85 pages • 2 hours read
Louise ErdrichThe Birchbark House
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Discussion/Analysis Prompt
In what ways is The Birchbark House a coming-of-age story about Omakayas? What are her early childhood traits? How does she transform these traits as a result of story events? What kind of young woman does she become? What role do Community and Generosity play in her development?
Teaching Suggestion: Discuss with students the term coming-of-age, which means “a movement toward maturity.” In many cultures, there are coming-of-age ceremonies such as the bar or bat mitzvah or the quinceañera. There are also cultural markers, such as getting a driver’s license or graduating from high school. Before discussion of The Birchbark House, brainstorm with students a list of traits for a coming-of-age story. Record and display these ideas on the board.
Differentiation Suggestion: As an alternative for readers working on skills improvements, invite students to list Omakayas’s traits, relationships, and important story events. Then, have students sort each entry into the categories Child or Adult.
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