Students will identify some of the aspects of Pueblo Indian life.This program provides an excellent starting point for Native American studies as well as a rich journey through the art and culture of Pueblo life. The bold, imagistic art will captivate children as it lends to the magical quality of the story. In this Pueblo tale, students will be visually transported into the world of folklore and oral history that were and are cornerstones of Native American culture and tradition. Only then can he return to the earth and the world of men again. Once there, he must prove himself through a series of tests. He travels through the world of men, finally finding his way back to the sun. In Arrow to the Sun, a boy, born from the sun, begins a quest to find his father. Here's the opening paragraph, which is a synopsis of the book, followed by objectives: On to the Weston Wood's guide on the Scholastic website. The not-Pueblo-Indian Gerald McDermott made up a prayer, and is passing it off as a Pueblo prayer.
That dance that happens at the end of the story? The "Dance of Life" - he made that up. I hope that makes you mad, not at me, but at the industry and institutions that continue to promote his book. Not intentionally (the Caldecott committee didn't recognize it as problematic either), but nonetheless, you were misinformed. It carries a sticker on it that tells you it is an award winning book. You are not a bad person for having used McDermott's book with students in your classroom.
If you are a teacher using the book and feel embarrassed or uncomfortable by this harsh essay on his book, I hope that you read the entire essay, spend time on this site, and then walk away from your computer thinking carefully about what you read here. And think about all the non-Pueblo children who are being mis-educated through this book. Lest you feel sympathy for McDermott, think about all the Pueblo Indian children who are reading his book, know that it is wrong, but have to regurgitate his words for their teachers when they discuss the book in the classroom. It's new title, I think, should be:Īrrow to the Sun: Gerald McDermotts misleading-erroneous-inaccurate "Pueblo Tale" that cannot in fact be called a Pueblo Indian tale I hasten to say that McDermott's award-winning Arrow to the Sun is deeply flawed and should not be subtitled "A Pueblo Indian Tale." It is so deeply flawed, in fact, that the word "Pueblo" should be replaced. Today I present a critique of the "Arrow to the Sun Discussion Guide" created by Weston Woods, a company that turned McDermott's book into a video.
Scholastic has written and consolidated a great deal of resource material for teachers.
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