Saturday, August 29, 2009
Group C 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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hello ladies!
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ReplyDeleteBeing that this novel is told from the female perspective, I think a natural extension would be exploring the events from a male point of view. Raman or Kitta seem like logical protagonists in this alternate novel. Raman's desire to see Vidya as an equal as he struggles with the cultural norms and expectations would make for an interesting compliment to the text.
ReplyDeleteI think the first post is a great idea, especially since the males are looked at so differently within the Indian culture. I think it would be extremely interesting to see the text rhoguh Thatha's eyes.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar idea for extending the book where students dress up as character in the book or create model of a character in the book. In addition, the student must choose a particular event that stuck out to them and create a monologue from the point of view of their character. This not only allows them to take the point of view from one of the characters as well as research more information about the Indian culture in the 1940 time period in regards to appearance and roles in society.
Both of those ideas seem like they would fit perfectly with this novel. It would be interesting to see the students debate the topics and ideas in this book. I think that trying a role reversal, having the students and defend the opposite perspective on issues such as arranged marriages, the education of women in the Indian culture, and the general role of the female in the Indian culture would bring out a lot of emotions in the students and really help them understand how different this culture from most that the students have come from. This book lended itself nicely to bringing out emotions in the reader. I found myself feeling strongly about every character in the story, whether it was hatred for Malati, periamma and periappa or sympathy for Appa, Amma, Kitta and Vidya. I think pulling those emotions out of the students would be very powerful for them.
ReplyDeleteHilary,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a debate. I definitely think in a world of standardized testing debating skills have been put on the backburner.
As I was reading I kept writing down topics for possible research -- Indian culture, Hinduism, the Indian independence movement, Indian involvement in WWII. I imagine that many readers would like to know more about those subjects. One option would be to have students use it as an extension activity, perhaps having students research a topic within a small group and then present the information to the class.
The book inspired me to want to learn more about the history of this time period and Indian culture. I would like to learn more about the holidays and foods that are made during different holidays and I think students would also.
ReplyDeleteThe language that the author uses in the book provides a lot of imagery. Students would enjoy making some illustrations to match the beautiful words.
ReplyDeletePeg,
ReplyDeleteI agree, this book made me want to learn more about the Indian culture. I am facinated by their festivals; it seems like they were always celebrating even though Vidya and her family struggled with finding the positive side of things.
Also, the imagery was amazing. There was a movie going on in my mind for the duration of the book. I can definitely see this as a major motion picture. Maybe some where down the line?
I like everyone's ideas. From changing the perspectives of the book to view the male side of the story. I would however like students to think about appa's point of view, especially after being beaten at the protest. Tell the story from what he was seeing and feeling. Vidya often wondered if appa's spirit was still in him. Was he screaming "YES Vidya, I am still here for you, Kitta, and amma! I haven't left you!"? It would be interesting to know if appa's spirit was still alive and what he would tell.
ReplyDeleteLike Peg, the Spanish teacher in me is intrigued by the culture. Have students do a webquest about Indian culture. The hoidays, traditions, and foods then bring in artifacts representing their findings to share with the class. I would want the class to chose a special day in Indian culture and have one group decorate the room in a traditional manner for the day, another dress in the clothing representing the special day, and another bring in foods or games shared on the day. This would help them build cultural connections and hopefully embrace the beauty that diferent cultures bring to our world.
Class Assignment
ReplyDelete10 Questions to ask Pariamma:
1. Has something happened to you in your life to make you so bitter?
2. What are your views on arranged marriages?
3. Are you fullfilled in your life?
4. What where you feeling when Malati left for her new home?
*5. What did you have against Vidya?
*6. What was your reaction when you learned that Vidya's family was moving in?
7. Are you really in love with Periappa or did you feel it was your duty to satisfy him?
8. How has your life changed since Malati left?
*9. What was your life like before meeting Periappa?
10. How did your relationship with Periappa originate?
11. Where do you see your life going?
I was unable to post at home, so now that I am at work just wanted to offer a quick reader response.I love the idea of hearing this story from the male perspective, as I read the book I often wondered what some of the males were thinking. I try to incorporate critical literacy into the curriculum and looking at something from someone else's perspective definately does that. I also thought of having the students create their own book jacket. It would include a summary, a book review. vocabulary and description of the main characters to name a few. By allowing students to create this assignment they would have an opportunity to really elaborate on what they read. This can be helpful in getting a better picture of how much they read and really understood.
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