Pablita – Indian Legends

Introduction

Curriculum Areas: Reading, Listening, Culture, Art

Recommended Levels: Primary

Time Frame: One Week ( 45 minutes a day)

Tribal Affiliation: Santa Clara Pueblo

Geographic Location: Southwest (New Mexico)

Developed by: Patricia A. Madrid

Email addresses of developers: patty_Madrid@teachnet.edb.utexas.edu

Date lesson was developed: July 24,2001

Lesson Content

Goal: Students will be able to identify plot, setting, characters, and important events of a legend from Old Father Storyteller by Pablita Velarde

Behavioral Objectives:

Students will:

· Identify the problem in each legend and say how it is solved.

· Write a new title for the legend.

· Write a poem based on the new title using similes, metaphors and the five senses.

· Recognize that many Indian legends are nature myths.

· Explain the characteristics of legends (problem, solution, and what the legend explains, character traits, etc.).

· Complete an art project that demonstrates their understanding of the plot, setting, characters, or an important event from the legend they read or heard.

American Indian Standards:

Art Standard

· Understanding and applying media techniques and processes in relation to American Indian- tribal art.

· Using knowledge and functions in relation to American Indian tribal art.

Language & Literacy

· Listen for meaning and gain information from English and a Native language

· Use a variety of strategies to gain meaning from text.

· Analyze and interpret information from stories or other text.

· Be familiar with children’s literature with Indian themes, especially with that pertaining to the student’s tribe and literature written by Indian authors.

Science Standards

· Develop an understanding of characteristics of various animals as exemplified in traditional American Indian stories, legends, songs, and dances.

Prior Knowledge Needed:

· Listening skills

· Beginning understanding of elements of literature

· Basic knowledge of a paint or drawing program like Kid Pix.

· An understanding of the difference between a legend and a myth.

Materials and Resources Needed:

· Art supplies for drawing, puppets, mobiles, or dioramas.

· Old Father Story Teller by Pablita Velarde in print and on tape.

· Software: Kids Pix or other drawing program

· Tape recorder for listening to legends.

Lesson Summary and Performance Tasks:

First students will be introduced to the characteristics of a legend. Then the teacher will read Old Father Story Teller by Pablita Velarde to the class. As a class the students will discuss the book and identify the characteristics of a legend from the book. As small groups students will then create an art project that demonstrates their understanding of the plot, setting, characters, or an important event from the legend they heard. A tape recording of the book should be made available for individuals or groups to reference again as needed.As a class, students will write a group poem using the title of the poem and the five senses. The next activity will have the students work in small groups to write a poem using a new title they have given a legend from the book and the five senses. The groups will type their poems and attach either the art project or digital drawing to the document for display purposes. As culminating activity, the students will read their poems to the class and share their projects.

Assessment: Teacher will assess each group concept map using a rubric created by the teacher.

Culture Content and Strategies: Pablita Velarde is a well know Native American author and illustrator form Santa Clara Pueblo. By studying her work we learn about the culture of Santa Clara Pueblo and the importance of animals in explaining life and the world around us.

Technology Integration:

Students will use:

· Word processing software

· Tape recorder

· Digital camera

· Paint software

Enrichment/Remediation:

· Choose an animal from the legend and research and write a report on the animal.

· Write an original legend that explains the something in nature

· Retell the lesson using picture clues.

· Use the dictionary to find the meaning of new words.

Teacher Reflections

Teachers should have read the book and have some understanding of the characteristics of legends and poetry. After the lesson is presented, teacher should reflect on improvements and adjustments to the lesson for future use.