PROJECTS - LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

Agor’s house is made of sticks and mud.  You can get an idea of how they put it together by making a small model out of toothpicks and clay.  Build three solid walls of equal height by packing clay between the toothpicks.  Make a simple square house, with no windows, and leave the fourth side open in the front for the entrance.  Fires burned in the middle of that open space.  And remember, they would keep the open area facing away from the prevailing wind to keep smoke from coming inside. The roof was undoubtedly flat, perhaps at an angle so rain and snow could run off it.  

Gonther’s house is much larger.  It is made of logs rather than branches and is large enough to house many families.  Inside, each family marks out individual spaces by outlining them with stones.  At the peak of each roof top is a long, narrow opening for smoke from fires to escape.  Draw a house like this.  Show the outside and then design a number of family spaces inside.

The Gouger that Agor fights in the beginning of the book is wild boar.  Wild boars are dangerous beasts.  Look up wild boars in an encyclopedia or on the internet to learn why Agor would be so frightened of one.  Draw a picture of one.

Agor’s worst enemy and the creature who killed his father is a Bear.  In the story it is called a Growler.  Research bears and different areas in which they live.  Draw a picture of something scary to you, or a picture of Agor fighting the boar or coming face to face with the Growler.

After Berlan hurts Ronoldo, Franken must figure out how to get him home.  Orek tells him about a method his clan uses to carry things behind animals and each other.  It is what we call today a travois.  Learn why wheels make it easier to transport something instead of dragging it along the ground.

Brota is a wolf that Gonther and his family have tamed.  Find out about animals today that are trained for different purposes.   For instance, some dogs are trained as seeing-eye dogs. 

In all the stories, Gonther’s use of slings is very important.  He shares this knowledge with everyone in return for learning something new.  Look up the design of slings.  Why are they better for hunting from a distance? 

Agor and Gonther wonder what the Land of Fire and Ice will look like.  When the sun shines on the snowy, icy land, the boys understand why it is called the Land of Fire and Ice because while the sun is reflected in all colors, including bright yellows, reds and oranges (like a fire), it is a land full of ice, reflecting those colors.  Look up prisms and crystals and refraction of light to make rainbows.

When Maida rescues the boys from the hunters she is wearing white fur.  In order to hide the boys who are wearing dark furs, she pushes them into a small opening and then lies closest to the opening so the hunters won’t see them.  Look up camouflage and the way some animals, including lizards and rabbits use it to protect themselves. 

Grandfather tells the boys about using strips of leather with tiny holes in them to protect their eyes against the glare of the sun.  He also talks about how to protect yourself against the cold by layering clothes.  Find out what materials today can be used for outdoor camping, protection from the sun and keeping warm.

The Light Master sprinkles colors in the sky.  We know colors in the northern skies as aurora borealis.  Look up information about aurora borealis and paint a picture of what you think the lights would look like.

Beauty, the Beast with the Golden Horn, is a unicorn.  They are creatures of myths or stories with supernatural creatures.  Write a myth of your own, using a unicorn as a character.