Napi Goes to the Mountain - Mexico

Napi Goes to the Mountain
Antonio Ramírez
Illustrated by Domi
2006 Groundwood Books
Toronto, Ontario

Napi Goes to the Mountain is the adventure of a Mexican girl on a search to find her missing father. Napi and her brother travel along a river and up a mountain receiving advice and help from animals along the way. Their imaginations allow them to take on qualities of the animals and reflect traditional stories of native Mexican culture.

"What happens on Napi’s adventure?"

Standards:
English Language Arts
2-1 The student will read and comprehend a variety of literary texts in print and non-print formats.
2-1.1 Analyze the details that support the expression of the main idea in a given literary text.
2-1.4 Find examples of devices of figurative language (including simile) and sound devices (including onomatopoeia and alliteration).
2-1.6 Explain the effect of the author’s craft (for example, word choice and the use of repetition) on the meaning of a given literary text.
2-1.7 Create responses to literary texts through a variety of methods (for example, writing, creative dramatics, and the visual and performing arts).
2-1.8 Classify works of fiction (including fables, tall tales, and folktales) and works of nonfiction (including biographies) by characteristics.
2-1.9 Explain cause and effect relationships in literary texts.
Social Studies
2-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the local community and the way it compares with other communities in the world.
2-2.2 Recognize characteristics of the local region, including its geographic features and natural resources.
2-2.5 Compare the history and features of the local community with those of different communities around the world.

Objective: The student will recognize key parts of the story that were the cause of other events and identify if they believe these parts were true or part of Napi’s imagination.

Materials: Writing/drawing materials, premade storyboards with some events from the story described on them

Procedure: After reading Napi goes to the Mountain, the teacher will lead a discussion about the imaginative nature of the story. The teacher will ask the students to identify things which could have and could not have really happened. The teacher will ask the students why they think the author chose to include these events in the story.
Students will fill in the missing events on the story board, referring to the book if necessary. They describe the event in writing and with an illustration. Having to fill in the missing elements of the story will allow the students to identify the causes of other events. For example, the students must recognize that before the turtles carry the raft up the river, Napi and her brother lost their paddles to the strong current of the river.
After completing the story board, the students will identify which events they believe Napi only imagined.