by Emma Davis | Sep 3, 2026
Students will analyze Dominic’s growth throughout the novel and identify how experiences influence character development. Materials: Reading journal Sticky notes Character tracking sheet As students read, they create a timeline of Dominic’s development. For each major...
by Emma Davis | Aug 17, 2026
Create a large timeline across the board. As the story progresses, students place picture cards or sticky notes showing how the child’s feelings change. Possible sequence: Feeling uncertain Feeling nervous Taking a deep breath Trying something new Feeling proud Still...
by Emma Davis | Aug 17, 2026
Throughout the story, identify every strategy the child uses to cope with shyness. Record each strategy on a paper “tool.” Examples include: Going slowly Remembering good memories Taking a short break Asking a buddy for help Practicing first Trying even when feeling...
by Emma Davis | Aug 17, 2026
As you read each new situation in the story, pause and invite students to make personal connections. Use sentence stems such as: “I feel shy when …” “Something similar happened to me when …” “One thing that helps me is …” “I noticed the character …” Encourage students...
by Emma Davis | Aug 17, 2026
Challenge students to become “illustration detectives.” Instead of focusing only on the words, ask them to study the collage artwork carefully. Questions to ask students include: Where is the character looking? How does the artist show nervousness? Which colors help...
