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EDUCATING SONS/ THE FIRST AMERICANS p. 1024-1027 in literature book
READING SKILL
IDENTIFYING COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS
Writers often use comparisons and contrasts to point out similarities and differences between two
subjects. Chief Canasatego contrasts what students learned at colleges in the northern province
with what they did not learn. The Grand Council Fire of American Indians contrasts the image of
Native Americans presented in textbooks with what really happened to them.
Directions: Complete these charts to compare and contrast what the writers say is taught to young
people and what they think should be taught.
“Educating Sons”
What Is Taught
What Should Be Taught
“The First Americans”
What Is Taught
What Should Be Taught
READING CHECK
Directions: Recall the ideas in Chief Canasatego’s speech and the Grand Council Fire of American
Indian’s letter. Then answer the questions using complete sentences.
1. What does Chief Canasatego say had been the result of young Iroquois’ attending college?
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2. What offer does Chief Canasatego make to the Virginians?
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3. How do history books of the time describe confrontations between white people and Native Americans,
according to the letter from the Grand Council Fire of American Indians?
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4. What point does the letter from the Grand Council Fire of American Indians make to show that American
Indians were a civilized race when white settlers came to America?
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5. According to the conclusion of its letter, how does the Grand Council Fire of American Indians want
textbooks to portray the Native American culture?
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TEXT ANALYSIS
Directions: Answer each question.
1. Summarize Underlying Message Chief Canastago’s speech has an unstated, or underlying, message.
What effect does he imply that the colonists’ type of education has had?
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2. Summarize Compare and Contrasts Complete the following sentence. In “The First Americans,” the
differences between what was being taught to children and what the Grand Council thought should be
taught are…
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3. Analyze Irony Complete the following sentence. The irony found in lines 16-19 of “Educating Sons” is…
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4. Analyze the Use of Rhetorical Devices Analyze lines 29-52 in “The First Americans” to identify all the
instances of repetition used by the Grand Council Fire. What affect do you think the rhetorical device
had upon those listening to this speech?
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5. Draw Conclusions About Values
Circle the values that Chief Canasatego says are important to his people.
a. surviving in the wild
c. learning to speak foreign languages
b. understanding science
d. understanding nature
Circle the values that the Grand Council says are important to Native Americans.
a. protecting property
c. wiping out unfavorable memories
b. hunting only for food
d. making beautiful and useful crafts