Today’s checklist Take up homework on punctuating quotations Creation myth group presentations Common elements among creation myths ◦ Placemat and fishbone From creation myths to Pourquoi tales

Creation myths Based on the creation myths that you have seen/read, what do you consider to be the most important elements of a creation myth? Make a list of the most important elements on a placemat, then flip the placemat with your partner to compare ideas.

From creation myths to Pourquoi tales Pourquoi tales are written to explain why things are the way they are and usually describe something in nature, especaily animals. Pourquoi tales are old legends told to explain why certain events happened. These tales often start in the past and end when the explanation is revealed.

Why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears Listen to/watch this Listen to/watch West African Pourquoi Tale.

The middle of the story consists of the 3D’s— description, dialogue, and details—as well as action. Any details that you add should be important to help readers/listeners to understand the story and move it along. The students’ stories are, after all, modeled on folktales, and folktales tend to err on the side of much less detail than literary stories. Think of the two or three best solutions and pick the one that works best.

Developing characters Consider: ◦ species; personality; appearance; gender; name; age; job; important event in the character’s past

Ideas for Pourquoi Tales ♦ Why Owl Has Big Eyes ♦ Why Dogs Howl at the Moon ♦ Why Snake Has No Feet or Hands ♦ Why Geese Fly in the Shape of a V ♦ Why Birds Have Many Colors ♦ Why Roses Have Thorns ♦ Why Pigs Have Curly Tails ♦ Why There are Rainbows ♦ Why There Are Oceans ♦ Why Some Trees Lose Their Leaves and Others are Evergreen ♦ How Jellyfish Came to Be ♦ Why the Big Toe is So Much Bigger than the Other Toes ♦ Why Porcupine Has Quills

Start with the end To begin your pourquoi tale, you must start at the end What are you going to explain in your tale?

Cultural elements in Pourquoi Tales Consider the Pourquoi Tales of Native groups that you have read What cultural elements are represented in these tales? Brainstorm a list of other cultures important aspects of these cultures ◦ E.g. Language is important to French Canadian culture and heritage

The Creator’s Game: Lacrosse or Baggataway Lacrosse is an important element of Native culture and heritage ◦ A Pourquoi Tale on the development of the game exists – this is no coincidence! Lacrosse: A History of Canada's Game | CBC Archives Lacrosse: A History of Canada's Game | CBC Archives Baggatway

Important cultural elements “Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.” - Jawaharlal Nehru “Bordage” means “ice stuck to the bank of a river” in French This word is not recognized in French spoken in France What does this suggest about the culture of Quebecois people?

Write your own Pourquoi Tale Using the graphic organizer, you can ensure that you have all of the elements of your Pourquoi Tale. Consider this a checklist for your final submission!

Tips for writing with a partner 1. Recognize your partner’s efforts and include his/her input 2. Criticize carefully and tactfully 3. Divide the work evenly 4. You say tomato, I say tomato… - Avoid unnecessary bickering over minor issues