4.1 Read About
4.1F The Wendigo
Oral Traditions
Today, you will read two poems about a Wendigo (also spelled Windigo). What is a Wendigo?
Among First Peoples, culture has been transmitted over generations through oral traditions - storytelling, songs, dance, carvings, and masks. Often, symbols or characters are designed to teach lessons. Sometimes, stories are told to help people to behave. The Wendigo is from oral traditions for the Algonquin peoples in Canada.
Before Reading
Connect: If possible, talk about the questions with your home facilitator:
- What stories do you know of that have been told to little kids to encourage them to behave?
- What "monster" or "spirit" fears do some little kids have? Did you think of the "bogeyman" or "the monster under the bed"?
- What is a Wendigo:
The Wendigo is an evil monster or spirit in some First Nation stories, known to appear as a monster with some characteristics of a human. Algonquin people who became overpowered with greed could turn into a Wendigo as punishment.
First reading:
Try to get the "gist" of the poem. This poem has a great rhythm so it is fun to read! Here are some words to refer to that may be unfamiliar and hard to define using context clues. Read these words before reading the poem:
- indigo - dark blue
- lurked - remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something
- loll / lolling- sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
- lollop - move in an ungainly way in a series of clumsy paces or bounds (like a bear going along an uneven pathway)
Read the poem:
Second Reading:
Read it through a few times, trying to improve on:
- Expression and volume - Can you adjust your volume and tone of voice to show emotion and/or mood?
- Clarity and Enunciation - Can you speak (articulate) clearly, with good pronunciation so each word can be understood?
- Pace / Fluency – Can you speak smoothly and fluently, with few hesitations?
When you are feeling confident, read it aloud to your home facilitator. Talk together about what you did well and what you could improve upon.
Can you picture this creature? As you lay in your hammock it lollops (or ambushes) you! Not a happy ending!
 |
In your Learning Guide, rewrite or add to some of the lines using similes and/or metaphors. Use your imagination; try to visualize what this creature MAY be like, and be creative! |
Another Wendigo...
Wow! Can you picture the Wendigo (spelled "Windigo" this time) in the poem below? Good readers try to visualize what they are reading. This author makes visualizing easy!!!
You can sketch Sylvia Mark's Windigo, if you wish, as you read her Windigo poem. What literary device does it use? Read it for enjoyment.
Read the poem:
Your Writing Task:
Did you figure out what literary device was used throughout the last poem? It was full of similes so basically was a simile poem.
You will write a simile and metaphor poem about an emotion, a creature (real or mythical), an animal or pet, something you are passionate about, or even a poem about yourself (a poetic self-portrait).
Before beginning, let's watch three students present their simile and metaphor poems. Listen for the similes and metaphors! The first boy is a great presenter - he uses eye contact and gestures. The poem about soldiers is quite powerful!
Similes or Metaphors?
Frustration is like a viper squeezing my chest...
Frustration is a tornado ripping through a town...
Frustration is a red light....
Happiness is a smile spread across your face...
Happiness is like a cheer going through your soul...
Holding onto a weapon like it is a best friend...
|
In your Learning Guide, follow the steps to complete your poetry writing task. |