Get documents about "The Kite Runner Curriculum Guide
Document Sample
Term 3 Interdisciplinary Project: The Kite Runner Study Guide Website
Honors English 12 > Ms. McPherson
Our Interdisciplinary Project theme for Term 3 is legacy. In our study of The Kite Runner, we have all done a
considerable amount of work. As a way to capture this work, we will work together as a class to produce a study
guide website for The Kite Runner. This will not only showcase your work, but also will serve as a legacy of
your learning to other teachers and students.
The Website:
You will work in teams to compile content to post in the section of the website for which you are responsible.
For example, if your team has the Vocabulary page, you will be responsible for compiling the vocabulary from
each chapter that your classmates submit. If you prefer to work alone, there are two sections you may sign up for
as an individual.
Teams will be selected to create or compile content for the following sections:
1. Vocabulary 6. Background information
2. Reflection/Review Questions 7. Web links (individual)
3. Chapter Summaries 8. Essay questions
4. Themes 9. Project ideas
5. Quotes 10. Web design shell (individual)
The Content:
Each of you will be responsible for creating / organizing content for an assigned chapter (or chapters) for each
of these website sections:
1. Vocabulary:
Submit the vocabulary words for each chapter, definitions (relevant to its usage in the chapter), and
the line from the chapter that uses the word
2. Reflection/Review Questions:
Submit questions you’ve been given in class plus questions of your own choosing (minimum of 4
questions)
3. Chapter Summaries
Write a brief description of key events in your chapter
One paragraph, 75-150 words
Do not copy from Wikipedia, etc!
4. Themes
Submit one theme that is present in your chapter with a supporting quote and relevant explanation
5. Quotes
Select one quote from your chapter that has significance to you
Explain the significance of the quote
Each of you will also be responsible for submitting content for the website in the following areas:
6. Background information:
Finalize your Afghanistan research project > Make it perfect!!
7. Web links
Submit two web links with information or resources about The Kite Runner or Afghanistan
Do not submit links to Wikipedia articles or study guide sites like Spark Notes!
8. Essay questions
Submit one essay question for the readers of the novel.
This should be at least two sentences, but no more than 1 more paragraph.
Um, you should know where this is going…
9. Project idea
Submit one project idea that future students could do to demonstrate understanding of the novel.
Your project explanation should be 75-125 words.
Be creative – who knows, maybe I’ll use one of these to torture next year’s seniors!
Sample Content:
Ms. McPherson’s Chapter 1 – 2 Content:
Vocabulary:
Chap. 1
Harelip (2)
Hassan the harelipped kite runner.
Chap. 2
Koran (7)
People had raised their eyebrows when Ali, a man who had memorized the Koran, married Sanuabar, a woman
nineteen years younger, a beautiful but notoriously unscrupulous woman who lived up to her dishonorable
reputation.
Unscrupulous (8)
People had raised their eyebrows when Ali, a man who had memorized the Koran, married Sanuabar, a woman
nineteen years younger, a beautiful but notoriously unscrupulous woman who lived up to her dishonorable
reputation.
Oscillating (8)
I have heard that Sanaubar’s suggestive stride and oscillating hips sent men to reveries of infidelity.
Reverie (8)
I have heard that Sanaubar’s suggestive stride and oscillating hips sent men to reveries of infidelity.
Atrophied (8)
But polio had left Ali with a twisted, atrophied right leg that was sallow skin over bone with little in between
except a paper-thin layer of muscle.
Garrulous (10)
As confided to a neighbor’s servant by the garrulous midwife, who had then in turn told anyone who would
listen, Sanaubar had taken one glance at the baby in Ali’s arms, seen the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter.
Reflection/Review Questions:
The novel begins in 2001, but looks back to 1975. How does the narrator Amir speak about the past? Is
it a time of happiness or sorrow for him? How do you know?
Compare the homes of Amir and Hassan. How are they different? Provide specific details from the
novel in describing each home.
The Kite Runner focuses on the relationships between fathers and sons. What has happened to Amir’s
mother? What happened to Hassan’s mother?
What was Amir’s first word? What was Hassan’s? What do these words suggest about the character of
each?
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One:
The novel beings in December 2001. The narrator thinks back to his childhood in Afghanistan to
events in 1975 that changed him, upon which he looks with regret.
Chapter Two:
This chapter introduces many of the main characters of the novel: Amir, Baba, Hassan and Ali. We
learn that Amir and Hassan both lost their mothers as infants; Amir’s mother died in childbirth,
while Hassan’s mother, a beautiful, flirtacious woman, left her family to join a group of singers and
dancers. Ali and Hassan are servants to Baba and Amir and live in small shack behind the luxurious
mansion of Baba and Amir. Ali and Hassan are persecuted for many reasons: they are Hazaras, an
Afghani tribe of lower social standings; Ali is deformed by polio; and Hassan has a harelip. In spite
of their different social standing, Hassan and Amir are close friends, sharing a special bond.
Themes
Submit one theme that is present in your chapter with a supporting quote and relevant explanation.
Redemption:
“There is a way to be good again” (Hosseini 2).
The novel opens with this line, introducing the concept that it is possible for a person to find
redemption for past sins. Though the novel will be filled with tragic events, this line suggests that
there is always hope for humanity: though we can’t change the past, we can make choices for a
better present and future.
Quotes
Select one quote from your chapter that has significance to you
Explain the significance of the quote
“For you a thousand times over” (Hosseini 2).
Hassan says this to Amir as a testament to his loyalty. Throughout the novel, Hassan backs up this
assertion through his selfless, self-sacrificing actions towards Amir. Amir is incredibly fortunate to
have such a friend in his life – though it takes him far too long to realize this. This makes me
appreciate the people in my life who I know would do the same: my mom and dad. It reminds me
how lucky I am to have the presence of unconditional love in my life.
Web links
Submit two web links with information or resources about The Kite Runner or Afghanistan
Do not submit links to Wikipedia articles or study guide sites like Spark Notes!
Afghanistan history / timeline:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/afghanistan/timeline.html
US attack on Afghanistan:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/campaign/
Essay questions
Submit one essay question for the readers of the novel.
This should be at least two sentences, but no more than 1 more paragraph.
The Kite Runner is in large a part a story of redemption. Trace Amir’s quest for redemption in the
novel.
Project idea
Submit one project idea that future students could do to demonstrate understanding of the novel.
Your project explanation should be 50-100 words.
Create a timeline of the novel that shows how key events in the novel intersect with real events in
Afghanistan’s history. Your timeline should include 10 key events in the novel as well as 10 real
events in the history of Afghanistan. For example, on July 17, 1973, Daoud Khan instigates a
bloodless coup which sets into motion a period of civil wars in Afganistan until the Soviet take-
over. Soon after this, Hassan and Amir are caught and threatened by Assef.
Due Dates
Your Content Wednesday, Feb. 6
Your Section of the Website Wednesday, Feb. 13
Obviously, in order for this to work, each of you MUST submit your content to the DropBox on time. You must
also complete your section of the class website on time. Your classmates and I are counting on you!
Related docs
