lifestyle did the Spokane’s ancestors have? What houses did they traditionally live in? What food did they traditionally eat?
3. Describe at least three ways that the Spokane way of life was disrupted after the arrival of white men in 1860.

CRIME ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/us/wind-river-indian-reservation-where-brutality-is-banal.html?_r=1

1. What’s so bad about life on the Wind River Indian Reservation? Describe three reasons why a woman who lives there would say “this place has always had the gloom.” 
2. Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) comparing this story with Sherman Alexie’s description of life on the Spokane reservation in his novel. Think particularly about Mr. P’s description of how the Indians on the reservation have given up hope.

POWWOWS

Read this article:

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3756719

If you have headphones to plug into the computer, watch two or three of these powwow videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2AC5j1PCBo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BukF7wLYylA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1VL6LdUv2Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ini9rvGWtaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m85gq2MS2m0&feature=related

1. What are powwows?
2. In your opinion, why might some Native Americans like to attend them?

INDIAN CASINOS

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=0124b

1. What are some of the problems on the Omaha Indian Reservation?
2. In 1988, Congress passed a law that made it easier for Indians to open casinos on the reservations. How has this law changed the lives of some Indians?
3. Two of the richest tribes in the country come from Connecticut. What are their names?

THE CONTROVERSY OVER INDIAN MASCOTS

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=f020810_mascots

1)    Why are some Native Americans opposed to high school and college teams using Indian names for their mascots?

2)    What do you think? Are Indian mascots offensive to Native Americans?

SHERMAN ALEXIE’S BOOK BANNED

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/new-addition-to-curriculum-sparks-controversy

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/letter-whs-junior-speaks-before-boe-in-support-of-diary

1)    Why do some parents in Westfield, N.J., want The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian banned from the town’s high school?

2)    Liz Griesmer is the 11^th grade editor of the literary magazine at Westfield High School. How does she defend Alexie’s book from these attacks?

ALEXIE'S WEBSITE
http://www.fallsapart.com/index/

ALEXIE ON THE COLBERT REPORT

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/189691/october-28-2008/sherman-alexie

To Kill a Mockingbird Facebook Project

You will make a pretend Facebook page for one of the following characters:

• Scout                                               
• Jem
• Atticus
• Boo Radley
• Tom Robinson
• Bob Ewell
• Mayella Ewell

You will work individually on this project. You will build a fake Facebook page using a Powerpoint template.

Your page must include ALL of the following:

1. ABOUT SECTION, including:

• Birthday, including the year. (You will have to make this up. But it should make sense in the context of To Kill a Mockingbird. Remember when it takes place!)
• Work status
• Education
• Hometown (Where you live now / where you have lived)
• Relationship status
• Biography (describe who you are and what you like to do in 3-4 sentences)

2. FAVORITE QUOTATION. This can be either a direct quote from the story or an inspirational quote that fits the personality of your character.

3. FRIENDS LIST. Include at least three friends for your character. They must be real characters from the movie. The network must reflect the actual personality of your character. Who would he or she be friends with?

4. STATUS UPDATES. Write at least five status updates, based on moments from the story. At least two of these updates must include direct quotations from the text.

5. WALL COMMENTS. Add a total of at least five comments connected to the status updates, reflecting how the character’s friends might respond to them.

6. PICTURES / ART. You should include illustrations and/or pictures that reflect the personality of your character.