by Emma Davis | Feb 16, 2026
Ask students to think about a time they were new somewhere. How did it feel? Discuss feelings such as excitement, nervousness or shyness, and connect this to the beginning of the story.
by Emma Davis | Feb 16, 2026
Have students share one way they are similar to a friend and one way they are different. Discuss how being different does not stop people from being friends and may even make friendships stronger.
by Emma Davis | Feb 16, 2026
Display the cover and do a picture walk through several pages without reading the text. Ask students what they notice about the children, their actions and their expressions. Invite predictions about what the book might be teaching about friendship.
by Emma Davis | Feb 16, 2026
Begin with a whole-group discussion about friendship. Ask students what a friend is and what friends do. Record responses on chart paper. Encourage students to give examples from their own lives. Explain that the class will revisit this chart after reading to see if...
by Emma Davis | Feb 16, 2026
Prologue Why is this night in the backyard different from other nights Leo and Ralph have spent together? What do we learn about Leo’s feelings from the way he talks about moving? Why do you think Leo throws the telescope away? What does the backward goodbye show...
