The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Literature Unit

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Literature Unit

“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is the inspiring true story of William Kamkwamba, a young boy from Malawi who, despite poverty and a devastating famine, teaches himself how to build a windmill from scrap materials to bring electricity and water to his village. When he’s forced to drop out of school due to lack of fees, William turns to books from a local library and uses his curiosity, determination, and creativity to change his community’s future. It’s a powerful story about perseverance, innovation, and the impact of education.

Lesson Intentions: “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” Literature Unit includes vocabulary words for each chapter reading with a different activity. The activities include vocabulary words; writing prompts; learning facts about Malawai, Africa; compare and contrast; building activities; science challenges; mini art prompts; DYI experiment; map project; mini-inventions; character analysis; research projects; design challenge; ideal library project; newspaper article writing; magnets and circuits research; research Mount Kilimanjaro; and they will create a positive mindset tracker and a vision board.

Material included: “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” Literature Unit includes 32 pages of follow up work, a book(s), a work journal, color pencils, and pencil sharpener. 

Creator: Lesson Plan and follow up work prepared by: Caroline Moulsdale, Owner and Lead Educational Consultant of ABC Crate, LLC, with Credentials in Early Childhood Education (Preschool and Kindergarten) from CMTE/NY, 2001; Elementary Education I (grades 1^st to 3^rd) and II (grades 4^th to 6^th) from Delaware Institute for Montessori Education, 2015; BS from The University of Delaware; Lead Teacher in Montessori Education for 18 years, and Parent Education Director for 8 years. Created in 2025.