The Worst Class in the World
#1 of 5 in The Worst Class In The World Series
What’s inside...
Bloomsbury presents The Worst Class in the World by Joanna Nadin, a laugh-out-loud young fiction series perfect for fans of Horrid Henry. The series follows the antics of 4B, labeled as the WORST CLASS IN THE WORLD by head teacher Mrs Bottomley-Blunt. Despite her insistence that school is about LEARNING and not about fun, the students of 4B, led by Stanley and Manjit, find themselves in hilariously disastrous situations, from making their class sick with homemade biscuits to letting a pet rat escape. Through it all, 4B proves that while they may be the worst class, they are also the most entertaining. The book features two madcap adventures, making it an ideal choice for children transitioning to their first chapter books.
Character compass
Stan
Manjit
Miss Bream
Discussion points
What do you think makes Class 4B the 'wordest class in the world'? How do you think they feel about this title?
How do the characters in the book handle mistakes or problems? What can we learn from them?
If you could give one piece of advice to any character in the book, who would it be and what would you say?
Can you think of a time when something went wrong in school but had a funny or unexpected outcome, similar to the stories in the book?
Which character in the book would you most like to be friends with and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions about the book's events and characters, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.
Relate the stories from the book to your child’s own school experiences, encouraging them to draw parallels and personal connections.
Discuss the moral lessons and decisions made by the characters to engage your child in thinking critically about right and wrong.
Highlight the humor and lighthearted nature of the book to keep the discussion enjoyable and engaging for your child.
Ask your child how they might solve some of the conflicts in the book to help develop their problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Worst Class in the World', the characters often face challenges that they can overcome only by working together, showcasing how teamwork leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to collaborate with others to achieve common goals in school projects or in playing sports.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Through various antics and results in the book, children see how actions have consequences, both good and bad.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children think before acting and teaches them the importance of considering the results of their actions in real-life decisions.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: The book portrays scenarios where characters face dilemmas involving honesty, highlighting the positive outcomes of being truthful.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions, fostering trust and respect in relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Accepting differences
Explanation: This book includes a diverse cast of characters, each with unique traits and backgrounds, teaching children to embrace and celebrate differences.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand and appreciate diversity in their classrooms and communities, promoting inclusivity and empathy.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of difficulties
Explanation: Characters in the book frequently encounter setbacks, yet they continue to strive towards their goals, illustrating the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to keep trying and not give up when faced with challenges in learning new skills or working through personal difficulties.