November: Historical
A Girl Named Disaster
Activity #1: (RESEARCH/ART) Choose one aspect of African life (geography,
animals, food, family traditions, or medicine). Research your area of interest
as Nhamo experiences it. Create an artistic collage using pictures or drawings
that explains African life as depicted in the novel. In addition to showing
the researched information, make connections to the novel by explaining
how the researched information relates to Nhamo's life journey.
Activity #2: (DRAMA) Create a skit that shows how the village reacted
when they realized Nhamo had escaped during the night. In groups of 5, assume
the roles of Aunt Chipo, Masvita, Uncle Kufa, Ambuya, and Zororo Mtoko.
Be sure to stay in character as you act out their responses and actions.
Add to your skit by dressing and using props that help to set the scene.
Activity #3: (WRITING) A large part of Nhamo's cultural tradition is
storytelling. Write your own myth or legend that explains some phenomenon
of American culture. Model your story after the structure and language of
Nhamo's tales.
A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer was published in 1996 by
Penguin Books, NY NY.
For information on the author NANCY
FARMER. | 
