In a small group, make a list of the fourteen vocabulary words and seven footnotes in “Ta-Na-E-Ka.” Add an eighth term to the footnote list: Kaw. Skim the story to find four more challenging words to add to your vocabulary list. Define each word and footnote. Then sort the words and footnotes using one of the following methods: same parts of speech, words with similar or opposite meanings, words with prefixes and suffixes, or words that relate to each other or that can be used together. When you finish using one sorting method, try one of the other methods. Compare the two sorting methods you tried. Which method was the hardest to use? Why?
Read the story, using what you have learned about words in the story to help you understand what sort of rite of passage Ta-Na-E-Ka is. If you forget the meaning of a word or phrase, use the definitions on your word list and at the bottom of each page.
If you are having trouble understanding events in the story, find a partner. Each of you should read the story silently, pretending that you are the narrator and that you are trying to help someone understand what Ta-Na-E-Ka is. When you find sections of the story that describe Ta-Na-E-Ka, read those sections aloud to each other in the way that shows how the narrator would say them. Use facial and vocal expressions that demonstrate the narrator’s feelings.