What is justice? Who determines that someone has been punished for committing a crime? Is there a way to punish that also brings reconciliation? Is it effective? Can people really forgive? Can people really change? The premise of the novel Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is that even people, who do horrible crimes against others, can be redeemed and changed!
Cole Matthews has been in trouble all of his life, but when he goes too far and beats a classmate within an inch of his life, he has to pay for his crime. Instead of being sent to jail, he chooses to participate in an alternative justice system based on Native American Circle Justice. Does he really want to change or is this a way to avoid jail and facing his own problems?
You will take on the perspective of one character in the novel and consider their point of view in whether or not justice has been served in the case of the punishment of Cole Matthews.
Essential Questions:
Before reading the novel, in class you will gain background knowledge into some aspect of your character's life or actions through the webquest. You will create a Google Slideshow to present what you learned to the class. Use one slide per question and don't include too much text. Put text in your own words.
You will work on QcQ's (Quote, Comment, Question) for each reading assignment and submit it by midnight the night before the due date. These will be the basis of our discussions.
Finally, you will prepare a multimedia presentation using iMovie or Animoto to illustrate the perspective of your character and the major themes surrounding them in the novel. This presentation will synthesize text, images, and music to communicate your understanding. Or you will create a totem pole that describes you.
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Part I: Background Knowledge and Research
Step One: Choose one of the following characters from the novel:
Step Two: Follow the links to research background information for your chosen character and summarize your findings on a google slideshow. We will present these tomorrow.
Garvey (The probation officer)
Your focus for background knowledge about the justice system known as "Circle Justice" or "Restorative Justice."
Make sure that your paragraphs include answers to the following questions:
Links:
Edwin (The Tlingit Indian Elder)
Your focus will be on summarizing background knowledge of the Tlingit tribe. You should also be aware of criticism about the novel that it does not portray truthfully the practices of the Tlingits.
Make sure that your paragraphs include answers to the following questions:
Links:
Your focus will be on understanding the affect of abuse and parental alcoholism on the main character who is sentenced to a year of isolation in Alaska.
Make sure your paragraphs discuss the following issues
Links:
Peter Driscal (The Victim)
Your focus will be on understanding the effects of bullying and the need for forgiveness for total restoration.
Make sure your paragraphs focus on the following issues:
Links:
The Spirit Bear (Kermode Bear)
Your focus is on answering the question of what is a spirit bear?
What makes it special?
Be sure you describe its habitat, characteristics, and legends.
Links:
QCQs on Google Classroom - Finish by midnight the night before class. We will use these to lead discussions.
Final Assignment: Due:
Using a multimedia software such as Animoto or iMovie, etc., you will illustrate the perspective of one chosen character toward one or more of the major themes surrounding the character in the novel. Choices could include themes about justice, truth, nature, and so on. You MUST include music (appropriately chosen to create the mood and add to understanding of the character and/or theme), text (quotations from the novel or original short phrases or words), and images.
You MUST provide a credits page that gives the URL of any site where you found images, and the title and artist of any music used.
You must submit the assignment digitally by sharing it on Google Drive or emailing me the URL link to the final product. Consider your best method beforehand so that you have the technology to do it!
Choice Two: Totem Pole
First: Do a bit of research on totem poles. Read one or two of the following sites to gain an understanding of the history and significance of totem poles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem_pole
http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/default.html
Second: Create a totem pole, using any materials you want, that represents the significant parts of who you are (this could include family heritage, your interests, religion, sports, hobbies, etc.). Be sure to include a brief paragraph explaining the symbols in your totem pole. Be sure to use at least 7 images. See rubric on the portal for grading.
What is justice? Can people really change? Do you have renewed hope in the transformational power of forgiveness, both of oneself and others?
Cole's journey into solitary life with nature in the remotest regions of Alaska gave him a chance to avoid jail, but more importantly change lives - his and others. How do we treat those who have wronged us or whom we have wronged? Do we seek to forgive and give grade freely?
Perhaps the Spirit Bear taught Cole the most important lesson, that pride, dignity, and honor mixed with respect for all of life, can make even your enemies your friends.