1. Critical Thinking
7th grade

2. Novel study Practice – Rikki Tikki Tavi (video)
Task: Watch the video and be prepared to analyze characters and themes, make text connections, and think of questions

3. Novel Study Set-up - I do/We do: CHaracters
Character Name
*Detailed Description (will be on going)
Protagonist or Antagonist (why?)
Major or Minor
Rikki Tikki Tavi
Mongoose; extremely fast; very curious; naïve about dangers; brave; loyal to humans
Protagonist because he stands up to the cobras to protect his new family
major
Teddy
Child/son of family; thoughtful to take care of animal; average boy; adventurous; plays outside; loves Rikki
Protagonist because he nice and helpful, listens to his parents and does the right thing
minor
Nag
Cobra; extremely confident at first; strong and deadly; very ominous; proud of heritage; becomes too proud at the end
Antagonist because he attacks other animals and the family
Major*
Nagaina
YOU DO
Darzee (bird)

4. Novel Practice – I do/We do:
Novel Practice – I do/We do: Text Connections – need at least 2 per category
Text to Text (reminds you of another book/story-be specific)
Text to Self (something-character, event, etc. reminds you of something you’ve experienced)
Text to World (reminds you of events happening or have happened in the world)
“Rikki Tikki Tavi” reminds me of “The Jungle Book” because in both the major conflict is between competing animals in their habitat. Both stories have very sinister antagonists (Nag/Nagaina and the Panther), however, the protagonist is able to defeat them.
YOU DO
When Rikki is caught in the storm and nearly drowned it reminded me of the time when I nearly drowned in a pool. I went to the deep end even though I couldn’t swim well and started to sink. Apparently my father jumped in and pulled me out, because I woke up on the pool deck with everyone around me.
This story is very similar to the issue of deforestation to me. When the forests and jungles are destroyed animals have to retreat elsewhere, typically bring them closer to humans. Depending on the species, this can create a clash of worlds because both humans and animals are fighting to survive.

5. Novel Study Set-up – I do/We do:
Things I do not understand
Things I’d like to know more about
I don’t understand why the cobras would choose to live so close to humans, which could cause them stress.
YOU DO
Are storms and flooding frequent in that area?

6. Novel Study Set-up – I do/We do:
Theme from the story (3)
Specific support from the text
Family does not have to be those related by blood
YOU DO
In the story “Rikki Tikki Tavi”, a human family rescued a washed up mongoose out of the kindness of their heart. They nurse him back to health, feed him, and grow to love him as a pet. When Rikki learns of the deadly cobras, Nag and Nagaina, he is determined to protect his new family at all costs. The father remarks, “He is safer with that little mongoose around him than anything we could ever do”.
2. YOU DO

7. “Nagaina” Novel Study Practice (spin off from “Rikki Tikki Tavi”)
Objective: to critically analyze the story focusing on characterization and theme
We will read the short story together
As we read, begin completing information for each section of the novel study (characters, connections questions, themes)
When we finish reading:
You should have all characters listed with some info
You should have at least 8 questions total
You may have some connections already
You may have some ideas for theme

8. Group Discussion
Take minutes to discuss the story overall; then share and discuss questions you have as you read

9. Independent WOrk
Independently and quietly complete the study on your own – 30 minutes