Kids Lesson Plan or Book Club Questions - 2007
Goose Girl
by Shannon Hale
Ages: 5th Grade and up
On Prediction:
Read this description:
Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale off the well-known Grimm version of a girl who became a goose girl and found some unusual talents that led her to become queen.
Now ask yourself these questions:
- Does she have to become a goose girl to find those talents?
- Will she like being a goose girl?
- Guess what the “unusual talents” are.
- What do you think this story will be about? What will happen in the end? (See our blog for our answers, if you want them.)
On the Practice of Predictive Reading:
It is smart reading to make predictions as you go. Good authors give you valid clues to the plot, but also try to mislead you with false tipoffs -- the more you practice predictive reading, the better you’ll get at spotting these. (We bet you already do this at the movies!)
As you read another book, form your own questions that will lead to predictions. Perhaps start your questions with “I wonder whether” or “Her next obstacle will be”. At the beginning of each chapter, stop and predict the ending. See if you are right. Pat yourself on the back, if you are..
Talk about this...in a book group, classroom, around the dinner table..
- Explain how Ani changes from beginning to end.
- Who betrays Ani and who proves to be true friends and loyal to the end?
- Name your favorite literary elements in the book: characters, setting, theme, or plot. Explain.
- What would have happened if Ani was not able to develop her skills with the animals? Would she have found happiness as a common goose girl?
- Name a turning point in the book. Explain.
- What could Ani have learned from Cinderella?
