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.02—Match the purpose, message, occasion, and delivery to the audience.
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
Within each tribal group there are stories of people who were heroes or otherwise important to the tribe. Sometimes individuals were remembered because of good deeds or good examples. Often, these people were pointed out as examples or inspiration of how people should live their lives.
Among the people of the Warm Springs, this is one of the stories that is told:
ASK THE WARM SPRINGS REVIEW GROUP FOR AN ACCEPTABLE STORY ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS REMEMBERED.
Suggested Strategies
Activities
THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE BASED ON THE STORY FROM WARM SPRINGS
Reflect
Ask the class to think about a person in their family who is “famous” for something. The person does not have to be world-renowned, but can be someone who has done something that is talked about over and over. For example, “Uncle Joe hiked the Grand Canyon.”
3. Writing exercise
Each student will ask parents, grandparents or other relatives to tell a “story” about someone in the family. The student will write down the story and be prepared to tell the story to the class the next day. Encourage students to make the story as short as possible with as much pertinent information as possible.
4. Put on a play
Set up an area where the class can perform the story, Coyote and the Stars. This can be done in an area where there is a stage or a larger area such as a cafeteria or gym. Be sure to use the masks that the students have made. Invite other classes to be the “audience.”
5. Vocabulary
performance critic
theatrical renowned
