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Problematic Situation Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Purpose

This document provides background information and instructions for an assignment related to the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The purpose is for students to better understand the problematic situation Pi faces by ranking items in terms of their importance for survival after being shipwrecked alone at sea. Students are given a worksheet that describes the scenario and lists 13 items to rank. Their rankings will then be compared to expert rankings to assess their thinking, decision-making, and ability to prioritize based on survival values.

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gabiarama
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
218 views

Problematic Situation Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Purpose

This document provides background information and instructions for an assignment related to the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The purpose is for students to better understand the problematic situation Pi faces by ranking items in terms of their importance for survival after being shipwrecked alone at sea. Students are given a worksheet that describes the scenario and lists 13 items to rank. Their rankings will then be compared to expert rankings to assess their thinking, decision-making, and ability to prioritize based on survival values.

Uploaded by

gabiarama
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problematic Situation

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Purpose
For students to more capably appreciate the situation that Pi Patel experiences in Life of Pi, the
teacher can set up this detailed worksheet. For this assignment, students must determine the most
important items they feel are needed if alone at sea. This strategy helps students to implement and
improve on problem solving and decision making skills. It also helps the students to develop interest
in the story, as they are able to make connections to the text.

Directions
Upon opening the class, distribute the provided handout for the students. Together with them, read
the situation they are being present with at the top of the handout. Allow them time to work
(approximately five minutes) and then draw the class back together. Discuss with them their top five
choices and then put up the correct answers as determined by the experts.

Assessment
This strategy allows you to assess a variety of things, including:
ƒ Thinking/Reasoning skills
ƒ Ability to negotiate decisions, and
ƒ Ability to make decisions based on values

Edgeworth—BYU--2008
Lost At Sea Worksheet—Problematic Situation—ANSWER KEY

You are adrift on a private yacht in the South Pacific. As a consequence of a fire of unknown origin,
much of the yacht and its contents have been destroyed. The yacht is now slowly sinking. Your
location is unclear because of the destruction of critical navigational equipment and because you and
the crew were distracted trying to bring the fire under control. Your best estimate is that you are
approximately one thousand miles south-southwest of the nearest land.

Below is a list of 13 items that are intact and undamaged after the fire. In addition to these articles,
you have a serviceable, rubber life raft with oars large enough to carry yourself, the crew, and all the
items listed below. The total contensts of all survivors’ pockets are a package of cigarettes, several
books of matches, and 15 one-dollar bills.

Your task is to rank the 13 items below in terms of their importance to your survival. Place the
number 1 by the most important item, the number 2 by the second most important, and so on
through number 13, the least important.

Your Rankings Expert Rankings


1. Shaving Mirror 1
2. 5 gallon can of 3
water
3. Mosquito 13
Netting
4. 1 Case of US 12 **most resuces
military meals- in open water
ready-to eat happen within 36
hours**
5. Maps of the 4
Pacific Ocean
6. Seat Cushion 9
(floatation device)
7. 2 gallon can of 2
oil-gas mixture
8. Small battery- 11
powered radio
9. Shark repellent 10
10. 20 square feet 5
of opaque plastic
11. Fifteen feet of 8
nylon rope
12. Two boxes of 6
chocolate bars
13. Fishing kit 7

Edgeworth—BYU--2008
Lost At Sea Worksheet—Problematic Situation

You are adrift on a private yacht in the South Pacific. As a consequence of a fire of unknown origin,
much of the yacht and its contents have been destroyed. The yacht is now slowly sinking. Your
location is unclear because of the destruction of critical navigational equipment and because you and
the crew were distracted trying to bring the fire under control. Your best estimate is that you are
approximately one thousand miles south-southwest of the nearest land.

Below is a list of 13 items that are intact and undamaged after the fire. In addition to these articles,
you have a serviceable, rubber life raft with oars large enough to carry yourself, the crew, and all the
items listed below. The total contensts of all survivors’ pockets are a package of cigarettes, several
books of matches, and 15 one-dollar bills.

Your task is to rank the 13 items below in terms of their importance to your survival. Place the
number 1 by the most important item, the number 2 by the second most important, and so on
through number 13, the least important.

Your Rankings Expert Rankings


1. Shaving Mirror
2. 5 gallon can of
water
3. Mosquito
Netting
4. 1 Case of US
military meals-
ready-to eat
5. Maps of the
Pacific Ocean
6. Seat Cushion
(floatation device)
7. 2 gallon can of
oil-gas mixture
8. Small battery-
powered radio
9. Shark repellent
10. 20 square feet
of opaque plastic
11. Fifteen feet of
nylon rope
12. Two boxes of
chocolate bars
13. Fishing kit

Edgeworth—BYU--2008

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