Saturday, August 29, 2009
Group A Reader Repsonse 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 others' entries on how to share this book.
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I found the historical and cultural references the most interesting part of the story. As Vidya explained the different festivals and referred to different gods, I found myself wanting to learn more about their traditions. I was also fascinated by the historical facts. I wanted to learn more about the segregation Indians experienced from whites during this era. The freedom marches and the references to signs on page 41 that said things like “Indians and dogs not allowed” reminded me the segregation that blacks experienced in the United States. Both the religious and historical references would lend well to a WebQuest. The class could be led through websites which reference the different religious holidays and customs discussed in the book, or discuss what it was like during WWII in India between the British and Indians. The class would be required to answer questions based on the content of the websites. This would allow them to learn about the traditions, cultures, and history that is discusses in a lot of detail throughout the book so if they chose to read the book independently, they would have some background knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with Ashley's idea of introducing this book by providing lots of background information. While Padma Venkatraman gives us lots of background information while reading, I found it helpful to recall what I knew about Indian culture and religion from a class I took. I also found it helpful to look up the class system in India. Much of the plot is based on the Indian struggle for freedom from British colonization, as well as World War II. These two issues play huge roles in Vidya's actions and emotions in the book.
ReplyDeleteI might also use a timeline to present this book, comparing what is going on in Vidya's life to what is going on in India and the world. Again, this would put parts of the story into perspective for readers, and help us empathize with Vidya.
I would like to track some of the main characters looking at how these characters change over time. A web could be used that assigns a character trait then allows spaces for the student to write evidence from the reading to support each trait that the student has assigned. Great discussions revolving around how life changes the individual.(Vidya and Appa) and how one conforms and changes oneself (Kitta) would be good discussion topics. Teens that would be reading this book could benefit and expand their thinking by realizing it is a combination of these types of changes that make us who we are as adults.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I love the idea of a timeline. I found myself wanting to know more about what was going on in both India and the rest of the world when the events in the book were unfolding. I think this would be helpful especially because so little is known about what was going on in this part of the world at this time. I think we focus so much on the Holocaust that we don't talk about the freedom marches and segregation occurring in India.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I also really like the idea of tracking how the characters change over time. I think this is really important for students to notice. This would be the perfect book to do this with because there is a lot of depth to these characters and they all are changing over the course of the book. I think that it is also important for students to recognize that skilled authors create characters that grow and change, and this is why we connect to them.
I also feel that a web would work great with this book. The characters are complex and a web would assist students in understanding what is going on with each character and why they make certain choices with in the story. I agree that the students would need a little more background knowledge while reading. I found myself pausing to reference my history courses I took as I studied World War II. Students in high school may not have enough background knowledge to understand the references between Kitta and Vidya in the story. I also think it would be interesting to expand on the idea of Rifka further. Perhaps continue her story or create another chapter where the two girls meet again. I think that would be a great way of allowing students to apply the themes that they have learned through the book and expand of what they know and learned about the characters.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of creating another chapter. My thought was a fast forward into the future. I so loved Raman and wanted them to be together, so I'd like to see what students would come up with if the ideas of Vidya's future were purposed. Another character to see in the future would be Kitta. How did the war change him? Any changes would have to relate to the warfare of the time and the other people of the time period that were nonviolent but still manage to make a difference. This would fit beautifully with the timeline and research aspect that have been suggested. Ladies...I think we have a unit!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother way to share or extend this book is to have 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.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I really like your idea and presenting this to students, especially teens. What a great idea to show how your life is defined by your experiences. The idea that also struck me was looking at the characters and traditions if this story was written in the present time. Students can research if the same values and beliefs hold true, and see discuss which characters may be portrayed differently in the modern time because of changes that have occurred.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I was also wondering about Kitta and wondered if he still believed he had chosen the right side. It seemed like both sides weren't really great choices for the Indian people. I would also like to see how life changes with the British rule. When did they leave and did it create a power vacuum?
ReplyDeleteI love the idea about writing another chapter. It would be neat to think of Vidya and Kitta in situations in which they might find themselves in their futures. I think Padma gives us strong enough characters that we have no trouble imagining them outside of the story. I also like the idea of having students dress up and deliver a monologue from the book. I think different students would come up with very different monologues from the same parts of the book. That could show students how different people respond to the same literature.
ReplyDeleteI think I would give my students a choice between writing a chapter and delivering a monologue, as they both are based on what we've learning about the characters in the story.
The two main things I would focus on from this book would be character analysis or extension, and looking at how events in India either caused or affected by events going on in other parts of the world.