K is for Kenya; M for Masai
Inspiration Book: (Classroom Bookshelf, Cooperative Children’s Book Center)
14 cows for America by Deedy, Carmen Agra - Peachtree, p2009, c2009--327.676207--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.7. Presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the Maasai people of Kenya to the U.S. as a gesture of comfort and friendship in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. When Kimeli, a Kenyan learning to be a doctor in America, returns to his village, he tells his people about the horrors of September 11th. The Maasai, who believe that the cow is life, are so aff ected by the tragedy they present 14 cows to the U.S. Embassy for the people of America.
Rationale: September 11, 2001, vibrated around the world and had an effect on the richest and the poorest. It brought out the best in people and the worst in people. The Inspiration Book speaks to the generosity of poor in Kenya as their hearts hurt with ours and it is their response. Use this title with several other books that are featured elsewhere in My Books Alive about Wangari Maathai the scientist who began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. Another My Books Alive lesson about Kenya is Flying Eagle. You could do an entire unit about Kenya by combining the Wangari books, Flying Eagle and 14 Cows for America. Use the lessons together to get a broader picture of life in Kenya and the Kenyan people. Students in Grades K-3 will hear a series of folktales from Africa, specifically Kenya; the students in Grades 3-6 will learn more about the Masai; and students in Grades 5-8 will learn about the Masai response to 9/11 as they re-examine the events of 9/11.
Grades K-3--K is for Kenya
Background: The children in grades K-3 to whom you would be reading the Inspiration Book have no memories of 9/11, and recreating that nightmare could cause bedtime nightmares. Rather than attempt to
recreate the horror of the time, we’re going to introduce these young children to life in Kenya.
Preparation: World Map
Supplies for making the Masai necklace found in Site: Masai Collar Necklaces https://www.education.com/activity/article/african-collar-necklace/
cardboard circles 18 and 16 inches in diameter with neck hole about 7 inches in diameter, a circle for each child. Cut slit in circle in order to fit around child’s neck. Assorted confetti, colored pasta, beads, seeds, foam shapes, glue. Set out supplies at tables.
Introduction: We’re going on a trip again. We’re going to the same place where the Serengeti Plain is located. (If you did the lesson for Flying Eagle, children may remember Serengeti). The Serengeti is mostly in the countries of Kenya and Tanzania. (Point out on map.) That’s where we are traveling today, to Africa and the countries of Kenya and Tanzania, the homeland of the Masai people. One of the ways to learn about a people and their country is to listen to their stories and make a craft. That’s exactly what we’re doing today.
Read aloud:
For you are a Kenyan child by Cunnane, Kelly - Atheneum Books for Young Readers, p2006, c2006--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.7. Presents a children's book for early readers about a little Kenyan boy who gets distracted by all there is to see and do and forgets what his mama asked him to do.
Do you ever forget anything? You never forget that you love your mama or papa do you? The boy in our next book lives in Kenya, too. He is a member of the Masai people. He needs to be sure his papa loves him.
Read aloud:
Papa, do you love me? by Joosse, Barbara M - Chronicle Books, p2005, c2005--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.9. A Masai father in Africa answers his son's questions, reaffirming his unconditional love for the boy.
Let’s look at the map again. The Masai live in both Kenya and Tanzania. They are herders of cattle and have done that work for hundreds of years. The cattle cross the border of the two countries and so do the Masai. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, a big, big city.
The Masai and other peoples of Kenya love to tell stories. Sometimes there is a trickster involved. See if you can figure out the trickster in this story.
Read aloud:
Who's in Rabbit's house? : a Masai tale by Aardema, Verna - Dial Books for Young Readers, p1979, c1977--398.2--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Rabbit has a problem; someone is inside her house and won't let her
in. The opening pages of the book set the scene as the expectant onlookers gather before the drawn curtain. Then, as the play begins, the perspective shifts and reader becomes the real audience to this
unique performance.
Did you notice the clothing in the pictures? Red garments for the men. For celebrations the women wear elaborate necklaces. Let’s gather at the tables, and we’ll try to make a Masai necklace. (Show pictures from the books.) Let’s look again. At your table you’ll find cardboard circles, glue, and all sorts of small seeds, pasta, beads, confetti, foam shapes and other small items to add to your necklace which is a collar necklace. The Masai made patterns on their necklaces. They don’t just throw beads together: they may have a whole row of one color, or alternate colors; they may have a row of squares. Make you necklace full of patterns.
Other Titles for Display and Check-out:
Christian, the hugging lion by Richardson, Justin, 1963- - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, p2010, c2010--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.6. When Ace and John find a lion cub for sale at Harrods department store, they buy him, name him Christian, and the three live happilyfor a year in a London apartment, but eventually Christian grows too big and they must let him go to live the life of a wild cat. Based on a true story; includes an author's note.
Families around the world by Ruurs, Margriet — Kids Can Press, 2014. Dewey: 306.85; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. This book allows young readers to visit with fourteen children, each from a different country, to learn about their families. Based on real children, each one's story fills a two-page spread and is told in the first person, beginning with a greeting in the child's native language. From Ryan, who lives on a Texas cattle farm, to Nkoitoi, who tends the family goat in Kenya, to Baatar, who moves regularly with his nomadic family in Mongolia, there is a vast range of homes, locations, customs and activities presented here, all of it enthusiastically illustrated with bright colors and vivid detail by illustrator Jessica Rae Gordon. There is variety in the heads of the families as well: a single parent, multiracial parents and same-sex parents are all represented.
√Wangari's trees of peace : a true story of Africa by Winter, Jeanette - Harcourt, p2008, c2008--333.72--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.5. Tells the story of Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Prize-winning environmentalist who, shocked to see entire forests being cut down in her native country of Kenya, decides to take action, beginning with the planting of nine seedlings in her own backyard.
Mama Miti : Wangari Maathai and the trees of Kenya by Napoli, Donna Jo, 1948- - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, p2010, c2010--333.72--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.6. Wangari Maathai, known as Mama Miti, mother of trees, shares her wisdom with other women by advising them to plant trees native to Kenya to solve their many problems.
The matatu by Walters, Eric — Orca Book Publishers, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. A young boy takes a ride on the matatu bus with his grandfather for his fifth birthday, and along the way his grandfather tells him the story of why dogs chase the bus, goats run from it, and sheep pay no attention to it.
Rhino in the house : the true story of saving Samia by Kirk, Daniel — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2017. Dewey: 599.66; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7. This is a nonfiction picture book for young children. It tells the true story of Anna Merz, a wildlife protector in Africa, and Samia, a black rhinoceros she saved after it was abandoned by its mother.
A passion for elephants : the real life adventure of field scientist Cynthia Moss by Buzzeo, Toni — Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2015. Dewey: 599.67; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Cynthia Moss devoted her life to the study of the largest land animal, the African elephant, living among them on the wide-open savannah.
Imani's moon by Brown-Wood, JaNay — a Mackinac Island book published by Charlesbridge, 2014. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Little Imani of the Maasai people longs to do something great, like touching the moon, but the other children just laugh at her.
First come the zebra by Barasch, Lynne - Lee & Low Books, p2009, c2009--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. When two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, first meet, they are hostile toward each other based on traditional rivalries, but after they suddenly have to work together to save a baby in danger, the boys begin to discover what they have in common.
Planting the trees of Kenya : the story of Wangari Maathai by Nivola, Claire A — Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2008. Dewey: 333.72; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Relates the story of Wangari Maathai, a native Kenyan who taught the people living in the highlands how to plant trees and care for the land.
Teacher Resource:
K is for Kenya http://www.squidoo.com/k-is-for-kenya
Grades 3-6--M is for Masai
Background: There are other lessons in My Books Alive that take place in Kenya based on the Wangari Maathai biographies, and Flying Eagle about the Serengeti. Combine the lessons to create a unit. I’d start with the land and animals and the lesson based on Flying Eagle, then this lesson about the Masai, concluding with the Wangari lesson.
Preparation: World map.
Read the author and illustrator notes for Ashanti to Zulu to note the details that can be found in each picture, then study the picture for the Masai. Computer with Internet access and projection capability.
Decide which dance videos you would like to show
Traditional dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lUQFT4zVWk&feature=related
Masai women dancinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzidBlU68u0
Introduction: The continent of Africa (show map) has many countries and many different native peoples. Margaret Musgrove wrote about 26 of the tribes and Leo and Diane Dillon drew detailed pictures for each
tribe. The Dillons won the Caldecott Award for their art work. We’re only going to look at one tribe today, the Masai. Let’s hear what Musgrove wrote and then study the illustration to learn about the life of the Masai.
Ashanti to Zulu : African traditions by Musgrove, Margaret - Puffin Books, p1980, c1976--960--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.3. Explains some traditions and customs of twenty-six African tribes beginning with letters from A to Z.
The Maasai also love to dance and sing. Watch the video(s) you selected.
The Inspiration Book is about the Masai and how they helped America when America was hurting. Carmen Deedy is the author of the book.. Listen to her tell how she got the idea to write the book.
Listen
Book Reading--Deedy describes how she got the idea & final pages
We have learned some background about the Masai and how they helped America, now let’s hear the whole book.
Read aloud:
14 cows for America by Deedy, Carmen Agra - Peachtree, p2009, c2009--327.676207--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.7. Presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the Maasai people of Kenya to the U.S. as a gesture of comfort and friendship in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. When Kimeli, a Kenyan learning to be a doctor in America, returns to his village, he tells his people about the horrors of September 11th. The Maasai, who believe that the cow is life, are so affected by the tragedy they present 14 cows to the U.S. Embassy for the people of America.
Other Titles for Display and Check-out:
Imani's moon by Brown-Wood, JaNay — a Mackinac Island book published by Charlesbridge, 2014. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Little Imani of the Maasai people longs to do something great, like touching the moon, but the other children just laugh at her.
First come the zebra by Barasch, Lynne - Lee & Low Books, p2009, c2009--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. When two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, first meet, they are hostile toward each other based on traditional rivalries, but after they suddenly have to work together to save a baby in danger, the boys begin to discover what they have in common.
Auma's long run by Odhiambo, Eucabeth A — Carolrhoda Books, 2017 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.8. When AIDS devastates thirteen-year-old Auma's village in Kenya during the 1980s, Auma must choose between staying to help her family and working toward a track scholarship that will take her away from home. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com
Seeds of change : planting a path to peace by Johnson, Jen Cullerton - Lee & Low Books, p2010, c2010--333.72--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.8. Examines the life of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize-winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, who made a stand in the face of opposition to women's rights and started an effort to restore Kenya's ecosystem.
Mimi's village : and how basic health care transformed it (CitizenKid) by Milway, Katie Smith — Kids Can Press, 2012 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5. Mimi, a young girl living in an African village, witnesses the benefits of basic health care in her community. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com
America is under attack : September 11, 2001 : the day the towers fell by Brown, Don, 1949- - Roaring Brook Press, p2011, c2011--973.931--Int. Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.6. Provides a chronological account of September 11, 2001, and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the hijacking of a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
Lion journal (Animal Journals) by Franklin, Carolyn — Book House, 2015. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. A fictional account of a trek through the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya, based on a series of separate experiences that have been adapted to fit the storyline.
Moto and me : my year as a wildcat's foster mom by Eszterhas, Suzi — Owlkids Books, 2017 599.75; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas discusses her experiences while providing foster care for an orphaned serval, an African wildcat, in Kenya.
Planting the trees of Kenya : the story of Wangari Maathai by Nivola, Claire A — Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2008. Dewey: 333.72; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Relates the story of Wangari Maathai, a native Kenyan who taught the people living in the highlands how to plant trees and care for the land.
Wangari Maathai : the woman who planted millions of trees by Prevot, Franck — Charlesbridge, 2015 333.75; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7. Tells the story of environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
Owen & Mzee : the language of friendship by Hatkoff, Isabella - Scholastic Press, p2007, c2007--599.63--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.0. Text and color photos tell the true story of the friendship that developed at a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary between Owen, a baby hippopotamus orphaned by the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, and Mzee, a 130-year-old giant tortoise.
Only the mountains do not move : a Maasai story of culture and conservation by Reynolds, Jan — Lee & Low Books, 2011. Dewey: 305.896; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.4. A collection of photographs featuring the Maasai people in Kenya, traditionally nomadic herders, highlighting the challenges they currently face and the ways the people are adapting their practices and lifestyle due to these challenges. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Foods of Kenya (Taste Of Culture) by Sheen, Barbara) — KidHaven Press, 2010 641.596762; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.5. A land of contrast -- Many influences -- All kinds of snacks -- Welcome! welcome! -- Notes. Provides insights into Kenya and its culture through a look at the country's foods, cooking traditions, customs, eating habits, and food sources.
Grades 5-8--The Masai & 9/11
Background: Many of the ideas for this lesson are from the Teaching Guides from Peachtree Publishers http://peachtree-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/14Cows.2016.pdf
Preparation: World map
Computer with Internet access and projection capability.
Download and run copies for Culture group
Download and run copies for History group under link Maasai at
Download and run copies for Geography group under link Maasai at
Download and run copies for Cow group under link Cows at
Introduction: What do you know about September 11? Let’s look at a map. Where did the events happen? Where did the victims of 9/11 live? Where is Africa? Can you find Kenya on a map?Today we’re going to learn about a small village in Africa and how they were affected by the events of 9/11.
View Book Trailer (scroll about 1/3 way down to find 14 Cow trailer
Book Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_GG8GKAqlo
Read aloud:
14 cows for America by Deedy, Carmen Agra - Peachtree, p2009, c2009--327.676207--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.7. Presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the Maasai people of Kenya to the U.S. as a gesture of comfort and friendship in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. When Kimeli, a Kenyan learning to be a doctor in America, returns to his village, he tells his people about the horrors of September 11th. The Maasai, who believe that the cow is life, are so aff ected by the tragedy they present 14 cows to the U.S. Embassy for the people of America.
Read the book a second time, stopping to point out the Twin Towers imagery and allow students to point out parts of the story that interested them, or raised questions in their minds.
How do you think the Maasai felt when they heard the story of 9/11? Why do you think Kimeli gave his only cow to the United States? Why did the others join in to add 13 more? What did the gift of the 14 cows do for the United States?
I’m going to divide the class into five groups. One group will learn a little more about the culture of the Maasai, another about the history, another about the geography, another about the cows, and a fifth about Kimeli. How could you introduce younger children to the book and Maasai culture? That is your task. Work as a team. You have the remainder of our time today plus homework time to learn about your topic and to decide how you will tell students in grades K-3 about the Maasai. Your presentation time is 2-5 minutes. You may use video, maps, costumes, dance--whatever you think will help students have a better idea. To make research easier for you because you don’t have much time I’ve prepared copies of some resources you could use.
(Allow work time and homework time. Then ask for group presentations.If you are using the Inspiration Book with younger students, you could have groups of 5th-8th graders tell what they have learned about the Maasai. Or, you could have the 5th-8th graders do a presentation on September 11th.)
Related Titles:
Towers falling by Rhodes, Jewell Parker — Little, Brown and Company, 2018 : -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.3. While learning about September 11th, fifth grader Deja (born after the attacks) realizes how much the events still color her world.
Seven and a half tons of steel by Nolan, Janet — Peachtree Publishers, 2016 623.825; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. Describes how the bow of the USS New York was made from a steel beam that came from the World Trade Center towers.
A long walk to water : a novel : based on a true story by Park, Linda Sue - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, p2010, c2010--Fic--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 5.0 When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who,
after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
America is under attack : September 11, 2001 : the day the towers fell by Brown, Don, 1949- - Roaring Brook Press, p2011, c2011--973.931--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.6. Provides a chronological account of September 11, 2001, and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the hijacking of a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
Walking home by Walters, Eric — Doubleday Canada, 2014 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.0. Thirteen-year-old Muchoki and his younger sister, Jata, can hardly believe what has become of their lives. Only weeks ago, they lived in a bustling Kenyan village, going to school, playing soccer with friends, and helping at their parents' store. But sudden political violence has killed their father and destroyed their home. Now, Muchoki, Jata, and their ailing mother live in a tent in an overcrowded refugee camp. By day, they try to fend off hunger and boredom. By night, their fears about the future are harder to keep at bay. And then the unthinkable happens: their mother dies and they are left orphaned. Driven by a desperate optimism, Muchoki and Jata set off on what seems like an impossible quest: to walk over a hundred miles across Kenya in search of their last remaining family
Mimi's village : and how basic health care transformed it (CitizenKid) by Milway, Katie Smith — Kids Can Press, 2012 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5. Mimi, a young girl living in an African village, witnesses the benefits of basic health care in her community. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com
Lion journal (Animal Journals) by Franklin, Carolyn — Book House, 2015. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. A fictional account of a trek through the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya, based on a series of separate experiences that have been adapted to fit the storyline.
Moto and me : my year as a wildcat's foster mom by Eszterhas, Suzi — Owlkids Books, 2017 599.75; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas discusses her experiences while providing foster care for an orphaned serval, an African wildcat, in Kenya.
September 11, 2001 : attack on New York City by Hampton, Wilborn -Candlewick Press, p2007, c2003--974.7--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 6.7 Describes the September 11 attacks in the United States and presents several personal stories of tragedy told by New Yorkers who lived through the collapse of the World Trade Center.
Kenya in pictures by Broberg, Catherine - Lerner, p2003, c2003--967.62--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 8.9 A brief overview of Kenya's land, history, government, people, and culture.
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