The Chocolate Teapot: Surviving at School
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Staying in shape when the heat is on isn't easy - just ask any chocolate teapot. So here is some practical advice on how to live for Jesus at school. There's help with telling others about Jesus, touching base with other Christians and how to cope when you feel you've let God down. Should you kick bullies? What if all your friends swear? What about girlfriends/boyfriends? How can I tell my friends about Jesus? Staying in shape when the heat is on isn’t easy – ask any chocolate teapot! So here is some practical help for young Christians on how to live for Jesus at school. There’s help with telling others about Jesus, touching base with other Christians, when you feel you’ve let God down, and how not to start your career at secondary school. All this wrapped up with fun and humour.
Age
10-12
Length
114 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the title 'The Chocolate Teapot: Surviving at School' suggests about coping with challenges at school?
How do you feel about the main character's actions and decisions? Can you relate to any of their experiences?
What is one important lesson you learned from the book? Why do you think it is important?
If you could give the main character advice, what would it be?
What part of the story did you find the most interesting or surprising? Why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Prioritize listening. Let your child express their thoughts and feelings about the book first before sharing your own.
Relate the story to real-life situations. Discuss any similar challenges they might be facing in school and explore solutions together.
Encourage critical thinking by asking your child why they think the author chose certain events or outcomes in the story.
Use the discussion as an opportunity to understand your child’s perspective on school and friendships. This can lead to meaningful advice and support.
Revisit the book’s themes after some days. Sustained conversations can deepen understanding and recall of the book’s lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The protagonist of 'The Chocolate Teapot' faces various school-related challenges, learning to navigate them with persistence and creativity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by developing a positive attitude towards solving problems and overcoming obstacles in school and beyond.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character learns the importance of building and maintaining friendships, which help them cope with school struggles.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of social bonds and supporting each other, skills they can use in group activities or team projects at school.
Example Lesson: Importance of asking for help
Explanation: The character in the story learns to seek assistance when needed, demonstrating that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to communicate openly with teachers and peers if they are struggling with something, promoting a healthy learning environment.
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: The book showcases various characters who are unique in their own ways, teaching the reader to appreciate and embrace individual differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital in helping children understand and appreciate diversity among their classmates and learn to respect everyone’s unique traits.
Example Lesson: Handling failure positively
Explanation: The story conveys that failure is a natural part of learning and growing, and it's crucial to handle setbacks with a positive mindset.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it's okay to make mistakes and that each setback is an opportunity to learn and improve in their academic and personal lives.