Lesson Plan - Making Our People Proud

Watch a Video: Celebrating Our Traditions
After watching, ask: Why do these kids work so hard to keep their traditions alive? 

Preview Words to Know 
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• culture 
• nation 

Set a Purpose for Reading 
Point out the “As You Read” box. Have students think about traditions that are important to them. 

1. What is culture? Based on the article, what do you know about Pojoaque culture?
Culture is a people’s traditions, beliefs, and habits. The text shows that hoop dancing is part of Pojoaque culture. Hoop dancing has been performed as a form of prayer and storytelling. It’s also used in healing practices.
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2. Why is lacrosse important to people of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?
Lacrosse is based on games that people of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy have played for more than 900 years. They play to honor their Creator.
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3. Why does the author write that “it’s not so easy” for Leeann to learn Yuchi?
Leeann can’t learn Yuchi in the same ways people learn other languages. There are no books printed in Yuchi, and few people can speak it.
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FEATURED SKILL: Compare and Contrast
Use “Comparing Stories” to have students identify similarities and differences among the kids profiled in the article.  
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