The Medicine Bag: Analyze Craft & Structure and Language

The Medicine Bag, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Close Read

Analyze Craft & Structure

Language

Multiple Choice

Paragraphs 12–13 and 18–21 that show how the narrator and Cheryl each greet Grandpa.

What can you conclude about Martin and his sister by the way they greet Grandpa?

• Martin is at an age where he is embarrassed by his Grandpa. Cheryl is young and is just excited to see her Grandpa.

• Martin really doesn't like his Grandpa. Cheryl only says hello hoping to receive gifts.

Multiple Choice

Paragraphs 31-32. Why does the author provide so much detail about Grandpa's journey to their house?

• The details show how much courage and determination Grandpa had to travel on his own in such a frail state.

• The details show how uncomfortable Grandpa was the whole journey, and how he wished he had never made the trip.

Poll

Do you think Grandpa made the right decision to travel and visit his family?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Essential Question: What are some milestones on the path to growing up?

What have you learned about the path to growing up by reading this story?

Symbolism

• A symbol is anything that stands for or represents something else. Symbolism is the use of symbols.

• Symbols are common in everyday life as well as in literature. For example, a dove with an olive branch in its beak is a symbol of peace.

• In literature, symbolism can highlight certain ideas the author wishes to emphasize.

• Symbolism can also add levels of meaning to a text.

Symbolism

Most Native American cultures show deep respect for nature, and the natural world is considered to have profound spiritual qualities. Symbols of nature play an important role in Native American traditions, especially religious ones. In “The Medicine Bag,” the medicine bag is an important symbol. Think about other symbols connected with Grandpa in the story.

Multiple Select

What items from the story could be seen as symbols or symbolism? (Choose all that apply).

• The Medicine Bag

• Grandpa's Boots

Multiple Choice

What does the symbolism of The Medicine Bag most likely represent?

• The Medicine Bag is a symbol of Lakota tradition passed down through family.

• The Medicine Bag is a symbol of medicine that you take to war with you.

• The Medicine Bag is a symbol for how old and frail Grandpa is.

Multiple Choice

What do Grandpa's worn out cowboy boots most likely represent?

• The boots represent how rich Grandpa is, which is why he fills them with money.

• The boots represent Grandpa's feelings about giving the medicine bag to Martin.

• The boots represent grandpa's long journey and long life. The boots highlight how difficult Grandpa's life has been.

Verbs in Active and Passive Voice

• It’s important to learn and use active and passive voice of verbs in your writing.

• The voice of a verb shows whether the subject of the verb is performing the action or receiving it.

•  A verb is in the active voice when its subject performs the action. Example: Alison is winning the race.

• A verb is in the passive voice when its subject receives the action. Example: The race is being won by Alison.

Multiple Choice

Active or Passive Voice?

The zookeeper loves the animals.

• Active

• Passive

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses passive voice for emphasizing the action?

• The idea was celebrated by everyone.

• Everyone celebrated the idea.

Multiple Choice

The money was stolen yesterday.

• Active Voice

• Passive Voice

Multiple Choice

The car was taken to the mechanic by her.

• Active Voice

• Passive Voice

Multiple Choice

She took the car to the mechanic.

• Active Voice

• Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice

• Generally, the active voice is considered a better choice for writers. The active voice communicates ideas in a more engaging, concise way. It also put the emphasis on the person performing the action.

  
  

• Passive voice should be used when the performer of the action is unknown or when it is desirable to stress the action instead of its performer. In general, avoid passive voice to keep your writing from sounding vague.

Word Study: Animal Words

•  In “The Medicine Bag,” the narrator describes Grandpa as sheepishly admitting he was lonely after his family finished their visit and drove away from the reservation. Grandpa is acting like a sheep—suddenly bashful and shy—because he is embarrassed to admit his true feelings. Comparing him with a sheep presents a vivid image of Grandpa’s behavior.

• There are many words that acquire their meanings from the characteristics we associate with certain animals.

Multiple Choice

Based on what you now know about "animal words" what do you think doggedly means?

• Stubborn

• Easy going

Multiple Choice

What do you think elephantine most likely means?

• Large, clumsy, awkward

• Small, petite, unimportant

Open Ended

Evidence Log: Prompt

-What rite of passage has held the most significance for you or for a person you know well? How does The Medicine Bag connect to the prompt?

-How has this text changed or added to your thinking?