Although Miyax is an orphan in the vast, dark Arctic, with only a single pack of worldly possessions, she is fortunate in many ways. According to the old Eskimo hunters, the riches of life were found in a person’s character, not in material possessions. The wealthy Eskimo was blessed with intelligence, fearlessness, and love. Have students use storyboards to explain what makes Miyax rich. Students should depict scenes from the book that embody her best character qualities. Ask students to explain the importance of the scene in the box below it.
Miyax shows intelligence when she finds a way to locate her route to Point Hope. Even though she has no compass, she watches the flight pattern of migrating birds and uses their trajectory to deduce the direction of the coast.
Miyax faces many fears throughout her adventure. She is unafraid to approach the wolf pack and courageously threatens Jello with caribou antlers when he tries to attack. When a situation becomes frightening, she follows her father’s advice: “Change your ways when fear seizes you, for it usually means you are doing something wrong."
Miyax grows to love her adopted wolf pack. She shows her love most clearly when Kapu is shot by hunters. Miyax takes him into her tent for weeks, feeding and caring for him until he returns to full health.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates important character strengths in Julie of the Wolves
Guide students to find and discuss character strengths in supporting or minor characters from Julie of the Wolves. This expands their analytical skills beyond the main character and deepens comprehension.
Provide a list of notable supporting characters from the novel, such as Amaroq, Kapugen, or Martha. Having character names handy helps students recall who they might analyze and keeps the class focused.
Read a passage aloud featuring a supporting character. Point out an action that shows a strength like loyalty, cleverness, or resilience, and discuss why it matters in the story.
Ask students to choose a supporting character and locate a moment in the text where that character displays a positive trait. Encourage them to jot down the page number and a brief explanation.
Let students briefly present their chosen character and strength to the class, then draw or storyboard the scene. This reinforces understanding and makes the lesson interactive and creative.
Miyax's main character strengths in Julie of the Wolves are intelligence, fearlessness, and love. She uses her intelligence to navigate the Arctic, her fearlessness to face dangers, and her love to care for her wolf companions.
Miyax shows intelligence by observing migrating birds to determine direction without a compass, using her knowledge of nature to survive in the Arctic.
Fearlessness helps Miyax approach wild wolves, defend herself from threats, and adapt to challenges, which are crucial for her survival in the harsh Arctic environment.
The story teaches that character strengths like intelligence, fearlessness, and love are more valuable than material possessions, echoing Eskimo beliefs about true wealth.
Students can create a storyboard showing scenes where Miyax displays intelligence, fearlessness, and love, then write brief explanations for each scene to highlight her strengths.