Orca Woman and Her Son

Where did Orca Woman move to when she left the human world?

• the top of the tallest tree

• the bottom of the sea

• inside a mountain cave

• a house on a big farm

Orca-Showing-Off asked his mother to go to the human world. How are Orca-Showing-Off and his mother similar?

• Orca-Showing-Off and his mother both studied hard and did well in all subjects in school when they were growing up.

• Orca-Showing-Off and his mother both wanted to live their lives on land, with all of their land cousins.

• Orca-Showing-Off and his mother both liked to swim with Bear-Son and travel in a special canoe together.

• Orca-Showing-Off and his mother both were born in one world but wanted to move to the other world.

What conclusion can you draw from this evidence? 'One day, Orca-Showing-Off asked his mother, 'May I go to the human world?' Surprised, she answered, 'No, my git [son]. I want you to stay here in the ocean with me!' He respectfully replied, 'You were once human and around my age you chose to become an orca. Now I want to learn the Haida ways of carving and art, and visit all of my cousins.' Orca Woman thought for a bit, then said, 'I will tell you our decision in three days....' Over those three days, Orca Woman and her husband thought deeply and sought wisdom from their elders. At the appointed time, they spoke to Orca-Showing-Off. 'Our precious son, we are so proud of you,' they said. 'Although we want you to stay with us, we support your decision. We know that you will always be a child of the ocean.'

• Orca-Showing-Off's parents wanted to go to the human world too so they could be with their son.

• Orca-Showing-Off's parents thought he would change his mind if they waited three days to give him decision.

• It was hard for Orca-Showing-Off's parents to accept that he wanted to go to the human world.

• It took Orca-Showing-Off's parents three days to make a decision because three is their lucky number.

How did Orca-Showing-Off know that he made the right decision by going to the human world?

• Orca-Showing-Off enjoyed his life as a boy and felt free.

• Orca-Showing-Off missed his home at the bottom of the sea.

• Orca-Showing-Off had to wait three days for his parents' decision.

• Orca-Showing-Off climbed to the top of a tree to stare at the sea every day.

What is one main theme of this story?

• People who like swimming in the water like to live on land.

• Parents and children will always disagree on where to live.

• Just being fast and strong isn't enough, people must also work hard.

• People should be courageous and live their life the way they want to.

As used in this excerpt, what does the word 'free' most closely mean? 'Orca-Showing-Off loved his new life as a boy. He tasted smoked salmon and berry jam and held a carving adze in his hands. He made a cozy cedar bed in the longhouse. He kissed his náan [grandmother] and ran through the village with his cousins. He felt so free.'

• worried about what will happen

• not costing any money

• able to do what you want and enjoy

• polite and thoughtful

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below. Orca-Showing-Off's parents made their decision, they led him to a very large clamshell at the deepest part of the ocean.

• After

• Earlier

• Such as

• Instead

How did Orca-Showing-Off stay connected to his family after he moved to the human world?

• He sent them letters every week.

• He visited them every weekend.

• He climbed to the top of the tallest tree and watched for his mom.

• He called them on the phone every day.

How did Orca-Showing-Off know he wanted to move to the human world?

• He saw his land cousins swimming and wanted to join them.

• He was tired of living in the ocean and wanted a change.

• He wanted to learn the Haida ways of carving and art.

• He wanted to taste smoked salmon and berry jam.

How did Orca-Showing-Off stay true to who he is? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

• He continued to speak in both the Haida and Orca languages.

• He carved beautiful artwork and embraced the Haida culture.

• He swam fast and jumped out of the water like an orca.

• He stayed connected to his family in the ocean.