Question

In "An Indian Father's Plea," Medicine Grizzlybear Lake argues that his son, Wind Wolf, is not "a slow learner." Describe how Lake supports his argument and explain how he successfully builds this argument using effective examples. Be sure to discuss at least three effective examples that support his argument. Use specific details from the text within your essay. Organize your essay using: an introduction paragraph that lays out your argument, body paragraphs that develop your thesis, and a conclusion paragraph that wraps up your argument.

Answer 1

Answer:

Wind- Wolf is not a slow learner but a culturally different learner. He comes from an Indian reservation , so his culture is different from the Western culture. Wind-Wolf has already got some knowledge about the world but he has got it through different methods. There are different methods at Western schools. Therefore, the teacher from the school will probably have to learn about Wind- Wolf's world. She must not impose on him the Western view of the world.

Wind- Wolf learnt about the universe- Mother Earth- when he was born. He was born and a traditional native childbirth ceremony took place. He had been bonded to his mother since that moment ,so he developed many faculties observing his mother. He was secure in his turtle shell and he could also learn many things from there. He learnt about health; he learnt about the universe and he also learnt about mathematics. This turtle shell was his first seat in a classroom.

He learnt about healing when he observed his mother during a Sun Dance Ceremony. Her mother danced for several days. She fasted and pierced herself during this ceremony. Wind-wolf doctored in many healing ceremonies. Then, he has different knowledge about the universe. There are thirteen months for Wind- Wolf because there are thirteen full moons for his people. There are also thirteen planets and thirteen tail feathers in the tail of an eagle. The eagle is the most powerful bird in the ceremonies and in healing. Then, he learnt to count while he listened to his mother count beads. Her mother made baskets, necklaces and belts with beads. It was hard work for his mother , but she could count the beads and combine them with different colours in many products.

In conclusion, Wind- Wolf is not a slow-learner at all but a different learner. He has got a different culture. He has to learn about a new culture but he does not have to abandon his knowledge. Therefore, Wind- Wolf's teacher has to learn about his world. If she does not learn about it, "she" will become a "slow-teacher".