Inspire Your Reader: Spark a Conversation! · 2014-09-29 · questions check for your reader’s...
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SCHOLASTIC.COM/BRANCHES Inspire Your Reader: Spark a Conversation! BRANCHES books, which bridge the gap between leveled readers and early chapter books, now include thought-provoking questions at the end of each book! Subversively educational, these questions check for your reader’s understanding alongside illustrations and favorite characters. Included here are the questions that correspond to each of the BRANCHES books – use them to engage your child in a conversation about what they have read and to reinforce their critical thinking skills. With these questions for each book, you can guide your young reader in: • Identifying key ideas and details • Understanding craft and structure • Building foundational skills through phonics, word recognition, and fluency • Acquiring new vocabulary Happy reading with BRANCHES! SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Transcript of Inspire Your Reader: Spark a Conversation! · 2014-09-29 · questions check for your reader’s...
scholastic.com/branches
Inspire Your Reader: Spark a Conversation!
branches books, which bridge the gap between leveled readers and early chapter books, now include thought-provoking questions at the end of each book! Subversively educational, these questions check for your reader’s understanding alongside illustrations and favorite characters.
Included here are the questions that correspond to each of the branches books – use them to engage your child in a conversation about what they have read and to reinforce their critical thinking skills.
With these questions for each book, you can guide your young reader in:
• Identifying key ideas and details
• Understanding craft and structure
• Building foundational skills through phonics, word recognition, and fluency
• Acquiring new vocabulary
Happy reading with branches!
SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
What do you learn about Boris in the introduction?
How does Boris feel when the bus starts moving? How does he feel when the bus stops moving?
How does Boris feel when he gets lost ? Look at the text and pictures from the book for clues.
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Look at the picture on page 70. What is the name of Boris’s new pet ? Why do you think he named it this?
Use a map to find a place you want to visit. Find out fun facts about it. Why do you want to visit this place?
How well do you know Boris On The Move?
Look at pages 38–39. When Boris’s mother asks if the letter is good news, Boris says, “Yes.” But what does his face tell you?
What does Boris put in the cage when his classmates come to his house to see his Komodo dragon?
Why do all the kids leave Boris’s house screaming?
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Look up differences between a Komodo dragon and a skink. Compare their sizes, where they live, what they eat, and whether they would make a good pet or not.
Write a letter to your local zoo asking questions about how best to take care of your favorite zoo animal.
How well do you know Boris Gets A Lizard?
Why are Boris and Frederick sad in the beginning of the book?
What is Boris’s plan to win the Field Day events? Look at pages 26-27 for clues.
Look at page 51. What do you think Boris, Eddie, Alice, and Frederick are thinking at this moment?
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Why are Boris and Frederick happy in the end even though neither of them came in first place in the race?
Boris shows that he is a true friend by helping Frederick cross the finish line. Use words and pictures to tell about a time when you did something special for a friend.
How well do you know Boris for the Win?
Look at page 15. What do you think Boris is thinking? What do you think Frederick is thinking?
What are some fun things the campers do AFTER dinner?
What do the campers imagine the moving light is at first? Reread pages 42-44 for clues.
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Why do the campers decide to sleep in the bus instead of in the tent?
There are many camping words in this book, such as campfire, outdoors, tent, and flashlight. Use the camping words to describe whether or not you would enjoy camping.
How well do you know Boris Sees the Light?
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Prove your superhero k now-how!
How did Gordon and Benny get superpowers?
How does Gordon know when danger is near?
How is Kung Pow Chicken similar to superheroes in
other stories?
Give yourself a superhero name, draw your costume, and write about
why you want to be a superhero.
What is Granny Goosebumps’s evil plan? And how do Gordon and
Benny save the day?
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What are some of Gordon’s superpowers? Name three!
A compound word is made up of two words that come together to make one new
word. Break these compound words into two words to figure out their meanings: superpower, newspaper, and rooftops.
What is Dr. Screech’s evil plan?
Benny tells Gordon that, “a true hero helps out—no matter
what other chickens say about him.” Is this good advice?
Why or why not?
Prove your superhero k now-how!
Sam Snood does not believe Kung Pow Chicken is a hero.
Pretend you are a reporter who believes he is a hero. Write an article about
how he saved Honey Comb.
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Look at the picture on page 13. Why is Gordon’s walk to school stranger
than normal?
Why is Birdbrain turning chickens into zombies?
What is the difference between the words smart and smartest? What does
the suffix –est mean?
How does Beak Girl help Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop?
How do Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop feel about her?
Prove your superhero k now-how!
Pretend you are a sidekick like Egg Drop. Design your costume
and describe your superpower.
Super Duper Royal Deluxe
Can you answer these questions about Picture Day?
How is the outf it Missy picked out different from the outf it her
mother picked out for her? What does the word ruined mean
on page 26? Use the clues in the story to
f ind its meaning.
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Turn to my journal on page 5. What do you learn about me from my lists? Make a list of things you like and things
you do not like.
Look at Missy’s outf it on page 22. How is your idea of a super duper
royal deluxe outf it similar to or different from Missy’s? Draw your super duper royal deluxe outf it. Add labels to it.
In the end, how do Missy and Oscar work together to make their outf its
better?
Super Duper Royal Deluxe
Can you answer these questions about Class Pets?
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How does Missy f inally get her mother to let her bring me home? Reread pages 15-16
for clues.
What was Missy thinking about on pages 34-35 when she should have
been paying attention in class?
Look at the pictures and
words on page 13. What are the
different ways I ask my mother if I can bring home the class pets?
I look up how to take care of Eenie-Meenie, Miney, and Moe. Choose
a pet you’d like to have. Look up information about caring
for that pet.
The rats in this story (Eenie-meenie, Miney, and Moe) are named after a
popular counting rhyme. Write out the counting rhyme. Then circle all the
words that rhyme.
Why am I upset about my part
in the play?
What do you learn about George Washington Carver from
my report? What do you learn from Missy’s report?
How does Missy save the play and
make it super duper royal deluxe?
Look at the pictures on pages 4 and 5. What does
Missy think will happen when she is a star?
Do you think Missy should have been so upset about being a peanut? Use words and pictures to say
why or why not.
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Can you answer these questions about School Play?
Super Duper Royal Deluxe
Super Duper Royal Deluxe
Can you answer these questions about Field Trip?
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Oscar and I have different ideas about what the f ield trip is about. What do
we each think?
What question’s would you like to ask the governor? Write a letter to your governor using who, what, where, when, and
how. Draw pictures, too.
Look at page 37. What do you think the light bulb means?
What is Missy’s super duper plan that she shares with the
governor?
Why was Missy wiggling and shuff ling her feet during the tour?
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Look at the picture of the Land of Fake-Believe on pages 20 and 21. How is it different
from the world you know?
How is the story of Moldylocks and the Three Beards similar to and different from Goldilocks
and the Three Bears?
Princess to the rescue! How does Princess
save Moldylocks from the Three Beards?
How does Princess know that the land of Fake-Believe
was not a dream?
Use words and pictures to create a story similar to Moldylocks and the
Three Beards and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Include something that
is too soft, something that is too hard, and something that is just right.
How well do you know
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How is Scaredy-Pants Wolf similar to and different from the Big Bad Wolf inLittle Red Riding Hood?
That tricky duck! How does Little Red Quacking Hood trick
Princess and Moldylocks on page 35?
Reread page 27. Knew and new are homophones. These words sound the
same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. What are the meanings of knew and new?
Why do the ducks steal the pies? What is the secret ingredient in the pies?
Write a similar story from the point of view of Little
Red Quacking Hood.
How well do you know
Look at the picture on top of page 10. How do you think Rori feeLs about Drake?
Why does Worm follow Drake through the tunnel even though he warned Drake not to go?
How does Worm SAVe the Dragon Masters?
Why do you think the Dragon Masters confess to Griffith that it was their idea to bring the dragons outside?
If you had a dragon, what kind of special power would you want it to have? DRaW a picture of your dragon performing the special power.
Questions and Activities
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hy do you think the Dragon Masters confess to hy do you think the Dragon Masters confess to Griffith that it was their idea to bring the dragons Griffith that it was their idea to bring the dragons
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LLook at the picture on top of ook at the picture on top of Look at the picture on top of LLook at the picture on top of LLook at the picture on top of Lpage 10. How do you think Rori
WWthrough the tunnel even though
WWWhy do you think the Dragon Masters confess to Why do you think the Dragon Masters confess to Why do you think the Dragon Masters confess to Griffith that it was their idea to bring the dragons Griffith that it was their idea to bring the dragons
Questions and ActivitiesQuestions and Activities
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Quicksand is a compound word. A compound word is made up of two words that come together to make one new word. What is quicksand? Use what you know about quick and sand to figure out the meaning.
Who is Mr. Nekobi? And how does he help Sam?
Look at the picture on page 54. What is Sam doing?
How does Antonio’s sandwich help Sam save everyone?
Would you want to be the hall monitor? Use examples from the book to write why or why not.
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HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
The SchOOl s ALiVE?
What do Sam and his friends learn from the book Eerie: A Town History?
What is the terrible truth about Orson Eerie and Eerie Elementary?
How does the sun help Sam, Antonio, and Lucy save the day?
Pretend your school comes to life. Use sound-effects words to write an action-packed story.
Sam, Lucy, and Antonio visit the library to research their town. Visit your local library to see what interesting facts you can uncover about your town!
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HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
The LOcker ATE Lucy?
KLANG!
BOOM!RUMBLE!
How much do you know about Stranger Things?
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Looniverse is a made-up word. What two words were combined to make up the word Looniverse ?
What strange thing happens the first time Ed touches the coin?
What are the two meanings of curiosity on page 5?
On page 50, Mr. Sage tells Ed that both Einstein and Picasso were considered a bit strange. Choose an artist, inventor, or other amazing person to research. What makes that person both strange and amazing?
How does Ed figure out who the Stranger is?
How much do you know about Meltdown Madness?
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Look at the front cover of the book. What is happening in this picture and why is it happening?
How does Derwin change the weather outside?
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” What does this saying mean? How does it help Ed solve his problem?
What kind of strange things might have happened if Ed had picked wrapping paper to sell instead of chocolate? Write about it!
Why does Ed read Goldilocks and the Three Bears to his sister?
How much do you know about Dinosaur Disaster?
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Look at pages 18 and 43. What do Ed and Libby each want to do with dinosaurs? How are their ideas different?
What do people usually mean when they say, “A fine kettle of fish”? Reread pages 59-60 for clues.
How do Libby’s feelings toward dinosaurs change throughout the book?
Write a story about having a pet dinosaur. Include a clear sequence of events. Give details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings. How does your story end?
How does Ed finally solve the dinosaur disaster?
How much do you know about Stage Fright?
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Look at the picture on page 19 and
describe what is happening.
The root word amph means “on
both sides” or “around.” What do
you think the word amphitheater means? Reread page 11 and look at the
picture for help.
What is Ed’s big plan to lose the play-writing contest?
Does it work?
How does Ed save himself
and his friends from the
extra strangeness caused
by the blue moon?
Pretend you have to write a play for a contest. Make sure to
include a title, main characters, the setting, and write about
two events that take place. Make it as wacky as you want!
What two BIG things happen during Clyde’s visit to the museum?
QUESTIONS & ACTIVITES
Verbs are action words. For example, when Clyde is a monkey he feels the need to run, bounce, and jump. What other verbs describe how monkeys move?
How does Claudia
help Clyde stop the
thief?
Can you answer these questions about
Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey ?
The thief appears on
pages 10, 67, and 77.
What is different and the same in these pictures?
Draw a comic strip. Show how Clyde turns into a monkey and show what he does when he is a monkey.
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What does Clyde mean when he says,
“I slammed on my brakes”?
QUESTIONS & ACTIVITES
Why is Clyde so excited for the class picture?
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Can you answer these questions about
Monkey Me and the Pet Show ?
How does Claudia
help capture the
pet-nappers?
picture?
Look at the pictures
on page 17. What is
happening to Clyde?
“I slammed on
happening to Clyde?
How does Chopper surprise me at the end of thestory?
help capture the
pet-nappers?
What does Clyde have in common
with Principal Murphy?
QUESTIONS & ACTIVITES
At fi rst, how do Clyde and Claudia feel about Principal Murphy moving in next door?
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Can you answer these questions about
Monkey Me and the New Neighbor ?
How does Clyde get
Principal Murphy to
the burglars’ house without talking?
Write a comic strip about Muffi n and Clyde! Make sure to explain what makes them such good friends.
How does Principal
Murphy feel about
the monkey at
the end of the book?
QUESTIONS & ACTIVITES
Why is it so important that Dr. Wally fi nd a cure for Clyde?
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Can you answer these questions about
Monkey Me and the School Ghost ?
How would this story
be different from the
point of view
of Principal
Murphy?
Write a story about a real monkey getting loose in your school! Look up more about monkey behavior. What types of trouble could a real monkey cause?
Were you surprised
that Clyde told the principal
that Roz was not the thief? Why or why not?
Look at the picture on page 51. How does Clyde know that the
thief is not Roz?
#1: Rise of the Balloon Goons
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How do balloon goons compare to monsters from other books?
Look at the map on pages 14-15. Make a map of your town. Include your home, school, and spooky places.
Adjectives describe nouns. For example, tall, spooky, and bumpy are adjectives. List 3 adjectives to describe the balloon goons.
On page 65, Mr. Hoarsely shows Alexander how to make a balloon animal. How did the balloon animal help Alexander free Rip from the gigantic balloon snake?
Create a new monster! Give it a name. Draw and write about its habitat, diet, and behavior. And be sure to add a WARNING!
#2: Day of the Night Crawlers
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Why are so many night crawlers coming above ground?
Why was Rip sure the night crawlers were not megaworms? Was he right or wrong? Reread pages 8-11 for clues.
Do you think it is a good idea for Alexander and Rip to team up with Nikki? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to make your argument.
Look at pages 68-69. What items in the caboose help explain what the place is used for?
How do Alexander, Rip, and Nikki use their unlikely weapons to save themselves from the fish - kabob and the tunnel fish? Reread pages 78-86 for the answers!
#3: Attack of the Shadow Smashers
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Look at pages 44 and 45. What are the differences between the old description of the jampire and Nikki’s new description?
What does S.S.M.P. stand for? What does the S.S.M.P. do? And who are the members?
How does Al figure out what scares the shadow smashers? Reread Chapter 9 for clues.
Why does Rip want to kick Nikki out of the S.S.M.P.? Do you think he is right or wrong?
Look at the filmstrip on pages 34-35. Now make your own filmstrip! Include the major events from this story. Use descriptive verbs like groaned, scrambled, wiggled, and quivered.
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Create a flyer like the one on page 3 BUT change it so the veggie monsters can hand it out to their veggie-monster friends! Include what is on the menu, why the veggie monsters are changing the menu, where the supper will take place, and when it will happen.
What clues help Alexander see that something is wrong at school?
Look at page 17. Why is it funny that Rip has to wear this outfit?
Strong verbs clearly describe the action such as stumbled, grumbled, and chomped. Look back through the book to find two more strong, descriptive verbs.
The S.S.M.P. uses a bunny, a gopher, and windmill blades to defeat the veggie monsters. What other animals or kitchen tools might scare the veggies? Draw a picture of the tools or animals, and describe how the veggie monsters could be defeated.
#4: Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables
