If you'd like to add some folklore to your homeschool, "The Magic Pomegranate: A Jewish Folktale," is a delightful story for children in grades 2-4. This title is part of the On My Own Folklore series and is about three Jewish brothers that embark on separate journeys in which they each set out to find a unique gift.
I actually wrote these questions for my 5th grader because sometimes it's nice to read something for school that is below grade level. :)
The Magic Pomegranate Comprehension Questions {Click title to download for free}
Questions
1. What is a
folktale?
2. Where did
each brother go, and what gift did each bother bring back?
First brother:
Second brother:
Third brother:
3. What was
special and unique about each gift?
4. Whom did
the princess choose to marry and why?
5. What is a
cumulative tale?
6. Why did
the author change the healing element from an apple or potion to a pomegranate?
7. What does
pomegranate mean in Latin? In French?
Latin:
French:
8. What is
the Torah? Do some extra research and find out what is included in the Torah.
9. If you could go on a journey, where would you
want to go? What would you want to find?
(It can be imaginary if you like.)
The Magic Pomegranate Answer Key {Click title to download for free}
Questions
1. What is a
folktale?
A
folktale is a superstitious story or legend which originates in popular culture
and is typically passed down by word of mouth.
2. Where did
each brother go, and what gift did each bother bring back?
First brother: West
– magic glass
Second brother: East
– magic carpet
Third brother: South
– magic pomegranate
3. What was
special about each gift?
The magic glass enabled a person to see the most
distant corners of the kingdom. The magic carpet could take a person anywhere
he/she wanted to go. The magic pomegranate brought healing to a sick princess
who was near death.
4. Whom did
the princess choose to marry and why?
The
princess chose the youngest brother because she thought he performed the
greatest deed by giving up something of his own.
5. What is a
cumulative tale, and how does The Magic Pomegranate fit this description?
A
cumulative tale is a story in which several people contribute to the solution
of a problem. In The Magic Pomegranate, three brothers use their gifts in order
to help cure the princess.
6. Why did
the author change the healing element from an apple or potion to a pomegranate?
The
author thinks the pomegranate has a great deal of symbolism in Judaism. Jewish
tradition says that a pomegranate contains 613 kernels which represent the 613
good deeds a Jew should perform. The fruit is mentioned in the Bible, and it is
called one of the seven choice fruits of Israel. Also, children sitting in a
row studying the Torah are compared to pomegranate kernels in Song of Songs Rabba (6:11).
7. What does
pomegranate mean in Latin? In French?
Latin: pomum granatum – “apple
having many seeds”
French: pome garnete – “seeded apple”
8. What is
the Torah? Do some extra research and find out what is included in the Torah.
The
Torah is the Jewish Bible, the most sacred Jewish text. It is a scrolled
parchment that contains the first five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In a broader sense, it also includes all
Jewish law and tradition and other important Jewish writings. (http://www.jewfaq.org/torah.htm, http://mentalfloss.com/article/28878/7-things-you-need-know-about-torah, and http://www.chabad.org/library/howto/wizard_cdo/aid/351655/jewish/Torah-Scroll-Facts.htm have some good
information.)
9. If you could go on a journey, where would you
want to go? What would you want to find?
(It can be imaginary if you like.)
Answers
will vary.
You should be able to find this title at your local library, but if not, Amazon has it.
Other On My Own Folklore titles include: (We have not read these yet.)
P.S. This might be a good time to eat a pomegranate with your kids if they've never had one! Try counting the arils (seed pods) as well. Here's how to properly cut and eat one - at least it's how I do it. ;)
Linked to: Hip Homeschool Hop, The Homeschool Link Up, WFMW, A Little Bird Told Me, Literacy Musing Mondays
affiliate links included in this post
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