My Weirdtastic School #1: Miss Banks Pulls Lots of Pranks!
#1 of 21 in My Weird School Series
What’s inside...
With more than 32 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this opening installment of the newest My Weird School arc, mischief, mayhem, and pranks galore await! A.J. and his friends are starting fourth grade. A new school year means a new teacher, and Miss Banks may be their weirdest one yet. She won't stop playing practical jokes on the class, and A.J. has reached his breaking point. Will he and the gang learn to not fall for their teacher's tricks? Or will Miss Banks prevail as the ultimate prankster? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!
Discussion points
Why do you think Miss Banks likes to pull pranks?
How did the characters react to Miss Banks' pranks? What would you have done in their place?
What is your favorite prank from the book and why?
How do you think the story would change if Miss Banks stopped pulling pranks?
What lessons can we learn about humor and respect from Miss Banks' actions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the motive behind actions, like why Miss Banks chooses to pull pranks. Discuss the reactions of other characters and relate them to real-life scenarios, enhancing empathy and understanding. Highlight the importance of humor in our lives, while also talking about the boundaries and respect for others. Use the pranks in the book as fun examples to illustrate points during your conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of humor to build relationships
Explanation: Miss Banks uses pranks as a tool to connect with her students, making learning engaging and interactive.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use humor to form friendships and improve social interactions, helping them navigate various social settings comfortably.
Example Lesson: Creative thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: As students figure out the reasons behind Miss Banks' pranks, they learn to think critically and creatively.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to approach challenges with an open and inventive mindset, applicable in academic and personal scenarios.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: The story explores reactions to Miss Banks' pranks, teaching students to understand diverse responses from their peers.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop empathy, allowing them to be more considerate and understanding towards others' feelings and viewpoints.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Students in the book learn that every action, including pranks, has consequences which they must take responsibility for.
Real-World Application: Instills a sense of accountability in children, emphasizing the importance of thinking before acting in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience and adaptability
Explanation: The students adapt to the unconventional teaching methods of Miss Banks, learning to be resilient in unexpected situations.
Real-World Application: Prepares children to adapt to changes and bounce back from various challenges they face in life.