![]() Teaching Resources for Series' Books
These can be used independently or in connection to a visit from Dr. Winmilawe. On this page you will find: Crafts that complement the books; Lesson plan ideas and a matching game; Common Core Standards that students can address. |

Crafts
For Shango's Son: Make a Bata Drum
1. Take 2 paper cups [or yogurt or other containers], one smaller than the other.
2. Cut out the bottoms.
3. Tape the open bottoms of the cups together. You can use masking or bandaging tape.
4. Place wax paper on the top ends and secure the paper with rubber bands.
5. Paint the cups (and tape) red [or red and white] for Shango.
6. Use chopsticks for drum sticks.
For Obatala's Daughter Discovers True Friends: Make a Shekere
Click these words to see a different website that has various shekere instructions:)
There are many craft ideas to do with the books. See: ‘103 Things To Do With Readings’ http://www.readingrockets.org/article/82/
Lesson Plan: A Memory, Matching or Research Exercise
These are real life photos taken in or in reference to Yorubaland Nigeria. Such photos inspired the illustrators to create different parts of the images. They strove for cultural authenticity and you can learn so much from the details in the illustrations. Can you find which pages these images match? Can you find real life photos on your own that may have inspired the illustrators? *The captions arise upon placing your cursor over the photo, use this feature only after doing the matching game or it may spoil the game!
For Shango's Son: Make a Bata Drum
1. Take 2 paper cups [or yogurt or other containers], one smaller than the other.
2. Cut out the bottoms.
3. Tape the open bottoms of the cups together. You can use masking or bandaging tape.
4. Place wax paper on the top ends and secure the paper with rubber bands.
5. Paint the cups (and tape) red [or red and white] for Shango.
6. Use chopsticks for drum sticks.
For Obatala's Daughter Discovers True Friends: Make a Shekere
Click these words to see a different website that has various shekere instructions:)
There are many craft ideas to do with the books. See: ‘103 Things To Do With Readings’ http://www.readingrockets.org/article/82/
Lesson Plan: A Memory, Matching or Research Exercise
These are real life photos taken in or in reference to Yorubaland Nigeria. Such photos inspired the illustrators to create different parts of the images. They strove for cultural authenticity and you can learn so much from the details in the illustrations. Can you find which pages these images match? Can you find real life photos on your own that may have inspired the illustrators? *The captions arise upon placing your cursor over the photo, use this feature only after doing the matching game or it may spoil the game!
There are many lesson plans that can adapt to these books. See: ‘103 Things To Do With Readings’ http://www.readingrockets.org/article/82/
Common Core Standards that students can address with series' books:
Grade Common Core Standards students can address via Shango’s Son
K5 Identify details and vocabulary. Compare with similar stories.
1 Discuss central message(s). Note words that appeal to the senses.
2-3 Learn about a folktale from a foreign culture. Describe character
responses to challenges.
4-5 Analyze text that uses significant mythological characters.
Compare traditional literature from diverse cultures.
6 - Graduate Example of a historically significant African culture before 1600.
Research foundation for learning some “characteristics of culture[s].”
Common Core Standards that students can address with series' books:
Grade Common Core Standards students can address via Shango’s Son
K5 Identify details and vocabulary. Compare with similar stories.
1 Discuss central message(s). Note words that appeal to the senses.
2-3 Learn about a folktale from a foreign culture. Describe character
responses to challenges.
4-5 Analyze text that uses significant mythological characters.
Compare traditional literature from diverse cultures.
6 - Graduate Example of a historically significant African culture before 1600.
Research foundation for learning some “characteristics of culture[s].”