The Best Seat in Second Grade (I Can Read Level 2)
I Can Read Level 1 Series
What’s inside...
Sam's favorite thing about second grade is the class pet, a hamster named George Washington. When the class goes on a field trip to a science museum, Sam cannot resist bringing George along. Sam has the best seat in second grade, right next to George Washington, the class pet.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Sam loves animals so much?
How did Sam feel when he realized he brought the class hamster home without permission, and what would you have done in his situation?
What did Sam learn about responsibility from his adventure?
How did Sam's classmates react to his show-and-tell, and why is it important to share experiences with others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by expressing curiosity about their thoughts and feelings regarding the story. Use the questions to guide a deeper conversation about responsibility and sharing experiences. Affirm their feelings and thoughts to create a supportive environment for discussion. Highlight parallels in their own life to the story to make the themes more relatable and impactful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Sam, the protagonist, takes on the responsibility of caring for the class hamster, demonstrating the importance of being accountable for others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by taking care of their own pets or helping with chores at home, learning that their actions directly affect others.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When the class hamster goes missing, Sam must use his critical thinking skills to find a solution and retrieve the hamster.
Real-World Application: Kids can use problem-solving skills in real-life situations such as resolving conflicts with siblings or figuring out how to manage their time for homework and play.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Sam collaborates with his classmates to care for the hamster and organize a class trip, showing the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with peers during group projects or team sports, understanding that collective effort can lead to greater success.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Sam learns to understand and share the feelings of his classmates when problems arise, depicting the significance of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by being considerate of friends' feelings and viewpoints, fostering healthier and more supportive relationships.