I have heard numerous people talk about Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part -Time Indian but never took the initiative to read the book for myself. I am so glad I did! What a story of empowerment and life experience. I feel like students, teachers, and parents can all benefit from reading this book.
I really enjoyed reading the book through the lenses of effort= success. In my education class 413 we have new n discussing how to teach students about effort and how to inspire students to put more effort into school work and daily ale an active role in their own learning. As a student myself, taking an active role in my learning is hard. It takes time, commitment and lots of late nights and support. Support from family, friends and teachers
This book shows me all the little things a teacher can do to inspire students. First, teachers have to believe in students and have expectations from them. Me. P saw something different in Junior. He saw a boy who hadn't fallen trap to the ways of the Natives and encouraged him to be better. Junior didn't believe he could accomplish anything or be anything more than the drink native like everyone else but with the encouragement or ateacher and family support Junior was able to become a successful student and a successful basketball player.
I loved this book and I can see myself using it in an 8th or 9th grade classroom. It models the idea that success depends on effort but it also reminds students that there is life besides school and sometimes life sucks. With poverty, death, and drunks Junior had to survive life and not give up hope. As a tracer I think it's important to foster a community where life can be lived and students can know that support from teachers and their peers will be alive in the classroom.
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