Sherman Alexie Webquest

Due: Thursday, October 5th

Sherman Alexie Webquest (adapted from Room 209D)

Now that we have finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, we are going to explore deeper into 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. All questions should be typed in a Word document and turned in at the beginning of class tomorrow. Please focus on using correct grammar and complete sentences.

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

Using headphones, 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=ini9rvGWtaw

1. What are powwows?

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

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. How do the students at Westfield High School defend Alexie's book from these attacks?

ALEXIE'S WEBSITE

http://fallsapart.com/

1. What are three things you have learned from visiting Alexie's website?

#englishtwo #webquest