Can you handle a horse? Are you skillful with a bow? Are you brave in the face of danger? Will you wear this smelly, lice-infested armor with dignity? Have you truly earned the respect and honor shown to the samurai? Are you of honorable lineage? Will you show absolute loyalty to your lord? Do you understand that dishonor will bring death—by that same sword that you must sleep beside every night of your life? Are you ready to rise in rank?

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.