The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis 
Group Projects / Discussions
Compare and contrast how Parvana and her family live to how you and your family live in one of these categories: housing, food, recreation, resources, education, language, clothing, or employment.
(Students can use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast)
What conclusions can you draw?
2. Listen to an Interview with the author Deborah Ellis
Deborah Ellis was interviewed by David Freeman of Relaxwithabook.com (link gone 10.10)
Written Interview fromThe Cooperative Children’s Book Center
3. Listen to Afghan Radio - Radio Free Europe
Record your thoughts while listening & then share them with the group .
4. Questions to Ask
a. Before looking at any maps, locate Afghanistan and the countries that surround Afghanistan - west, north, east, and south. Locate various cities. Use "Afghanistan: Land in Crisis" blank map. Correct.
b. Look at a physical map. Gather information on the elevation, mountain ranges, etc. What can you tell about the landscape in Afghanistan. Where are the mountains? What about the rivers and water source?
c. Locate and circle Kabul on your map. Using an atlas or map, find the absolute location (approximate latitude and longitude) of Kabul. (Approximately 34.5 degrees N and 69 degrees East) Would Kabul be located nearer the latitude of Los Angeles or San Francisco? What kind of physical features do you see around Kabul?
d. Afghanistan is landlocked. What does it mean to be landlocked? Name other countries that you know are landlocked.
e. What do you notice about the north side of Afghanistan?
f. Based on this information, have students predict what it would be like to live in Afghanistan. How would they adapt to living there?
9. Science of Carrying Water
The Water: Parvana was asked to fetch pails of water. Maryam was too young. Mother and Nooria couldn't go out without their burqas and besides it was dangerous to go outside without a man. She made six trips to the neighborhood tap and climbed three flights of stairs after each trip. Finally, the tank was full and Parvana took off her sandals and hung up her chador.
- Fill a pail with water
- Determine its volume and/or weight
- Try carrying it up our one flight of stairs
- Share your thoughts with your group
10. How big is Parvana's home?
- Measure out the size of Parvana's home in Kadahar
- Now add all the people in her family
- Lie down and see how much room is used for sleeping
- How does this compare to your home?
11. OR Home is Just a Room
Draw a scaled map of the room using this description.
"All the furniture they owned had been destroyed by bombs or were stolen by looters. They now had a tall wooden cupboard and two toshaks that were set against the walls. A cheap matting lay over the cement floor. Parvana could walk ten steps across one way and twelve steps the other way. At the end of the room was the lavatory with a platform toilet. Near the toilet was the propane cookstove with a tiny vent high in the wall. The water tank, a metal drum, and the wash basin were also there."
13. Try a Game
15. Several Lesson Plans to Try
16. Scholastic - Kids in Afghanistan
- Ask Afghan Kids! You asked the questions, now read their answers. Click here for an amazing slideshow.
18. Embassy of Afghanistan
- For Teachers: Lesson Plans
- Lesson Plan #1
Afghanistan: Its People, Places and Culture - Lesson Plan #2
Afghanistan: A Rich History - Lesson Plan #3
Greetings Friends From Other Places - Lesson Plan #4
Who are the Afghans? - Lesson Plan #5
Humanitarian Issues in Afghanistan
- Lesson Plan #1
- Kids Corner Slide Show (Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation)
Art
Music
- National Geographic - Music of Afghanistan - you can listen w/o buying
- Video clip of Afghan folk song and music!
The Art of Gudiparan bazi - Flying Dolls
Kites in Afhganastan: 
