Sounds

Have each student take the beginning letter or sound from their first or last name and go through the book, identifying all the words that begin with that sound. Working with an adult if necessary, have them make a list of the words they know and the words they don’t...

Question Journal

Students record the questions Theo asks and compare them with their own unanswered questions.

Creating a Safe Reading Space

The class establishes norms for respectful discussion of sensitive topics, including listening without judgment and the option to pass.

The Power of Asking Why

Students brainstorm difficult questions they have about the world and discuss how it feels when adults do not have clear answers. This prepares students for Theo’s questioning throughout the story.