The Great Ball Game
A Muskogee Story
Let’s Predict…
What could this story be about?
Predicting: Good readers predict what will
happen next. When reading they make
predictions, then confirm or revise those
predictions as they go.
http://www.opencourtresources.com
MUSKOGEE (CREEK) Nation HISTORY
The Muscogee (Creek) people are descendents of a
remarkable culture that, before 1500 AD, spanned all the
region known today as the Southeastern United States.
Early ancestors of the Muscogee constructed
magnificent earthen pyramids along the rivers of this
region as part of their elaborate ceremonial complexes.
The historic Muskogee later built expansive towns within
these same broad river valleys in the present states of
Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, then later
moved to Oklahoma.
Later, we will look at slides of this American Indian Nation.
The Great Ball Game…
• Is a folktale written as a play.
• A play is a story that is written to be acted
out in front of other people.
• In a folktale, the author will try to explain
why something happens in nature.
Drawing Conclusions
• Good readers “READ BETWEEN THE
LINES”.
• Readers use the information the author
gives them to get a bigger picture about a
character or event.
proud
Vocabulary…
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Words to know:
argument
creature
penalty
prove
fair
goalposts
swift
stumbled
proud
swift
stumbled
goalposts
fair
Penalty
Can you tell what they mean AND use each in a sentence?
Visualizing
• Good readers form what is happening in
the story in their mind.
• They create mental images as they read.
• They picture the setting, characters, and
the action in the story.
Here’s some photos that will help you
visualize the story…
( 7 slides )
Bear
Are you visualizing?
Crane
Picture this in your mind.
Fox
Visualizing brings the story to life!
Hawk
Are you ready for this one???
Imagine its
REALLY
happening!
Bat
A nice visualization to end on…
Deer
Have a Purpose!
As you read…
• Think about who’s playing.
• What are the rules?
• Who will win the game?
? Focus Questions ?
1. Why do birds fly south every winter?
2. How would you feel if you wanted to play
a game and weren’t allowed?
3. Why is it important to include everyone
who wants to play in a game?
Let’s Read Now!
Remember to follow along
with you eyes and
your finger!
I’m watching you!!!
Checking Comprehension
1.What did the Birds and Animals decide to
do to see which group was better?
2.Why didn’t the Birds accept Bat on their
team?
3.Who won the game and what was the
penalty?
Discussing the Selection
1. How was playing a game used to settle
an argument?
2. How did Bat prove to be a good team
player for the Animals?
3. Why do birds fly south for the winter
and bats fly at dusk?
Theme Connections
1. How did the teams choose their players?
2. Why was it interesting that Bat won the
game?
3. In what other story did the characters
learn to get along with each other?
4.How is the Great Ball Game like games
you’ve played. Explain.
• Creek Indians belong to any of 19 tribes that once occupied much of what
are now Alabama, Georgia, and Northwest Florida. The largest Creek tribes
were the Alabama, Muskogee, and Seminole.
• The Creeks were given the "Creek" name by the European settlers because
of the tribe's custom of establishing their villages by a creek.
• By the 1500's, several Creek tribes had joined together to form the Creek
Confederacy. Most Creeks were farmers.
• During the early 1800's, the Creeks fought a series of wars with white
settlers who wanted their lands. In the 1830's, the U.S. Government forced
the Creek to move to the Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. Many
Creek hid to escape resettlement.
creeks
This is a creek.
Muskogee Nation
Menewa, Chief of the Redstick Muskogee (Upper Creek)
born probably at Okfuskee, about 1766, died in the Creek Nation west,
but year of death not known.
Creek leader Hopothle Mico 1790.
History…THE PAST
Creek Indians
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William McIntosh was a leader of the Creek Nation from Coweta.
Let’s learn about the Muskogee Nation
Here’s some facts about The Creek Indians.
Government
• The chief, also known as micros, was the leader of the village. The leader
forms a council.
Shelter
• The shelter of these Native Americans is two different kinds. One of them is
the winter house. The winter house was enclosed , with NO windows.
Another one is the summer house. It was on four poles to support the
thatched (roof made of straw), the poles were 40 feet tall. They also had a
kitchen, a granary and storeroom.
Food
• The Creek Indians got their food from the creek. They ate fish, clams,
oysters, and game to survive. Mayan introduced northern corn. Some other
animals they hunted were big game, birds, and caribou [deer]. Sometimes
they would make a fire at a part of the forest to flush the deer into the open.
Language/Communication
• They developed there own language.
For Example:
dress =honnv and wild = honece
Clothing
• Women used deer skin for skirts and grass shawl on their shoulder. Children
didn't wear clothes until their 12 or 13 years old.
Native
American
Symbols
American Idol & Muskogee Nation
• Carrie Underwood, the country singer who stole the hearts of
Americans and American Idol judges won two Grammy Awards. One
for "Best Female Vocal Performance" and "Best New Artist.“
• Underwood was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and grew up in the
Creek Nation town of Checotah. She is a tribal member of
Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma and attended Northeastern
State University in the Cherokee Nation's capital of Tahlequah,
Oklahoma.
The PRESENT
Games we play…
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Sports
Board games
PE games
Learning games
Video games
Card games
Word games
Let’s Write!
Now you can write about YOUR
favorite game.
*write how to play it
*write about a
a memorable game
*write about
why you like it
*write about a
team you’ve been on
*write about what
you’d like to play
when you get older
Game Over