The Great Kapok Tree RAFT Assignment ELA/Grade 1
Text-dependent Questions to use with The Great Kapoke Tree during Instructional Input:
1. What did the snake mean when he called the tree a “tree of miracles”?
2. How was the bee’s conversation with the sleeping man like or unlike that of the snake’s?
3. Why did the monkeys think, “the forest (would) become a desert” because of the sleeping man’s actions?
4. What do you picture as you read the toucan’s conversation with the sleeping man?
5. The frog spoke to the man in a “squeaky voice” but how was his message loud and clear? What was the message?
6. Why was the jaguar not “noticed” as he spoke to the man as the other animals were?
7. How was what the jaguar said to the man more of a selfish request? How was it also not selfish?
8. To what were the porcupines referring when they told the man that he “will destroy that which gives us all life?” Why was this important?
9. Why do you think the author had the anteaters visit the sleeping man with their children on their backs?
10. A “feast” usually refers to a large amount of food for a special occasion. Why does the author use the word “feast” when having the slot ask the man “on what would (he) feast (his) eyes?” What is he referring to?
11. The rainforest child was the last one to speak to the sleeping man. Why do you think the author had him as the last speaker?
12. After all the talking, it was “strangely silent” when the man awoke. Why? Why did the author create this silence at that time?
13. What was the effect of the conversations on the man?
14. What was the author’s purpose in having such a large variety of animals speak to the man?
15. How were all the animals’ conversations the same? What did they all say?
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA State Board of Education | Department of Public Instruction
AIG ~ IRP Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project