Maroo of the Winter Caves: Thinking Back...

"Maroo and Otak walked with their people along the trail to the winter caves, and the dog trotted beside them."



Now that you are at the end of the novel, it is time to think back upon the story. When we look back at a book and attempt to learn from it, we are doing much more than reading for entertainment, we are reading for a purpose. Choose one of the three reflection questions below and answer them fully and thoughtfully. Minimum expectation is 3 paragraphs.

1. When we read to discover the purpose, one of the main things we are looking for is the "theme" of the story. The theme is the central idea or message the author wants to communicate. Often the theme has nothing to do with the characters, but rather is a universal thought the author wants the reader to learn. What do you think the theme of Maroo of the Winter Caves is? Be sure to use examples from the book to support your idea.

2. In a good story, the main character should change or evolve as the novel progresses. In Maroo of the Winter Caves, how does Maroo change? Be sure to use examples from the book to support your ideas.

3. A symbol in a story is something the author uses to represent something else, usually a big idea like happiness or peace. In Maroo of the Winter Caves, what do the "winter caves" symbolize?


"The Thinker" image courtesy of: http://freelyassociating.org/2011/08/reading-on-the-riot-act/the-thinker/

Maroo of the Winter Caves- Chapters 9-12

With the death of Areg, the tribe must quickly make some important decisions or die from starvation.

For this weeks blog post you have a choice of prompts (minimum 3 paragraphs):

1. "By the time they reached the plain, the weather changed. The days were gray and darkness came early. Once a flurry of snowflakes reminded them of the danger they were in. It was as if winter were a giant striding behind them, his shadow already looming". p69

The author Anne Turnbull compares winter to a giant. Describe the danger and hardships that winter poses for the tribe.

2. " But old mother shook her head, "We may reach the White Mountain, but we will never reach the hunting grounds now. Winter has overtaken us. We are too late", she said... " at once Maroo and Otak remembered their plan. Maroo caught Rivo and tied him up in the snow house.... (p.83)

What was Maroo and Otak's plan? What effect would this have on the tribe?

3. "I have chosen Maroo as leader because she is the elder and also because I can trust her to be sensible and cautious". Old Mother said "The mountain is dangerous. You must cross it softly and quickly, like the hare on new snow, before it feels that you are there". (p.90).

How will the qualities of being sensible and cautious help Maroo on their journey? Provide evidence , examples and explanations as to why Old Mother selected Maroo as the leader of the expedition?

Graphic Sources:

1. White Mountains

2. Dog in Blizzard

Maroo Chapters 6-8

Chapters 6, 7 and 8 of Maroo of the Winter Caves take us on a spectacular journey; To the sea, On an Ibex Hunt, on the search for the men and Areg's death.

Please choose one (1) of the following prompts, and write a well structured response (minimum three paragraphs):-

1. "A few days later, Maroo saw for the first time the thing she had smelled. They came to a gap between two hills, and looking down, instead of the expected green plain they saw a gray expanse of water that stretched forever". (p.36).

Describe Maroo's family's enthusiasm about the sea. What is it they like so much?

2. "That night the adults talked together and decided that Sovi's group should leave the next day and that Areg's group would follow in their trail a few days later". (p.45).

Why would it have been better for Areg's group to travel with Sovi's group than to travel alone?

3. "The ground fell away steeply, forming a small cliff. Vorka was trapped halfway down. When he stood up they saw that his right arm hung oddly as it if were broken. And then Maroo looked past Vorka and saw something else; the huddled shape of Areg lying at the foot of the cliff". (p.56)

How does Maroo feel about her father's death? How does she mourn it?

Enjoy

Graphic Sources:

1. http://www.perma-bound.com/ViewDetail/190985-maroo-of-the-winter-caves

2. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/05/0528_peace_valley/source/3.htm
3. http://vitruviusfootsteps.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/week-10-autumn-leaves-and-traditional-limewash-on-stucco/

What an amazing trip to Tanjung Rumbutan ~ The Tambun cave paintings (that date back to the neolithic era) , tin panning,investigating eco-systems and much more, plus the opportunity to hang out with your friends! Now that we are well rested and back in Kuala Lumpur, it's time to write a blogpost reflection..

For our blogpost reflection you have a choice of three different prompts - Please chose only (1).

1. Write a narrative from the point of view of a baby prawn when the 6th grade descended on the river.

OR

2. Choose 2 of the School Wide Learning results and provide evidence and examples how you best exemplified the SLR's on the field trip.

OR

3. Protecting and maintaining the Tambun cave paintings (and their environment) is one simple way in which you can ensure that artifacts from the past are saved for future generations. Devise a plan as to ways in which we could actually have this happen.

Guidelines:
-minimum 3 paragraphs
-correct spelling and grammar.
- include graphics (links to field trip photos are posted on homework message on Moodle).



Enjoy
Mr. T