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Paired Texts > The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird

by John M. Burt

2021

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars

The Sun, Moon, and Stars

retold by Donna Hennes

In "The Sun, Moon, and Stars," a retelling of a traditional Navajo (Diné) story, First Woman and First Man bring more light to the world by creating the sun, moon, and stars.

Pair “The Sun, Moon, and Stars” with “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” and have students discuss how both stories work to explain the creation of something.

4th Grade Short Story 800L
Heartbeat of Mother Earth

Heartbeat of Mother Earth

CR Willing McManis

In the informational text "Heartbeat of Mother Earth," CR Willing McManis describes what takes place during pow wows.

Pair “Heartbeat of Mother Earth” with “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” and have students discuss how Native American cultures live on through celebrations and stories. What does “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” teach the reader about Lenni Lenape culture?

5th Grade Informational Text 900L
The Long March

The Long March

Peggy King Anderson

In 1838, the Potawatomi Indians were forced to leave their homelands and move west on a long and difficult march. This informational text tells the story of one girl who was forced from her home.

Pair “The Long March” with “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” and have students discuss how Native American customs and cultures were impacted by American settlers. How do stories contribute to the resilience of Potawatomi people in the passage? What messages of courage can be learned from both passages?

4th Grade Non-Fiction 920L
The Great Woman at the Bottom of the Sea

The Great Woman at the Bottom of the Sea

Kyra Teis

In "The Great Woman at the Bottom of the Sea," a shaman approaches a spirit to save their people.

Pair “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” with “The Great Woman at the Bottom of the Seal” and have students discuss the importance of the spirit world to Native peoples in both stories. Compare the shaman’s actions to that of Rainbow Bird’s? What sacrifice did they both make to save their people?

5th Grade Fiction 920L
Flying with Arctic Terns

Flying with Arctic Terns

Rebecca Hirsch

In the informational text "Flying with Arctic Terns," Rebecca Kirsch describes the life of an arctic tern.

Pair “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” with “Flying with Arctic Terns” and have students compare both birds’ long journeys. Describe the rainbow bird’s long journey in “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird.” Describe the long journey the arctic tern makes each year. How are their journeys similar and different?

4th Grade Informational Text 630L
The Basket Weaver

The Basket Weaver

Jacque Summers

In "The Basket Weaver," a shy Chumash girl learns a new way to share.

Pair “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” with “The Basket Weaver” and ask students to discuss the ways animals are used in Native American storytelling. How is the story of “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” similar to the chief’s story in “The Basket Weaver”? How is it different? What part do animals play in both stories?

3rd Grade Historical Fiction 630L
Coyote and Fire

Coyote and Fire

D.M. Souza

In "Coyote and Fire," Coyote steals fire for the First People in this Native American folktale.

Pair “The Sacrifice of Rainbow Bird” with “Coyote and Fire” and ask students to discuss how the animals in both stories help the people. How does Rainbow Bird help the people survive winter in “The Sacrifice of Rainbow Bird”? How does Coyote help the people survive winter in “Coyote and Fire”? How are their actions to help the people similar and different?

3rd Grade Folktale 580L
The Woman and Her Bear

The Woman and Her Bear

Pat Betteley

In "The Woman and Her Bear," a lonely Inuit woman cares for a polar bear.

Pair “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird” with “The Woman and Her Bear” and have students compare the sacrifices that the characters in both texts make. What sacrifice does the Rainbow Bird make for the Lenni Lenape in “The Sacrifice of the Rainbow Bird”? What sacrifice does the Old Woman make for Kunik in “The Woman and Her Bear”? How is the message about sacrifice in both stories similar and different?

4th Grade Drama Non-Prose
Birds that Flock to Fire

Birds that Flock to Fire

Sneed Collard III

In "Birds That Flock to Fires," Sneed Collard III explains why some animals thrive in the aftermath of wildfires.

Pair “The Sacrifice of Rainbow Bird” with “Birds That Flock to Fires” and have students compare the impact of fire on both birds. How does the fire harm Rainbow Bird in “The Sacrifice of Rainbow Bird”? Why does the bird continue to carry the fire anyways? How does the fire help the black-backed woodpecker in “Birds That Flock to Fires”? How does fire play an important role in both texts?

5th Grade Informational Text 940L