Reading Connections compiled by Michael Pickett |During Reading|After Reading| Before Connections 1. The Hidden Ireland: The Guide to Irish Fairies, “The Leprechaun,” Retrieved January 28, 2007 from the website: http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html a. This short article will give students a knowledge of the traditional views of leprechauns so that they will better understand how Eoin Colfer plays with those traditions in Artemis Fowl. 2. Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Film. 1959. a. This film will introduce students to Irish culture and the mythology surrounding the leprechaun. 3. Worksheet Question: Artemis Fowl has a tradition of theft in his family. Going back to the Middle Ages, all of the Fowls have been thieves. What sorts of traditions are prevalent in your family? What traditions do you want to pass on to your children? 4. Worksheet Question: With what you know about leprechaun traditions (after number 1 or 2), what do you think leprechauns would be like in our modern world? What would they do? How would they dress? 5. Worksheet Question: In Artemis Fowl, if a faerie breaks a law it looses it’s magic. What are some laws that you think the faeries would have? 6. The Hidden Ireland: The Guide to Irish Faeries, “The Leprechaun Watch,” Retrieved January 28, 2007 from the website: http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/webcam.htm a. At this site, the students can see an actual faerie ring and they can read some of the accounts of leprechaun sightings. Who knows? Maybe they’ll catch a glimpse of one, too. 7. McDonald, C. M. “Eoin Colfer—An Exclusive Interview,” 2003. Retrieved January 28, 2007 from the website: http://www.modestyarbor.com/eoincolfer.html a. This interview will introduce students to Colfer as a person and as a writer. It will help the students understand why he writes the books that he does and will give them a glimpse into how the author does what he does. 8. Worksheet Question: In Artemis Fowl there is a faerie city underneath the ground. In this city there are gnomes, dwarfs, faeries, trolls, and other mythological creatures. If you were a citizen of this city what kind of creature would you be and why? What would your friends be? 9. Worksheet Question: Artemis Fowl comes from a very rich family with a Coat of Arms. Design a Coat of Arms for your family. 10. Worksheet Question: In Artemis Fowl the People (the faeries living underground) have their own written language of symbols. Make up your own symbolic language and write a message. During Connections 1. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: The faeries in Artemis Fowl have magical powers. List the things they can do as you find them. 2. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: What are some magical powers that you would like to have? 3. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: What would you do if you had these magical powers? 4. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: Why? 5. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: The faeries have a ceremony that they have to perform in order to renew their magical powers. What is a ceremony that you might do in order to renew your powers? 6. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: Have the students act out a scene. 7. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: Why do the People try to protect human beings? 8. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: How would you feel towards people who had unwittingly kicked you out of your home? 9. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: Why does Artemis want the faerie gold? What will he do with it? 10. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question: Have the students decipher the code on the front of the book using the Gnomish Decoder on artemisfowl.com. After Connections 1. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- Artemis Fowl uses half of the ransom money to help his mother. Does that change your opinion of what he did? Do the ends justify the means? 2. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- If you could have any wish, what would it be? 3. Michael Pickett, Activity- Write an interview with one of the characters from the book. Perform interviews in class. 4. Michael Pickett, project- have half of the students create a newscast that might be shown in the city of “the People.” How might they view the events? Have the other half create a newscast from a human perspective. How are they the same? How might they differ? 5. Michael Pickett, Extra Credit Activity- Decipher the code that runs throughout the entire book. 6. Michael Pickett, Activity- have the students write their own messages in the Gnomish language. Give them to others to decode. 7. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- What would happen if humans discovered “The People.” How would they react? 8. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- Could humans and “the People” ever live together in peace? Why or why not? 9. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- After finishing the book, who is your favorite character? Why? 10. Michael Pickett, Worksheet Question- What should Artemis do now that he got the ransom money and his mom is all better?