Practice 4
Every culture has stories
of their origins or how they came to be. We can make educated
guesses about their beliefs, values and attitudes from the stories.
Take this Seneca creation story for example. As you read, pay
attention to the details; what parts of nature are mentioned;
how the male and female creatures act and what role they play;
how the animals act and what they do; what objects are mentioned;
what adjectives are used to describe people and nature. At the
end, you'll be able to make several smart guesses about the
life, attitudes and beliefs of the Seneca Indian nation.
Instruction:
| Read "Sky
Woman," a traditional Seneca creation
myth. It is linked to the book icon on the right. Check
out the prompt you will be answering to jump-start
your brain to look for connections as you read. This
gives your reading a purpose and activates your brain
cells! You might even make a prediction based on
the first paragraph on this page, introducing the
story, about what will be the focus of your writing. |
|
Before Reading:
- Of course, you will read the prompt
first.
- Then set up a piece of paper to take
notes on these topics as preparation for thinking about making
inferences from the clues and information in the story.
- Your notes could answer the following questions. You can
set up your note-taking page like this. Parts have been filled
in already for you.
| look for: |
notes: |
how
do I know:
details from the myth |
possible
belief, attitude:
(smart guess) |
| How does the male figure act? |
(could be several notes - he does not act just one way)
jealous,
in charge, takes action, angry, impulsive (acts
before thinking)
|
(should be several details from the myth)
myth
says he has jealous rage, pulls up tree and throws wife
down from heaven
|
Chief is in charge of heaven |
| How does the female figure act? |
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| Where do they live at the beginning of the story? |
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| Is it a good place? |
yes |
"paradise"
"lighted by beautiful blossoms of the Tree of Light"
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| What is the Chief's role? |
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| What is the Sky Woman's role? |
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| Why does he marry Sky Woman? |
he
has a dream that told him to |
"married
a beautiful woman in accordance with the dictates of a dream." |
dreams
are important to Seneca people and they respect and obey
what they learn in a dream |
| What objects are thrown down from the hole in
heaven? |
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| How do the animals act toward Sky Woman? |
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| What happened on earth's island when Sky Woman
lived there? |
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Short Answer
Prompt :
Choose one prompt
to answer:
Choice
1:
- This creation myth suggests that the animals played
an important part in the creation of the earth.
- Make an
educated guess about how the Senecas
feel about nature and animals.
- Support your inference with details from
the myth.
Choice
2:
- This creation myth suggests that the Sky Woman
played an important part in the creation of the earth.
- Make
an educated guess about the Senecas' attitudes
toward women.
- Support your inference with details from
the myth.
Note: What key elements will be needed for a full two point answer?
Choose ONE of the following three options for writing your response.
| 1. |
|
If Microsoft Word is available on your computer, this document allows you to type your answer, use spell check, save, copy/paste text, and/or print the page to turn in.
<< Click here to open a word form for your response. |
| 2. |
|
This file can be printed, and allows you to use your best penmanship (yes, real writing instead of typing), and turn it in to your teacher.
<< Click here to open a .pdf file for your response. |
| 3. |
|
If you are a student taking this class through IA, you will need to use this document for your response. Follow directions on your checklist to copy/paste into an e-mail.
<< Click here for the text. |
|
You are the an expert at scoring short answer
responses now. Go ahead and score your own writing using this
criteria:
| Points |
Rubric |
| 2 |
- identification of your choice
- makes clear and meaningful inference about the Senecas'
beliefs
- uses meaningful information from passage to support inference
|
| 1 |
- partial understanding of a inferred beliefs or
attitudes of Seneca tribe
- part of a complete answer is missing:
either an inference regarding the Senecas' beliefs or attitudes,
or examples from the myth to support the inference
- tries to use information from passage, but it might be
incomplete or not make sense
|
| 0 |
- little or no understanding of an inference of Senecas'
beliefs or attitudes
- inference is missing or does not make sense based on words
and actions in the story
- may write "I don't know" or write about something
other than making a smart guess about the Senecas' beliefs
or attitudes
|
This may help identify the key elements in your writing.
If you check all four yes buttons,
chances are you earned 2 points! Way to go.
If you didn't check all four yes
buttons, take a look at what was missing, and go back and revise
your answer until you can check all four yes
buttons!
When you are totally satisfied with your answer, print the
Word document with your answer and score
for your teacher.
And now, here is a little true piece of interesting information
to add to your inferences about the Senecas' beliefs and attitudes.
The Senecas are one of five Indian nations in New York
State who formed the Iroquois League over a century before
Puritans landed and established a colony. The League controlled
a vast amount of land from Canada to Tennessee, from Maine
to Michigan. Clans represented on the Iroquois League were
determined by mothers' blood lines. Women nominated and removed
council members, were highly respected and influential.
Now it's easy to see why Sky Woman was treated so well by the
animals on earth, and why she was given credit for being kind,
smart, and responsible for the population and prosperity of
earth's creation. Now we know why a woman was considered ruler
of the earth, and given the title Great Earth Mother.
Let's try one more prediction practice and then you're most
likely a real pro at making inferences and predictions!
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