World Lit & Research, Ms. Monson
Daily Syllabus of Activities & Assignments
Oct. 9 - 25, 2013
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Target: Understanding important historical (political, social, and religious) background for The Kite
Runner.
1. Background on the context of The Kite Runner: history, geography. The Qu’ran and Islam.
2. Reading Schedule Assignments: Read and take notes: The Kite Runner:
a. For Thursday, Oct. 10: the Foreward and Chapters 1 - 3 (27 pages)
b. For Friday, Oct. 11: through Ch. 5 (P. 47).
c. For Monday, Oct. 14: through Ch. 7 (P. 79).
History pertinent to The Kite Runner.
Afghanistan history
Differences in Shi’ite and Sunni sects of Islam.
Differences of western and eastern culture
Themes:
The need for Atonement
Guilt and the ramifications of
Power struggles between different groups anywhere in the world
Thursday, Oct. 10
Target: Contextual/historical understanding for The Kite Runner.
1. Handout: “Introduction to The Kite Runner: Understanding Afghanistan’s History and Politics.”
2. Video: the counter to Muslim stereotype:
http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,19402457001_1891123,00.html
a. Subverting the stereotype
b. Diverse appearance and views
3. Discussion Prompts and Questions (to P. 12, to Pg. 24). Discussion through Ch. 3.
4. If time: Oppression of the Hazara people, from 2008. 10:47 video. (before chapter four of Kite
Runner.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9uEcVSBBk
Friday Oct. 11 – Students can also find today’s instructions on our Class Blog.
Target: Conduct research about background information pertinent to The Kite Runner.
1. Read the article about the history of the Hazara people.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/01/16/hazara_afghanistan_pakistan/
2. Read this article, the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/05/economist-explains-19
3. Read “The Taliban in Afghanistan.” http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/taliban-afghanistan/p10551
4. 3-2-1 Exit Pass
a. Three important ideas you have learned today, in regard to making sense of something in The Kite
Runner.
b. Two quotes you read from the resources today that are important to remember.
c. One question about any of the reading you’ve done so far in The Kite Runner.
5.
Homework for Monday:
a. Map of Afghanistan and The Hazaras
i. Use map to help you with locations as you read
ii. Read page 2 and complete page 3
b. Read through Ch. 7 – an exciting kite fighting tournament, but difficult content to read.
1
Monday, Oct. 14 – Parent Conferences tonight
Target: Clarity through Ch. 7 – discussing plot, characters, emerging themes and motifs, specifically
understand the rape scene on Ch. 7. Understanding reading schedule through end of the novel.
1. (Not time last week:) Historical Context: Oppression of the Hazara people, from 2008. 10:47
video. (before chapter four of Kite Runner.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9uEcVSBBk
a. this will also help to clear up some questions from Friday.
2. Recap Friday’s work – research articles and ‘3-2-1 report’ findings relating to Kite Runner, blue
handout “Map and Hazara” last page due today
3. In groups, discuss a, b, and c, while I check your last page of Map and Hazara handout.
a. findings from Hazara handout.
b. Student questions from Friday on LCD
c. Handout: Introduction to Islam and Amir’s Spiritual Journey – the last page will not be
formally “due” until the end. Keep working on this.
4. Kite Fighting Scene from film, You Tube Video – to see how they fight kites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky1W2n5RilM
5. Large Group Discussion through Ch. 7. Character choices, conflicts (internal and external),
archetypes, emerging themes and motifs, etc.
a. “Amir’s Inner Turmoil”:
i. Significance of the memories Amir recalls as he witnesses Hassan’s rape. What do they
suggest about his feelings and thoughts?
ii. Significance of the dream Amir recalls as he witnesses the rape. What does it suggest about
his feelings and thoughts?
iii. The sheep as a symbol. Why does Amir recall the sheep’s slaughter during the rape?
b. Emerging themes:
i. The need for Atonement / Redemption
ii. Guilt and the ramifications of guilt
iii. Power struggles between different groups, anywhere in the world
6. Discussion Prompts (up to break on P. 93)
7. Reading Schedule: Please record in your planners
Wed. Oct. 16: Ch. 9
Mon. Oct. 21: Ch. 11 – note-check through Ch. 11
Th. Oct. 24: Ch. 15
Fri. Oct. 25: Ch. 17 – note-check through Ch. 17
Mon. Oct. 28: Ch. 21
Wed. Oct. 30: Ch. 23
Th. Oct. 31: Ch. 24 – note-check through Ch. 24
Mon. Nov. 4: Finish book.
Tues. Oct. 15 – Advisory/Collaboration Schedule
Target: Reading, incorporate understanding of Islam to understanding of The Kite Runner
1. Reading Day
2. Look at Reading Schedule! (see yesterday) Through Ch. 9 due tomorrow.
2
Wed. Oct. 16 – Testing Schedule, 20-23 minute classes
Target: clarity for plot, writing devises, and emerging themes
1. Discuss through Ch. 9
a. Groups: Review plot. Report out major events or key thoughts.
b. As Class: discuss group ideas.
2. Linking Afghanistan’s history and Amir’s past.
a. How does the history of Afghanistan influence the way Amir’s life develops? Consider
how he sees his place in the world, how he relates to his father, how he relates to Hassan.
b. Present day Afghanistan is haunted by its history in the same way the Amir is haunted by
his past. What are some of the ways the two can be compared?
c. In both cases (Afghanistan’s history and Amir’s life), external forces exert great influence
over internal conflicts and development. In each case, how significant is the role of these
external influences?
3. Reminder for Monday: Read through Ch. 11, and Note-check.
4. Note-Taking: What I’m looking for:
a. Evidence of your personal reading and thought processes during/from reading
b. Page numbers at specific quotes, ideas, important plot points, questions you have
c. Hand-written (not copied or photocopied)
d. Thoughts about your reading.
Mon. Oct. 21
Target: explore character development during the escape from Afghanistan and emigration to U.S., how
conflicts can reveal character.
1. Note check through Ch. 11 while students discuss parts of Ch. 10 & 11 on LCD:
a. The journey of escape from Afghanistan in March 1981 (Ch. 10).
b. In what ways does Amir see Baba as honorable and courageous? Too prideful and dumb? (Ch. 10
and Ch. 11)
c. Why does Hassan keep coming back to mind for both Amir and Baba?
d. If you had to leave the U.S. to live in another country, in which countries would you most thrive?
Most struggle? Explain.
e. Difficult changes and adjustments for Baba since coming to the U.S. two years ago.
f. Amir’s determination when he says, “…I would stand my ground, I decided. I didn’t want to
sacrifice for Baba any more. The last time I had done that, I had damned myself” (mid Ch. 11,
Page 135).
g. Baba’s statement, “It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days sometimes even a single day,
can change the course of a while lifetime, Amir.” (end Ch.11, Page 142).
2. Discuss student ideas and reactions to questions.
3. Handout: Discussion Questions/Guide, through P. 117
4. Keep working on last page of handout (from Mon. Oct. 14): Introduction to Islam and Amir’s
Spiritual Journey – the last page will not be formally “due” until the end.
5. For Thursday: Read and Take Notes through Ch. 15
Reading Schedule:
Th. Oct. 24: Ch. 15
Fri. Oct. 25: Ch. 17 – note-check through Ch. 17
Mon. Oct. 28: Ch. 21
Wed. Oct. 30: Ch. 23
Th. Oct. 31: Ch. 24 – note-check through Ch. 24
Mon. Nov. 4: Finish book.
3
Tues. Oct. 22 – Advisory/Collab. Schedule
Reading Day.
Wed. Oct. 23 – No Classes
Th. Oct. 24
Target: understand plot progression, theme development at mid-novel
Discuss Ch. 12-15 (143-194)
Reading Schedule:
Fri. Oct. 25: Ch. 17 – note-check through Ch. 17
Mon. Oct. 28: Ch. 21
Wed. Oct. 30: Ch. 23
Th. Oct. 31: Ch. 24 – note-check through Ch. 24
Mon. Nov. 4: Finish book.
Friday, Oct. 25, 2013
Target: Understand writing errors from previous class writing. Understand and be able to apply notetaking skills for reading and analysis of Common Text (The Kite Runner).
1. Receive back “World View Essays”
a. Thank you for sharing portions of yourselves with me.
b. Initial Writing: writing skills, main idea and support.
c. Cover editorial markings
d. Re-teach Common Writing Errors – grammatical and structural
2. Writing Skills in analyzing text
3. Writing about The Kite Runner. Assignment today or early next week.
4