Grade 6

Did you know that a story can be different depending on who is telling it?

Did you ever wonder what the story of a Native American would sound like if they were telling it? How might that same story be different if a European told it?

Today we are going to read a story that will help us answer some of these questions.

http://books.google.com/books?id=61gYmzFiO8UC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

An author writes from a certain perspective or point of view when telling a story.

Point of view refers to who tells us a story and how it is told. What we know and how we feel about the events in a story are shaped by the author’s point of view.

As we read Encounter, decide which point of view the author takes when telling the story. Ask yourself, “Why do you think the author is writing from this particular point of view?”

Essential QuestionHow do we learn about the past by reading different types

of stories?

Have you ever experienced a situation when someone didn’t listen to you or believe what you were saying because they thought you were too young?

Share with a partner.

Look at the illustrations on the cover of the book. Who are the people? What else do you notice about the illustrations?

What do you think the title Encounter means? Based on the title and pictures, what do you

think this story will be about?

Read pages 1-15 in Encounter. What items did the Taino tribe and the Europeans trade? Make a list of the items the Taino gave to the Europeans and then list the items the Europeans gave to the Taino.

Why do you think the Taino gave the Europeans valuable gifts but not did receive equal gifts in return? What were the Europeans most interested in?

At one point in the story, the young boy goes to his Zemis and asks it for help.

What is a Zemis? What is a Zemis?

Why does the young Taino boy keep telling his people not to welcome the Europeans? Why is he so afraid?

Why do you think the author chose the title Encounter for this book? How has your original title prediction changed?

Look closely at the picture on the last page. What do you notice about this picture? How is it different from the other pictures in the story? Consider the character, his facial expression, the setting and the background.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_conquest_of_Mexico The Spanish Conquest of Mexico

Read the author’s note on the last page of Encounter.What are some questions you still have about Christopher Columbus or the Taino Tribe? Come up with 3 new questions you have about Columbus and 3 new questions about the Taino tribe. Visit the websites below to help you answer your questions. You can record your questions and answers in your Reader Response Journals.

Christopher Columbushttp://www.hartford-hwp.com/Taino/docs/columbus.htmlhttp://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/christophercolumbus/Christopher_Columbus.htmhttp://www.nativeamericans.com/ChristopherColumbus.htmhttp://www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/btt/columbus/native_peoples.shtmlTaino Tribehttp://www.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtmlhttp://www.taino-tribe.org/http://www.lasculturas.com/articles/14-culture-a-identity/22-the-taino-survivalhttp://www.commondreams.org/views04/1011-27.htm

http://www.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtmlhttp://www.taino-tribe.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%C3%ADnohttp://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Taino%20Gold.htmhttp://www.lasculturas.com/articles/14-culture-a-identity/22-the-taino-survivalhttp://www.commondreams.org/views04/1011-27.htmhttp://www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/btt/columbus/

native_peoples.shtml

Encounter picture:ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JGY7CNDHL._S...