BDA: Born Confused

Here are some Before, During, and After activities for Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Do you ever feel like you are playing a role or pretending to be someone you are not? Write at least half a page describing the roles you play, why you play them, and how pretending makes you feel.


2. Write a definition for the word culture. Give examples of your or another person’s culture. Write at least half a page.


3. Who are you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you like about yourself? What would you like to change? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Who understands you? Who doesn’t? Write at least half a page describing these people and why you think they do or do not understand you.


5. Write a poem about your family.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Write a letter to Dimple (or another character) at the end of each chapter. Let the person know what you think of what they are thinking or doing?


2. Pretend you are Dimple or Gwyn and keep a diary from that person’s point of view.


3. As you read, make a scrapbook of Dimple’s experiences. Use your own photographs or drawings. You may use excerpts from the book as captions for the pictures.


4. Take your own photographs that you think represent events from the story. Write an explanation of why you chose each photograph and what it represents.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Research Indian-American and South Asian organizations and activities in your area. Make a brochure of the information you gather.


2. Listen to India music (bhangra, Goan trance music, Lata Mangeshkar, Bollywood film hits, etc.) Create three drawings or write a page saying what you think of the music.


3. Did the book make you think about your own identity and your relationships with others? Write a paper describing what you used to think and what you think now.


4. At the beginning of the book, some of Dimple’s relationships with others are strained. Think about your own relationships that could use improvement. Create a plan to strengthen each relationship.


5. Interview an American-born Indian, and write a paper describing what you learned.