Bear Fear |
What Bear Goes Where? |
Bear Issues |
Sleepy Bear
Bearly Born |
Legendary Bear |
Old Bear - Young Bear |
How Big?
Footloose |
Year Rings |
Great Lips |
How Many Bears Can Live In This Forest?
Legendary Bear
Objective:
- Students will understand the significance of the bear to several Indian tribes as demonstrated in legends.
- Students will be able to identify the purpose and structure of a legend.
Background:
An overlay map or transparency showing the historic habitat areas of major bear species and historic major Indian tribe territories. Indian legends on bears.
Materials:
- A copy of the story, The Woman Who Married A Bear by Gary Snyder
- A video or slide and lecture presentation of the characteristics and behavior of black and/or grizzly bear
- Writing paper
Age: Grades 4-7
Subjects: science, writing, language
Procedure:
- Read, or have students read the legend (or use video). See The Woman Who Married A Bear by Gary Snyder.
- Analyze with students the role of the bears in the legends.
- Determine through discussion why legends were told.
- Examine the structure of legends.
- Share via video or slide and lecture presentation characteristics and behavior of black and/or grizzly bear.
- Students write contemporary legend about bears of their area. Students should state a modern day phenomenon (e.g., San Andrews Fault) using legend form, or a legend explaining the phenomenon using bear as the major figure and using actual behavior traits perception to explain it.
Evaluation:
The evaluation is accomplished with the writing and sharing of student legends.