Journeys Lesson 13- Yonder Mountain

This week we'll explore the question "Why are stories from different cultures important?" In the legend Yonder Mountain: A Cherokee Legend, a Cherokee chief finds out which of three men is best suited to become the new leader.

Home Connection Activities!

Leadership Skills: Talk with your child about leaders you admire, whether in your community, your state, the nation, or the world at large. What characteristics make these people great leaders?

Vocabulary on the Go Ask your child to use this week's vocabulary words to describe a hike in the woods or up a mountain.

peak, examined, fondly, steep, rugged, pausing, mist, pleaded

Cherokee Traditions: Help your child research Cherokee traditions using print or online resources. Ask you child to write a short informative paragraph about one of those traditions.

Vocabulary

Build Background: American Indian History

The Cherokee are American Indians whose ancestors lived in the mountains an valleys of the southeastern United States. Each village was ruled by a chief. Like many cultures, the Cherokee have legends. These stories are from long ago and tell of important deeds.

In a Cherokee legend called Yonder Mountain, you will read about an old chief who tests three young men to decide which one of them will replace him as leader of their people.

Read the Story: "Yonder Mountain"

GENRE

Legend is an old story that people have told for many years. The events in the story may or may not be true. As you read, look for:

a character who does an important deed
a setting that is long ago

Read "Yonder Mountain" on page 471 in your Journeys Textbook

Click for Story Comprehension Questions

Continue your discussion of Tops and Bottoms by answering these questions

How do you know Chief Sky is old?
Why do you think Chief Sky needs to put the three young men to the test?
You know that you are reading a trickster tale. Which character do you think is planning a trick and why?

Target Skill: Compare and Contrast

When you compare characters in a story you look for details that tell how they are alike. When you contrast characters, you look for details that tell you how they are different.

As you read Yonder Mountain, pay attention to how the three young men in the story deal with the challenge they face.