The Titanic / An Interactive History Adventure



Discussion Questions.

You Wouldn't want to Sail on the Titanic!



Discussion Questions.

Frankly Frannie Fashion Frenzy by A J Stern

Discussion Questions:

1.    Frannie and her mom are really excited to be in a fashion show together. What is one of your favorite things to do with your mother?

2.    Frannie is very “workerish” and she is constantly interested in various professions. What sort of jobs interest you?

3.    Frannie likes to use lots of made-up words that sound very, very important. What were some of your favorite Frannie words or phrases?

4.    Frannie has a mind of her own. In fact, her parents have said that she is very original – one of a kind. What does that mean? In what ways is Frannie one of a kind?

5.    What leads Frannie to believe she has hidden talents as a fashion designer? Do you think she really does?

6.    Frannie tries very hard to be helpful, but sometimes she makes big mistakes (like when she ruins Nora’s dress and cuts Millicent’s hair!) Have you ever made a mistake by assuming something and not asking questions? What would you tell Frannie to do in order to not make mistakes like that?

7.    For her punishment, Frannie is required to spend the day with Nora Kelly doing one of her favorite activities – flower arranging. “You need to learn how to appreciate things that are not your style,” says her father. Have you ever found an appreciation for something that initially you didn’t think you would like?

8.    Did you enjoy Frankly, Frannie Fashion Frenzy? Why or why not?

Piper Reed Party Planner by Kimberly Willis Holt

Discussion Questions

1.        When Tori tries to convince her parents that Piper can take over her babysitting duties, she says that Piper is the most responsible person she knows. Was Piper responsible? Tell how Piper was responsible AND not responsible. Were there other characters that showed responsibility?

2.       Piper says, “When I let myself pretend, everything became possible.” What does she mean by that? How did she clear her head?

3.       What does this statement mean in the book, “It’s always the little details that do you in.”? Try to remember 3 instances when this expression was used and in what context. Do you agree with the statement?

4.       Do you think Piper spread herself thin? What could Piper have done differently? Do you think Tori could have done things differently too?

5.       Hailey yelled at Piper saying, “We did all the work while you got to be in charge.” Do you agree with Hailey? How do you think everyone felt when the birthday party got ruined? What would you have done differently?

Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker

Discussion Questions:

1. Clementine could be described as dramatic. Describe your favorite scene in the story.
2. Why do you think Clementine compares herself to Margaret? Is this a good idea? Why or why not?
3. Clementine's family celebrates unusual holidays. Either research an unusual holiday or create your own holiday and describe the celebration and the date it is held.
4. Clementine names her pets by looking at the names of products in the medicine cabinet. Look in your medicine cabinet. What interesting names could you name a pet?
5. Clementine didn't think it was fair that her name is the same as a fruit and her brother isn't named after food. This is why she calls him names of vegetables. What names would you call your brother or sister.
6. Would it be fun to be Clementine's friend? Why or why not?
7. If you were the Friend of the Week, what would you do to make sure that people say nice things about you?
8. What is the difference between giving a compliment and personalizing a compliment? Why is it important for people to hear specific things that make them important?
9. Did you like Clementine, Friend of the Week? Why or why not?

Mallory Goes Green by Laurie Friedman

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be "going green"?



2. Why do you think people call it "going green" and not "going blue" or "going yellow"?



3. Walk around your house. Make a list of what your family has done to be "green".



4. Mallory writes tickets for wasting. What tickets could you write your family members? What tickets could you write yourself?



5. Mallory learn a valuable lesson about friendship. What should she do if she wants others to support her?



6. Mallory's friend did not support her "going green" idea. Do you think they should have supported her, even if they disagreed with her idea?



7. After Mallory's project is not chosen, she feels awkward helping with the new project. If you were one of her classmates, what could you do to make her feel welcome?



8. According to Mallory, what is the real key to "going green"?



9. Did you like Mallory Goes Green? Why or why not?

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think that Wanda didn’t have any friends?
2. Why do you think that Wanda said that she had a hundred dresses in her closet? Was she lying?
3. Why was Maddie afraid to speak to Peggy about her feelings about making fun of Wanda?
4. Maddie thinks to herself that standing by silently while Peggy teased Wanda was worse than Peggy’s teasing. She thinks she was a coward because she had known that teasing Wanda was wrong and had not done anything to stop it. Was she a coward? Why didn’t she do anything?
5. Why did Wanda move away?
6. How do you think Peggy and Maddie felt when they saw Wanda’s drawings?
7. What is a friend? Are Peggy and Maddie friends?
8. Maddie says that nothing will ever seem good to her again because she’d always know that she made Wanda move away. Do you think she is right?
9. Peggy says that teasing Wanda about the hundred dresses probably gave her good ideas for her drawings, and maybe she wouldn’t have won the drawing contest otherwise. Do you think that this makes sense?
10. Maddie decides that she is never going to stand by and say nothing again. Do you think that this is a good rule? Do most people “stand by and say nothing?” Why or why not?
11. When Maddie and Peggy receive the drawings Wanda made, Peggy concludes that Wanda really liked them and that everything was all right. Maddie isn’t so sure about that. What do you think? Why was Maddie still sad?
12. What would be better: to write a friendly letter to Wanda or to write a real apology letter? Why?
13. Did you enjoy The Hundred Dresses? Why or why not?

Questions used from: The Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children

How to Save Your Tail by Mary Hanson

Bob is a mouse with a big problem. He's attempting to avoid being eaten by two hungry cats. How does this canny mouse avoid becoming a tasty meal? By telling fairy tales about his family and baking deserts, of course. Isn't that the way all mice escape from hungry cats? As Bob tells folktales from his family tree, we learn twists on traditional fairy tales. Is Bob's story telling ability and baking abilities enough to fend off these hungry felines?

Discussion Questions:

1. Look at Bob's Family Tree. Why do you think they place this at the beginning of the book? As you read, refer to this graphic organizer as you read the story.

2. Keep a list of the fairy tales that are referred to or listed in this book.

3. Write down 5 vivid vocabulary words as you read. How do these words change the mood of what you are reading?

4. After Bob is caught by the cats, how is he able to avoid being eaten?

5. If you had a goose that could lay something special, what would it be? Why?

6. Think about the chapter called "The Three Rats." Discuss the plot (problem and solution).

7. Think about the story of Rumplestiltskin the Troll. Why could he consider his predicament to be bittersweet?

8. Think about the gifts bestowed upon Griselda and her shrewsister. If Bob could bestow a gift upon Muffin and Brutus, what would it be? Why?

9. How is Bob's version of Cinderella similar and different to the traditional fairy tale?

10. Did Bob live happily ever after? How do you know?

Did you enjoy reading "How to Save Your Tail"? Why or why not?

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry

A new girl in class loves being the center of attention and tells the most entertaining "absolutely true" stories. There's never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one day and polka-dot t-shirt and tutu on another? When is the star of story time and keeps her teacher and classmates on the edge of their seats with her "absolutely true" stories. But What about her classmates? do they have stories good enough to share?

Adapted from www.RandomHouse.com/kids

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe Gooney Bird Greene to your friends?

2. How did Gooney Bird get her name? How did you get your name?

3. What was your favorite Gooney Bird Story?

4. What are some of Gooney Bird's tips for creating a good story?

5. Are you at all like Gooney Bird? Would you go to school dressed like she does?

6. How does Gooney handle being the new girl at school? How do the other kids feel about her?

7. Create a list of other fictional characters that are similar to Gooney Bird Greene. List their similarities.

8. Think about a time you were late to school, a time you saved your money to buy something really special, lost a pet or anything else that Gooney Bird told a story about.

9. Did you enjoy reading Gooney Bird Greene? Why or why not?

Questions adapted from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Discussion Guide and http://www.wakegov.com/