Making Connections to Indian HorseFive Defining Moments in your lifeThrough this activity, you will explore defining moments

in your life that have helped to shape your personal

identity.  These might be moments of great triumph, loss, or just difficulties you had to

overcome. With your group, brainstorm some of the moments from the novel that you

think have defined Saul as a person. Write them here:

You will now have two choices for the activity related to your life. If you like music you

will choose this:

A. Think of five defining moments in your life. Again, these might be successes,

failures, conflicts, relationships (romantic or platonic), injuries, losses, wishes

come true… Complete the chart with detail and include a song and artist for

each that you feel really represents that defining moment for you. Be sure to

explain WHY you are choosing each particular song. Do this in a chart format

something like this:

If you are not really that into music, you will choose this:

B. Create a journal entry of at least one page single spaced that examines (a)

pivotal moment(s) in your life and how this/these moments have really shaped

who you are as a person. Again, these might be successes, failures, conflicts,

relationships (romantic or platonic), injuries, losses, wishes come true…

Making Connections to Indian Horse

STEP 2: Pivotal People - Influence Of Individuals On Self 

Through this activity, you will identify the people in your lives that have influenced you, whose values and expertise you rely on. You may identify friends, family members, icons and heroes, or even – gasp! - teachers.

 This portion of the assignment will allow you to explore the people who matter to you, and imagine what your life might be like if those people were taken away. Think about the following questions:

What role does each person play in your life? Who would you rely on if these pivotal people weren’t there? What effect would this have on you?

Consider this for Saul. Who are the important people in his life? What role does each person play? How does he survive when they are no longer with him?

As before, you will have two options for this activity.

If you like music, complete a chart similar to the one you did for part A; answer the

questions above and include a meaningful song and artist for each person. Be sure to

explain WHY you are choosing each particular song.

If you are not really into music, you will complete a journal entry, at least one page

single spaced, that discusses the pivotal people in your life.