Facing the Lion Introduction and Chapter 1 (45 minutes)
Objective: By the end of the lesson Student will be able to identify basic facts about the Maasai people in
Kenya and Tanzania
Part 1: KWL Chart (10 minutes)
- Display a KWL Chart on chart paper. Ask student if they have ever heard of the Maasai people and ask
what they may have heard. Place student responses in the “K” section of the chart. Give each student 1
minutes to formulate a question about the Maasai. Record each students question in the “W” portion
of the chart.
Part 2: Introductory Article- (15 minutes)
- Have students follow along as a counselor reads the background information. Charge each camper with
collecting at least 3 new fact about the Maasai.
- http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/cultures/masai.htm
Part 3: Share out and Chart Completion (10 minutes)
- Campers will report their findings. All new information will be added to the “L” portion of the class
chart
- The counselor can then provide campers with an overview of the novel they will be reading including
the following note about the author:
- Joseph Lekuton was born in Kenya. When he was approximately six years old, government
officials in Kenya issued a law that required at least one child from each Maasai family to attend
school. Lekuton had to balance the influences of his tribal customs with those of his western
life. His writing is inspiring and informative. After graduating from St. Lawrenece University,
where he studied Government, Economics and History, he began teaching at The Langley
School in Virginia. He earned a Master’s degree in International Education policy at the Harvard
Graduate School of Education before returning to Kenya to resume life as a Maasai tribesman.
He has organized scholarships for Maasai children and established clean running water for
several Kenyan villages. He is the youngest person ever to receive Kenya’s Order of the Grand
Warrior, awarded to him by the president of Kenya. In 2006, Lekuton was named one of
National Geographic Society’s Emerging Explorers. Explorers are awarded $10,000 to help them
realize their potential in research and exploration. Lekuton currently serves as a member of the
Kenyan parliament, the National Assembly of Kenya. He was elected in 2007.
Small Group Close Read (15 minutes)
- Campers will listen while chapter 1 is read aloud to them. To check for understanding, campers will
also answer the following questions as they read:
1. What is the lion a symbol of in Maasai culture?
2. Why did all the cows start to pee?
Facing the Lion Chapter 2-3 (45 minutes)
Do Now: (5 minutes)
- Select a few students to summarize the important events in Chapter 1
Small Group Reading and Discussion (35 minutes)
- Break the campers into 2 small groups. In their groups Campers should listen as Chapters 2 and 3 are
read to them. Counselors should stop periodically and have the students orally answer the following
questions.
- Why did Lekuton refuse to listen to the others about the lions?
- Reread pages 16-18. Why did Lekuton leave the lion hunt? What did people think of him then?
- The Maasai move frequently to follow the cattle? How does this affect their daily lives?
- How did Lemosoli get his name?
- Why is this story entitled “Facing the Lion?”
Whole group Discussion (5 minutes)
- Pose the following question to the entire group:
- Throughout the first 3 chapters, the lion is a symbol of bravery and pride. The person who kills a
lion is respected by everyone. Are there any American traditions that are similar to this? Explain
your thinking.
Facing the Lion Chapter Illustrations 1 (45 minutes)
Do Now: (5 minutes)
- Campers will be provided with a list of scenes or important quotes from each of the 3 chapters that
have been read so far. Campers will select one scene or quote from each chapter that they memorable
or most interesting. Counselors will select 3 students to share their responses.
Chapter Illustrations ( 40 minutes)
- Using the provided illustration forms, campers will illustrate the scene or quote as if it were to appear
in a picture book. Counselor should insure that campers record the scene description and
Facing the Lion: Chapter 4-5 (45 minutes)
Do Now: Reading Check (5 minutes)
- Select a few students to summarize the important events in Chapters 1-3
Small Group Reading and Discussion: (40 minutes)
- Students should read chapters 4 and 5 continuing with their lion tracker. As a group they should be
stopping to answer the following questions as they read:
1. Who is the Pinching Man?
2. Why do you think the kids played games that copied the adults?
3. Lemasolai used many details in his description of the Maasai way of life. Why do you think he
chose to describe everything so carefully?
4. Lemasolai ran from the lion, but fought the bully. What does this show about him?
5. What new poblems did Lemasolai face because he went to school.
Facing the Lion Chapter Illustrations 2
Do Now: (5 minutes)
- Campers will be provided with a list of scenes or important quotes from chapters 4 and 5. Campers will
select one scene or quote from each chapter that they memorable or most interesting. Counselors will
select 3 students to share their responses.
Chapter Illustrations (40 minutes)
- Using the provided illustration forms, campers will illustrate the scene or quote as if it were to appear
in a picture book. Counselor should insure that campers record the scene description and
Facing the Lion Chapters 8-9 (45 minutes)
Do Now: Reading Check (5 minutes)
- Select a few students to summarize the important events in Book up until this point
Small Group Reading and Discussion (40 minutes)
- Break the campers in two small groups and have them read and discuss the questions below: Campers
should also be encouraged to continue their lion trackers.
1. Lemasolai had trouble adjusting to American culture. Have you ever felt uncomfortable in a
new setting? What happened?
2. Reread page 74. Why did Lemasolai feel that students at Kabarak were like students in the
Western world?
3. Lemasolai’s family did not care if he went to school. Why did he continue to go?
4. Why did Lemasolai compare the soccer game to a lion hunt?
5. Explain Lemasolai’s relationship with President Moi.
Facing the Lion Chapter Illustrations 3
Do Now: (5 minutes)
- Campers will be provided with a list of scenes or important quotes from chapters 8 and 9. Campers will
select one scene or quote from each chapter that they memorable or most interesting. Counselors will
select 3 students to share their responses.
Chapter Illustrations (40 minutes)
- Using the provided illustration forms, campers will illustrate the scene or quote as if it were to appear
in a picture book. Counselor should insure that campers record the scene description and