A Tale of Two Islands

1. Set Focus 
Pose these essential questions:  What makes something valuable? Why might your idea of what is valuable be different from someone else’s?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• Why were colonial Europeans interested in the Banda Islands? How did the Dutch come to control Pulau Rhun? (Colonial Europeans wanted access to spices. The Banda Islands, including Pulau Rhun, were part of the Spice Islands, which, at the time, were the only places where nutmeg grew. The Dutch and the British battled over Pulau Rhun, but, in 1667, the Dutch agreed to trade Manhattan to the British for official control of Pulau Rhun.)

• Why do the authors describe the process it takes to get to Pulau Rhun? (The authors are illustrating how remote and inaccessible Pulau Rhun is compared with Manhattan, which underscores the differences between the two islands.)

• Based on its description, how might life be different in Pulau Rhun than in Manhattan and why? How do its citizens feel about life in Pulau Rhun? (The pace of life on Pulau Rhun is much slower than in Manhattan: There are far fewer people and no cars, students don’t attend school past junior high, and there is limited access to electricity and water. The island also has more nature than Manhattan, and the citizens are proud to live there.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Comparing Islands. Have students use it to do a more in-depth comparison of Pulau Rhun and Manhattan.

4. Writing Prompt
Would you prefer to live in Manhattan or on Pulau Rhun? Write a brief opinion essay explaining your preference. 

5. Classroom Debate
If a resident of Manhattan and Pulau Rhun traded places, who would have an easier transition?

6. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and the Be the Editor skill sheet to practice grammar skills.