Clementine and the Spring Trip
#6 of 7 in Clementine Series
What’s inside...
The book tells a story about Clementine, an imaginative third-grader, who is excited about her class Spring trip. As she is preparing for the trip, she faces various obstacles, including the prospect of having to eat yucky squid. For Clementine, spring is a really big deal. It’s the time for seeing her apple tree start to grow, for watching her friend Margaret go crazy with spring cleaning, and for going on the school trip to Plimoth Plantation. Clementine is ready for Ye Olden Times, but she isn’t so sure about surviving lunch there - the fourth graders have strict rules about no eating sounds. If that wasn’t enough, Clementine also faces the challenges of learning Olive-language and surviving The Cloud on Bus 7. Hearing the pilgrim lady talk about why she made the long journey from England makes Clementine think about rules. Who makes them, and what do they mean to the people who have to live with them? Today Clementine has to decide which rules are made to be broken.
Discussion points
How do you think Clementine feels about going on the spring trip and why?
What are some ways Clementine shows she cares about her friends?
What would you have done differently if you were in Clementine's situation during the trip?
How do the experiences on the trip change Clementine's views or feelings?
What did you learn from Clementine’s adventures that you can apply in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing a personal story of a memorable trip you had during your childhood, relating it to Clementine’s spring trip.
Encourage your child to draw a scene from the book that they found interesting or exciting. Discuss why they chose that particular scene.
Ask your child to think about if they have ever felt similar to Clementine in any situations. Relate those feelings to the events in the story to deepen understanding.
Create a 'What if?' scenario where your child can imagine a different ending or twist to the book. Discuss how those changes might affect Clementine and the story's outcome.
Post-reading, encourage your child to write a short letter to Clementine giving her advice or asking her questions about her trip. This can make the interaction with the story more personal and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Clementine shows empathy by understanding her friend Margaret's fears about the chicks in the story, helping her to cope with them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and offer support, fostering stronger friendships and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: Clementine demonstrates resourcefulness throughout the book by solving problems during the school trip, such as dealing with an escaped chick.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to think creatively to solve problems they encounter, whether at school or at home, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Importance of Communication
Explanation: The character navigates various misunderstandings and learns the importance of clear communication, especially with adults.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of expressing their thoughts and feelings clearly to avoid misunderstandings and build better relationships.
Example Lesson: Handling Change
Explanation: Clementine deals with various changes during the spring trip and learns to adapt positively.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace change in their lives, understanding that it can lead to new experiences and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the trip, Clementine collaborates with her classmates to overcome challenges, showing the strength of working together.
Real-World Application: This highlights to children the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals, applicable in school projects or team sports.