Ideal for Multicultural Literature classes, short poetry units, and the Halloween season, this analysis worksheet covers Louise Erdrich's poem "Windigo." An answer key is included. The piece focuses on the wendigo, a mythological figure central to Native American cultures, as it stalks a child. By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:
Describe and analyze tone in context.
Make evidence-based inferences about characters (e.g., the dog's internal state, the possible relationship between the child and the trapped man, etc.).
Identify the shared motivation of two characters (e.g., the windigo and the trapped man).
Explain the greater significance of given details (e.g., "steam rolled from my wintry arms").
List surreal elements in a given stanza.
Articulate how foreshadowing applies to a given stanza.
Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., assonance, metaphor, personification, etc.).
Discern the intended effect of metaphorical language (e.g., "a river shaking in the sun").
Conduct research as needed to identify the symbolic value of the windigo in Native American culture.
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.
Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google option is available.)
More resources for the Halloween season are available:
Ideal for Multicultural Literature classes, short poetry units, and the Halloween season, this analysis worksheet covers Louise Erdrich's poem "Windigo." An answer key is included. The piece focuses on the wendigo, a mythological figure central to Native American cultures, as it stalks a child. By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:
Describe and analyze tone in context.
Make evidence-based inferences about characters (e.g., the dog's internal state, the possible relationship between the child and the trapped man, etc.).
Identify the shared motivation of two characters (e.g., the windigo and the trapped man).
Explain the greater significance of given details (e.g., "steam rolled from my wintry arms").
List surreal elements in a given stanza.
Articulate how foreshadowing applies to a given stanza.
Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., assonance, metaphor, personification, etc.).
Discern the intended effect of metaphorical language (e.g., "a river shaking in the sun").
Conduct research as needed to identify the symbolic value of the windigo in Native American culture.
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.
Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google option is available.)
More resources for the Halloween season are available:
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