Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

On page 11 of the book, Junior states

"I wanted to hate him for his weakness. I wanted to hate Dad and Mom for our poverty. I wanted to blame them for my sick dog and for all the other sickness n the world. But I can't blame my parents for our poverty because my mother and father are the twin suns around which I orbit and my world will EXPLODE without them."

What is your interpretation of this statement? Do you think there is an age level or a developmental level where children move on to a different perception of their parents? (or parent, or guardian/guardians)

Megan Deutschman: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

There is a reason why this book won the National Book award. It’s good. Really good. I’m a tough critic of literature…chalk it up to my B.A. in English or perhaps my tendency to have an opinion on everything. (Haha.) Anyway, I think this is a book worth teaching to students. The issues are relevant and can be made applicable to most students. Almost every student can identify with trying to fit in, race issues (even white kids), fighting with friends, teen angst, loss, death…and perhaps some can relate to the even "bigger" issues in this book: alcoholism, poverty, violence. I think this book is a wonderful one to integrate. It can tie into history, language arts, political science, etc. Wisconsin and Minnesota have a lot of reservations and used to be a home to many tribes of Indians; that is a lesson in itself. So to finally get into my question…do you agree or disagree with me? Is this the best book we have read for this class so far? Why? Why not? Do you agree with my assessment that this novel would be the most applicable and relatable for students?

Deep Question: Persepolis

In Persepolis, Marj takes a strong stance on the beliefs and opinions of her family and people close to her. As a teacher, what strategies might you use to intervene when two or more students engage in a heated discussion over a personal belief or opinion?

Deep Question: Persepolis

War is one of the major themes in the novel, Persepolis. On page 116, Marj is quoted saying, "When I think we should have avoided it all...it just makes me sick. A million people would still be alive." Being a U.S. citizen and connecting this to our own lives, this reminds me of some peoples' thoughts on the war in Iraq and Afganistan. Do you feel that the war the United States is involved in is something that should have been avoided? Or, do you think it was necessary that we got involved?

Persepolis

The main character in the novel Persepolis is very outspoken child. She is growing up in a time when being outspoken about opposing viewpoints is against the law and those who spoke out paid the price. If the United States was no longer a democracy and you could be jailed and tortured for your view points would you still speak out against the government? Do you think this would ever happen in the "Land of the Free"? In what ways do we as citizens speak out against our government today?

Absolutely True Diary Deep Question

Alcoholism is described by Junior, particularly towards the end of the book, as a major problem on his reservation and in most Native American reservations. Alcohol caused the death of his grandmother, his sister, and a family friend. He emphasized the vast majority of deaths on his reservation are alcohol related. Why do you think many of the Spokane Native Americans are alcoholics? Have you ever been to a reservation and seen evidence to refute or confirm Junior's criticism of Native Americans having a problem with alcohol?

Deep question:Persepolis

I found it very interesting that as a ten-year-old Marji was very versed in politics. Her family included her in discussions and never sugar-coated the complexities of the world. Do you think we as a country have done a disservice to our youth by not allowing them to explore the complexities of political discussion. It seems as though our educational system tries to portray things in a "politically correct" manner. What is the rationale behind it. Do we as a nation undermine the true value of education by not discussing controversial topics? Does this cause the youth in our country to exist in a protective vacuum?

Absolutely True Diary-Deep Questions

Junior is a really strong teenager who wanted to make himself better. He made the brave decision to leave the reservation and go to a white school off the reservation. Do you think that if you were put in that situation you would have been able to make that descision, knowing that people on the reservation were going to treat you horrible and pretty much disown you? Also after all the people that died in Juniors life, would you still be strong enough to continue on with your life or would it have been hard for you to move on?

Persepolis Deep Question

Most teenagers try to rebel in some way or another and in the book Persepolis (page 112) it is no different,"in spite of everything, kids were trying to look hip, even under risk of arrest." Knowing that wearing something other then the traditional attire would be dangerous, why would Marji do this? And why do you think Marji's parents brought clothes and shoes for her back from Turkey to wear, knowing that it would be dangerous if she got caught? How would life be different in America if you were unable to express yourself through clothing?

Pedro and Me: Deep Question

During the period of time when Pedro Zamora was speaking on HIV/AIDS it was a very new concept to most people. It was often taught and thought that it was contracted mainly through unprotected homosexual relation. HIV/AIDS awareness was most always taught connected to a unit on lifestyle choices. What effect do you think this had on the topic in the minds of the learners, if any? Do you think homosexuality should be discussed in direct connection with HIV/AIDS during a lesson?

The PERSEPOLIS Connection: Deep Question.

I am wondering if anyone has made any connections between the life events of our main character(Persepolis) and her cultural history based on her name? I believe that it could be argued that her life plays out as a microcosm of the ancient soul of all things Persian, the city of Persepolis. I can give this hint for those that have me in other classes this semester, I feel some of the connections involve my favorite historical figure.

Deep Question Pedro and Me

Through out the graphic novel Pedro and Me it addresses the fact that the public schools are not properly educating students on safe sex practices and HIV/AIDS. Looking back to your school days do you think your school did a good job preparing you for these realities? Why or Why not? If not what are some things that the school could have done better?

Megan Deutschman: Persepolis

Knowing that some of our class members (myself included) did not get to read Persepolis in its entirety changes the way I now view the novel. I know that Part II is much more graphic and controversial. However, I have only read Part I and so that is the section this question refers to. That being said, I think one of the central themes in Persepolis is the pull between fighting for your country or leaving your country in search of a better life. People all over the world must make this choice every day. What do you feel you would do if you had to choose between staying in your increasingly dangerous country, protesting and fighting for your rights, or leaving in hopes of a better life somewhere else? What kinds of things would factor into your decision? Is one choice more honorable or noble? Why or why not?

Persepolis Deep Question

On page 133, Marjane is accosted by the women's branch of the Guardians of the Revolution. They criticize her for not dressing like a proper Muslim woman and wearing western, decadent clothes. So how does religion influence Iranian society in Persepolis and how does religion influence society in America?

Pedro and Me Deep Question

In the book Pedro and Me by Judd Winick, we gain a unique perspective into the life of an adult gay male living with AIDS. We also gain perspective into the internal struggle of Judd, who lives in the same room as Pedro. Judd considers himself a "bleeding liberal" who has acceptance for all, however he is shocked by his own attitudes and feelings towards his situation when he discovers that his roommate is HIV positive. Judd struggles through an understanding of his own emotions and is strong enough to realize that his stereotypes and feelings are caused by his lack of education, rather than actual information. Have you ever experienced a situation where you unintentionally project your stereotypes onto someone else because you were lacking education? What happened? Did you take the initiative to learn more about the situation or did you stick to your guns? If you, as a teacher, are confronted with information that one of your students is HIV positive, or their parents are, how would you handle it? Would you project stereotypes on them, be professional but keep your distance, or would you try to further educate yourself and maybe even become involved in helping promote education about HIV/AIDS?

Persepolis Question

Before I read Sarah’s great question, I had come up with a similar question, one that focuses on Marji’s perspective. Pages 148 and 149 of Persepolis (the top inner panels on each page) depict two different adolescent longings, one for independence, the other for connectedness. Marjane experiences these in an intense way because she will be moving away from her parents and her home at a very young age. Given what we have learned about Marjane and looking at the two images, imagine the thoughts going on in her mind at this critical juncture in her life. What might they be?

Publish Post

Deep Question for Persepolis

At the end of the book Marjane's parents decided that it would be better for her to go away and live in Austria. Her parents told her that they would be right behind her and would meet her there but I think in the back of all our minds we knew that would not happen. From a parents perspective would you be able to send your child away at the age of fourteen, knowing that you might not see her again, but knowing that she would be safe and happier away from all the destruction that was going on? Why or why not?

Pedro and Me: Deep Question

I found it interesting how in the graphic novel Pedro and Me by Judd Winick, after Pedro became too ill to continue speaking and touring, his friend Judd took over those responsibilities. Have you ever become inspired by another to join a cause or movement? Do you think young adults are more effective educators on teen-issues than doctors, teachers, or parents?

-TRH

Megan Deutschman : Pedro & Me

This question is directed at those who are “older and wiser” in our class. J The graphic novel, Pedro and Me, highlights Pedro’s fight against HIV / AIDS. What kind of information did you receive about HIV/AIDS when you were younger? How has that information and the way it’s delivered changed over time? How have the topics of HIV /AIDS and sexuality, specifically being homosexual, changed since you were younger? Do you think that younger generations are more informed on HIV / AIDS, homosexuality, and practicing safe sex than you were?

Pedro and Me- Deep Question

In the novel, Pedro and Me, Pedro and his family were forced to separate when leaving Cuba for the United States. This was very difficult on him and his family and as a result, the family missed out on sharing many life milestones with their loved ones. In the novel, it was the Cuban government who decided the older siblings in Pedro's family could not come to the United States. They were too close to the draft age in Cuba. Even so, this whole scenario brings up the issue of immigration in our country. There have been many debates and strong opinions shared on the subject in recent years. Some feel our nation is getting too overcrowded and is unable to take care of the citizens who already reside in our country. This leads to the extreme topic of closing our country's borders.

Do you feel the United States should close our borders to citizens of other countries? If so, why? If not, why are you opposed? Should there be certain parameters followed allowing immigrants to become citizens of our country?

Pedro and Me, Deep Question...

Do you think that prior to an aids presentation / guest speaker, such as Pedro or Judd, schools should send home information and permission forms to allow people to decide if they want their children present for the speaker? Doug Larson

Pedro and Me Deep Question

I would pose this question to my students and try to stir up some debate on the subject of HIV/AIDS...

According to the CDC "more than one million people are living with HIV in the US. One in five, 25%, of those people living with HIV are unaware of their infection. More than 18,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the US". Most people, like Pedro, contracted the HIV virus through not practicing safe sex. Do you think that those that have the virus and knowingly spread it should be tried for attempted murder? In other, words should this be considered a crime? Explain your answer.

Pedro and Me Deep Question

Early on in the story, Judd feels guilty for being fearful about the prospect of residing with an HIV positive roommate. The year was 1994. Since that time, the world has made great strides in AIDS/HIV education and awareness. Nonetheless, do you think most people would feel differently today, 17 years later?

Pedro & Me Deep Question

This interesting graphic novel, showed us how this intelligent, young man completely changed his life plans after discovering that he had Aids. I believe this was due to a strong need to help and inform others of this terrible disease. If you found out that you had a life altering disease, would you do things differently in your life? And why? Also, if this were you, do you think you would have the courage to do what Pedro did?

Pedro & me deep question....

It seems that youth feel less inhibited to discuss their sexuality these days, including identifying their sexual orientation. What if, as a teacher, reading Pedro & Me, inspires one of your students to "come out of the closet?" How as an educator do you handle such a situation in the classroom?

Pedro Changing his Life

On page 57, after Pedro graduated high school, he made a decision to lecture at schools, PTA meetings, colleges, churches, and to anyone who would listen about what it is like to live with HIV. He had the grades and ambition to go to college, but instead he changed his plans after contracting HIV. Why do you think he did so? And how would you change your plans if you had a life threatening disease?

Pedro and Me - Deep Question

As we begin thinking about censorship, what concepts or specific parts of “Pedro and Me” might parents of students find objectionable? What might their reasons or rational be?

Pedro And Me-Deep Question

So when Judd got the call from the MTV producers and they asked him if he could live with a person that was HIV positive and Judd said that he would be ok with it, but seemed not really sure about how he felt. What would have been your response if you were back in 1993 and got the call to be on MTV Real World? Keep in mind all the misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. Would you have been ok with it?

A Question

Many times throughout the book, Lia's dead friend Cassie would appear. While this caused Lia much anxiety and frightened her, she kept restricting and wanting to loose weight. Only in the end, when she was near death with Cassie encouraging to die, did she develop the will and strength to finally live and try to become a "real girl again." Why do you think it took Lia so long to finally reject Cassie's encouragement to die and join her? What encourages people and yourself to change negative behaviors so ingrained?

Helpful information...

I went to Laurie Anderson's website and on the teacher's section there were some helpful links to teach this book:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-wintergirls/

Check it out!

Wintergirls

In the book Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Lia is constantly struggling with her views towards authority figures. She refers to them constantly by their first names like "Jennifer" and/or their titles like "Dr. Marrigan" instead of "mom." Why do you think Lia does this throughout the book? Do you feel that this could come up with our future students? Is this a red flag? What would you do in a situation like this and/or how would you approach this with teenagers, who can often times be over emotional and sensitive?

Lia, the main character in Wintergirls, suffers from Anorexia Nervosa. Upon further research I learned the following statistics:

-42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner

-10 million females and 1 million males are in a life and death battle with an eating disorder.

-Eating disorders are more prevalent than Alzheimer's.

-Over 1/2 of teen girls use unhealthy dieting methods.

-80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

How do we as future educators promote healthy body-images in the classroom?