Powwow Summer & Dancing Dragons ECR

In this assignment, you will practice organizing your writing with a clear introduction, transitions, and a conclusion. You will also practice editing sentences to use correct standard English conventions. Read each question carefully and do your best!

Read the texts “Powwow Summer” and “Dancing Dragons.”   Based on the information in both passages, write a response to the following:

Explain your opinion about which author best develops the message in the texts. 

Write a well-organized argumentative essay that uses specific evidence from the passage to support your answer.  

Remember to —

• clearly state your central idea
• organize your writing 
• develop your ideas in detail
• use evidence from the selection in your response
• use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar

Manage your time carefully so that you can —

• review the selection
• plan your response
• write your response
• revise and edit your response

Write your response in the box provided.

The Downwind family, members of the Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota, travel to ceremonial gatherings called powwows. from Powwow Summer by Marcie Rendon 1 All around the world, people have special outfits to wear at ceremonies. Easter outfits, prom dresses, and tuxedos are worn for different occasions. At powwows, the Downwind women wear the jingle dress or the fancy-shawl-dance outfit. 2 Sharyl is a jingle-dress dancer. On her dress are hundreds of metal cones, or jingles. It can take a long time to hand-roll these jingles into the cone shape. To be a jingle-dress dancer requires special patience. 3 The idea for the jingle dress was dreamt by an Ojibwe man many years ago. This is the story Sharyl tells her daughters: 4 A long time ago, there was a man who loved his daughter very much. His daughter became very sick, close to death. The father was very worried about her and prayed for her to be well. In a dream, a woman came to him. She showed him how Cheryl Walsh Bellville Shawl dancers in their fancy-shawl outfits. Grade 4 RLA Page 19 to make the jingles and the dress. In the dream, the father also heard the songs that were to be sung for the women as they danced wearing the jingle dress. In his dream, he saw the women dancing. When he awoke from his dream, he shared his vision with his wife. Together, they worked to make the jingle dress for their daughter. The father taught the songs to the singers of the village. When all this was done and the daughter wore the dress and danced, she became well. 5 From this girl’s family, the jingle dress spread to many other tribes. In the Downwind family, Sasina, Star, and Danielle are jingle-dress dancers. Shian, Katie, Ronee, Valentina, and Keisha are fancy-shawl dancers. The outfit for this dance consists of a knee-length dress, matching leggings, moccasins, and a fancy shawl with fringe or ribbon that floats with the dancer’s elegant movements and fancy dance steps. It is thought that shawl dancing developed as shawls replaced the blankets and animal robes worn by young women years ago. 6 The family works on jingle-dress and fancy-shawl outfits during the week between powwows. Ribbons are replaced, yarn added, and beadwork repaired. Soon it is time for the family to begin packing for the next powwow. Excerpt from POWWOW SUMMER: A Family Celebrates the Circle of Life by Marcie Rendon, photographs by Cheryl Walsh Bellville. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2013. © 1996 Marcie Rendon and Cheryl Walsh Bellville. Used by permission. Grade 4 RLA Page 20

Dancing Dragons 1 In fairy tales, dragons are ferocious creatures. However, in Chinese culture, dragons are not fire-breathing enemies. They are kind creatures that drive away bad luck and bring good fortune. Every year at the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, the dragons are dancers! 2 In ancient China, people performed the dragon dance to bring more rain. Now, the dance is performed to ensure a good new year. During the Spring Festival, there is a parade that features the dragon dance. This dance is performed by an enormous dragon that is held up by several strong dancers using poles. 3 A dragon is created with joints that allow it to bend easily. The body of the dragon is made of thin bamboo strips. They are woven into cylinders, or large tubes. Then, the dragon is covered in a giant cloth. It is decorated with scales. Most dragons are red. Red symbolizes happiness in Chinese culture. Dragons can be hundreds of feet long! Grade 4 RLA Page 21 4 During the parade, one person holds a stick with a large ball that holds the dragon’s head. They lead the dragon through the city’s streets. Behind the head, there are people holding poles to support sections of the dragon. The people wear clothing the same color as the dragon. This makes their legs look like the legs of the dragon. As the head dips and dives, so does the dragon. It looks like the dragon is dancing! People along the parade route watch and cheer as the dragon weaves back and forth. Its long body ripples like a ribbon. 5 There is also a fire dragon that dances at night. Inside fire dragons are candles or lamps. The skin of the dragon is thin cloth or paper. The light can be seen through the skin. When this dragon dances at night, it looks like it is filled with fire. 6 For centuries, Chinese communities across the globe have gathered in this way to celebrate spring. With the dragon’s help, they hope to bring happiness in the year ahead.

Explain your opinion about which author best develops the message in the texts.