Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Heart of a Samurai

Heart of a Samurai
Author: Margi Preus
Copyright 2010
Amulet Books
Newberry Honor Award
Witty - Self-Reflective - Courageous 

Interest: Grades 5 – 8
Reading Level
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.4
Lexile: 760L
DRA: 60
Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction.

Delivery: Independent or small group, “book club.”

Summary:
In 1841, rescued by an American whaler after a terrible shipwreck that leaves him and his four companions castaways on a remote island, fourteen year old Manjiro, who dreams of becoming a samurai, learns new laws and customs as he becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States.

Electronic Resources:
Webiste: Kids Discover: Samurai
Short video clip on samurai. History.com

Vocabulary:
1.    Sutra: a Buddhist text or prayer.
2.    Ambergris: a waxy brow or gray substance produced in the large intenstine of a sperm whale and used as a fixative in perfumes.
3.    Halyards: ropes of lines used to lift sails.
4.    Mutiny: an open rebellion against a ships captain.
5.    Bushido: the way of the samurai: code of honor.
6.    Okachan: “mother,” or more informal, “mama.”

ELA Teaching Suggestions
Comprehension

Before Reading:
Have students create a KWL booklet where they can write down pre questions about the book only by looking at the title and the cover of the book.

During:
Students will refer to their KWL booklet where they can record information as they read.

After Reading:
Students will create an infographic that aids in further comprehension and uses technology.
Ex. Infographic.



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