Teacher Guide for FAST-R Passage: The Hunter Who Wanted Air FAST-R: Formative Assessments of Student Thinking in Reading At a Glance Approximate Grade Range: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Genre: Myth Topic: One man’s lesson on wisdom Author: Alex Whitney Source: Voices in the Wind (1976) Special Note: used on G7 MCAS 2006 Myth Difficulty Index: Considerate . . . . . . . . . . . . Challenging Structure: Purpose: Richness: Relationships: Vocabulary: Style: Lexile Measure: 1130L Mapuri the hunter has decided that he must be wise in addition to his other qualities. To learn what Mapuri discovers in his quest for wisdom, read the myth, The Hunter Who Wanted Air. Answer the questions that follow. The Hunter Who Wanted Air A Legend from Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana and Brazil by Alex Whitney 1 The first time Mapuri the hunter noticed Tafeela, she was weaving a basket under a shelter of thatched grass. So enchanted was he by her grace and beauty that he immediately strode into the nearby hut of her father, Okono, and asked for permission to marry Tafeela. Richness: This passage deals with life’s lessons about the development and importance of character and wisdom. It does this by retelling the story of one man’s supposed desire to become wise so he can marry a certain woman in his village. See especially: Questions 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Relationships: Though the explicit relationship presented is the budding courtship between Mapuri and Tafeela, the primary relationship in the story is the implicit one between people and their moral character. Aspects covered include desire, pride, and honesty. See especially: Questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 2 “I shall let Tafeela decide for herself whether or not she will marry you,” said Okono, as he went to the doorway and summoned his daughter. 3 When Tafeela entered the hut, Okono explained the reason for Mapuri’s presence. Tafeela peered intently at her suitor. Then she stood on tiptoe and whispered in her father’s ear. 4 “Tafeela thinks you are handsome,” Okono told Mapuri, “but she says she will only marry someone who possesses a quality such as wisdom. You are known to be an expert hunter and a skilled fisherman, but—” Okono hesitated, somewhat embarrassed, “I seriously doubt if anyone would call you wise.” 5 “Then I shall become wise at once!” Mapuri said airily.* 6 “And just how do you plan to accomplish that?” Okono wanted to know. 7 “Very simply,” declared Mapuri. “I have heard that Mankato, chieftain of the tribe that lives upriver by the waterfall, is great in wisdom. I shall go to him, and when he has taught me all that he knows, I shall return and marry Tafeela!” 8 Mapuri went off merrily whistling an imitation of the honeybird’s song. Structure: The structure of the passage should be familiar to students as it narrates a straightforward, chronological sequence of events. See especially: Question 4 Continued on next page FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. 9 Early the following morning Mapuri ran to the river and leaped into his corial, the dugout canoe he had carved from a tree trunk. Then he paddled strenuously upstream until he heard the thunderous torrent of the waterfall. 10 When he had pulled his dugout onto a sandy cove, he hastened toward a cluster of beehive-shaped huts set back from the riverbank. Amid the excited barking of dogs, he exchanged greetings with a group of villagers and told them he had come to see Mankato. Vocabulary: Some language in the passage may be challenging for readers despite the considerate nature of the text involving words like “corial.” Unfamiliar words might include peered, torrent, strenuously, prowess, forlornly. See especially: Questions 1, 3 11 Mapuri was led to a large thatched hut, roofed with paleyellow palm straws that swept gracefully to the ground. Seated cross-legged in the entrance was an ancient man with a magnificent head of graying hair. 12 Mapuri stood before him and came to the point at once: “Mankato, I wish to learn how to be wise.” 13 The old chieftain’s eyes twinkled from behind half-closed lids. “Before one can acquire wisdom, one must truly desire it,” he said. 14 “I desire it more than anything else at the moment!” cried Mapuri. 15 “Then you shall have your first lesson,” said Mankato, rising slowly to his feet. “Come, let us walk to the river.” 16 When the pair arrived at the riverbank, Mankato told Mapuri to kneel in the shallow water. But as soon as Mapuri had done so, Mankato firmly pushed the young man’s head underwater and held it there for a moment or two. 17 Choking and spluttering, Mapuri raised his head out of the river. Then he drew in great gulps of air. 18 “What did you think about while your head was underwater?” asked Mankato, seemingly unaware of his would-be pupil’s distress. 19 “Air!” wheezed Mapuri. 20 “What!” exclaimed Mankato. “Did you not think of your prowess in the hunt?” 21 “No!” gasped Mapuri. “All I could think of was air!” 22 “Did you not think of your nets brimming with fish?” persisted Mankato. 23 “No,” said Mapuri, “I thought only of air!” 24 “When you want wisdom as much as you wanted air, then shall you become wise,” said Mankato. And without a backward glance at Mapuri, the old man walked away. 25 The long shadows of early evening lay on the river when Mapuri returned to his village. As he trod wearily past Okono’s hut, Tafeela emerged from the doorway. 26 Richness: Mapuri learns an important lesson about himself, his character, and his desires. See especially: Questions 7, 8 “Did you learn how to be wise, Mapuri?” she asked. 27 Mapuri hung his head and looked forlornly at his toes. “Alas, Tafeela, I have learned only one thing,” he said. “Air is more important to me than wisdom.” FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. 28 Tafeela’s eyes sparkled beneath her fringe of glossy black hair. “In that case,” she said, “I shall accept your offer of marriage.” 29 Mapuri could scarcely believe his ears. “Kiriwani! Impossible!” he cried. “Surely you must realize that many, many moons and many, many suns will come and go before I will be able to claim wisdom!” 30 Tafeela laughed softly. “That may be true, but you possess another quality more valuable than all the game in our forest, more priceless than all the fish in our river: honesty. And honesty, Mapuri, is the first step on the path to wisdom.” said Tafeela. Style: The legend of the hunter who wanted air is a retelling of a mythical story that incorporates description and dialogue to communicate the complexity of life, desire, and relationships. See especially: Questions 5, 8, 10 Purpose: The purpose of the passage is to communicate the importance of honesty as an aspect of character to be valued over acts of pride or prowess. See especially: Questions 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 * airily — breezily, dismissively, as if it will be easy From Voices In the Wind by Alex Whitney Spotlight On: Myths and Legends The word “myth” comes from the Greek word “mythos,” meaning “story.” Myths exist in cultures throughout the world and are used to explain and illustrate various historical events, ways of living, or lessons people need to learn. Myths are not necessarily based on science or factual evidence, but they are told as if they are true. Like myths, legends are stories passed down from one generation to the next. The same character will sometimes appear in different legends or folktales, and every story has a lesson to teach the reader or listener. From these legends, we can see how people have been living their lives throughout the centuries and around the world. Some famous legends include the stories of Ananse the spider, Br’er Rabbit, the Quest for the Holy Grail, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, and Paul Revere’s ride. Ideas for Connected Writing Activities • Write an essay explaining the lesson Mapuri learned and how he learned it. Use details from the story to support your points. • Compose a letter that Tafeela might have given to her father explaining why she decided to marry Mapuri. • Think of an important life lesson that you have learned and explain how you learned that lesson. • Write an essay supporting or disputing Tafeela’s claim that honesty is the first step on the path to wisdom. FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. Teacher Guide for FAST-R Passage: The Hunter Who Wanted Air FAST-R: Formative Assessments of Student Thinking in Reading Myth The annotated answer key below highlights common reasons students might choose each answer, and the sidebar gives more insight into the questions, to help you understand patterns of student responses. Always make time to follow up with students in conferences to ensure that the patterns you diagnose are consistent with students’ reading and thinking strategies. 1. Which of the following is the best synonym for the word enchanted in paragraph 1? A. bored (OOB) B. puzzled (OOP1) C. charmed D. fooled (OOP2) MI5: Determine meaning by incorporating an understanding of literary concepts 2. According to the myth, Mapuri was known to be good at A. hunting and fishing. B. running and swimming. (OOB) C. basketweaving. (OOP2, ¶1) D. paddling canoes. (OOP1, ¶9) FE2: Recognize the explicit meaning from varied wording in the text 3. According to paragraph 9, what is a “corial”? A. a waterfall (OOP1) B. a type of bird (OOP2, ¶8) C. a canoe D. a type of fish (OOB) FE1: Identify evidence explicitly stated in the text 4. What is the purpose of paragraph 7? A. to show Mapuri’s initial misunderstanding of wisdom B. to show Mapuri’s commitment to marrying Tafeela (OOP2) C. to show how happy Mapuri has become (OOP2, ¶8) D. to show how Mankato feels about Tafeela (OOB) MI2: Determine a singular meaning from the sum total of a particular paragraph 5. Based on the myth, which of the following words best describes Mapuri’s attitude when he first sets off to find wisdom? A. humble (OOP1) B. confident C. angry (OOB) D. enchanted (OOP2) MI1: Determine implicit meaning from words in context 6. Why did Mankato hold Mapuri’s head under water? A. to try to kill him (OOB) B. to teach him about the river (OOP2) C. to celebrate his fishing prowess (OOP1, ¶20, 22) D. to show him the true meaning of desire (¶13) MI1: Determine implicit meaning from words in context FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. Grade 7 • Myth • “ The Hunter Who Wanted Air” 7. According to Mapuri, what is the “one thing” he learns from his visit with Mankato? A. that he is already wise (OOP2, ¶5) B. that air is more important to him than wisdom (¶27) C. that Tafeela will agree to marry him (OOP2, ¶28) D. that wisdom is not necessary as long as you have love (OOB) FE1: Identify evidence explicitly stated in the text 8. Which of the following details best supports the idea that Mapuri felt defeated after meeting with Mankato? A. He could not believe his ears. (OOP1, ¶29) B. He hung his head. (¶27) C. He whistled as he walked. (OOP2, ¶8) D. He decided to run away. (OOB) MI3: Determine implicit meaning by understanding the organization of information in the text 9. According to the myth, which of the following best explains why Tafeela agrees to marry Mapuri? A. She discovers he is insincere. (OOP1) B. She discovers he is wealthy. (OOP2) C. She discovers he is unworthy. (OOB) D. She discovers he is truthful. FE2: Recognize the explicit meaning from varied wording in the text 10. Tafeela explains to Mapuri that “honesty ... is the first step on the path to wisdom.” What does this tell the reader about Tafeela? A. She is an honest woman. (OOP1, ¶30) B. She is a wise woman. C. She is mad at Mapuri. (OOB) D. She does not want to marry Mapuri. (OOP2, ¶28) MI1: Determine implicit meaning from words in context FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. FAST-R + Formative Assessments of Student Thinking in Reading Name Date “The Hunter Who Wanted Air” • Myth Teacher/Class Mapuri the hunter has decided that he must be wise in addition to his other qualities. To learn what Mapuri discovers in his quest for wisdom, read the myth, The Hunter Who Wanted Air. Answer the questions that follow. The Hunter Who Wanted Air A Legend from Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana and Brazil by Alex Whitney 1 The first time Mapuri the hunter noticed Tafeela, she was weaving a basket under a shelter of thatched grass. So enchanted was he by her grace and beauty that he immediately strode into the nearby hut of her father, Okono, and asked for permission to marry Tafeela. 2 “I shall let Tafeela decide for herself whether or not she will marry you,” said Okono, as he went to the doorway and summoned his daughter. 3 When Tafeela entered the hut, Okono explained the reason for Mapuri’s presence. Tafeela peered intently at her suitor. Then she stood on tiptoe and whispered in her father’s ear. 4 “Tafeela thinks you are handsome,” Okono told Mapuri, “but she says she will only marry someone who possesses a quality such as wisdom. You are known to be an expert hunter and a skilled fisherman, but—” Okono hesitated, somewhat embarrassed, “I seriously doubt if anyone would call you wise.” 5 “Then I shall become wise at once!” Mapuri said airily.* 6 “And just how do you plan to accomplish that?” Okono wanted to know. 7 “Very simply,” declared Mapuri. “I have heard that Mankato, chieftain of the tribe that lives upriver by the waterfall, is great in wisdom. I shall go to him, and when he has taught me all that he knows, I shall return and marry Tafeela!” 8 Mapuri went off merrily whistling an imitation of the honeybird’s song. 9 Early the following morning Mapuri ran to the river and leaped into his corial, the dugout canoe he had carved from a tree trunk. Then he paddled strenuously upstream until he heard the thunderous torrent of the waterfall. * airily — breezily, dismissively, as if it will be easy Spotlight On: Myths and Legends The word “myth” comes from the Greek word “mythos,” meaning “story.” Myths exist in cultures throughout the world and are used to explain and illustrate various historical events, ways of living, or lessons people need to learn. Myths are not necessarily based on science or factual evidence, but they are told as if they are true. Like myths, legends are stories passed down from one generation to the next. The same character will sometimes appear in different legends or folktales, and every story has a lesson to teach the reader or listener. From these legends, we can see how people have been living their lives throughout the centuries and around the world. Some famous legends include the stories of Ananse the spider, Br’er Rabbit, the Quest for the Holy Grail, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, and Paul Revere’s ride. FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. 10 When he had pulled his dugout onto a sandy cove, he hastened toward a cluster of beehiveshaped huts set back from the riverbank. Amid the excited barking of dogs, he exchanged greetings with a group of villagers and told them he had come to see Mankato. 11 Mapuri was led to a large thatched hut, roofed with pale-yellow palm straws that swept gracefully to the ground. Seated cross-legged in the entrance was an ancient man with a magnificent head of graying hair. 12 Mapuri stood before him and came to the point at once: “Mankato, I wish to learn how to be wise.” 13 The old chieftain’s eyes twinkled from behind half-closed lids. “Before one can acquire wisdom, one must truly desire it,” he said. 14 “I desire it more than anything else at the moment!” cried Mapuri. 15 “Then you shall have your first lesson,” said Mankato, rising slowly to his feet. “Come, let us walk to the river.” 16 When the pair arrived at the riverbank, Mankato told Mapuri to kneel in the shallow water. But as soon as Mapuri had done so, Mankato firmly pushed the young man’s head underwater and held it there for a moment or two. 17 Choking and spluttering, Mapuri raised his head out of the river. Then he drew in great gulps of air. 18 “What did you think about while your head was underwater?” asked Mankato, seemingly unaware of his would-be pupil’s distress. 19 “Air!” wheezed Mapuri. 20 “What!” exclaimed Mankato. “Did you not think of your prowess in the hunt?” 21 “No!” gasped Mapuri. “All I could think of was air!” 22 “Did you not think of your nets brimming with fish?” persisted Mankato. 23 “No,” said Mapuri, “I thought only of air!” 24 “When you want wisdom as much as you wanted air, then shall you become wise,” said Mankato. And without a backward glance at Mapuri, the old man walked away. 25 The long shadows of early evening lay on the river when Mapuri returned to his village. As he trod wearily past Okono’s hut, Tafeela emerged from the doorway. 26 “Did you learn how to be wise, Mapuri?” she asked. 27 Mapuri hung his head and looked forlornly at his toes. “Alas, Tafeela, I have learned only one thing,” he said. “Air is more important to me than wisdom.” 28 Tafeela’s eyes sparkled beneath her fringe of glossy black hair. “In that case,” she said, “I shall accept your offer of marriage.” 29 Mapuri could scarcely believe his ears. “Kiriwani! Impossible!” he cried. “Surely you must realize that many, many moons and many, many suns will come and go before I will be able to claim wisdom!” 30 Tafeela laughed softly. “That may be true, but you possess another quality more valuable than all the game in our forest, more priceless than all the fish in our river: honesty. And honesty, Mapuri, is the first step on the path to wisdom,” said Tafeela. FAST-R + Formative Assessments of Student Thinking in Reading Name Date “The Hunter Who Wanted Air” • Myth Teacher/Class Directions: Answer the following multiple-choice questions by filling in the circle for the best answer on your answer sheet. 1. Which of the following is the best synonym for the word enchanted in paragraph 1? A. bored B. puzzled C. charmed D. fooled 2. According to the myth, Mapuri was known to be good at A. hunting and fishing. 5. Based on the myth, which of the following words best describes Mapuri’s attitude when he first sets off to find wisdom? A. humble B. confident C. angry D. enchanted 6. Why did Mankato hold Mapuri’s head under water? A. to try to kill him B. running and swimming. B. to teach him about the river C. basketweaving. C. to celebrate his fishing prowess D. paddling canoes. D. to show him the true meaning of desire 3. According to paragraph 9, what is a “corial”? A. a waterfall B. a type of bird C. a canoe D. a type of fish 4. What is the purpose of paragraph 7? A. to show Mapuri’s initial misunderstanding of wisdom B. to show Mapuri’s commitment to marrying Tafeela C. to show how happy Mapuri has become D. to show how Mankato feels about Tafeela 7. According to Mapuri, what is the “one thing” he learns from his visit with Mankato? A. that he is already wise B. that air is more important to him than wisdom C. that Tafeela will agree to marry him D. that wisdom is not necessary as long as you have love 8. Which of the following details best supports the idea that Mapuri felt defeated after meeting with Mankato? A. He could not believe his ears. B. He hung his head. C. He whistled as he walked. D. He decided to run away. Continued on next page... FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. Name School Date Teacher/Class 9. According to the myth, which of the following best explains why Tafeela agrees to marry Mapuri? A. She discovers he is insincere. B. She discovers he is wealthy. C. She discovers he is unworthy. D. She discovers he is truthful. 10. Tafeela explains to Mapuri that “honesty ... is the first step on the path to wisdom.” What does this tell the reader about Tafeela? A. She is an honest woman. B. She is a wise woman. C. She is mad at Mapuri. D. She does not want to marry Mapuri. FAST-R: Formative Assessments in Student Thinking in Reading. The passage text by Alex Whitney is from Voices in the Wind (1976). Copyright © 1976 by Alexandra Whitney. Some questions were drawn or adapted from the G7 MCAS Spring 2006 test. All other materials are Copyright 2007 by the Boston Plan for Excellence. Teachers: Please duplicate and use this answer sheet only for students for whom you did not receive a pre-printed answer sheet! FAST-R Answer Sheet Name School Date Grade Passage Title Teacher Name Completely fill the circle for the correct answer. 1. A B C D 2. A B C D 3. A B C D 4. A B C D 5. A B C D 6. A B C D 7. A B C D 8. A B C D 9. A B C D 10. A B C D Class Write your answer to the open response prompt in the lined space below if your teacher directs you to do so. OFFICE USE ONLY RESEARCH: Y N OPEN RESPONSE: 1 2 3 4