Saturday, August 29, 2009
Group B Reader Response Discussion
Please make a plan as to how you might share this book with the rest of the class. To what does the book lend itslelf? How can you develop a feasible and engaging group share:PoemsCharacter websPerson on the Street InterviewDifferent Endings: ABC book (electronic format?)Act out a dramatic scene from the bookPlease respond to each other's entries on how to share this book.
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Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteOne way to share this book could be to create an "I Am" poem from the viewpoint of Vidya. The person creating the poem would be writing it as if they were Vidya. Composing this type of poem would cause one to truly think about Vidya's character traits, her personality, her inner thoughts, and her struggles. The first line of the poem may even sounds something like this, "I am a girl who says what is on her mind." Another idea may be to create a List Poem with Vidya's name as the title. The poem could consist of a list of words and phrases one could use to describe Vidya, in regards to her physical and personality traits. This would give an overview of her character throughout the novel's entirety. Just some thoughts...
That's a good idea Jessica. I was thinking of the acroustic poem. Teaching in kinder we haven't even begun poetry, but a person can find words to describe Vidya that began with the letter V, i, etc....
ReplyDeleteHey Ladies
ReplyDeleteI think a poem would be a great idea! If we did an acroustic poem we could each have a letter to write a character trait to describe what Vidya was going through. A List poem would also work!
I think the idea of an acrostic poem is a great idea. Maybe for all of the main characters in the story as well.
ReplyDeleteIt also might be interesting to have students explore the roles of women during this time period. Students could compare cultural norms in a number of countries that were affiliated with WWII (America, India, Germany, Japan, etc). Students could pick two countries to research and compare.
*Do these have to be applicable to our grade levels or just general reader response activities?
Another idea might be for students to write a Journal from Vidya's perspective. It could be her second journal that Raman gives to her when they begin their life together in America. Students could write about the cultural differences Vidya and Raman experience in a new country and the hardships they may face as they try to assimilate to a new culture while continuing their education. I found myself wondering how Vidya would take on a new role as a wife and student. Students could also respond in the form of letters Vidya might write to Kitta or Amma about her life.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few of my ideas:
ReplyDelete1. Poetry (That was also the first thing that came to my mind). With the use of metaphors, I felt that Venkatraman's writing was sometimes written in poetic form.
I was thinking free-verse poetry or creating a found poem through phrases and words that touched the reader.
2. Love the idea of an acrostic poem, as there is so many students could do with this.
3. I also think this would be a great book study for students. I would have my students (if I thought that grade) discuss important issues within the book, then write a journal entry in one of the character's perspective or as an outsider.
4. If technology was available, I also think it would be worthwhile for students to blog about the book and participate in an online "chat" discussing the overlying theme of the book.
There are just so many possibilities and the teacher could differentiate the reader response activities based on students' ability/interests.
Another idea might be to have students write another chapter to the book depicting Raman’s attitude and beliefs to see if there is any significant change, and how this relates to Vidya.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I love the idea of writing another chapter to the story. I often used to have my students do that after they finished reading certain Reader's Workshop books in third grade. On a side note, Venkatraman should make a sequel to this story telling about Vidya and Raman's life in America...just a thought I had!
ReplyDeleteAn additional idea I had to share this novel, which would allow students to incorporate art in their share, is to create a life size cut-out of Vidya using the physical descriptions in the story. Inside of her body, words and phrases could be written to describe her personality traits, goals, hardships, etc.
Or, to tap into some children's musical intelligence, a song could be created based on Vidya's character or an important events in the story. The tune of the song could be a familiar melody or one that is made up.
Another idea might be creating an informative pamphlet on Indian culture. For example, words like appa, amma, and badhusha. There were many holidays and customs mentioned throughout the story that I was unfamiliar with and found myself researching on the internet.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I think students would love your idea of a life size cut-out, jessica. It sounds like a great way to tap into picturing and visualization. Adding words inside her body is another great way to incorporate vocabulary from the text. Like Jessica M. said the author used a great deal of metaphor to help the reader comprehend the text, this would be great to express in an artistic format such as mural painting. You all posted great activities that tap into students' interest and a variety of multiple intelligences.
ReplyDelete