Literacy Map of Argentina

1. Literacy Map of Argentina By: Melissa Caride Nicole Lorenzo

2. Argentina San Antonio de Areco is host to the annual Gaucho Festival. Eva “Evita” Peron, wife of President Juan Domingo Peron was born in Los Toldos. Las Pampas, were the drought occurred in The Magic Bean Tree The Capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires. Quote Tierra del Fuego, southern most point of South America Annotated Bibliography Quick Facts about Argentina In-depth Analysis

3. Quick Facts • Capital: Buenos Aires • Basic unit of Money: Peso • Official Language: Spanish • Major Religion: Roman Catholic • President: Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner • Population: 40,301, 927 people (2007 census) • Popular sports: Soccer (Football), volleyball, basketball, rugby, tennis • Music: Tango, Argentinean rock and classical President of Argentina Back to the Map

4. The Magic Bean Tree:A Legend from Argentina Quote from the book Summary of Book Annotated Bibliography Biographical Information: Van Laan, Nancy. 1998. Houghton Mifflin, New York. Grades 1 and up. In-depth Analysis of Style In-depth Analysis of Plot Back to the Map

5. Quote from The Magic Bean Tree “All through the night the rain poured on the pampas, filling up its rivers and turning its brown grass green. When the sky cleared at sunrise, the mighty branches of the carob tree shook, covering the ground with golden-red beans. These were a gift for Topec, for being so brave and for finding a way to bring back the rain.” Back to The Magic Bean Tree Back to the Map

6. The Magic Bean TreeBy Nancy Van Laan Long ago, in the middle of the wide Argentine pampas there once grew a magic carob tree. When drought comes to the pampas, all the animals and people give up hope and stop praying to the gods. It is up to a young boy named Topec to go out in search of rain. He is blown to the carob tree by the North Wind, where he is told by the magical tree that it is the Great Bird of the Underworld that is preventing the rain from falling.  He must send away the Great Bird of the Underworld in order for the people's prayers for rain to be heard. Topec brings his entire village over to the carob tree and with the help of the animals they make enough noise to scare the bird away, allowing the gods to hear their prayers and finally send rain. The carob tree rewards Topec for his bravery by sending a shower of golden-red beans providing food for the people and spreading new trees throughout all of Argentina. This folktale explains why Argentineans believe that good luck can be found in the shade of a carob tree. Back to The Magic Bean Tree Back to the Map

7. In-depth Analysis of Style In Nancy Van Laan’sThe Magic Bean Tree: A Legend From Argentina, the use of description and figurative language make this ancient legend come to life. From the first page, readers are lured into the story by the sequence of descriptions which illustrate the story’s setting of being in the Argentinean pampas during a drought. The author explains the conflict of the story using vivid language such as, “hot sun scorched” and “fierce and hot” to explain the intensity of the sun during this time. The author goes on to portray the effects of the sun on the animals and people by explaining that the “armadillos rolled into balls” and the “rheas with wing-covered heads” all hid from the sun. As the story progresses the descriptions shift from devastation to renewed life. “The sky cleared at sunrise, the mighty branches of the carob tree shook, covering the ground with golden-red beans” demonstrates the importance of the legend to Argentinean culture because without these beans the people and animals would not have survived after the drought since everything else was dead. Continued….

8. In-depth Analysis of Style, continued. Furthermore, the imagery created by the author’s use of figurative language enhances the legend. Van Laan uses similes, such as “the carob tree stretched toward the sky like a green umbrella,” to introduce the main symbolic element of the story. This “carob tree” becomes an icon for Argentineans, representing the legend as well as good luck. During the climax, “the upper branches of the carob tree swayed as though pushed by a sudden storm” is another example of how similes were incorporated in the telling of this legend. Van Laan includes onomatopoeia to describe the scene where the Great Bird of the Underworld was scared away by the people and animals of the pampas. “Au-Auk! Au-Auk!” was the frightened sounds of the wicked bird. These elements of style are interwoven with narrations and dialogue to create mood and rhythm throughout the story. Van Laan effectively evokes all five senses to engage and intrigue the reader. This serves to create a memorable lesson from which we can all learn about the importance of perseverance, bravery and hope. Back to The Magic Bean Tree Back to the Map In-depth Analysis of Plot

9. In-depth Analysis of Plot Nancy Van Laan tells with excitement this Argentinean legend explaining why good luck is associated with the carob tree. Its simple plot is intended for a young audience and develops naturally. Vivid descriptions of a “long ago time” create an effective beginning for The Magic Bean Tree. An immediate description of a “summer when no rain fell” quickly sets up the conflict and lures in readers. The animals as well as Topec’s tribe had all stopped praying, “for what could they do? …the gods of the Great Sky World no longer talked.” Van Laan’s word choice creates the image of desperation felt by all the inhabitants of the pampas. The events of the story continue in chronological order, with Topec setting out to find the rain and bring it back. There exists a clear climax when Topec leads his people to the carob tree to scare the Great Bird of the Underworld away in hopes that the gods will then hear his prayers. When the rains finally fall the readers can sense the happiness of the people and the animals seen in the illustrations. The illustrations are crucial to the development of plot in the story and go hand in hand with the text. The text and illustrations combined sustain the interest of the readers throughout the entire retelling of the legend. Continued….

10. In-depth Analysis of Plot, continued. The magic bean tree legend utilizes person against nature conflict to teach the importance of courage and faith. Nature, in the form of the Great Bird of the Underworld, is the antagonist that Topec must fight against. Van Laan thoroughly describes the environment so that readers can travel through the withering and crumbling highlands alongside Topec. She encourages readers to visualize the harsh landscape where “plants crumbled as [Topec] walked” and “dust burned his eyes.” Despite these attacks from nature, Topec struggles to find a solution even after everyone else has given up hope. Elements of nature are personified in the form of gods such as “Great Bird of the Underworld,” “Life Giver,” “Pachamama,” and “Pampero.” Other elements of nature such as the river, north wind and carob tree also speak to Topec throughout his journey to find rain. After experiencing such extreme conditions, readers can share in the happiness of the pampas people when the rain finally does fall. Van Laan’s simple plot structure and person versus nature conflict development entice readers to become involved in the action. The vivid descriptions and illustrations aid in making the magic bean tree legend memorable for all. Back to The Magic Bean Tree Back to the Map

11. Tierra del FuegoA Journey to the End of the Earth • Lourie, Peter. 2002. Boyds Mills Press. Honesdale, Pennsylvania. • Grades 4 through 7. This book tells the story of the author's journey to the tip of South America, known as the land of fire, the closest point to Antarctica. However, this is not your typical documentation of a trip but an interwoven story of history with one man’s quest for knowledge and adventure. From Ferdinand Magellan to Charles Darwin are incorporated into this non-fiction book. The book also includes amazing photos of everything Lourie sees and experiences while on this journey. Maps are well integrated to highlight the special circumstances this land possesses, such as its islands and glaciers. Click map for a larger view More Books Back to the Map

12. Tierra del Fuego Back to Tierra del Fuego

13. Argentina in Pictures Part of the Visual Geography Series, this concise informational book talks about the political aspect of Argentina such as its history and government as well as the culture including customs, food, and dance. Its abundance of photographs brings to life this wonderful South American country. • Streissguth, Tom. 2003. Lerner Publications Company, Minneapolis. • Grades 3 and up. More Books Back to the Map

14. Argentina: True Book Series • Burgan, Michael. 1999. Children’s Press. New York. • Grade 2 and up This short child friendly book is ideal for young readers interested in learning about Argentina. A general overview of the country’s history, geography and culture is presented using simple vocabulary and large print. Large full-colored pictures supplement the text making it appealing for primary aged students. More Books Back to the Map

15. Eva Peron: First Lady of Argentina • Stille, Darlene. 2006. Compass Point Books. • Grades 3 to 8. This book provides insight into the life of one of the most well-known Argentinean women, Eva Peron. Although she is a quite controversial woman, this biography provides an objective view of her life. It also includes a timeline to help students keep track of her infamous life. It is a great read for young students. More Books Back to the Map