Canyon de Chelly, the setting in Sing Down The Moon

This week we are starting a new book together, Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell.  It tells the story of Bright Morning.  She is a young Navajo girl living with her family in Canyon de Chelly. Bright Morning tends her mother's sheep by herding them to the top of the canyon. 

Watch this video that shows Canyon de Chelly .  Listen closely to answer the following questions.

What is Spider Rock?  How did it get its name?

As you watch, imagine climbing the trails with a herd of sheep. 

You will see a river running through the canyon.  Sing Down the Moon opens with the river thawing.

Who originally lived in the White House ruins?  How long ago?

What people lived in Canyon de Chelly after the Anasazi?

Where did the Navajo people originally come from?  When did they migrate to Arizona?

What was "The Long Walk"?

You may need to watch the video twice to answer the questions.

Go to this website to read more about the legend of Spider Rock.  Check out this website too. 

The setting is an important part of Sing Down The Moon.  Bright Morning always longs to get back to her home in Canyon de Chelly. 

On the YouReact blog comment, please answer these questions. You will not get credit for this center if you do not answer the question I asked. 

Is there a place that is special to you?  Perhaps you have a favorite city, beach, lake, or home that you cannot wait to spend time in or can't wait to return to.  Where is your special place?   Why is it special to you?  

While you are waiting for your turn to comment: 

Draw a picture of Canyon de Chelly that includes Spider Rock.  Below the picture, retell the legend of Spider Woman and Spider Rock in your own words. 

Morse Code

In our story Squeak Twice for Yes, Brian says his dog has learned Morse Code and wants him to perform at the science fair. Let's learn a little more about Morse Code.  Watch Man Behind Morse Code. 

Here are some questions to think about:

Who invented Morse Code?  Who was Alfred Vail? 
Do you think it was fair that Alfred Vail did not get any credit for the invention? 
Have you ever been a situation where you did all the work for something and didn't get the credit? 

Morse Code made it faster for people to communicate in the 1800's.  Instead of waiting days or weeks for a message, they could send a message across the country in a few minutes.  How has communication changed since the invention of the telegraph machine?  Can you think of a similar invention where people send messages instantly using letters? 

Watch the videos below comparing morse code to text messaging.  Before you watch them, predict which one will be faster:  morse code by telegraph or text by cell phone.  Tell your partners which one you think will be faster. 

Were you surprised?  Now watch this video. 

Did this experiment turn out differently?  Why do you think there was different results?  What made the difference?  What do you think would happen if someone else performed a similar test? 

Choose at least 2 of these blog questions to answer.  While one person blogs, the others can fill out the morse code sheet. 

Do you think it was fair that Alfred Vail did not get any credit for the invention? 
Have you ever been a situation where you did all the work for something and didn't get the credit? 
Did you think morse code or texting would be faster? 
Why do you think the results on the two videos were different?

When everyone is finished blogging, check out this morse code translator.  Take turns yping in your name or a simple sentence and see if it matches what you did on the worksheet. 

YouReact- Fires of 2003

Hello Class!

This is a new reading rotation called YouReact.  Click the link below.

Watch the news story about the fires of 2003.  These are the same fires that we read about in Fury of Fire in our Storyworks magazine.  Kevin and his family escaped the fire and their house was saved.  Others were not so lucky.  As you watch this video, think about how you would feel if it were your house that burned.  How would you feel if your house was saved, but your neighbor lost his house?  After you watch this video, write a comment with your reaction.  Answer the following questions.

What feelings did you have as you watched the people in this video?
How do you think you would have reacted if your house had burned?
What things could you do to help someone else if you knew they had lost everything in a fire?
Ask one question about the video that other student's could answer after they watch it and read your comment.

If you finish early, draw a picture that shows some of the images you saw in the video.  How can you convey the emotions of the people in the video?