Franklin's Spaceship (Franklin and Friends)
#1 of 12 in Franklin And Friends Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Franklin the turtle and his friends are playing spaceship in their tree fort, but Snail isn't interested and prefers to play his harmonica instead. Despite joining them, Snail isn't having fun and would rather play music. The story explores themes of adaptability, fairness, and inclusiveness as Franklin and his friends find a solution that allows everyone to contribute and feel included in the game. The book, based on the Franklin and Friends series, encourages discussions on character education and is a great choice for read-aloud sessions in preschool or kindergarten.
Discussion points
What would you do if you had your own spaceship like Franklin? Where would you go?
How did Franklin and his friends work together to build the spaceship? Can you think of a time when you worked with friends to create something?
Why do you think Franklin wanted to build a spaceship? What does this tell us about exploring and trying new things?
How did the characters feel when the spaceship was complete? How do you feel when you finish a big project?
If you could add something to Franklin’s spaceship, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination to extend the story, asking where they would travel in a spaceship and why.
Discuss the value of teamwork as depicted in the book. Relate it to your child’s experiences of working in groups at school or in play.
Highlight the excitement of learning and exploring new things. Use Franklin's curiosity to inspire your child to embrace learning as an adventure.
Reflect on feelings of accomplishment after completing a task, and relate them to emotions the characters might have felt in the story.
Use the discussion about adding something to the spaceship as a way to understand your child’s interests and creative ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Franklin’s Spaceship,' Franklin and his friends work together to build a spaceship. The story emphasizes the importance of each character’s unique contribution to the collective goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to value each team member's input and cooperating to achieve a common objective.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Franklin faces challenges that require creative solutions, particularly in designing and assembling the spaceship. These scenarios teach problem-solving through trial and error.
Real-World Application: Kids can use these skills to tackle their own challenges, such as resolving conflicts with peers or figuring out how to complete a difficult task at school.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The act of creating a spaceship from scratch showcases the power of imagination. Franklin and his friends use their creativity to envision and execute their project, showing that imagination is key to innovation.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to use their creativity in play and in learning, imagining new possibilities and expressing their ideas in various forms, whether in art, writing, or other creative projects.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Franklin and his crew encounter several obstacles but continue working towards their goal. This highlights the value of persistence and not giving up easily.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of perseverance in the face of difficulties, whether it’s completing a difficult homework assignment or improving in a sport.
Example Lesson: Sharing Knowledge
Explanation: As they build the spaceship, the characters share their knowledge and skills with each other, which is crucial to their success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of sharing knowledge and helping others understand new concepts, enhancing cooperative learning and group success at school.