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Practical Language Activities

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Reading Club - The Life of Pi (Special Interesting Group)
2009 Lesson Plans

Reading Club - The Life of Pi (Special Interesting Group)

The Life of Pi is a magical story about an Indian boy who survives 227 days shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean. It is not only an adventure novel, but one that explores issues of faith and religion. The compelling narrative will transform the unbelievable into reality, and will arouse students' interest in reading. There will be discussions and time to share opinions and reactions to this masterful tale.

2009 Lesson Plans

9.9.09

Vocabulary:

As you read in your book, put a box, a flag, a sticky note, etc. near word(s) you are unfamiliar with--or want to explore for a richer meaning.

Once we are in our study groups, we will divide and conquer, looking up the words' meanings.
We then, will post our findings here, for all to share.
I have a sample posting below from Chapter I. Notice that with the entry I am putting the page number that the word can be found in our books (we don't want to hunt for the entry later).
Also remember that when you are posting definitions, information, etc., make sure it fits the meaning in the book. You need to read the definition to make sure that it fits the way the word is used in context of the other words.
I would like us to author our entries in some manner, but I don't want you to put your full names on the Internet. Instead, at the end of your entries, simply put your first name and last initial. Ex. John D. (The exception will be my name.)
Lastly, make sure to reference where you retrieved your information. We can use others' words verbatim, just make sure to cite your sources.

Inferences/Questions/Observations

As you read, you are expected to keep a dialectical journal (min. 10 quotes and explanations per reading asst.). This will spark questions, conversations, etc. You might like to share your thoughts on an important quote. You are watching specifically for your focus topic in your reading, but you can certainly discuss other topics as well. You also can go onto other pages and add your thoughts there as well. Heres an example:

"This book was born when I was hungry" (Martel vii). Shortly after this statement, one of the narrators of the story tells us that he had terrible luck on two books he wrote. One book was a complete flop; it was published but no one bought it. The other book was incredibly well-written and interesting, but it simply lacked the flair of a published book. The narrator feels deprived of a good story like someone feels deprived of food when they are hungry. This also then, explains why he goes searching for stories. ---MicheleD. (Davis)

1) Choose a chapter from which to begin reading

2) Follow guidelines for vocabulary and observations

3) Intermittent breaks for comprehension review

4) Sharing of vocabulary and observations

5) Reflection

30.9.09

Vocabulary

1) Select a word with which you are unfamiliar yet which you do not need to know

2) Select a word with which you are unfamiliar and which you need to know

A) Present

B) Perform morphemic and contextual analyses

Word stress:

1) Selecting words to pronounce accurately, and naturally

Key Questions and Points

Lesson 1- Author's Note

Take a moment and create you own definition for bamboozle (tricking). I would propose to you that the first challenge put forth to us by the author is that this book is that he is going to try and bamboozle us.
What is the spark that brings to life a real story? And does this story contain that spark?
Will this book make you believe in God (do you believe in God; and what does this statement say about the author?) Our author has fallen out of grace with God; our writer is one who apparently has no faith.
The resulting effect is that we are never quite sure if we are reading a piece of fiction or a biography—this is a choice you will have to make at the end of the novel.