Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa

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Excerpt

Kaffir Boy Reading and Journal Assignment

This week we will begin the book Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane. Thisautobiography is about a young boy living in South Africa facing the struggles with apartheid.

Background:

• You will be taking notes on two Power Points. One is about non-fiction and the other is about apartheid. If you missed either Power Point, please see a class-mate to get that information.

Reading: Set yourself a goal of 30 minutes a day to read for the next twoweeks. CSAP is an ideal time to this because you have time after the test toread.

Journal: On Wednesday, March 18, you will have a journal assignment due.

• Divide the book into 5 sections (whatever 5 you choose)
• One each journal page, write the page numbers for that section.
• Then write a short summary of that section. This summary should be one well-constructed paragraph with no sentence fragments or run-on sentences. It should also show correct usage and punctuation.
• Pick a quote from that section that you feel is significant to the story. (Do not summarize the quote; rather, you should explain why it is important.)
• Write a sentence or two on why you feel that quote is significant. Again, proper grammar is important here.
• After you have finished the 5 journal assignments, write one paragraph on what you feel the theme of Kaffir Boy is. Remember when you are writing about theme, you will want to include specific evidence from the book.

Journal Requirements:

• Each of the five journals should include the page numbers, a summary, and a quote with the explanation of its significant.
• Your journals and the paragraph on theme may be typed or written inpen (no pencil).

Extra Credit: You may get up to an additional 2% added to your finalgrade for the journal assignment for each of these you complete:

• An illustrated cover
• Illustrations in the journal with explanations or captions
• A personal reflection on what you thought of the book and the assignment.

Journal Assignment Checklist:

• _____ 5 journals
• _____ Each journal has a one paragraph summary
• _____ Each journal has a quote
• _____ Each journal explains the significance of the quote
• _____ Theme paragraph
• _____ Typed or written in pen

Kaffir Boy/ Farewell to Manzanar Journal Rubric:

Summaries: ______/25Points

• Minimum one paragraph summary of section including page numbers (5 total)

Quotes: _______/10 Points

• One quote for each journal, quote should be written out completely (5 total)

Significance: ______/ 15 Points

• Each quote has a short explanation of its significance or its importance within the story (Not an explanation of what the quote means) (5 total)

Theme: ______/25 points

• A minimum of a one paragraph about the theme of the book, this also should include specific evidence from the book

Usage and conventions:

• No sentence fragments or run-on sentences ______/ 5 points
• Limited errors in pronoun or modifier usage ______/5 points
• Limited errors in agreement ______/ 5 points
• Limited used of passive voice ______/ 5 points
• Limited punctuation errors ______/ 5 points

_____/ 100 points

About

This is a journal assignment that I adapted from a Night assignment. It asks the students to summarize the story and the think critically on a significant quote and the theme of the book.