The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Nonfiction Readings & Activities
Download a Preview
This product is good for:
Grades 8-9 Cross-Curricular Learning Study of First Nations History in the U.S. Informational Texts & Activities

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Nonfiction Readings & Activities

Add to Wishlist
Create an Account

You can only add to a wishlist if you have an account, please register now.

Create an Account
Add to Wishlist

$12

Add to Wishlist
Download a Preview
Contents
Description
Format
Rights

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Nonfiction Texts & Activities – Snapshot of Included Resources:

  • 15 Informational Texts
  • Variety of Text Features
  • A & B Response Formats
  • 10 Extension Activities
  • Pair Texts with Nonfiction Readings
  • Topics cover social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations
  • Google Slides Links for Google Drive™
  • Standards-Aligned Resources
  • Answer Keys for Applicable Activities!
The nonfiction close readings will open new perspectives to your students about the First Nations of North America. With a particular focus on groups that inhabited the present-day United States, the articles will provide background knowledge about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of indigenous tribes. Students will learn about the First Nations prior to European contact as well as examine important issues that have been relevant since then through to the modern day. Those issues also connect to the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Therefore, students will be able to synthesize across the nonfiction readings and the novel, building their critical thinking skills in the process.
 
Nonfiction Readings: The 15 close reading lessons develop students’ knowledge about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations. Each informational text includes two sets of questions – one comprehension set and one analysis set – that will develop essential skills aligned to the reading of informational texts under the Common Core State Standards. The resource also allows for differentiation and flexible implementation. After practicing these skills over the course of the unit, you can be confident your students will have mastered numerous skills, such as:
  • Citing textual evidence to support analysis of the text
  • Identifying and analyzing text features
  • Summarizing the main idea of a text with supporting details
  • Determining the meaning of words or phrases as used in the text
  • Determining author’s purpose and its effects
  • Identifying and analyzing arguments and specific claims in a text
  • Identifying and analyzing text structure and its effects
  • Identifying and analyzing cause and effect
 
This set of nonfiction activities and project resources will challenge your students to take new perspectives, weigh bias, and think critically about the history often told about First Nations. Inquiry, investigations, primary source analysis, and presentations will engage students in critical thinking about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces that play a role in the First Nations’ history. All activities contain skills aligned to Common Core State Standards, such as close reading, critical thinking, examining perspectives, and conducting and presenting research, among others. In the end, students will enhance their ability to think critically, conduct research, and synthesize information. In addition, they will broaden their understanding of the history of First Nations and be pushed to develop new narratives about it.
 
Extension Activities: The 10 extension activities take your students deeper. You know your students best. Based on their interests, the extension activities provide an avenue for your students to study the complexities of the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations. They will learn about these topics not only to better understand them but also better understand the thematic elements of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
 
  • Addressing Offensive Language: Offensive words for First Nations peoples can be found in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and throughout documents created in relation to First Nations issues. It is critical students understand that some of these words are offensive and should not be used. This activity will help them understand the terms’ gravity and help prepare them to thoughtfully treat them when they are encountered. They will also assist the class in developing a respectful policy for when they encounter them in their work.
 
  • “America Before Columbus” Documentary: In the documentary viewing, students will learn more about the Americas prior to the arrival of the Europeans. The episode also contains rich information about other aspects of exploration and colonization. In doing so, it gives a broader framing of global events and historical context of that time period. *Documentary not included in this resource. Requires Internet access.*
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Treaty of Canadaigua: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of the Treaty of Canadaigua. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed as they consider whether government action reflects stated ideals. They will also think critically about what the treaty, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Indian Removal Act of 1830: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed. They will also think critically about what the law, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • Manifest Destiny and Political Cartoons: In this activity, students will analyze two political cartoons related to Manifest Destiny and American expansionism. Then, they will research about Manifest Destiny (optional), allowing them to examine the historical tensions in the region.
 
  • Image Analysis – Westward Expansion Changes the Landscape: Students will study four images that capture some of the story about the bison’s near extinction. As they examine the images, students will think critically about the animal’s demise, humans’ relationship with the environment, and what the bison’s story can reveal about how society’s attitudes toward it and the environment have evolved.
 
  • Historical Markers & Honoring the Past: Students will analyze the narrative of historical markers, examining an existing one to identify bias and incomplete portrayals. In doing so, they will think critically about history’s presentation. Next, through their own research and writing, they will create a more inclusive narrative as they revise the story of their chosen marker to draft a more comprehensive portrayal of the history it honors. *Requires Internet access.*
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Carlisle Indian School Investigation & Report: For this primary source analysis, students will take part in a close reading of a congressional investigation into the Carlisle Indian School in 1914. Students will analyze its contents to develop a better understanding of the boarding school system, its treatment of First Nations students, and the harm it inflicted upon them.
 
  • Primary Source Analysis: An Apology to All Native Peoples: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of a draft of the Apology to All Native Peoples and its final version. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed. They will also think critically about what the resolution, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • TED Talk: The Standing Rock Resistance and Our Fight for Indigenous Rights: In the TED Talk viewing, students will learn more about Tara Houska’s efforts to fight for indigenous people’s rights. The episode contains rich information about the contemporary issues First Nations face today. It will also move students to reflect on the relationship between First Nations and the United States throughout history and into the present day. *Requires Internet access.*
 
Final Project – The History of a First Nation: The novel project prompts students to take an inclusive stance towards history and draft a narrative that incorporates fresh perspectives across the ages. Through the project, students will synthesize knowledge about their chosen First Nation in order to create a presentation that portrays a First Nation and their unique, rich history over time. The students’ will be moved to present that history from their chosen First Nation’s emergence to the present-day. Taken together, the students’ work will recognize a comprehensive and inclusive history of an indigenous society in North America, allowing them to reflect on the history of First Nations, its typical portrayal, and the evolution of their understanding about historical narratives. *Requires Internet access.*
 
Digital Links: This resource is also technology friendly! It can be utilized in classrooms where computers or tablets are central to instruction because the resource has been adapted for digital completion. The resource includes links for students to complete the student pages in Google Slides™. For instance, students can work with the documents in Google Drive™ or via Google Classroom. With these links, you can have students complete their work online. (NOTE: Not all assignments are conducive to digital completion; however, the pages are still provided in the digital format.) All they will have to do is create a text box! There are links for every student work page, making the format friendly not only for technology but also trees.
 
The entire resource and its inclusive set of questions allow for multiple potential uses based on your determination about when and where it would be most helpful. All aspects of the assignments, though, are aligned to the Common Core State Standards in order for students to have ample opportunities to practice and demonstrate their knowledge across numerous, essential literary skills.
  • ZIP file (PDFs and Word Docs for Digital Links)
  • Non-Editable
  • 45.1 MB
  • 208 Pages
  • Links for Student Pages in Google Slides™
  • This downloadable resource supplies one single-teacher license for use in your classroom. 
  • Photocopying of this product is allowed only for the classroom use of the purchaser. 
  • Replication of this product, in whole or in part, for commercial sale or broader distribution is strictly prohibited. 
  • This product also may NOT be shared electronically, digitally, or otherwise in a manner that violates the Terms of Use detailed by LIT Lessons. 
  • For explicit information on permissions, please see the Terms of Use document included with this resource. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Contents

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Nonfiction Texts & Activities – Snapshot of Included Resources:

  • 15 Informational Texts
  • Variety of Text Features
  • A & B Response Formats
  • 10 Extension Activities
  • Pair Texts with Nonfiction Readings
  • Topics cover social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations
  • Google Slides Links for Google Drive™
  • Standards-Aligned Resources
  • Answer Keys for Applicable Activities!
Description
The nonfiction close readings will open new perspectives to your students about the First Nations of North America. With a particular focus on groups that inhabited the present-day United States, the articles will provide background knowledge about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of indigenous tribes. Students will learn about the First Nations prior to European contact as well as examine important issues that have been relevant since then through to the modern day. Those issues also connect to the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Therefore, students will be able to synthesize across the nonfiction readings and the novel, building their critical thinking skills in the process.
 
Nonfiction Readings: The 15 close reading lessons develop students’ knowledge about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations. Each informational text includes two sets of questions – one comprehension set and one analysis set – that will develop essential skills aligned to the reading of informational texts under the Common Core State Standards. The resource also allows for differentiation and flexible implementation. After practicing these skills over the course of the unit, you can be confident your students will have mastered numerous skills, such as:
  • Citing textual evidence to support analysis of the text
  • Identifying and analyzing text features
  • Summarizing the main idea of a text with supporting details
  • Determining the meaning of words or phrases as used in the text
  • Determining author’s purpose and its effects
  • Identifying and analyzing arguments and specific claims in a text
  • Identifying and analyzing text structure and its effects
  • Identifying and analyzing cause and effect
 
This set of nonfiction activities and project resources will challenge your students to take new perspectives, weigh bias, and think critically about the history often told about First Nations. Inquiry, investigations, primary source analysis, and presentations will engage students in critical thinking about the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces that play a role in the First Nations’ history. All activities contain skills aligned to Common Core State Standards, such as close reading, critical thinking, examining perspectives, and conducting and presenting research, among others. In the end, students will enhance their ability to think critically, conduct research, and synthesize information. In addition, they will broaden their understanding of the history of First Nations and be pushed to develop new narratives about it.
 
Extension Activities: The 10 extension activities take your students deeper. You know your students best. Based on their interests, the extension activities provide an avenue for your students to study the complexities of the social, cultural, environmental, and political forces essential to understanding the history of First Nations. They will learn about these topics not only to better understand them but also better understand the thematic elements of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
 
  • Addressing Offensive Language: Offensive words for First Nations peoples can be found in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and throughout documents created in relation to First Nations issues. It is critical students understand that some of these words are offensive and should not be used. This activity will help them understand the terms’ gravity and help prepare them to thoughtfully treat them when they are encountered. They will also assist the class in developing a respectful policy for when they encounter them in their work.
 
  • “America Before Columbus” Documentary: In the documentary viewing, students will learn more about the Americas prior to the arrival of the Europeans. The episode also contains rich information about other aspects of exploration and colonization. In doing so, it gives a broader framing of global events and historical context of that time period. *Documentary not included in this resource. Requires Internet access.*
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Treaty of Canadaigua: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of the Treaty of Canadaigua. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed as they consider whether government action reflects stated ideals. They will also think critically about what the treaty, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Indian Removal Act of 1830: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed. They will also think critically about what the law, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • Manifest Destiny and Political Cartoons: In this activity, students will analyze two political cartoons related to Manifest Destiny and American expansionism. Then, they will research about Manifest Destiny (optional), allowing them to examine the historical tensions in the region.
 
  • Image Analysis – Westward Expansion Changes the Landscape: Students will study four images that capture some of the story about the bison’s near extinction. As they examine the images, students will think critically about the animal’s demise, humans’ relationship with the environment, and what the bison’s story can reveal about how society’s attitudes toward it and the environment have evolved.
 
  • Historical Markers & Honoring the Past: Students will analyze the narrative of historical markers, examining an existing one to identify bias and incomplete portrayals. In doing so, they will think critically about history’s presentation. Next, through their own research and writing, they will create a more inclusive narrative as they revise the story of their chosen marker to draft a more comprehensive portrayal of the history it honors. *Requires Internet access.*
 
  • Primary Source Analysis – Carlisle Indian School Investigation & Report: For this primary source analysis, students will take part in a close reading of a congressional investigation into the Carlisle Indian School in 1914. Students will analyze its contents to develop a better understanding of the boarding school system, its treatment of First Nations students, and the harm it inflicted upon them.
 
  • Primary Source Analysis: An Apology to All Native Peoples: For this extension activity, students will engage in a close reading of a draft of the Apology to All Native Peoples and its final version. Students will analyze language to discern meaning, intent, and the values being conveyed. They will also think critically about what the resolution, as a historical artifact, reveals about interactions between the First Nations and the United States government.
 
  • TED Talk: The Standing Rock Resistance and Our Fight for Indigenous Rights: In the TED Talk viewing, students will learn more about Tara Houska’s efforts to fight for indigenous people’s rights. The episode contains rich information about the contemporary issues First Nations face today. It will also move students to reflect on the relationship between First Nations and the United States throughout history and into the present day. *Requires Internet access.*
 
Final Project – The History of a First Nation: The novel project prompts students to take an inclusive stance towards history and draft a narrative that incorporates fresh perspectives across the ages. Through the project, students will synthesize knowledge about their chosen First Nation in order to create a presentation that portrays a First Nation and their unique, rich history over time. The students’ will be moved to present that history from their chosen First Nation’s emergence to the present-day. Taken together, the students’ work will recognize a comprehensive and inclusive history of an indigenous society in North America, allowing them to reflect on the history of First Nations, its typical portrayal, and the evolution of their understanding about historical narratives. *Requires Internet access.*
 
Digital Links: This resource is also technology friendly! It can be utilized in classrooms where computers or tablets are central to instruction because the resource has been adapted for digital completion. The resource includes links for students to complete the student pages in Google Slides™. For instance, students can work with the documents in Google Drive™ or via Google Classroom. With these links, you can have students complete their work online. (NOTE: Not all assignments are conducive to digital completion; however, the pages are still provided in the digital format.) All they will have to do is create a text box! There are links for every student work page, making the format friendly not only for technology but also trees.
 
The entire resource and its inclusive set of questions allow for multiple potential uses based on your determination about when and where it would be most helpful. All aspects of the assignments, though, are aligned to the Common Core State Standards in order for students to have ample opportunities to practice and demonstrate their knowledge across numerous, essential literary skills.
Format
  • ZIP file (PDFs and Word Docs for Digital Links)
  • Non-Editable
  • 45.1 MB
  • 208 Pages
  • Links for Student Pages in Google Slides™
Rights
  • This downloadable resource supplies one single-teacher license for use in your classroom. 
  • Photocopying of this product is allowed only for the classroom use of the purchaser. 
  • Replication of this product, in whole or in part, for commercial sale or broader distribution is strictly prohibited. 
  • This product also may NOT be shared electronically, digitally, or otherwise in a manner that violates the Terms of Use detailed by LIT Lessons. 
  • For explicit information on permissions, please see the Terms of Use document included with this resource. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
img2
book2
pencil2

More The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Resources

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study
Buy
Original price was: $41.Current price is: $30.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study is a comprehensive set of standards-aligned instructional materials for teaching The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. With over 100+ materials, students will deeply engage with the novel and develop their literacy skills. The close reading activities, literary analysis resources, nonfiction readings and activities, vocabulary, assessments, and final project all provide opportunities for your students to practice and apply what will be their growing understanding of the novel. They also provide numerous ways for you to DIFFERENTIATE learning for your students, allowing you to choose the assignments that best support your students’ learning while being conducive to any classroom model.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Chapter Questions
Buy
$10

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Comprehension & Literary Analysis Chapter Questions

The comprehension guide and literary analysis resources provide a framework for students to deeply engage with every chapter grouping of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The 32 assignments – 16 comprehension and 16 literary analysis – are designed to not only to have students practice essential literary skills but also demonstrate their comprehension of the text. In having students demonstrate their understanding of the novel across both dimensions, the resource allows for differentiation and flexible implementation.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Close Readings
Buy
$8

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Close Readings

The 16 close reading lessons explicitly focus on critical Common Core State Standards to develop students’ literary proficiency. Using The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian as the foundational text for close reading, each lesson focuses on a particular skill, such as setting, conflict, tone, and plot, and provides students an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their ability to perform that skill. Each assignment also requires students to use textual evidence to support their claims. The resources could supply homework, facilitate guided reading groups, or stimulate whole class literacy discussions for each chapter grouping. You can choose the purpose that best suits your students and your classroom.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Assessments
Buy
$7

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Assessments

The standards-aligned assessments will help you measure your students’ comprehension of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and their ability to apply the literary skills taught throughout the unit. The materials include 16 reading checks, 2 novel quizzes, a differentiated final assessment, and essay prompts.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Vocabulary
Buy
$4

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Vocabulary

The vocabulary resources will engage students in varied activities to expand their vocabulary. The resources include materials to help teach challenging vocabulary words in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  that will then build your students’ vocabulary. With 3 vocabulary lists of 10 words each and a crossword puzzle, practice assignment, and quiz for each set, the materials provide opportunities for differentiation to suit the needs of the classroom.

Download a Preview
View My Bag bag2
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study LIT Lessons

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel Study is a comprehensive set of standards-aligned instructional materials for teaching The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. With over 100+ materials, students will deeply engage with the novel and develop their literacy skills. The close reading activities, literary analysis resources, nonfiction readings and activities, vocabulary, assessments, and final project all provide opportunities for your students to practice and apply what will be their growing understanding of the novel. They also provide numerous ways for you to DIFFERENTIATE learning for your students, allowing you to choose the assignments that best support your students’ learning while being conducive to any classroom model.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Chapter Questions

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Comprehension & Literary Analysis Chapter Questions

The comprehension guide and literary analysis resources provide a framework for students to deeply engage with every chapter grouping of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The 32 assignments – 16 comprehension and 16 literary analysis – are designed to not only to have students practice essential literary skills but also demonstrate their comprehension of the text. In having students demonstrate their understanding of the novel across both dimensions, the resource allows for differentiation and flexible implementation.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Close Readings

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Close Readings

The 16 close reading lessons explicitly focus on critical Common Core State Standards to develop students’ literary proficiency. Using The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian as the foundational text for close reading, each lesson focuses on a particular skill, such as setting, conflict, tone, and plot, and provides students an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their ability to perform that skill. Each assignment also requires students to use textual evidence to support their claims. The resources could supply homework, facilitate guided reading groups, or stimulate whole class literacy discussions for each chapter grouping. You can choose the purpose that best suits your students and your classroom.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Assessments

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Assessments

The standards-aligned assessments will help you measure your students’ comprehension of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and their ability to apply the literary skills taught throughout the unit. The materials include 16 reading checks, 2 novel quizzes, a differentiated final assessment, and essay prompts.

Download a Preview
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Vocabulary

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Vocabulary

The vocabulary resources will engage students in varied activities to expand their vocabulary. The resources include materials to help teach challenging vocabulary words in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  that will then build your students’ vocabulary. With 3 vocabulary lists of 10 words each and a crossword puzzle, practice assignment, and quiz for each set, the materials provide opportunities for differentiation to suit the needs of the classroom.

Download a Preview

Testimonials