The Superteacher Project
on Goodreads (2,112)
What’s inside...
From Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of Restart and The Unteachables, comes a hilarious new story about a mysterious new teacher who turns out to be an AI robot from a secret experimental program. Oliver Zahn, spitball champion and self-declared rule-wrecker of Brightling Middle School, is not a fan of his new homeroom teacher, Mr. Aidact. The guy is sort of stiff, never cracks a smile, and refers to them as 'pupils.' The worst part is he catches Oliver before he can pull any of his signature pranks! It's time for Oliver and his best friend, Nathan, to show the new teacher who's boss. But as the weeks go by, they start to realize that Mr. Aidact is not what they expected. He has an uncanny ability to remember song lyrics or trivia. When the girls' field hockey team needs a new coach, he suddenly turns out to be an expert. He never complains when other teachers unload work on him--even when it's lunchroom duty and overseeing detention. Against all odds, Mr. Aidact starts to become the most popular teacher at Brightling. Still, Oliver and Nathan know that something is fishy. They're determined to get to the bottom of the mystery: What's the deal with Mr. Aidact?
Age
8-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Oliver Zahn
Nathan Poplawski
Mr. Aidact
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a super teacher? How did the characters in the book show these qualities?
If you could create a super teacher, what special powers would they have? How would those powers help you in your learning?
How did the students in the story change because of their interactions with the Superteacher? Can you think of a time when a teacher helped you change or learn something important?
What challenges did the Superteacher face, and how did they overcome them?
If you were part of the Superteacher Project, what role would you want to have and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and articulate their thoughts by making connections between the book’s themes and their personal experiences. Validate their feelings and ideas to build their confidence in expressing themselves. Ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into their thoughts and feelings about the story. Share your own experiences with impactful teachers or learning moments to create a bonding moment and to show them that learning is a lifelong journey.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The characters in 'The Superteacher Project' work together to complete a school project, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning that teamwork can achieve greater results than individual efforts alone.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: This book includes characters from diverse backgrounds, teaching children to appreciate and respect different cultures and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Kids can show respect and inclusivity towards classmates who come from different backgrounds, promoting a positive and diverse environment.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: The story emphasizes the value of education through the dedicated teachers and eager students, highlighting learning as a key to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take their studies seriously and understand that their educational journey is crucial for their future.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The project in the story encourages students to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions, showcasing the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their imagination to solve problems and be creative in their daily tasks and schoolwork.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Students in the book are tasked with specific roles in their project, teaching them accountability and the importance of fulfilling their duties.
Real-World Application: This reinforces the concept of personal responsibility in children, helping them understand that being responsible is key to both personal and team success.