AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Born in 1890 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, Pulitzer prize winning author Conrad
Richter is best known for The Light in the Forest, his classic novel published
nearly fifty years ago. Richter's historical novels center on the pioneering experience;
his realistic stories depict authentic dialogue and events set against the rugged
American landscape.
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 After
listening to Conrad Richter's The Light in the Forest organize the main
characters into the Lenni Lenape tribe or the Pennsylvania settlers' group. Break
the class into two sections and have each group "adopt" a person from the other
group. What will their "adoptee" need to know about his/her new culture? Consider
family structure, housing, clothing, food, gender roles, leadership styles, traditions,
values, and beliefs. Make a large poster where the students can post their research.
Ask the students to assimilate the new person into their cultural group. How will
they best integrate the new member?
Invite
the students to look at their own geographical area and determine what Native
American tribes lived there. Are any people from the tribe still living? What
do they do? Make a list of places in the local area that have Indian names.
True
Son and Half Arrow communicate through birdcalls. Students will research communication
styles. Make a chart showing various forms of communication both in the time of
the Lenape and in today's contemporary society.
Make a list of "fact" versus "fiction" concerning an indigenous culture. Discuss
stereotyping and have students develop ways to combat the negative images.
Speaking
and listening thoughtfully are skills often neglected. Ask students to form a "Talking Stick Circle." The students sit in a circle and listen respectfully
while the speaker, holding a stick, tells a story. Role play various characters
heard on the audiotape including both the Native American and pioneer perspectives.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 Delaware
Tribe of Indians:
http://www.delawaretribeofindians.nsn.us/
Official site for the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians.
Index
of Native American Resources on the Internet:
http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/
An extensive collection of links intended to provide information to the Native
American Community and secondarily to the general community.
The
Lenni-Lenape: The "Original People" of the Schuylkill Watershed:
http://www.web-savvy.com/river/Schuylkill/lenape.html
Includes language pronunciation guides.
Native
American Technology and Art:
http://www.nativetech.org/
Excellent information regarding all facets of Native American art, food,
poetry, metal work, games, and more.
FOR
FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
  THE
BIRCHBARK HOUSE (Hyperion, 1999) by Louise Erdrich. UNABRIDGED
AUDIOBOOK available from Audio Bookshelf.
The
White Deer and Other Stories Told by the Lenape (William Morrow & Co., 1995)
by John Bierhorst.
See other titles by John Bierhorst.
I
am Regina (Yearling Books, 1993) by Sally M. Keehn
THE
SIGN OF THE BEAVER by Elizabeth George Speare. Twelve-year-old Matthew fends for
himself in the wilderness of 1768 Maine territory.
UNABRIDGED AUDIO and book
available from Audio Bookshelf
Indian
Chiefs (Holiday House, 1992) by Russell Freedman
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