Jafta
A Shared Reading Story
Written by: Hugh Lewin
Illustrated by Lisa Kopper
http://www.opencourtresources.com
Background you should know…
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The hyena is known for its unusual howl, which
sounds like a hysterical human laugh. That is
why, when a person laughs loudly, someone
might say that he or she is laughing like a hyena.
Many of the animals in Jafta are endangered and
need to be protected. Some African countries
have established restricted living areas for these
animals to protect them from extinction.
Africa is a continent.
Map
of
Africa
United States to Africa
U.S.A.
Africa
African Photos
African Tribes
Education in Africa
What do you want
to know about Africa?
When you play make-believe games,
what do you pretend to be?
If you could be an animal, what animal
would you be?
Vocabulary Words
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Africa
purr
nuzzle
lazing
hyena
impala
wallowing
cuddly
cross
grumble
warthog
ostrich
crane (animal)
flamingo
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Discuss the meaning of each word and use it in a sentence.
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As we read the story,
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ask questions-good readers do this to get
more information about the story.
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monitor and clarify-good readers also do
this to understand the meaning of hard
words, ideas, and passages in the story
LET’S READ…
You better remember to print match!!!
I’m watching you!!!
Let’s Discuss…
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Why do you think Jafta plays so many
different kinds of games?
How are the things that Jafta does when he
plays different from the game that Homer
plays with the Bear?
What makes Jafta seem like a real boy to
you?
Compare ~ Contrast
Let’s look at the animals in the story. Can
you tell me how are they alike and how
are they different?
Think about what you already know about
them and what you have learned about
them.
Let’s talk about…
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Who is the main character of the story?
How do you know?
What does Jafta do when he is happy?
What does Jafta do when he is cross?
What does Jafta do when he is tired?
Do you think the animals Jafta plays with
are real or make-believe?
Africa is beautiful.
Africa’s geography includes deserts, alpine meadows, forests, large expanses of open
plains, dramatic valleys, huge freshwater lakes, and miles of beautiful coastline.
But Africa has poverty.
Africa is affected by:
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Disease
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Overpopulation
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Famine
A famine is a social and economic crisis that is commonly accompanied by widespread
malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and increased mortality.
Think about what you’ve learned
about Africa. What do you still want
to know?
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To learn more visit:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/
http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/africa/kids.htm
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Look for a book in the library.
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In computers this week Google Africa.
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Write and illustrate things about Africa.
The End