1a. Where did Geronimo grow up? What games did he play with his brothers and sisters?
2a. What happened to Cho-ko-le? According to Geronimo, who taught the people the ways to use herbs and make medicine?
3a. What word does Geronimo use to describe the life of the Be-don-ko-he Apaches during his childhood? What does he say his people had not seen at that time?
1b. Why were the games Geronimo played important?
2b. Why was "as much faith ... held in prayer as in the actual effect of the medicine"?
3b. What does Geronimo imply, or hint, about the coming of the white people and the missionaries?
4a. List some things that might cause somebody to be banished from the tribe.
4b. Why was banishment an effective form of punishment? What effect did it have on the tribe?
5a. Judge the form of punishment used by Geronimo's people. Do you think it is fair to punish people this way?
5b. What do you think of forms of punishment used in our society? Explain whether you think fines, prison, or the death penalty are good ways to punish people for crimes. You may wish to think about the effectiveness and the morality of these means.
Autobiography and Point of View. How would your thoughts about and reactions to the story change if it were written from the point of view of another person—a missionary, for example? How do you think the story might differ?
1. Write a descriptive paragraph about an activity that you enjoyed when you were younger. Write about how you played, who you played with, and why you enjoyed this activity.
2. Imagine Geronimo were still alive. How do you think he would react to life today? Write a journal entry that Geronimo might write in the year 2005.
3. Geronimo gives detailed descriptions of the lands on which his people live. Write a descriptive paragraph about the place where you live.
Sentence Completion. Fill in each blank below with the most appropriate word from the following Words for Everyday Use from "Geronimo's Story of His Life." You may have to change the tense of cetain verbs.
1. The plant was ___________________ from the ceiling.
2. He had to ___________________ the truth about where his sister had gone.
3. Our swim team was asked to ___________________ by the pool at noon.
4. She ___________________ for hours before finally taking a break.
5. It made me angry and sad to hear the boys ___________________ my religion.
6. Although my garden ___________________ with weeds at one time, I'm happy to report there are now none.
7. Please don't ___________________ the entire day when there is work to be done.
8. Ray tripped suddenly and landed ___________________ on the sidewalk.
9. I was ___________________ from the house while my mom redecorated.
10. I felt ___________________ from my friends when I was sick.
Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections. Identify the underlined word in each sentence as a preposition, conjunction, or interjection.
1. Among these mountains our wigwams were hidden.
2. His only living family members are his brother Porico and his sister Nah-da-ste, yet he still thinks about his family often.
3. "Well," exclaimed White Horse, "I did not expect you to arrive back here so soon." Well," exclaimed White Horse, "I did not expect you to arrive back here so soon." ">
4. Kah is a game we played when we were among friends.
5. After the games are finished, the camp is broken up.
6. Geronimo was a leader and a warrior.
7. Geronimo was born in Arizona.
8. The Apache hunted elk and buffalo.
9. As a child, Geronimo never saw a white man, but he saw many later in his life.
10. The Apache hunted eagles for their feathers.
Working as a Research Team: Working in a small group, research an aspect of Native American culture and society. You might focus on art, economics, history, the calendar, language, literature, clothing, medicine, religion, social issues, or warfare. Learn about this aspect as it applies to the Apache, or Dineh, and to two other groups. Compare and contrast the groups' beliefs about the subject you chose. Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Internet sources:
Books and other print sources:
Notes:
