The Finches' Fabulous Furnace
What’s inside...
When the Finch family moves into the only available house in Ashfield, they find it has a very strange heating system.
Age
9-12
Length
149 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to have a furnace that made it summer all year round?
How did the Finch family’s life change because of their fabulous furnace?
What are some ways the Finch family helped their neighbors?
If you were one of the Finch children, what would you have done differently?
Why do you think community is important during unusual situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use visual aids or illustrations from the book to help your child connect with the story.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own 'fabulous furnace' and its effects.
Discuss the importance of helping and supporting neighbors, as demonstrated by the Finch family.
Pose hypothetical questions to your child to foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Reinforce the concept of community by drawing parallels with your own neighborhood or community experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of imagination
Explanation: In 'The Finches' Fabulous Furnace', the Finch family discovers their home has a unique, magical furnace that leads to various imaginative adventures. Throughout the book, the children are encouraged to use their imagination to explore and make sense of their world.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in creative play and problem-solving, vital skills in real-life scenarios and academic settings.
Example Lesson: Family unity
Explanation: The Finch family members support each other and work together to handle the unusual situations and challenges posed by their magical furnace. This cooperation is key to their success.
Real-World Application: Teaches the importance of teamwork and communication within the family, skills transferable to group tasks at school or in community activities.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the Finches deal with the consequences of having a magical heat source, they learn to adapt to unexpected circumstances and make the best of their situation.
Real-World Application: Helps children learn to be flexible and adapt to changes and challenges, fostering resilience.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The children’s curiosity about how the furnace works and its implications leads them to learn more about it, demonstrating the benefits of seeking knowledge.
Real-World Application: Promotes a love of learning and exploration that is essential for educational growth and personal development.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The Finch family faces and solves problems created by the furnace, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Equips children with the ability to think critically and solve problems, skills that are valuable in school and beyond.