Overview
Lesson 1: What is storytelling and how it is used to remember traditions
Lesson 2: Stories of the Land (and how it shapes people’s lives)
Lesson 3: European Contact and the Stories of that Er
Lesson 4: Individuals Who Had an Impact on the Tribal Way of Life
Lesson 5: Contemporary stories and why they are important
Standards
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
EL.06.RE.09—Understand, learn, and use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly through informational text, literary text, and instruction across the subject areas.
EL.06.SL.03—Organize information using supporting details, reasons, descriptions, and examples.
EL.06.WR.02—Discuss ideas for writing with classmates, teachers, and other writers, and develop drafts alone and collaboratively.
EL.06.WR.10—Write for different purposes and to a specific audience or person, adjusting tone and style as necessary.
CD Segments to Play
Background
Besides the stories of the time before, in which people, animals or landscapes were changed, many stories exist about landmarks and resources.
ASK ABOUT APPROPRIATENESS OF USING ELIZABETH WOODY’S RECOLLECTIONS, Recalling Celilo AT THIS WEBSITE HYPERLINK “http://www.ecotrust.org/community/recalling_celilo.html” http://www.ecotrust.org/community/recalling_celilo.html
Adeline Miller learned about feasts from her relatives. Each happens at a certain time of year when certain foods are ready to harvest. The Celery Feast is first, then the Root Feast and then Salmon Feast. In late summer, there is a Huckleberry Feast. These feasts are part of cultural traditions that have been carried on for thousands of years. In performing these feasts today, the people of Warm Springs remember the ancestors. With each feast, thanks is given for the abundance of that certain food.
Suggested Strategies
Activities
Writing exercise
Ask each student to write down their favorite landmark such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mt. Hood or any other place, even a place that’s not “famous.”
On the basis of this, ask each student to write why they think that certain landmark looks like it does. Encourage the students to use imagination in a way that they use animals to make the land change.
Choose a representative number of responses and have the students read them in front of the class.
Ask the following questions:
Why did you choose that certain landmark?
Does writing a story about it make it more special? Why?
Discuss
Discuss the concepts of feasts. Relate to the class that for the Warm Springs people, it is important to drink water before each feast and meal. It symbolizes the thanks given to the Creator for providing water to the people.
Ask the class what “feasts” are important to them and why? Is the feast simply a celebration of food or is there a meaning behind the occasion?
3. Put on a play
Set aside some time for the class to practice the story of Coyote and the Stars.
4. Vocabulary
feast celebration
abundance resources
