Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is a powerful historical fiction novel that gives upper-elementary and middle-grade students an opportunity to explore courage, friendship, resistance, empathy, and standing up against injustice.
Set in Denmark during World War II, the novel follows Annemarie Johansen and her family as they help their Jewish friends escape the Nazi occupation. Through Annemarie’s eyes, students encounter a difficult period in history while experiencing a story that is accessible, engaging, and filled with opportunities for meaningful discussion.
If you’re planning a Number the Stars novel study for your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students, this guide will give you ideas for connecting the novel to reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, history, and social-emotional learning.
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Why Teach Number the Stars?
One of the greatest strengths of Number the Stars is that it allows students to encounter history through the experiences of a child.
Rather than simply reading facts about World War II, students follow Annemarie as she begins to understand what is happening around her. This creates natural opportunities to discuss questions such as:
What does it mean to be courageous?
Why do people sometimes have to make difficult choices?
How can ordinary people respond when others are being treated unfairly?
What makes someone a good friend?
How do fear and courage influence the decisions people make?
Why is it important to learn about difficult moments in history?
These questions can move students beyond simple recall and toward deeper reading comprehension and critical thinking.
Teaching Historical Fiction Through Number the Stars
Number the Stars works particularly well as a historical fiction novel because students can examine both the story and the historical context surrounding it.
As students read, encourage them to distinguish between what is happening in the fictional story and what they can learn about the real historical events that inspired it.
You can explore:
World War II
Nazi-occupied Denmark
The Danish Resistance
The rescue of Danish Jews
The Holocaust
Geography of Denmark and Sweden
Courage and resistance
Friendship and loyalty
Prejudice and discrimination
Human rights
This makes Number the Stars an excellent choice for connecting ELA and social studies.
Number the Stars Reading Comprehension
A novel study shouldn’t turn a great book into a stack of worksheets.
The goal is to help students think more deeply about what they’re reading while still allowing them to become immersed in the story.
When teaching Number the Stars, comprehension questions can focus on:
Character motivations
Making inferences
Cause and effect
Predicting
Making connections
Identifying themes
Using text evidence
Analyzing character development
Understanding historical context
I recommend using a small number of thoughtful questions rather than overwhelming students with questions after every few pages.
The questions should encourage students to explain why they think something happened—not simply identify what happened.
Vocabulary and Grammar in Context
Number the Stars also provides an excellent opportunity to teach vocabulary in context.
Instead of giving students a long list of unrelated vocabulary words, have them encounter words as they appear within the story.
Students can:
Determine meaning from context
Identify parts of speech
Use new words in sentences
Practice spelling
Explore synonyms and related words
Apply vocabulary through writing
This approach allows vocabulary instruction to become part of the reading experience rather than something completely separate from the novel.
The unit can be used with a whole class, small reading group, homeschool student, or independent reader. It includes both printable materials and digital resources for Google Drive.
What’s Included?
The complete Number the Stars Novel Study includes:
Teacher Resources
Detailed daily lesson plans
Pacing and Standards Guide
Chapter/Section Guide
Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
Answer Keys
Parent Letter
Student Resources
Spelling list
Vocabulary activities
Grammar activities
Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
Short-answer questions designed to encourage deeper thinking
Book-related extension activities
End-of-book activities
Story Elements Interactive Notebook activities
Assessment Resources
Part 1 assessment covering Chapters 1–6
Part 2 assessment covering Chapters 7–end
Vocabulary questions
Comprehension questions
Essay questions
Digital assessment options
The unit also includes Common Core Standards alignment for grades 4–6.
Print or Digital? You Get Both!
Today’s classrooms aren’t one-size-fits-all, so this novel study includes both printable and Google Drive-compatible formats.
Use the printable version for traditional instruction, or assign the digital activities through your classroom platform.
The digital format can be especially helpful for:
1:1 classrooms
Paperless classrooms
Students working from home
Absent students
Small-group instruction
Independent work
The assessments also include digital options, with multiple-choice Google Forms quizzes available for self-grading.
Save Time With a Ready-to-Teach Novel Unit
Teaching an entire novel is rewarding, but the planning can be time-consuming.
This Number the Stars novel unit was created to give you a complete framework so you don’t have to create every comprehension question, vocabulary activity, lesson plan, and assessment yourself.
It is designed to be low-prep and ready to teach, while still giving you flexibility to adjust the pacing and activities for your students.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
💬 Connect with Fellow Educators!
Are you teaching Number the Stars this school year? How do you celebrate kindness in your classroom?
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If there is one novel that consistently transforms how upper-elementary and middle-school students see the world, it’s Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper.
The story introduces readers to Melody, a brilliant fifth-grader with a photographic memory. Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot speak, write, or walk—leading most people to underestimate her intelligence. When technology finally gives Melody a voice, her journey challenges readers to re-examine how they view ability, inclusion, and human connection.
Whether you are teaching this novel to a full class, leading small literature circles, or looking for a safe, high-interest book for homeschool that meets rigorous ELA standards, Out of My Mind is an essential addition to your 4th–6th grade curriculum.
Here is why this novel is a classroom powerhouse—and how you can teach it with zero prep time and total confidence.
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🌟 Why Out of My Mind is a great book to use in a novel study.
1. Builds Deep Social-Emotional Empathy & Inclusion
In upper elementary, students are rapidly developing social awareness. Melody’s perspective gives students a front-row seat to the frustration of being unheard and the power of perseverance. It naturally opens up conversations around kindness, disability awareness, and standing up for others.
2. Rich in Literary Analysis
Draper’s writing style is packed with vivid figurative language, metaphors, similes, and rhythmic repetition. It provides a seamless entry point for teaching literary devices, character development, and point of view without overwhelming reluctant readers.
3. High Engagement Across All Reading Levels
Because the plot is fast-paced and emotionally gripping, even reluctant readers stay hooked from chapter one. The accessible language structure makes it equally effective for general education, inclusion settings, and learning support classrooms.
🛡️ Navigating Today’s Classroom Climate with Confidence
In today’s educational landscape, many teachers feel cautious when selecting whole-class novels. Out of My Mind is a safe, age-appropriate, and deeply enriching text that builds empathy while remaining focused on fundamental literacy skills.
To help you teach with complete peace of mind, The Teaching Bank’s Novel Study Unit includes proactive Parent and Administrator Communication Letters.
These ready-to-send letters outline:
The educational and literacy standards addressed in the unit.
The positive social-emotional goals of the book (empathy, inclusion, resilience).
Clear context on how sensitive classroom discussions are facilitated responsibly.
📦 Inside the Out of My Mind Complete Unit (Print + Google Apps)
Teaching a comprehensive novel study shouldn’t mean spending your weekends grading and formatting worksheets. This 199+ page complete unit is designed for instant plug-and-play instruction—both in print and digitally via Google Slides™ and self-grading Google Forms™.
Ready to save hours of prep time while giving your students an unforgettable reading experience?
👉 Download a FREE Sample of the Out of My Mind Novel Study Unit Here
👉 Purchase the Complete Unit
💬 Join the Discussion!
Are you planning to teach Out of My Mind this school year? How do you approach teaching empathy and disability awareness in your classroom?
Come join us in our free Facebook community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to collaborate, swap lesson ideas, and connect with fellow 3rd–8th grade educators!
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What happens when an entire grade level of energetic fifth graders decides to stop talking for 48 hours straight? Pure classroom magic!
No Talking by Andrew Clements is a hilarious, thought-provoking novel that explores the weight of unspoken words, the damage of words spoken in anger, and—most importantly—the transformative power of words spoken in kindness. Written with Clements’ signature wit and relatable middle-grade humor, it is a literary gem that instantly hooks 4th, 5th, and 6th graders while sparking meaningful conversations about communication, self-control, and community.
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5 Powerful Reasons to Teach No Talking in Grades 4–6
1. 📖 Boosts Core Literacy & Textual Analysis
Through Clements’ vivid storytelling and rich character development, students do more than just read—they engage critically with the text. The novel provides endless opportunities to analyze character motivations, identify literary devices, track plot progression, and make real-world personal connections.
2. 💡 Fosters Critical Thinking & Communication Skills
At its core, No Talking challenges students to reflect on how and why we communicate. By watching Dave, Lynsey, and their classmates navigate a 48-hour silent contest, students are prompted to think deeply about the impact of their own words, the consequences of speaking without thinking, and alternative strategies for resolving everyday conflicts.
3. 🗣️ Sparks Dynamic Classroom Discussions
This book is an incredible catalyst for whole-class conversations! It raises natural, age-appropriate questions about gender stereotypes (boys vs. girls), peer pressure, social dynamics, and respect for authority. Teachers can easily guide these discussions to build a safe, inclusive environment where students feel empowered to voice their perspectives.
4. ❤️ Supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Navigating upper elementary friendships isn’t easy. As the characters grapple with self-expression, compromise, and empathy, students gain valuable SEL insights. Empathizing with the characters’ journey helps young readers develop greater self-awareness, emotional control, and stronger interpersonal skills.
With fast-paced dialogue and a clever plot, No Talking is pure fun! Teachers can leverage student enthusiasm to launch creative extension tasks—from opinion writing prompts and debate activities to role-playing exercises inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s historical influence featured in the book.
Take Your No Talking Unit Further (Zero Prep Required!)
Want to teach No Talking without spending your weekends creating worksheets, vocabulary lists, and quizzes?
I’ve created a complete 130-Page No-Prep Novel Study & Activity Bundle designed specifically for Grades 4–6. Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, run small guided reading groups, or homeschool, this unit provides everything you need for a seamless, standards-aligned book study.
Try a free sample of the novel study for No Talking
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Looking for a Bud, Not Buddy novel study that will save you hours of planning while giving your students meaningful opportunities to practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and critical thinking?
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis is an engaging historical fiction novel that gives upper-elementary and middle school students plenty to discuss. Through Bud Caldwell’s journey during the Great Depression, students explore important ideas about family, belonging, perseverance, identity, racism, economic hardship, community, and trust.
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If you’re planning to teach Bud, Not Buddy in your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade classroom, a well-designed Bud, Not Buddy book unit can help you turn those rich discussions into focused ELA instruction.
And if you don’t want to spend your evenings creating comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, and assessments, I’ve got you covered!
Why Teach Bud, Not Buddy?
Bud, Not Buddy follows ten-year-old Bud Caldwell, an orphan living in Michigan during the Great Depression. After another difficult experience in foster care, Bud sets out on his own in search of Herman E. Calloway, a man he believes may be his father.
What begins as a search for a father becomes a much bigger journey.
As Bud travels from Flint toward Grand Rapids, he encounters people who challenge his assumptions about adults, family, friendship, and what it means to belong. Along the way, students get a glimpse into life during the Great Depression, including poverty, homelessness, racial inequality, and the ways communities supported one another during difficult times.
The novel also provides plenty of opportunities to examine Bud’s growth. At the beginning of the story, Bud relies heavily on his own rules and instincts because adults have repeatedly disappointed him. As the story progresses, he begins to discover that accepting help and trusting others doesn’t make him weak.
These themes make Bud, Not Buddy an especially valuable choice for a middle-grade novel study.
Bud, Not Buddy Themes Students Can Explore
One of the biggest strengths of this novel is the number of meaningful themes students can discuss and support with evidence from the text.
Family and Belonging
Bud spends much of the novel searching for the family he has lost and wondering where he belongs.
This creates excellent opportunities for students to consider questions such as:
What makes someone a family?
Can people who aren’t related by blood become family?
Why is belonging so important to Bud?
How does Bud’s idea of family change throughout the novel?
The novel ultimately challenges students to think about family as something that can be created through love, trust, support, and community.
Perseverance and Resilience
Bud experiences disappointment after disappointment, but he continues moving forward.
Students can analyze the ways Bud responds to obstacles and identify moments when he demonstrates:
perseverance
resourcefulness
courage
independence
determination
Bud isn’t simply a character who experiences problems. He continually makes choices in response to those problems, making his journey especially useful for character analysis.
Identity
Even the title Bud, Not Buddy introduces the importance of identity.
Bud is determined to be called by the name he believes is his. Throughout the novel, he also tries to understand who he is, where he came from, and where he belongs.
This makes the novel a natural springboard for conversations about identity, family history, names, and self-discovery.
Racism and Inequality
Because the novel takes place in 1936, students encounter the realities of racial discrimination and inequality during the Great Depression.
Curtis incorporates these issues into Bud’s journey without making the novel solely about racism. Instead, students see how race affects Bud’s experiences as he travels through Michigan.
This provides an opportunity to connect literature and social studies while helping students examine how historical context influences a character’s experiences.
The Great Depression
The historical setting is another reason Bud, Not Buddy works so well as a classroom novel.
The story takes place during the Great Depression, when unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and economic hardship affected millions of Americans. Students encounter this history through Bud’s experiences rather than simply reading about it in a textbook.
The novel’s setting can lead to meaningful discussions about:
the Great Depression
unemployment
poverty
homelessness
Hoovervilles
migration
economic inequality
community support
The historical setting is an important part of the story, with the novel taking place in Michigan in 1936.
Bud, Not Buddy Is Perfect for Character Analysis
Bud is an especially interesting character for students to analyze because he changes significantly throughout the story.
At first, Bud believes he has to depend primarily on himself. His collection of rules helps him navigate a world where he doesn’t always trust the adults around him.
As students follow Bud’s journey, they can examine how his experiences affect his:
thoughts
feelings
actions
relationships
beliefs
understanding of family
understanding of himself
Students can also analyze how secondary characters influence Bud’s development.
Characters such as Miss Thomas, Herman E. Calloway, Lefty Lewis, Bugs, Deza Malone, and the Amos family all contribute to Bud’s journey in different ways.
This makes Bud, Not Buddy an excellent choice for teaching character traits, character development, relationships, and textual evidence.
Bud Caldwell’s Rules Make Great Classroom Discussions
One of the most memorable features of the novel is Bud’s collection of rules for surviving the world around him.
His rules are funny, clever, and sometimes surprisingly insightful. They also reveal a great deal about Bud’s experiences and his understanding of adults.
Instead of simply asking students to identify character traits, you can have them analyze what Bud’s rules reveal about his character.
For example:
What does a particular rule tell us about Bud?
What experience may have caused Bud to create the rule?
Is the rule helpful or harmful?
Does Bud continue to believe the rule later in the story?
What does the rule reveal about his relationships with adults?
These questions push students beyond simple recall and toward deeper character analysis.
Reading Comprehension Skills to Teach with Bud, Not Buddy
A Bud, Not Buddy novel study is an excellent way to incorporate reading comprehension instruction into authentic literature.
As students read, you can target skills such as:
Character Analysis
Students examine Bud’s traits, motivations, relationships, and development.
Making Inferences
Students use clues from the text to draw conclusions about characters, events, and relationships.
Textual Evidence
Students support their thinking with specific evidence from the novel.
Theme
Students identify themes and explain how those themes develop throughout the story.
Summarizing
Students distinguish important events from minor details and summarize sections of the novel.
Point of View
Students examine how experiencing the story through Bud’s perspective affects the reader’s understanding.
Vocabulary in Context
Students determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues and then apply those words in meaningful activities.
Critical Thinking
Students analyze decisions, relationships, conflicts, and historical circumstances rather than simply recalling what happened.
Add Vocabulary Instruction to Your Bud, Not Buddy Unit
Bud, Not Buddy provides plenty of opportunities for vocabulary instruction.
Instead of handing students a list of definitions, use vocabulary activities that require students to interact with the words in multiple ways.
Students can:
determine definitions using context clues
use words in original sentences
explore parts of speech
complete grammar activities
practice spelling
solve vocabulary puzzles
participate in word searches
use vocabulary word walls
revisit important words throughout the novel
Repeated exposure helps students move vocabulary from simply recognizing a word to actually understanding and using it.
Use Bud, Not Buddy to Teach Writing
A strong novel study shouldn’t stop when students answer comprehension questions.
Bud, Not Buddy provides numerous opportunities for reading response and writing instruction.
Students can write about:
Bud’s character development
the importance of family
perseverance and resilience
historical context
Bud’s relationships with other characters
important decisions Bud makes
themes in the novel
how Bud changes throughout the story
connections between the novel and their own lives
evidence from the text to support an argument
These activities allow students to practice writing while remaining connected to a book they are already reading and discussing.
Connect Bud, Not Buddy to Social Studies
One of the best features of teaching historical fiction is the opportunity to combine ELA and social studies.
Because Bud, Not Buddy takes place during the Great Depression, students can investigate the historical context surrounding the novel.
Consider pairing the novel with lessons about:
the Great Depression
the stock market crash
unemployment
Hoovervilles
segregation
racial discrimination
migration
African American history
jazz during the 1930s
Students can then return to the novel and consider how the historical setting affects Bud’s experiences.
This creates a much richer reading experience than treating the novel as a stand-alone story.
A No-Prep Bud, Not Buddy Novel Study for Grades 4–6
If you’re looking for Bud, Not Buddy worksheets, comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing prompts, assessments, and lesson plans, creating everything from scratch can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s why I created a complete Bud, Not Buddy Novel Study Book Unit designed to make teaching the novel easier.
This resource is designed for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade ELA classrooms and includes both printable and digital resources.
What’s Included in the Bud, Not Buddy Novel Study?
The complete unit includes everything you need to teach Bud, Not Buddy from beginning to end.
Teacher Resources
You’ll receive:
detailed lesson plans
a pacing guide
standards alignment
answer keys
vocabulary resources
a parent letter
reading guides
teacher planning materials
Student Activities
Students will have access to:
chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
vocabulary activities
grammar activities
spelling activities
writing prompts
reading responses
story elements activities
extension activities
printable worksheets
Assessment Resources
The unit also includes assessments to help you evaluate student learning throughout the novel.
Students can demonstrate their understanding through:
reading comprehension questions
vocabulary questions
short-answer responses
essay questions
quizzes
Printable AND Digital Resources
You don’t have to choose between paper and digital learning.
This Bud, Not Buddy novel study includes printable PDF resources as well as Google Drive™ digital activities, giving you the flexibility to use the materials in the way that works best for your classroom.
Use the printable version for traditional novel study activities or assign the digital resources for paperless learning, centers, homework, or independent work.
Why Teachers Love a Complete Novel Study
Teaching a novel shouldn’t require you to spend hours searching for separate resources.
When your comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, assessments, lesson plans, and answer keys are all in one place, you can spend less time planning and more time teaching.
A complete novel study also helps provide consistency.
Instead of jumping between unrelated worksheets, students work through activities that are intentionally connected to the novel and the skills you’re teaching.
Not sure if this Bud, Not Buddy book study is right for your classroom?
You can download a free sample and see the types of activities included before purchasing the complete unit.
It’s a great way to preview the resource and see how it can fit into your Bud, Not Buddy reading unit.
Ready to Teach Bud, Not Buddy?
If Bud, Not Buddy is on your reading list this year, you don’t have to create your entire novel unit from scratch.
This Bud, Not Buddy Novel Study Book Unit gives you a ready-to-use collection of ELA activities designed to help students understand the novel while strengthening their reading, vocabulary, writing, and critical-thinking skills.
It’s no prep, printable, and digital—and designed specifically for grades 4–6.
You’ll have everything you need to turn Bud, Not Buddy into a meaningful, engaging, and manageable ELA novel study.
Connect with Fellow Educators!
Are you teaching Bud, Not Buddy this school year?
Join our free community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to share ideas, grab freebies, and connect with 3rd–8th grade teachers using novels in the classroom!
*The Teaching Bank participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
Looking for a funny, engaging novel that will keep your students reading while strengthening their ELA skills?Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar is an excellent choice for an upper elementary novel study or book unit.
With its outrageous characters, unexpected plot twists, absurd situations, and clever humor, Wayside School Is Falling Down gives students plenty to laugh about—and plenty to think about.
But this quirky novel can do much more than entertain your students. It can also be a wonderful tool for teaching reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, creativity, writing, inference, and literary analysis.
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Why Teach Wayside School Is Falling Down?
Published by Louis Sachar, Wayside School Is Falling Down takes readers back to the wonderfully strange Wayside School, where almost anything can happen.
The school was accidentally built 30 stories high with one classroom on each floor, and the students and teachers who inhabit it are just as unusual as the building itself.
From bizarre classroom situations to characters who don’t behave the way students expect, the novel constantly surprises readers.
That makes Wayside School Is Falling Down especially useful for classroom discussion.
Instead of simply asking students to remember what happened, you can encourage them to ask:
Why did that character behave that way?
What clues does the author give us?
What would you have done in that situation?
Is the situation meant to be taken literally?
Why is this scene funny?
What makes the characters memorable?
What can we learn from the characters’ choices?
Those conversations turn an entertaining children’s book into a rich ELA learning experience.
1. Build Reading Comprehension Skills
A Wayside School Is Falling Down novel study gives students numerous opportunities to practice important reading comprehension skills.
As students read, they can work on:
Making predictions: What do you think will happen next?
Making inferences: What can you figure out even though the author doesn’t directly tell you?
Making connections: How does a character’s experience connect to your own life or another text?
Analyzing characters: What do a character’s words, actions, and choices tell us about them?
Analyzing plot: How do individual events contribute to the overall story?
Evaluating the text: What do you think about a character’s decision or the author’s choice?
The unusual events in Wayside School Is Falling Down make these skills particularly engaging because students can’t always rely on conventional storytelling patterns.
2. Use Humor to Teach Deeper Thinking
One of the reasons students love Louis Sachar’s books is the humor.
But the humor in Wayside School Is Falling Down can also provide an excellent opportunity to teach students about how authors use language and unexpected situations to create humor.
The book frequently uses absurdity, exaggeration, irony, unexpected events, and unusual character behavior.
Ask students questions such as:
What makes this situation funny?
What did you expect to happen?
What actually happened?
Why is the difference between the two funny?
How does the author’s word choice contribute to the humor?
Would the scene be as funny if it happened in a realistic school?
These questions encourage students to move beyond simply saying, “That’s funny!” and begin thinking about why something is funny.
That’s an important reading skill—and a great way to introduce literary analysis in an accessible way.
3. Encourage Creativity and Imagination
Wayside School Is Falling Down is anything but ordinary.
A teacher can turn into an apple. A student can float away with balloons. A school can have classrooms stacked 30 stories high.
These wonderfully strange events give students permission to think creatively.
After reading a chapter, challenge students to imagine their own version of Wayside School.
What would happen if there were a 31st floor?
What would the strangest classroom in the school look like?
What unusual rule would the teacher have?
What completely unexpected event could happen during the school day?
These questions can easily become creative writing activities, narrative writing prompts, or classroom art projects.
The book gives students a model for thinking outside the box—and then invites them to create something of their own.
4. Develop Critical Thinking Skills
The absurd situations in Wayside School Is Falling Down also make excellent opportunities for critical thinking.
Students can examine characters’ decisions, question assumptions, consider alternative explanations, and defend their opinions with evidence from the text.
For example, students can discuss:
Was the character’s decision a good one? Why or why not?
What could the character have done differently?
What evidence supports your opinion?
How might another character view the same situation?
What assumptions did the characters make?
What would happen if one event in the story changed?
Because the novel doesn’t always behave the way students expect, it naturally encourages them to question, analyze, and reconsider.
5. Teach Vocabulary in Context
A novel study is also a natural way to build vocabulary.
Instead of teaching vocabulary words in isolation, students can encounter new words within the context of an engaging story.
With Wayside School Is Falling Down, students can:
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues
Examine how word choice affects meaning
Use new vocabulary in their own writing
Practice spelling and word study
Discuss interesting or unusual language from the novel
Vocabulary instruction becomes much more meaningful when students encounter words while reading a story they actually want to understand.
6. Connect Reading to Writing
Wayside School Is Falling Down provides countless opportunities for writing.
Students can respond to the chapters, analyze characters, explain their thinking, make predictions, write creatively, or defend an opinion.
Some possible writing prompts include:
What would it be like to attend Wayside School?
Which character would you most want as your teacher? Explain why.
What would happen if Wayside School had a 31st floor?
Which event in the novel is the most surprising? Support your answer with evidence.
Choose a character and explain what you have learned about that character from their actions and choices.
These activities help students practice writing while keeping the writing connected to a book they are already reading.
A Complete Wayside School Is Falling Down Novel Study
If you want to teach Wayside School Is Falling Down but don’t want to spend hours creating comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, assessments, and lesson plans, I’ve done the work for you.
My Wayside School Is Falling Down Novel Study is a complete, no-prep novel unit for grades 3–5 designed to make teaching this hilarious Louis Sachar novel easier.
The resource includes 135+ pages of printable materials plus digital resources, giving you everything you need to turn the novel into a complete ELA unit.
What’s Included?
Teacher Materials
Daily lesson plans
Pacing and standards guide
Vocabulary word wall cards
Answer keys
Parent letter
Student Activities
Vocabulary activities
Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
Short-answer questions
Extension activities
Writing activities
Printable and digital resources
Assessments
Vocabulary quiz
Reading comprehension quiz
Short-answer assessment
Multiple-choice assessment
Writing assessment
Self-grading digital quizzes
Additional Literacy Activities
Story Elements interactive notebook activities
End-of-book activities
Additional writing activities
Activities that can be used with other novels
The unit is designed for 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade classrooms and can be used for whole-class instruction, small-group reading, literature circles, independent work, or homeschool settings.
Make Your Wayside School Is Falling Down Unit Easy
Teaching a novel shouldn’t require you to spend your evenings searching for chapter questions, creating vocabulary worksheets, and putting together assessments.
A complete novel study gives you the structure and resources you need while allowing your students to focus on what matters most: reading, thinking, discussing, and enjoying the book.
And Wayside School Is Falling Down is an especially fun choice because students can laugh at the outrageous situations while simultaneously practicing important reading and thinking skills.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Wayside School is Falling Down
Ready to Start Your Wayside School Is Falling Down Novel Study?
If you’re planning a Louis Sachar novel study, upper elementary ELA unit, reading comprehension unit, or book study, this resource can save you valuable planning time.
Connect with Fellow Educators!
Are you teaching Wayside School is Falling Down this school year?
Join our free community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to share ideas, grab freebies, and connect with 3rd–8th grade teachers using novels in the classroom!
Connect with Fellow Educators!
