This week we continue to study Native Americans as first grade students have been learning about the Iroquois and other tribes from the Northeast Woodlands.  Through literature, we are able to connect language arts instruction to our social studies content.

Focusing on the story element of character, first graders have shared in the read aloud The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin, illustrated by David Shannon.  This Algonquin Native American Cinderella story describes the life of the Rough-Face Girl who was made to sit by the fire by her cruel older sisters.  In the end, the kind-hearted girl is transformed as she is the only one who can see the Invisible Being, or prince of the story. Students engaged in discussions on the importance of treating others kindly, being brave, and having courage.

Picture books such as The Rough-Face Girl provide students with an avenue to discover both the physical description and personality of a character. Through pictures, students see what the character looks likes as well as his or her gestures and expressions of feeling. Understanding character provides students with the foundation needed for making inferences about character’s motives.

In a written response to the story, students were asked to focus on both the physical and emotional aspects of character.  They selected a character from the story, described what character looked like, told about the character’s feelings, and determined actions revealing character traits.  Finally, students recorded their favorite and least favorite things about the character.