1a. About what does Susanoo complain? What does Susanoo's father tell him?
2a. What does Amaterasu do with Susanoo's sword? What does he do with her necklaces? What does Susanoo do after their argument?
3a. Why does Amaterasu hide in the cave? What plan do the good spirits develop to draw her out?
4a. What does Susanoo do when he is angry? What happens when Amaterasu goes into the cave? What natural occurrences might cause these results?
5a. How do you think the people who first told this story felt about Susanoo? How can you tell? Do you agree with the gods' opinion of Susanoo, and their decision to throw him out of heaven? Why, or why not?
1b. Why do you think Susanoo acts this way?
2b. What does this incident indicate about Susanoo's character?
3b. Why are the good spirits concerned about Amaterasu staying in the cave? Does Amaterasu mind being tricked? Why, or why not?
4b. What might this story be trying to explain about the natural world?
5b. If you were in Susanoo's place, how would you feel about not being able to see your mother and about being chosen as god of the sea rather than god of the sky? In what way would you handle the situation? Explain.
Characterization. Using a cluster chart like the one below, fill in information you learn from the story about Susanoo. How does the writer create the character Susanoo?
Conflict. Describe the conflict in "Amaterasu." How does the conflict begin? How is it resolved?
1. Imagine you need to provide this sketch to a company planning an animated movie about Amaterasu. Write a brief character sketch of Amaterasu, using the information you gathered in your graphic organizer.
2. Imagine you are Susanoo and that you are feeling remorseful about the way you acted. Write an apology addressed to your sister, father, and others who were affected by your actions.
3. As official meteorologist of Japan during the time this story takes place, write a weather report. Use elements of the myth to explain the recent weather conditions, and predict what will happen next in the weather.
Researching Sun Deities. Many cultures have powerful gods and goddesses of the sun. In groups of four students, research sun gods and goddesses in myths around the world. You may find some examples earlier in this unit. Find at least five examples of sun deities (gods or goddesses). Next, use posterboard and magic markers to make a chart like the one below, listing the names of the deities, the culture in which they were worshipped, and their main characteristics. As you conduct your research, be sure to make bibliographic notes of the sources you use. See the Language Arts Survey 4.20, "Formal Note-taking."
Using Words as Different Parts of Speech. Many words can be used as more than one part of speech. For example, the word chant is used as a verb in "Amaterasu," but it can also be used as a noun meaning "a simple song or melody." For each of the following words, identify two parts of speech and write a sentence for each usage. If necessary, you may use a different form of the verb in your sentence.
Example: iron The cannons at the fort are made of iron. (noun) I do not like to iron my clothes. (verb)
1. hit
2. defeat
3. encounter
4. play
5. build
6. fly
7. trace
8. flop
9. plant
10. look
Correcting Sentence Fragments. A sentence contains a subject and a verb and should express a complete thought. A sentence fragment is a phrase or clause that does not express a complete thought but is punctuated as though it did. See the Language Arts Survey 2.12, "Correcting Sentence Fragments," for examples. Then, correct the sentence fragments below by adding words to them or attaching them to complete sentences. If a sentence is already complete, simply write Complete on your paper.
Example: Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun. Susanoo the god of the sea. Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun, and Susanoo is the god of the sea.
1. Susanoo was upset. About the fact that he could not visit his mother.
2. His sister had received the jewelled necklace of heaven.
3. He went off in a bad mood, stamping his feet. To look for his sister.
4. Amaterasu was frightened. Hearing all the noise.
5. She broke his sword, and turned it into three little daughters.
6. Amaterasu ran into the cave. When her brother destroyed the rice fields.
7. The spirits decided that. They must lure Amaterasu out of the cave.
8. So they hung a mirror on a tree. Making the vain Amaterasu come out.
9. Amaterasu didn't mind coming out of the cave. Because she was lonely.
10. The spirits punished Susanoo by cutting off his pigtail and throwing him out of heaven.
