Oooh, Parker, you read my mind! I even noted t<-->t connections for Cheyenne
Again as I was reading Beaver. I was thinking about Yolen's Taino perspective
picture book, Encounter, but I'll check out Dorris (he was a favorite of
mine--Yellow Raft made a big impression on me). And yes, I definitely intend
to use the Comprehension Toolkit (I even ordered the 'extra' articles), but I
am sooooo far from actual planning!
More suggestions welcome!
Have you used the Toolkit?
Judy

On 7/02/09, Parker wrote:
> Just a thought.
> Judy are you going to use the Comprehension Toolkit? I ask because
> Cheyenne Again is used for one of the lessons and that would be a great
> tie to Sign of the Beaver. Guests by Michael Dorris a "thin", but powerful
> little book told from the viewpoint of Native Americans and great for
> inferring.
> Parker
>
> On 7/02/09, judy(almost)5ca wrote:
>> Thanks for the link, PMo. I read the article and remember discussions
>> just like that when I was at UCLA eons ago. Fortunately, one of the
>> themes I wrote down for continuing discussion in the text is
>> stereotyping: race, gender, age. Perhaps I've been the PC route too
>> long and have become jaded, but I think the "problems" in the text will
>> be obvious to these Northern California 5th graders and our discussion
>> will only enhance their cultural awareness and sensitivity. And, in
>> truth, I think we need to be careful distinguishing between PC and
>> historical accuracy.
>> Just my thoughts,
>> Judy
>>
>>
>> On 7/02/09, PMo wrote:
>>> There's an organization that I have completely forgotten but will
>>> try to remember that does a great analysis of Nat.American
>>> literature in the classroom. I've used Children of the Longhouse
>>> with more success than "Sign of the Beaver", though there are
>>> interesting points mentioned in the linked article that could be
>>> used in classroom discussions of the novel.
>>>
>>> On the Spinelli front, I love "The Library Card" as a read-aloud,
>>> especially the first story, at beginning of the year, to talk about
>>> our joint experiences with books, libraries, etc..
>>>
>>> LOVE Hatchet; some students had trouble with Elijah of Buxton -
>>> though many loved it, along with Chasing Vermeer (great tie-in with
>>> pentominoes, puzzles, and visualization).
>>>
>>> Ooops -- couldn't post the link above, will try here
>>>
>>>
>>> http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.b
>>> logspot.com/2007/04/more-on-sign-of-beaver-below-is-essay.html

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