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Classroom Guide for
Vanishing Cultures: Amazon Basin

by Jan Reynolds

Amazon Basin

Vocabulary
Write the following words from the book on the chalkboard. Have students work in pairs and assign a word to each team. Ask students to use a dictionary to learn the definition of their word. Have students fold a piece of drawing paper in half. On one side they should write the word, its definition, and a sentence using the word. On the other side of the paper, students should draw a picture to illustrate the word’s meaning. Set aside time for the teams to present their word to the class.
hammock    plantains   machete
kapok dense pod
prong alert

After Reading
Discussion Questions Use these or similar questions to generate discussion and deepen/extend understanding. Encourage students to refer back to the text and photographs to support their responses.
  1. How do the Yanomama feel about the jungle?
  2. Why is hunting an important skill for these people?
  3. How do the Yanomama “dress up” for a ceremony? Compare this to how you would dress.
  4. Why are rivers important to the Yanomama?
  5. How do family members help one another?

Writing Activities You may wish to assign one or more of these activities for students to complete. Set aside time for them to share and present their work.

  1. Suppose you are going to change places with Tuwenowa. Identify at least three skills you would need to learn and explain why you would need them.
  2. The Yanomama sing heris about the things they do, such as hunting and fishing. Write words for a song about something that you do. You might write your words to the music of a song you already know.
  3. Think about the life the Yanomama live. Then write a description for them of something they may never have seen.

Interdisciplinary Activities
You may wish to use some of the following activities to help students integrate their reading experiences with other curriculum areas.

Social Studies
Direct students to the map in the book. Have them identify the countries included in the Amazon basin. On what continent is it? What imaginary line runs through it?

Science
Have students find out more about the Amazon rain forest. Information students might research includes: birds and animals of the Amazon, plants, the layers of growth in the jungle, the role this region plays in the world’s climate.

Art
Remind students that the Yanomama make baskets from materials they find in the jungle. Have students bring in a selection of grasses, vines, twigs, leaves, straw, and other natural materials. Challenge students to try weaving with these materials.

Vanishing Cultures Classroom Guide
Next Section: Down Under

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