Rain Dance
Phantom stallion Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Rosemary Aswani's book, Rain Dance, tells the story of a young girl in Kenya and her perceptions of and relationship with the rain. Through her eyes, readers experience the comforting and joyful music of the rain, complemented by colourful woodcut illustrations by Elizabeth Webb. The book is written with vocabulary suitable for an older child. It also includes suggestions for classroom use, focusing on literacy, the arts, and social studies, making it an ideal educational tool for primary grades, especially Grade 2, which studies 'Traditions Around the World'.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
30 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the rain dance symbolizes in the story?
How do you feel when it rains? What are some activities you enjoy doing during rainy days?
Why do you think the village people were excited about the rain dance?
Can you think of a time when you worked together with others to achieve something important? How did it feel?
What lessons can we learn about nature and the environment from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share personal experiences related to weather and community activities to connect with the story.
Discuss the cultural aspects of the book and explore any similar traditions your family or community might have.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book, then describe what’s happening and why it’s significant.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to highlight the excitement and emotions in the story, adjusting your voice for different characters.
After reading, consider watching videos or looking up information about rain dances and their significance in various cultures to deepen the understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Rain Dance,' the characters show compassion by helping others during a challenging rainy season, which demonstrates the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and offer help or support, fostering a sense of community and kindness.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The book highlights the animals working together to solve problems caused by the rain, illustrating how teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by collaborating with peers in school projects or in sports, learning that cooperation is key to achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The characters adapt to the disruptions caused by continuous rain, teaching kids the importance of being flexible and resilient in the face of changes or challenges.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson to adjust to new situations, whether it’s moving to a new school or dealing with changes in their daily routines.
Example Lesson: Importance of Nature and Environment
Explanation: Through the story's setting and plot, children learn about the natural elements like rain and the impact they have on habitats, stressing an environmental consciousness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more environmentally aware and promotes activities like recycling and conserving water at home or school.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: As the characters come up with inventive ideas to deal with the rain, it showcases how creativity can be applied to problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think creatively when faced with obstacles, using their imagination to find solutions in everyday life.