Daily Log

Thursday, September 2

Students recorded concrete details (CD's) from two of the four stories assigned Wednesday to demonstrate that they had in fact read them.

We took an informal poll of which stories most matched students' preconceptions of what Native American stories are like. (The consensus was "How Mosquitos Came to Be" and "The Raven.") We used the answers to this to explore what we do expect of such stories: such features as mythical accounts of how things came to be, with supernatural events and transformations of people into animals, and vice versa. Essentially realistic stories like "The First Ship," set in recent times and featuring contact with European-Americans were deemed outside the mold. And yet, as Mr. P pointed out, contact and exchange with Europeans and their culture has been part of Indian life for half a millenium!

No HW for Friday, but students are advised there will be an assignment due after the long weekend.