Discussion Questions: Chapter 6 ~ This Drum

Reader, here is your charge.

All year we have been learning about the strategies good readers use. We have learned to make connections and use our background knowledge to understand how characters feel. We have learned to stop when we are confused and use 'fix-up' strategies to figure things out. We have learned how our questions help us predict and give us a purpose for reading. We have learned to visualize by making a 'movie in our heads', complete with smells and sound effects.

As we read the Tale of Despereaux together, we will practice using all these strategies. I will post some questions for us to discuss but be sure to share what you are thinking and the strategies you are using as you read.

Here are our first questions:

1. "Something must be done. He will be the end of us all." [page 35] Despereaux's father, Lester, says this about Despereaux. Why does Lester say this? What is Lester so worried about?


2. When we read Because of Winn-Dixie we learned a lot about Opal from the way she behaved. Think about Despereaux's behavior. List some traits that describe him.

Share your thinking by clicking on the word comments at the end of this post. When asked to Choose an identity select Name/URL and give your first name. All comments will be moderated so there will be a delay before your comment is posted on the blog.

You can respond to the questions I have asked or ask some of your own.

Be sure to read and think about what others say!

Invite yourself to the party!

Enjoy!