Parent Guide > How I harnessed the wind

This week in class, we’re reading "How I harnessed the wind" by William Kamkwamba.

In "How I harnessed the wind," William Kamkwamba tells how he built a windmill in rural Africa.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Comedy & Tragedy, Honor & Courage, and Human vs. Nature as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"What can we learn from tragedy?", "What does it mean to be brave?", "What makes a hero?", and "Who's in control: humanity or nature?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this speech at home:
  • What was "How I harnessed the wind" about?
  • What did you learn about Comedy & Tragedy?
  • What did you learn about Honor & Courage?
  • What did you learn about Human vs. Nature?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • 'Visit A Giant Wind Turbine on a Wind Farm! | Caitie's Classroom Field Trip | Science For Kids'
  • 'Irrigation in Ancient Mesopotamia'
  • 'William Kamkwamba: 'How I Harnessed the Wind' (TED Talks, 2009)'