1. Rikki-tikki-tavi By Rudyard Kipling

2. Before Reading: Build Background Title the next available page of your literature notebook, “Rikki-tikki-tavi.” Read the Build Background section on page 121 in your literature book. In your literature notebook, record at least 3 predictions about the story based only on the background information given.

3. Before Reading: Build Background Britain first became interested in India in the 1500s, after the Portuguese ad established a thriving spice trade. They recognized the profitability of this trade and wanted to compete with the Portuguese. East India Company was established in 1599 by a group of London merchants. It had a charter from the British government that granted it exclusive trading rights in the East Indies and power to maintain an army and navy, declare war, and govern new territories. Indians rebelled against the East India Company in 1857. The British government stepped in and took control of India. India remained a British colony until 1947, when it gained its independence after a century-long struggle with the British government.

4. Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary Context Clues and Synonyms Number from 1-5 in your LNb. Use context clues to determine a 1 word synonym for each underlined word. Record and be ready to share. He cunningly planned a surprise attack. Teddy received consolation from his mother after his frightening experience. The muskrat wasted no time as he scuttled into his hole. Timid creatures cowered in fear when the cobras appeared. After Chuchumdra collapsed in fear, it took the other animals several minutes to revive him and get him back on his feet.

5. Reading 1: Understand Personification Write your own personal definition of personification in your LNb. Briefly write about two stories or movies you have read or seen that included personification. What effect did it have on the stories/films? How do you feel about personification? Be prepared to share with your partner and the class.

6. Group Discussion Questions What do Nagaina, Darzee’s wife, and Teddy’s mother all have in common? Why do Nag and Nagaina plan to kill Teddy and his parents? What human characteristics does Darzee display? Think about his thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Why does Rikki-tikki-tavi risk his life to protect the people who live in the house? Why isn’t Rikki-tikki sympathetic to Nagaina’s plea to spare her last egg and let them “go away and never come back”?

7. Reading 2: Understanding Point of View 1 st Person: The narrator is a character in the story (usually the main character). Narrator uses the words I and me throughout the text. 3 rd Person, Objective: The narrator is only an observer and tells readers only about the action and dialogue that takes place. The narrator does not talk about the thoughts and feelings of the characters; readers draw conclusions by their own inferences. 3 rd Person, Limited Omniscient: The narrator is not involved in the story and tells what one character thinks, feels, and observes. The reader does not learn about the experiences of the other characters.

8. Reading 2: Understanding Point of View 3 rd Person Omniscient: The narrator is not involved in the story but is omniscient, or all-knowing. The narrator knows and can explain the thoughts of all of the story’s characters and can even add information that none of the characters know. 2 nd Person: The narrator steps out of the action of the story to speak directly to the readers. Includes how-to pieces. Can be recognized by the use of the pronoun, you. This occurs twice in “Rikki-tikki-tavi.” Work with a partner to find the two examples.

9. Reading 3: Reviewing Conflict Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. External conflicts occur between a character and some outside force. Character v. Character Character v. Nature Character v. Society Internal conflicts are invisible, occurring within a character’s mind. Character v. Self Create a chart like the one on the next page and complete it with a partner:

10. Reading 3: Reviewing Conflict Type of ConflictExample from “Rikki-tikki-tavi” Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Self

11. After Reading: Comparing the Text to Film Fill out the Viewing Activity worksheet while watching “Rikki- Tikki-Tavi.” You may want to take notes in your LNb and then use those to answer the questions on the worksheet.