Southwest Region Literature Connections

There are many books related to Native Americans of the Southwest that can help students better visualize and understand the people, their history, and their present. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds, where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of one of these books or stories.

The story used in this example is

Coyote: a Trickster Tale from the American Southwest by Gerald McDermott. It is a great example of the classic folktales involving trickster animals and a moral that are popular in Native American culture.

Here are some additional suggestions for literature that relates to the Indigenous People of the Southwest:

Code Talker by famed Native American author Joseph Bruchac is a novel about the brave Navajo Marines of World War II who used the unbreakable code of their Navajo language to help win the war.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard is a picture book appropriate for ages 4 and up and is a wonderful introduction to this Native American food staple.

The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built by Nancy Bo Flood. A story of one multigenerational Navajo family that works, plays, eats, sleeps and shares their lives together around their family hogan. It is a charming story of how the youngest children’s lives are intrinsically linked to their home and family. It's a picture book appropriate for ages 4 and up.

The Good Rainbow Road by Simon J. Ortiz is presented in Keres (the language of Acoma Pueblo and six other Pueblo communities in New Mexico) and in English. There is an additional Spanish translation in the back of the book. This book tells the legend of two courageous brothers who saved their village.

Sister Rabbit's Tricks by Emmett Shkeme Garcia, who is a member of the Santa Ana Pueblo tribe.

Turquoise Boy by Terri Cohlene tells the story of the Navajo legend of Turquoise Boy who searches for something that will help make his people’s lives better. It includes a brief history of the Navajo people and their customs.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse is an exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest with heroes of Navajo heritage.

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell

Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. (Author), John Archambault (Author), Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Due Date:

Objective: Summarize the story in a 3-5 cell storyboard describing the main events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

Student Instructions

1. Read the story.
2. Click "Start Assignment".
3. Create a 3-5 cell storyboard with descriptions and illustrations showing the sequence of major events in the story.