The Case of the Grumpy Chicken (Short Tales: Furlock & Muttson Mysteries) (Short Tales Furlock and Muttson Mysteries)
Short Tales Furlock And Muttson Mysteries Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
The Case of the Grumpy Chicken is a delightful installment in the Furlock & Muttson Mysteries series by Robin Michal Koontz. When Furlock Holmes and Muttson are called to investigate why a chicken is causing trouble in the neighborhood, they use their detective skills and humor to uncover the reason behind the chicken's grumpy behavior. This engaging mystery is perfect for young readers and includes large type, whimsical illustrations, and repeated phrases to appeal to students in grades 2-6. As part of the Short Tales Furlock & Muttson Mysteries series by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Publishing Group, this book provides entertaining, easy-to-follow mysteries that will captivate early readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the chicken grumpy in the story?
How did Furlock and Muttson work together to solve the mystery?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the grumpy chicken? What did you do?
What do you think is the most important clue that helped solve the mystery?
If you were a detective like Furlock and Muttson, what mystery would you want to solve?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the emotions of the characters and relate them to their own experiences. Ask open-ended questions that promote critical thinking about the plot and characters' actions. Engage in role-playing activities where your child can pretend to be a detective, making the reading experience both fun and educational. Emphasize teamwork and friendship seen in the book to inspire cooperative play and discussions about relationships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Furlock and Muttson, the detective duo, use their investigative skills to solve the mystery of the grumpy chicken, demonstrating step-by-step problem solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach problems systematically, enhancing their ability to think critically and solve issues they encounter in school or at home.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The collaboration between Furlock and Muttson highlights the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperative work and shows them the benefits of collaboration in group activities or team sports.
Example Lesson: Emotional Intelligence
Explanation: Through the story, children see how Furlock and Muttson interpret the emotions of others, including understanding why the chicken is grumpy.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be more perceptive of others' feelings and react empathetically in their interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite challenges, the detective duo remains persistent in their quest to find the truth behind the chicken's mood, teaching resilience in adverse situations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to stay determined and resilient when facing difficulties in tasks or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: As detectives, Furlock and Muttson pay close attention to detail, which is crucial to solving the case.
Real-World Application: Enhancing observation skills can help children in their academic subjects, such as science and math, and in their daily life by being more attentive to their environment.