First grade students have begun a new author study, Paul Goble.  Mr. Goble was selected as his works strive to preserve Native American culture and mythology of the Plains Indians.  He emphasizes historical accuracy while providing a glimpse into the life of the Plains Indians during the time of the buffalo.

Through Goble’s books, as well as other Native American related literature,  first graders will be learning about the literary genres of myths and legends.  We will describe myths as fictional stories that explain how thing naturally occur in the world. We will discover they often include supernatural beings.  We will describe legends as stories passed down from generation to generation, that are told as if they are true.  They are often based on real people or places.

As we read, we will discover many  myths and legends include elements of weather.  Today, we shared Storm Maker’s Tipi, which served to explain the importance of shelter on the plains as tribes followed the buffalo.  After reading the story, students began creating their own tipis which we will decorate and assemble later this.