Reminders:
Read chapters 5 and 6 for Wednesday.

Students will understand the basic history
and culture of Afghanistan and analyze the
friendship between Amir and Hassan in The
Kite Runner by:
◦ Writing a journal entry
◦ Taking notes on basic background information on
Afghanistan
◦ Creating a timeline of Afghanistan history with
events from the lecture and the novel.
◦ Discussing chapters 1-4 in small groups
◦ Exit ticket

Friendship plays a large role in most of our
lives. Write about your strongest friendships
and what characteristics you value in your
friendships.


Write down four important characters from
The Kite Runner and how they are related.
2 minutes




Set it up as Cornell Notes
1/3: Questions/Main Ideas
2/3: Notes
Bottom: Summary
Afghanista
n

Based on these maps, what can you say about
Afghanistan’s culture?



Pastimes: Kite Flying, Picnics, Music
Language spoken: Farsi, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi
and others
Over 17 different ethnic groups in the
country
◦ Pashtun, Hazaras

People are mostly Muslim, with some
Christian and Buddhist
◦ Sunni Muslim
◦ Shi’a Muslim



1700’s: Afghanistan is a modern independent
country
1880’s-1920’s: British attempt three
unsuccessful invasions of Afghanistan
1920’s-1970’s: Country is ruled by a series
of successful kings who modernize the
country (build roads, establish women’s
rights, reform education)



Put a line down the middle with the dates
1960-2001
On the top write: Afghanistan and World
Events
Below the line, write The Kite Runner





1973: Daoud Khan overthrows the King and
begins a communist government
1979: the communist Soviet Union invades
Afghanistan
1984-1992: Afghan guerrillas known as the
Mujahidin fight a long war against the Soviet
Union
1994: The Taliban seizes control of
Afghanistan
Tomorrow we will look at an article focusing
on these events in more detail.




Very strict view of the Muslim religion
Women’s rights very limited
Used forceful punishment against any
lawbreakers (beheading, public stoning, etc.)
Many national pastimes outlawed (music,
celebrations, film, etc.)
Buddhas of Bamiyan
In your notes: What does this action say bout the Taliban’s
view of non-Muslims?




No education
Lives in a small village
Very poor
In your notes: What impact did the Taliban
have on women?

Students will understand the historical
connections between the novel and historical
events analyze the friendship between Amir
and Hassan in The Kite Runner by:
◦ Creating a timeline with historical events and events
from the novel.
◦ Discussing chapters 1-4 in small groups
◦ Large group discussion of chapters 1-4
◦ Exit ticket
◦ Homework: Read though chapter 6 for tomorrow. If
your project is on the front table and you want it,
please take it with you today.

What is redemption? Is there anything a
person can not redeem themselves from?


Take your comments about the cultural
presentations, timeline and The Kite Runner
book to your group. (You can take all your
stuff, if that is easier.)
Introduce yourselves, and share your
comments or questions about the cultural
presentations with your group members.






1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Kawther, Leah, Yuneisi, Zach, Luis
John, Dawit, Jennifer, Cooper, EhSo, Joe
Sarah, Achaya, Dorsin, Isabella, Sandra
Batoul, Grant, Dahlia, Blake, Sasha, Justin
Maribi, Brianna, Elena, Prakash, Sam
Hugh, Froilan, Maron, Alexia

Add to your timeline
◦ Historical events that happen in The Kite Runner
◦ Plot events that have dates and when they happen
in The Kite Runner








Why are Hassan and Ali treated poorly?
Describe the relationship between Hassan and
Amir.
What experiences have shaped Amir’s life up to
this point?
What experiences have shaped Hassan’s life?
Are Amir and Hassan friends?
Do you agree or disagree with Baba’s statement
about sin? “There is only one sin, only one. And
that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of
theft,” (17). Why?
Is Baba a good father?






1. Hawa, Jennifer, Mahamud, Genesis, Joseph
T.
2. Heven, Siham, Chansae, Joseph M., Kufto,
Shawnie
3. Jesus, Giovanni, Deremiah, Dilfuza, Marcus,
Miguel
4. Hannah, Carolina, Arta, Max, Nijah,
Antonio
5. Lauren, Jocelyn, Majuma, Phouc, Alejandra,
Tyler
6. RJ, Dennise, Sarah, Fernando, Juan, Saje

Are Amir and Hassan friends?

Is Baba a good father?




Read through chapter 6 (chapters 5 and 6 for
Wednesday)
Be prepared for a Socratic Seminar on the
following questions:
Are Amir and Hassan friends?
Is Baba a good father?






Through writing and discussion, students will
analyze the characters of Amir and Baba in
The Kite Runner by writing an analytical piece
and having a Socratic Seminar.
Agenda: Analytical essay
Socratic Seminar
Important quotations--culture
Exit Ticket
Homework: Read through chapter 8 for Friday

Analyze one of the following questions:
◦ Are Amir and Hassan friends?
◦ Is Baba a good father?

You may use your book, and make sure you
have a clear argument and support.




Discussion, Socrates,
Sharing ideas, expressing opinions,
supporting what you say (quotes, evidence
from the text)
Respectfully disagree with explanations
Why you agree, if you do.



Discussion, sharing opinions, not yelling,
calm,
Give your opinion and back it up with
evidence (quotes, specific examples)
Know what is going on










1. Speak so that all can hear you.
2. Listen closely.
3. Speak without raising hands.
4. Refer to the text.
5. Talk to each other, not just to the leader.
6. Ask for clarification. Don’t stay confused.
7. Invite and allow others to speak.
8. Consider all viewpoints and ideas.
9. Know that you are responsible
for the quality of the seminar.




10: Participate thoughtfully in discussion and
use supporting evidence to back your
arguments.
8: Participate thoughtfully in discussion, but
don’t use supporting evidence.
7: Actively listen, but don’t speak in the
discussion.
5: Here, but distracted or “checked out”.

Antisocial personality disorder is
characterized by a lack of regard for the
moral or legal standards in the local
culture. There is a marked inability to get
along with others or abide by societal
rules. Individuals with this disorder are
sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.









Diagnostic Criteria - Mental Health made easy.
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and
violation of the right's of others, those right's considered
normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of
the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the
use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial
obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.

Did your thoughts on either of these
questions change? What new thoughts do you
have?


Find three important quotes from chapters 16 that illuminate elements of culture in the
novel so far.
Generate three discussion questions from
your group.


Discuss elements of culture found so far.
What other questions do you have?

Through writing and discussion, students will
analyze and evaluate Amir’s actions through
a close reading of the literary devices and
analysis of chapter 7.
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Written analysis questions
Discussion of written analysis questions
Philosophical chairs
Exit ticket
Homework: Read through chapter 10 for Monday




1. What is the significance of the memories Amir
recalls as he witnesses Hassan’s rape? What do
they suggest about his feelings or thoughts?
2. What is the significance of the dream Amir
recalls as he witnesses the rape? What does it
suggest about his feelings or thoughts?
3. How does the sheep serve as a symbol in the
chapter? Why does Amir recall the sheep’s
slaughter during the rape?
4. What is the significance of all the gifts Amir
receives for his birthday?

Are you listening or are you waiting to talk?

Philosophical Chairs is a strategy for
exploring a controversial topic through
student discussion. It is not a debate, but
rather an opportunity for students to defend,
deepen, and fine-tune their ideas through
discussion.




10: Participate thoughtfully in discussion and
use supporting evidence to back your
arguments.
8: Participate thoughtfully in discussion, but
don’t use supporting evidence.
7: Actively listen, but don’t speak in the
discussion.
5: Here, but distracted or “checked out”.
1. Amir fears Assef’s violence will be turned against
himself if he intervenes.
2. Amir thinks that as a servant and a Hazara,
Hassan is less worthy than himself.
3. Amir wants the kite to please Baba and win his
affection. If he intervenes, Assef will take the kite.




Three rules guide the discussion
1. One person speaks at a time
2. Everyone must have a turn before someone
speaks twice.
3. You must repeat what the person on the
opposing side said before you share your
opinion.

What are your feelings toward Amir as a
character?