1. The Scarlet Ibis
By James Hurst

2. What emotions are the color red generally associated with?

3. What things in ordinary life are red?

4. Have you ever been ashamed of your family members?
And… is it okay to feel that way?

5. Pride
Pride is a feeling of satisfaction gained from one’s own achievements.
Being prideful means having or showing arrogant superiority to others, viewing others as unworthy.
The theme of pride is related through the narrator’s dialogue. As we read, look for important passages that are related to this theme.

6. This is a Scarlet Ibis!

7. About the Scarlet Ibis
Both the male and female ibis take turns guarding their nest and feeding their chicks until they are large enough to defend themselves.

8. About the Scarlet Ibis
The ibises are quiet birds.

9. About the Scarlet Ibis
The brilliant red color of the scarlet ibis comes from carotene found in the crustaceans on which they feed.

10. About the Scarlet Ibis
Ibises are an ancient species with fossil records going back 60 million years.
Ibises can live up to 20 years in the wild and up to 31 years in captivity.

11. Yes… they fly!

12. About the Scarlet Ibis
Their range extends from northern South America southward along the coast of Brazil.
Scarlet ibises are occasional visitors to Florida.

13. About the Scarlet Ibis
Ibises make their nests and sleep in large groups in the mangrove trees.

14. Symbolism
A symbol is an object, person, animal, or event that stands for something more than itself.
Public Symbols are common and known to most people. (Example = Dove is for peace; Cross is for Christianity)
In literature, an author can invent a symbol linking an object to a character or event in the story.