Summary: This is an alphabet book that focuses on Native America. Each English letter has a sentences that shows or explains about someone or something from Native American culture.
My Review: I like this book because it shows all of the different Native Culture in America. The author's notes also mentions that this was his intention in writing this book, to help children recognize the diversity of Native Americans. This is a great thing because I feel like many other people don't understand that there are different tribes of Native Americans and that we are not all the same.
My one criticism is that it follows the English alphabet but I supposed it would have to since it the lingua franca of all native peoples. It would be cool if each tribe or nation mentioned has is "alphabet" listed in it as well.
About the Author: Joseph Bruchac is a Native American author that draws from his heritage for inspiration for his work. Not only is he a writer, he founded the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. Through The Greenfield Review Press, he has done some editing and is a professional story teller of traditional tales. Also, in 1999 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
Genre: Multicultural, Alphabet
Theme / Skill: Exposure to many Native Cultures, Letter Recognition
Age Level: 5-12
This book could be use in two different ways. Letter Identification/Recognition or ABC's as a review or introductory strategy.
Pre-reading Activity:
1. Have students sing the alphabet and raise their hand during reading when they recognize a letter.
2. Introduction to a unit about Native Americans. Ask students what they think they could learn from an alphabet book. After discussion, read author's note and ask question again. Do the KW of a KWL.
Post-reading Activity:
1. Explain to younger students why this book was written. Read the author's note in back then reread and ask students after second read if they noticed any differences in the illustrations. Use this model to create an alphabet book for students in their class to show classroom's diversity.
2. After reading, ask students if what they thought they knew was correct (we may not know yet). Ask students what interested them while we were reading. Ask them what they still want to learn about Native Americans. Fill in the rest of KWL (L part).
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