Maple Sugaring (in Aunt Alberta’s Backyard)

Maple Sugaring (in Aunt Alberta’s Backyard)

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10.2(A)

10.1(A)

10.2(B)

10.4(C)

10.3

10.4(B)

10.4(G)

10.4(E)

10.4(F)

10.5(C)

10.5(G)

10.5(D)

10.5(H)

10.7(B)

10.6(A)

What will our lesson look like?

Learning Intention

Language Objective

Success Criteria

I will explore the text "Maple Sugaring (in Aunt Alberta’s Backyard)" and delve into the themes, characters, and literary devices used by the author. I will use this knowledge to deepen my understanding of the text

• Identify and discuss key themes and characters in "Maple Sugaring (in Aunt Alberta’s Backyard)."
• Analyze literary devices employed by the author.

I will use academic vocabulary related to literary analysis, such as theme, character development, and literary devices.

Do Now:

Imagine a crisp winter morning, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of maple syrup. Close your eyes and transport yourself to Aunt Alberta's Backyard, where a hidden world of sugaring awaits.

• What images come to mind when you think of maple sugaring?
• Can you picture the process in Aunt Alberta's Backyard?

Introduction

Diane Burns (1957–2006) is known for poetry that examines Native American life and identity, as well as for her associations with the renowned New York City poetry scene that included other famous poets like Allen Ginsberg. Burns grew up in both California and the Midwest, the daughter of two teachers who both taught at Native American boarding schools. In “Maple Sugaring,” she describes the tenderness of a family tradition and how that tradition inspires deep bonds between family members. *Watch StudySync

command

scowl

dribble

verb to give an authoritative order requiring obedience During the game, the umpire had to command the fan to leave the field.

verb to let fall in drops The dog dribbled water out of its mouth.

verb to look at someone or something with disapproval or anger When I suggested that we clean up the mess in the kitchen, Henry scowled at me.

tender

solemn

adjective grave or somber The president’s solemn speech seemed appropriate at the memorial for fallen soldiers.

adjective delicate or gentle in nature The mood in the room grew tender once the song started playing.

Summary

The speaker walks through melting snow with her dog, Rex, along the maple trail. She takes the sap collected in each birchbark basket and tips it into a bucket, moving from tree to tree. She dumps the clear green maple sap into the iron kettle above the fire. The sap boils as she stirs with a long wooden spoon, eyes filling with smoke. Aunt Alberta watches from the kitchen window and comes outside to throw green wood onto the fire. She tells the speaker she is stirring too slowly. The watery sap browns and thickens in the pot as the speaker stirs and stirs. Every so often, she drizzles sap onto the snow and eats it before Aunt Alberta notices. Cousins show up and clamor for sap, and then take turns stirring. In time the sap is thickened. Aunt Alberta comes out and tells the speaker she will teach her how to make johnnie cakes the next day. The speaker feels as big as trees in spring.

Me and Rex tramp through the slushy snow almost warm enough to go without bundled up and snowshoed check the maple trail collect a tiny amount of sap from each annoyed tree tip birchbark basket into a bucket tree to tree to tree keep Rex from peeing on each tree spirits soar like sap sky so tender new and bright hauling clear green maple sap dumping it into the pot black iron kettle like a cauldron hangs above the fire boil boil simmer boil stir with a long wooden spoon stir

Stir stir until your arms ache and your eyes feel soaked with smoke. Aunt Alberta watches scowling from the kitchen window comes out to throw a little green wood under the kettle Flaps her apron at the smoke and says something like, “Well, I guess if you stirred any slower we could just chop it up and sprinkle it on our johnnie cakes.” All that watery sap gets browner and browner and smaller and smaller stir stir stir scrape the bottom Every once in a while dribble some sap onto the snow and quick eat it before Alberta catches you not stirring. Cousins always show up then: “Gimme some why don’t you!”

“Shhh!” and carelessly flop the spoon over edge of the kettle Whoops! spilled some (keep an eye on the kitchen window) “Stir some then,” I command as little ones scramble for drops in the snow. Beanie and Rusty take their turns eyes watering, responsible and solemn. “Try stirring faster,” I say, “Scrape the bottom.” Dowie wants to try stirring so lift her over the edge, the big wood spoon in her tiny hands she stirs tongue between teeth scraping bottom as hard as she can Her eyes turn red and watery & I put her down finally. “I can stir more,” she says. “You’re too heavy,” I say. “Look! Are those butterflies?” “Catch me one, O.K.?” They pelt off to the edge of the woods while I stir quick and hard hoping the syrup hasn’t burned. The wood spoon feels heavier

the sap is brown and the spoon makes thick waves that stand up nearly solid. Aunt Alberta comes out Takes the spoon and gives it a few turns And she dribbles some onto the snow and we both eat some. “Do you know how to make johnnie cakes?” she asks, throwing snow on the fire. “If you come here tomorrow early I’ll teach you.” And I feel as big as trees must feel when they all sing together in the spring.

Thank You!