Sherrin Watkins

White Bead Ceremony by Sherrin Watkins Illustrated by Kim Doner

Summary
This book tells of a young Shawnee girl name Mary who is not interested in learning the Shawnee language. Her mother talks with her grandmother who decides that Mary needs to have a Shawnee name. For the occasion, Mary will be given a white necklace. The family gathers for the event. The older members of the family, aunts and grandmothers debate on a name for Mary. In the end, she is given the Shawnee name Wapapiyeshe which means white-necked moving. After the naming, Mary and her family celebrate the naming by eating. Mary also receives gifts to celebrate the occasion.

Reaction
From this book, I am able to appreciate the Shawnee custom of naming. I also learned a little bit of the Shawnee language and culture. This book shows how children must be shown the importance of their heritage. It also shows how we should not be ashamed of where we have come from. This book is great for children to see one aspect of Native American culture. The book takes a realistic approach at culture. The illustrations complement the action. The book is one for children to learn about the importance of the name.

Extension
1. Have children look up and write the meaning of their names as well as origin.
2. I would have children make a necklace of their name using letter beads.
3. I would have children look up naming traditions in other cultures.
4. I would have children ask their parents or guardians how they got their name.
5. I would have children explain what they learned from the book.… (mehr)

Summary
This book speaks about a little Shawnee Indian girl learning about her Native American culture.

Personal Reflection
This was a very informative book because it teaches of family heritage and tradition. I really like how it was written in a manner that will draw on the attention of children that may not know anything concerning the culture.

Extensions
1. Have the children tell about their culture.
2. Make a family tree.
3. Have someone with Native American background to come in a speak about a green snake ceremony as told in the book.… (mehr)

Summary: The book is about a little girl named Mary from a Native American Tribe, the Shawnee Tribe. She does not want to learn the native language of the Shawnee. She only wants to play with her Barbie’s, and her mother was getting frustrated with her. One day her mother decided to get Mary her Shawnee name, Mary was not able to get her name when she was born in Texas. She would rather speak like everyone else, English. Her Grandmother wants her to speak Shawnee and have her Native American name, but Mary only wants to speak English. When the Shawnee Tripe people get their Native name they are given a necklace made of white beads that they will wear till it falls off. The ceremony is called “White Bead Ceremony”. In preparation for this ritual, all of the family members and friends gather for the ceremony. When the family and friends arrive for the ceremony Mary is happy to see all of them and changes her mind, and wants to learn her Native language. Mary had a chance to meet her family and friend before the ceremony began. Part of the ritual an old Native American women goes through all these Shawnee names till she finds the perfect name. Finally she found the perfect name and was given to Mary, and Mary was very happy with her new Shawnee name.


Personal reaction: A great story of a little girl named Mary a Native American girl that was given her Shawnee name through her native American Family, a Shawnee Tribe. Mary had the opportunity to meet her friends and Family prior to her “White Bead Ceremony”. A Ceremony is from a Native Americans Shawnee Tribe Family, a ceremony done when giving their child a Shawnee name.

Classroom extensions:
1. Have the students write or draw something about their Native Culture, some can also talk about the type of food that they may like.
2. In class we may look-up what would be their native name in their Culture, or possibly a nick name.… (mehr)

Summary: This is a multicultural book about a little girl from the Shawnee tribe who doesn't want to learn her native tongue. Her grandmother wants to give her her own Native American name. The day she gets her name she will receive a white bead necklace that she will wear until it falls off. when family and friends come over to prepare for her name she becomes happy and want to now know her native tongue.
Personal reaction: I enjoy anything that is about Native Americans. I like learning about what other natives do in their culture and how they say their words. Sometimes some tribes language have the same word as the Kiowa's but it's a different meaning.
Classroom extensions:
1. Have the student make their own white bead necklace.
2. Read a Shawnee Native American book to the student about their culture. Write down their native tongue and see if we can say them and know what they mean.… (mehr)