The+Pigman+by+Paul+Zindel

= __The Pigman__ by Paul Zindel = An Inquiry Lesson

First published in 1968, __The Pigman__ is a fictional, young adult novel, based during the 1960's in New York City. It is written from the perspective of two teenagers named John and Lorraine. These sophomore students prank phone call an old man named Mr. Angelo Pignati, looking for money from the old man. They decide to meet (to exchange the money), and they become friends with Mr. Pignati (aka. The Pigman). The teenagers struggle with life at home, school, and decisions they are faced with as adolescents growing up. John and Lorraine become very attached to Mr. Pignati and learn about life from an elderly person's perspective. Through betrayal, affection, insecurity and growing up, we see John, Lorraine and Mr. Pignati develop a friendship that will last forever (however long that may be).

This novel is intersting for students this age to read because it is solely written from the perspective of teenagers, which is both refreshing and engaging for grade 9 students. They can bond with the characters and find ways to make personal connections easier since it is written in their language. I decided to try an inquiry lesson on this novel becuase I felt that it was important for the character of Mr. Pignati to be understood from his perspective (which is missing in the novel). To achieve this, I decided to do an inquiry into the social and economic background of elderly people living alone and being faced with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Hopefully, this was to lead to students wondering what young people can do to help elderly citizens living in loneliness and isolation, leading ultimately into an investigation into the following issues:
 * The decline of extended families as a way of caring for old people[[image:THE%20PIGMAN%20JACKET%20COVER.jpg width="208" height="355" align="right"]]
 * The advantages and drawbacks of nursing homes
 * Social and cultural attitudes toward old age in a culture obsessed with youth
 * The role of government and social welfare agencies in addressing the problems of the elderly


 * Click below to view the handout assignment for the students**


 * Click here to view the inquiry theme/unit chart for this activity**