Shingebiss
Shingebiss: An Ojibwe Legend
by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Oh, it is winter now as it is December, and a story about Shingebiss comes to mind. Our first snow covering is here in Minnesota, although half of it melted today. This story is an Ojibwe lesson. The Ojibwe Nation is also known as the Chippewa and the Anishinabe. They have a story about a stubborn duck, Shingebiss, who outsmarts the Winter Maker. It is a story of the heartiness of this group of people who lived near Lake Superior in northern Minnesota where winter is harsh. Shingebiss just wants to catch fish and stay in his home all winter. Winter Maker wants him to fly south like all birds should. Shingebiss stubbornly refuses to be forced by Winter Maker to leave. Winter Maker tries all sorts of tricks, but it is Shingebiss who plays the best trick of all on Winter Maker. Shingebiss invites Winter Maker to dinner inside his warm home. Winter Maker has to leave or melt, so Shingebiss gets to stay in the north land all winter. There is nothing Winter Maker can do about the situation. This is an interesting story for children to hear and discuss. Having only two characters, the children can easily see the two viewpoints. Children can list traits for the two characters, and clearly see they have some similarities.
The actual book has a glossary of words such as Shingebiss is a Merganser diving duck, and some information about the Ojibwe.
My free PDF is an interactive writing shared pen teacher reference chart for the students and teacher to work on together.
Shingebiss interactive writing shared pen teacher PDF (click on words to open) The book I used to make this PDF is described below.
The Shingebiss full text free (uses Northwest Wind for the Winter Maker)
Interactive Writing
How Language & Literacy Come Together, K-2
Andrea McCarrier, Ohio State University, Irene C. Fountas, Lesley University, Gay Su Pinnell, The Ohio State University
Happy reading and stay warm!
- carolyn wilhelm
