Call it Courage

Answer the following questions in your journal. Write only your answers, you do not need to rewrite the questions. Use examples from the book to support your answers. Label each journal entry with the assignment number and the page numbers. Add any vocabulary words and definitions after your answers. You will be graded on complete answers and neat work.

Assignment #1

Pages 7-12

Vocabulary: Mafatu Hikueru Polynesia

1. Who is the author of this book? In what year was the book first published? Who is the illustrator of this book?

2. Does this story take place in the past, present, or future? How do you know?

3. Who is the main character of this book? List 3 things that you learn about him at the beginning of this story.

4. Why do you think it would be important to have courage if you lived in Mafatu’s tribe?

5. Write a short summery (3 to 4 sentences) explaining why Mafatu is afraid of the sea.

6. How did the people of his tribe treat Mafatu?

Assignment #2

Pages 13-20

Vocabulary: Lagoon Reef Bonitos

1.Who is Uri? What does he symbolize in this story?

2. Who is Kivi? What does he symbolize in this story?

3. Mafatu is given a job to do instead of fishing. What is it?

4. What did Mafatu do after he overheard the boys talking about him?

5. Where are the Polynesian Islands located?

6. Begin a list of Polynesian words ( they are usually in italics). Make sure you leave plenty of room to add to it!

Call It Courage

Assignment #3

Pages 21-27

1. Find 2 examples of simile and write them in your journal. Tell what two things are being compared, and on what page you found them.

Example. “ The wind roared like a lion.” I found this example on page 19. In this simile the sound of the wind is being compared to the roar of a lion.

2. On page 24, Sperry uses words that help you to hear and see the storm. What words does Sperry use to help you hear the storm. What words does he use to help you see the storm?

Assignment # 4

Pages 28-34

1. How does Sperry describe Mafatu and Uri the day after the storm ended? Did he have any of his supplies left?

2. What condition was the canoe in after the storm?

3. What was the first thing Mafatu did when he reached shore?

4. Add any new Polynesian words to your word list. Make sure there is a definition for each word.

Call it Courage

Assignment #5

Pages 35-44

1. Think about Mafatu’s needs on the island. Rank these needs form 1-4 (1 most important) How would you go about meeting these needs?

2. Why didn’t people find Mafatu on the island?

3. Who do you think made the trail Mafatu found?

4. Why wouldn’t Mafatu have to worry about finding food on the island?

5. What vow does Mafatu make?

Assignment #6

Pages 36-54

1. Why do you think there were human bones around the statue?

2. Explain the meaning of marae, motu tabu, and Varua Ino? Make sure to add these three words to your glossary of Polynesian words.

3. What evil things do you think Mafatu imagined would happen because he touched the statue?

4. Is Mafatu beginning to live up to the name Stout Heart? What has he done that prove he is no longer the boy who is afraid?.

5. At this part of the story, what is Mafatu’s greatest fear?

Assignment #7 (pages 55-60)

1. What skills did Mafatu learn on Hikueru that helped him survive on the island? What skills do you have that would help you survive on a deserted island?

2. Use sequence words to describe how Mafatu made his dug-out canoe. Make sure to include all steps from the very first thing he did.

3. Why was Mafatu happy to find a whale skeleton? How could it be useful to him?

Assignment #8 (pages 61-70)

1. How did the hammerhead shark get fish out of Mafatu’s trap. What words or phrases does Sperry use that help you to “see” the shark in your imagination.

2. Why was Mafatu forced to fight the shark?

3. Use Sperry’s description of the canoe Mafatu built to draw the finished canoe in your journal. Fill the page with shape and color.

Assignment #9 ( pages 70-79)

1. How did Mafatu feel about the sea in his new canoe? Use a simile or a metaphor in your description.

2. What didn’t Mafatu do that day that he did every other day? Predict how this might be a problem for him?

3. How did Mafatu pack for his trip back to Hikueru? What would you add or remove from his supplies?

4. What was the thump-thump, thump Mafatu heard?

Call it Courage

Assignment # 10

1. Draw the scene that would be forever burned in Mafatu’s memory?

2. Why was Mafatu able to escape the island so quickly?

3. How many eaters –of – men followed Mafatu?

4. What phrases does Sperry use to let us know that Mafatu will have a hard time getting away from the eaters-of –men?

Assignment #11

1. Why did Mafatu finally decide it was safe to sleep at sea.

2. Why didn’t Mafatu have to worry about dangerous storms on his trip back to Hikueru?

3. Alone on the sea, how did Mafatu feel about Maui and Moana?

4. How did Mafatu know that Hikueru lay ahead? Explain lagoon fire.

5. How does Mafatu’s father react to his homecoming?

6. How do we know that this is an important story to the Polynesian people?

7. What do you think happened to Mafatu after he returned home?

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