Willa's New World Study Guide - Coteau Books

Moon
(Pages 201–209)
Moulting Moon: July,
When the Birds Moult their Feathers
(Pages 210–222)
Summary
Willa and Miki Siw meet Moon, Amelia’s mother, and Kino Sesis to begin their journey. Willa
finds it exhausting to hike over the rough terrain. When she is alone briefly she realizes how
dependent she is on the others. Kino Sesis is not friendly toward her.
Preparing to Read
� The journey will take weeks of walking. Is Willa prepared? Would you be? How will
she respond to the first days of walking? How will they know where to go?
After the Reading
� How would you describe the relationship between Willa and each of the others at the
beginning of their journey? Why does each feel the way she or he does?
� They leave following the Hayes River. What route will they take to get to Edmonton
House?
� Moon tells Willa that her people teach children how to think, not what to think.
What would be a good example of that?
� Miki Siw says, “...many of our people are now staying away from your people. Bad
things seem to follow when we meet you.” (Page 221.) Do you think he is right? What
bad things came to the First Nations people from their contact with Europeans?
� Kino Sesis laughs at Willa for bringing a map. Why doesn’t his family need a map for
this journey? Can you think of a situation where you would not need a map to get
to or from your house, but a stranger might?
Extending the Reading
� Reading Response Journal. Willa is horrified to realize that she has eaten more than
her share of pemmican. Has there been a time when you took more than your share
of something without realizing it? Tell about the incident. How did other people
react?
� Field Guide. Continue to add the names of plants and animals.
� Research: landscape of northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan west of
Hudson Bay.
� Vocabulary. Add to the chart as needed.
© Coteau Books, 2007. Teachers have permission from the author and publisher to make copies
of this guide for personal classroom use, personal reference, and student use.
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