How can an opening line like "Call me Zits" not hook a teenager? Sherman Alexie is able to hook many teen readers through his novel, Flight, that tells the story of a 15-year-old orphaned half-American-Indian pyromaniac as he undertakes a voyage that transforms his life and soul.
My 9th grade English classes include a wide range of reading interests and abilities.
I teach in an urban high school located in a culturally diverse part of the country. The diversity of students ranges from Hispanic to Anglo to African American to Native American and this diversity is what attracted me to this school. Students in my classes come in with a wealth of information in their cultural and technological "banks", but are from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Often times they have not had extensive exposure to good literature or good books. My teaching style is student centered. I prefer to be the "guide on the side" rather than the "sage on the stage." My goal is to encourage all students to read and my challenge is to ensure that I am exposing them to a wide variety of literature to help prepare them for their futures in or out of college.
My Project
My students need copies of Alexie's novel, Flight to add to our contemporary literature collection. This action-packed story focuses on familiar themes that many students face in their every day lives -the continuing fight for survival, the anger of racial divides, and the absence of fathers. With Flight, Alexie takes these themes a step further as he skillfully explores both sides of the proverbial war. Zits witnesses brutal violence through the eyes of whites and Indians, fathers and sons, and he begins to understand what it means to be the hero, the villain and the victim.
Readers should expect a story of how human love and sympathy can save a life. Alexie's message how no one can live alone, no matter what the situation, is not only inspiring but life saving for many teens with issues similar to Zits, the protagonist in the novel.
Finding books that students can relate to increases knowledge, reading skills and expands minds.
By reading, Flight, students will gain a broader understanding of the interdependence of all people and how one person's actions can impact the world. Building literacy and academic standards encourages critical thinking, which ultimately increases the likelihood of students becoming productive citizens.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Erickson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.