Saving Manno Spencer Sekyer Educational Study Guide The journey of Spencer Sekyer in described in Saving Manno, an inspiring memoir about one teacher''s travels around the world and his relentless efforts to rescue a chimp in danger. Spencer has taught in Sierra Leone, the Dheisheh refugee camp, the West Bank, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Haiti. He lives in Edmonton where he got his first taste of teaching which then led to travel and voluntourism. His project has been a work in progress for a number of years and has become more and more of a passion for him. SYNOPSIS Spencer Sekyer has seen many things on his journeys, but he was unprepared for what he found at the Duhok Zoo in Iraqi Kurdistan. There, he met Manno, a baby chimpanzee who had been kidnapped from his family in central Africa and sold into captivity--a casualty of the shadowy, perilous world of international animal trafficking. When Manno first crawled into Spencer''s arms, both of their lives changed. Manno was just an innocent baby, but Spencer knew that when the chimp was fully grown, he would become a danger to himself and others.
There was an even more pressing threat: the Duhok Zoo sat mere kilometers from the front lines of the war against ISIS. The thought of Manno being forced to live out his adult life in a cramped cell in the middle of a war zone plagued Spencer. So, he set in motion a plan to rescue his friend. Spencer wasn''t an animal rights expert or a zoologist, but he learned to navigate the tricky politics and bureaucracies of international organizations and he assembled a team of activists to help him move Manno to a sanctuary in Kenya more than 6,000 kilometers away. As the ISIS invasion crept closer, and with Manno''s fate in their hands, the team raced against the clock to give Manno what he truly deserved: a chance for a new life. Saving Manno is the story of one man and one chimp and their incredible relationship. Sekyer learned on the fly how to navigate volatile political situations, circumvent the trafficking of exotic animals, and persuade key people to help with the ultimate goal of providing an appropriate living situation for Manno, who becomes a symbol for all mistreated animals. OBJECTIVES OF STUDYING SAVING MANNO At the end of this study, the students will 1.
be aware of the ongoing treatment of animals in various parts of our world; 2. understand that because the international trafficking of exotic animals is a worldwide problem, individuals have a responsibility to protect and preserve a significant part of our world: animals; 3. explore and clarify their own thinking, ideas, feelings, and experiences regarding their interactions with animals; 4. comprehend and respond personally, critically, and creatively to texts in oral, print, visual, and multimedia forms; 5. learn to manage and articulate their ideas and information about their responsibility to the situation of animals in the larger world; 6. be able to create oral, print, visual, and multimedia texts where required to enhance the clarity and artistry of communication. THE STUDY OF NON-FICTION Non-fiction is the type of writing where the author assumes the responsibility of truth and accuracy. It is different from fiction where the reader is aware that, though the topic may be realistic, the characters and events are imaginary.
Non-fiction writing is generally assumed to be an accurate portrayal of real events and situations involving real people. This type of writing is often biographical or autobiographical in nature. Saving Manno is a non-fiction book. As such, Saving Manno is Spencer Sekyer''s account of how he met Manno, how Manno won his affection, and how Spencer became engrossed in saving Manno, many times putting himself in jeopardy to preserve the life of his new friend. It does not stop there. Spencer Sekyer wants readers to be aware of and get passionate about the growing problem of animal trafficking in our world. READING SAVING MANNO As you approach the task of reading Saving Manno , let me interest you in a process called active reading. Active reading is a reading strategy where the reader becomes actively involved in the reading of a text in order to gain a better understanding of it.
This can take a number of different forms. The reader may use a highlighter to highlight the important aspects of the text. This could start with the title as often the title is an important clue to the main idea of the text. Active reading can also be done by using coloured sticky notes to track different topics within a text. The benefit of using active reading strategies is that reading a text in this way helps the reader to set a purpose in reading and to connect personally with a text. Another advantage of being an active reader is that the reader is encouraged to ask questions about the text and predict what may or may not happen within the text. As you read Saving Manno , identify sections that demonstrate the development of the elements listed below by colour coding them with small sticky notes. Use colour-coded tabs in the following way: - red for cultural differences that you encounter in the text - blue for the benefits of travel - green for Manno''s progress towards freedom - yellow for the treatment, including mistreatment, of animals Note: These colours are arbitrary and you may choose whatever colours you wish for whichever categories you like.
The main point is to separate ideas that you encounter in the text and keep them in your memory. The key is to use the same colour of sticky note for the same element throughout the entire text. By flagging information in this way, you can scan the text easily for important information relevant to your topic. You can find information quickly for cultural differences, travel, Manno, and animal treatment. Being able to scan your text quickly saves you a lot of time completing later assignments. What are the key concepts that you have learned? - What is the message? - What is the purpose of the author''s message? - What are two points or techniques the author uses to enhance his message? - Who is the audience?How could the reader benefit from reading this text? - How effective is the text? Rate it on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being very effective. Provide a rationale for your rating. Explain two different techniques (not already mentioned) that the author used to enhance his message.
What can one person do? The impact that one person''s life can have is immense. There are many times in our lives that we are confronted with the idea that someone should do something about an issue. Often, we think in terms of crime, rudeness and other negative aspects of our life and we think that someone or a group of people should do something about the issue and fix it. We get frustrated when nothing seems to get done. Spencer Sekyer models the fact that when an individual needs to step up and help, he or she is willing to do so. By modeling this behaviour, Spencer is signalling to the reader that we, too, need to get involved. As long as we expect someone else to do it, nothing will get done. Saving Manno is the story of an ordinary man, a teacher from Edmonton, Alberta, who decided, almost by accident, that he needed to get involved in a project that consumed him.
He has made a tremendous impact in drawing attention to the need for caring for the animals of our world through his interaction with a chimp who won his heart. One very ordinary man can do many things and this study shows how everyone can do something. We do not have to sit back and rely on others to do something. It doesn''t have to be something earth shattering like changing the course of history, solving world hunger, or eradicating hurricanes. It can be something as simple as saving the lives of animals and ensuring that animals are treated with the respect that all creatures on our earth deserve. FOCUS QUESTIONS RELATING TO SAVING MANNO The following focus questions will guide you in the study and understanding of Saving Manno : 1. Spencer Sekyer states on page 4 of his book Saving Man no: "I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I had a responsibility to love.
My wife. My family and friends. Animals. Soon, our baby would add more love to our lives. To be of this world is to live for this world, and the highest expression of that is to give love"(4). How did Spencer implement this idea in his life? 2. When Spencer was teaching, he took the opportunity to speak with his students, including some from other parts of the world. He asked what had impressed them about Canada after moving to their new home.
One student stated that what struck him the most was "How good we have it here" (13). How would you respond to this student in answer to that question about how good we have it here (in Canada)? 3. What does Spencer mean when he says the following about travel: "All travel is good. Anything that expands your world, even if it''s by a few hundred miles, is great. And the earlier you can start, the better" (16)? 4. The first section of the text Saving Manno is titled "Lessons from Canada." What are three lessons that Spencer Sekyer says he has learned from Canada? Briefly explain these lessons. 5.
Spencer has some discussions with his class about his travels and shows the class a picture he took in Sierra Leone. He.