Analyse Lesson 4
Sentence Accuracy
Sentence Accuracy
Let me say the sentences before I click.
Modal Verbs
should
_________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
could
________
He knew they
have waited until the storm was over.
would
________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
Re-read
Build
Drag the modal verbs to alter how likely the event is to happen.
could
________
should
_________
would
________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
___________________________________________________________________________
My turn to write the sentence.
Listen to my writer's voice.
Let me hide it!Now your turn.
Your turn to write a sentence.
Write?
Dictate?
Adapt?
Use your Sentence Checker
Sentence time over! Click to move on.
Let me say the sentence before I click.
Colon for Independent Clauses
His thoughts were spinning uncontrollably
he was terrified about what he had to do
Re-read
Build
Drag the independent clauses to either side of the colon and discuss the effect.
he was terrified about what he had to do
his thoughts were spinning uncontrollably
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
My turn to write the sentence.
Listen to my writer's voice.
Let me hide it!Now your turn.
Your turn to write a sentence.
Write?
Dictate?
Adapt?
Use your Sentence Checker
Sentence time over! Click to move on.
Let's take a quick look at how the Example Text is presented and the features it has
The Example Text has...
Title
Paragraph
Third Person
Adjectives
Personification
Text structure
Features
Hunted in the Tundra
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Third Person
Adjectives
Personification
Title
Paragraph
Click on Click off
Can I find and discuss Writer’s
Knowledge 1-4 in the Example Text?
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let's work in:
Stations
Pairs
Groups
Memorize the positions
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let me show you
Sort the words into either synonyms or antonyms for the word 'dangerous'
Antonyms
Synonyms
secure
unsafe
treacherous
harmless
hazardous
protected
safe
perilous
Check
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let's find and discuss
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia.
Replace?
Remove?
Feel
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Synonyms and Antonyms
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Expanded Noun Phrases
Let me show you
Let's create expanded noun phrases. Add the adjectives and the prepositional phrase to the noun.
Noun
Adjectives
Prepositional phrase
mountain
vast, rocky
high into the clouds
the
Reveal
Expanded Noun Phrases
Let's find and discuss
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear.
Replace?
Feel
Remove?
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Expanded Noun Phrases
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let me show you
Informal Speech
Short, single-clause sentences
Colloquial (everyday) words
Contractions
Friendly tone
Direct and personal
Questions and exclamations
Reveal
Informal Speech
Let's find and discuss
“Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?”
Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Reveal
Replace?
Feel
Imagine
Remove?
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Informal Speech
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Colons
Let me show you
Add colons to join two independent clauses.
This was part of their tribe's tradition this is what they had always done.
They made their way up the steep cliff the climb was always tough.
He only had one chance to prove himself it was now or never.
Reveal
Colons
Let's find and discuss
Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Replace?
Feel
Remove?
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Colons
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Question Quiz Time
Secret Selector
Team Competition
How will we answer our questions today?
Vote
ThumbsUp
ThinkPair Share
Bob Up
Which One's Right?
Which is an antonym for 'forceful'?
B powerful
A intense
C gentle
D energetic
Picture Me
Which image best shows the phrase 'the pitch-black gaze' of the polar bear?
True or False?
Questions and exclamations are common features of informal speech.
False
True
Colons
Which One's Right?
A They had walked many miles the: forest was dense and getting darker.
B They had walked many miles the forest: was dense and getting darker.
C They had walked many miles: the forest was dense and getting darker.
D They had walked: many miles the forest was dense and getting darker.
Can I find and discuss Writer’s Knowledge 1-4 in the Example Text?
CEW
Handwriting
Writing Effects
Spelling
Ideas
Other...
Feedback: Who did what well?
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.”
“Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?”
Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.”
“Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?”
Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.
treacherous
hazardous
safe
harmless
protected
perilous
secure
unsafe
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
vast, rocky
mountain
high into the clouds
the
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.”
“Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?”
Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.
Y6D The Ways of the Wolf WO3 Analyse L4
Literacy Counts
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Transcript
Analyse Lesson 4
Sentence Accuracy
Sentence Accuracy
Let me say the sentences before I click.
Modal Verbs
should
_________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
could
________
He knew they
have waited until the storm was over.
would
________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
Re-read
Build
Drag the modal verbs to alter how likely the event is to happen.
could
________
should
_________
would
________
have waited until the storm was over.
He knew they
___________________________________________________________________________
My turn to write the sentence.
Listen to my writer's voice.
Let me hide it!Now your turn.
Your turn to write a sentence.
Write?
Dictate?
Adapt?
Use your Sentence Checker
Sentence time over! Click to move on.
Let me say the sentence before I click.
Colon for Independent Clauses
His thoughts were spinning uncontrollably
he was terrified about what he had to do
Re-read
Build
Drag the independent clauses to either side of the colon and discuss the effect.
he was terrified about what he had to do
his thoughts were spinning uncontrollably
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
My turn to write the sentence.
Listen to my writer's voice.
Let me hide it!Now your turn.
Your turn to write a sentence.
Write?
Dictate?
Adapt?
Use your Sentence Checker
Sentence time over! Click to move on.
Let's take a quick look at how the Example Text is presented and the features it has
The Example Text has...
Title
Paragraph
Third Person
Adjectives
Personification
Text structure
Features
Hunted in the Tundra
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Third Person
Adjectives
Personification
Title
Paragraph
Click on Click off
Can I find and discuss Writer’s Knowledge 1-4 in the Example Text?
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let's work in:
Stations
Pairs
Groups
Memorize the positions
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let me show you
Sort the words into either synonyms or antonyms for the word 'dangerous'
Antonyms
Synonyms
secure
unsafe
treacherous
harmless
hazardous
protected
safe
perilous
Check
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let's find and discuss
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia.
Replace?
Remove?
Feel
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Synonyms and Antonyms
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Expanded Noun Phrases
Let me show you
Let's create expanded noun phrases. Add the adjectives and the prepositional phrase to the noun.
Noun
Adjectives
Prepositional phrase
mountain
vast, rocky
high into the clouds
the
Reveal
Expanded Noun Phrases
Let's find and discuss
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear.
Replace?
Feel
Remove?
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Expanded Noun Phrases
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Let me show you
Informal Speech
Short, single-clause sentences
Colloquial (everyday) words
Contractions
Friendly tone
Direct and personal
Questions and exclamations
Reveal
Informal Speech
Let's find and discuss
“Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?” Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Reveal
Replace?
Feel
Imagine
Remove?
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Informal Speech
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Writer's Knowledge
Informal Speech
Colons
Expanded Noun Phrases
Synonyms and Antonyms
Colons
Let me show you
Add colons to join two independent clauses.
This was part of their tribe's tradition this is what they had always done.
They made their way up the steep cliff the climb was always tough.
He only had one chance to prove himself it was now or never.
Reveal
Colons
Let's find and discuss
Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Replace?
Feel
Remove?
Imagine
Reveal
Your Turn: Which paragraphs will you look at?
Colons
Imagine Feel Replace? Remove?
Reveal
Question Quiz Time
Secret Selector
Team Competition
How will we answer our questions today?
Vote
ThumbsUp
ThinkPair Share
Bob Up
Which One's Right?
Which is an antonym for 'forceful'?
B powerful
A intense
C gentle
D energetic
Picture Me
Which image best shows the phrase 'the pitch-black gaze' of the polar bear?
True or False?
Questions and exclamations are common features of informal speech.
False
True
Colons
Which One's Right?
A They had walked many miles the: forest was dense and getting darker.
B They had walked many miles the forest: was dense and getting darker.
C They had walked many miles: the forest was dense and getting darker.
D They had walked: many miles the forest was dense and getting darker.
Can I find and discuss Writer’s Knowledge 1-4 in the Example Text?
CEW
Handwriting
Writing Effects
Spelling
Ideas
Other...
Feedback: Who did what well?
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.” “Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?” Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.” “Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?” Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.
treacherous
hazardous
safe
harmless
protected
perilous
secure
unsafe
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
Through the icy mists of the bitterly desolate tundra, two hunched figures made their way across the snowpack. They were surrounded by a frozen sea of white. Narrowing their eyes, they squinted against the blinding brightness around them. This was usual weather in the Arctic environment where they lived, but today, eleven-year-old Amaruq felt peculiar as he trudged along with his elderly grandfather, Katjuk. Today was a special day: young Amaruq was to hunt and kill his first polar bear. As they trekked through the windstorm, he felt his stomach twist with worry. Amaruq knew this was their ancient tradition – harvesting the meat of seals, caribou and polar bears had been the way of Inuit tribes for millennia. He just could not imagine harming an animal that he had always been taught to respect, yet he knew his grandfather was counting on him. Troubled thoughts stirred over his conscience with the whipping wind.
vast, rocky
mountain
high into the clouds
the
“Wait, Papa, please!” Amaruq begged, looking up desperately at his stone-faced grandfather. Narrow-eyed and intense, Katjuk glanced down from the rifle, held straight as an arrow. “Why?” he seethed, angry with Amaruq but trying to remain quiet. He didn’t want to lose a kill that would feed his whole tribe for weeks. “This is what we do. This is what we have always done.” “Well, maybe it doesn’t have to be,” the boy argued, his eyes now as fierce as his grandfather’s. “If we truly share a spiritual connection with these bears – if we really respect them, then we should let him go, shouldn’t we?” Katjuk blinked, then began to falter. Ever so carefully, he allowed the rifle to fall to his side. Together, they watched the bear disappear into the white.
Suddenly, Katjuk grasped his grandson’s arm. “Look, child,” Katjuk said in a forceful whisper. “It is the nanuq, see?” The boy knew exactly what his grandfather meant before he even saw for himself: he knew that nanuq meant ‘master of bears’. There, in the far-off distance, stood the most glorious creature he had ever laid eyes on: a magnificent bear with a shocking, ice-white coat of dense fur. Katjuk handed Amaruq his rifle, which he took, shaking. “It is your destiny to be a hunter, Amaruq. That is why your mother named you after the wolf, you know.” The boy looked back to the pitch-black gaze of the monstrous bear. He lifted the heavy weapon, aimed as he had been taught to, but froze as he stared at his target. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t the bear that was the monster here. Trembling with cold and fear, he put the rifle down. “I’m sorry, Papa. I can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice quivering. Katjuk grunted in frustration, and focusing on the distant white shape, he lifted the gun from the ground. He took aim.