Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Childrens Books Discussion Guide

Gooney Bird Greene

Discussion guide:
1. Describe Gooney Bird Greene. How would she fit into your class? Do you, like
Gooney Bird, like to be smack dab in the middle of everything?
2. Mrs. Pidgeons class is talking about how to write or tell a good story. What do all
stories need?
3. What makes Gooney Bird Greene a great storyteller? Is there a difference between
good storytelling and good writing?
4. Which of the stories that Gooney Bird tells is your favorite? Why?
5. Who are the main characters in this story? How do you get to know them?
As you read Gooney Bird Greene complete the following graphic organizer based on
the stories that she tells.
Gooney Bird Greene
by Lois Lowry
illustrated by Middy Thomas
About the series:
Gooney Bird is not your average second-grader. First there are her marvelous
outfits like the pajamas and cowboy boots she wore on her first day at Watertown
Elementary. But there are also the amazing stories she tells and her excellent ability to
accessorize all while being a good friend. Join Mrs. Pidgeons classroom and learn
along with Gooney Bird and her colorful classmates.
About the author and illustrator:
The two-time Newbery Awardwinning author Lois Lowry has been friends with the
illustrator, Middy Thomas, for many years. They laughed so much and for so long while
working on the Gooney Bird Greene books they had a hard time getting completed!
They are thrilled to share these books with children.
Gooney Bird Greene
Project:
Find out the story of how you got your name. Then, as a class, take turns sharing your
stories. Be sure that each one has all the important parts of a story!
How Gooney
Bird Greene
Got Her Name
Magic Carpet
Ride
Prince, Palace
and Diamond
Earrings
Why Gooney
Bird Was Late
For School
Catman Con-
sumed by a
Cow
Story Characters in
the story
In the
beginning
In the
middle
In the
end
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CHILDRENS BOOKS
A DISCUSSION GUIDE
Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
Discussion guide:
1. What holiday is Mrs. Pidgeons class preparing for?
2. What problem does Mrs. Pidgeons class have? How does Gooney Bird Greene solve it?
3. Would you like to have a lead role in a play or not? Why?
4. How did the second grade class get new dictionaries?
5. Do you know how to look up words in a dictionary? Give three tips on how to find words.
There are lots of new words in this Gooney Bird book! As you read, color or place a check
mark in the box that best describes how well you know the word.
Gooney Bird and the
Room Mother
Project:
Try to use three of the new words from the list above in the next week. Be prepared to share
an example of when you used them with the class! Or, illustrate the meaning of three of the
words.
New Word: This word is brand
new to me!
I have heard this
word before.
I could use this
word in a sentence:
Ennui
Obsolete
Enterprising )
Indefatigable
Mural
Weary
Dissatisfied
Cajole
Admonition
Reward
Incognito
Authentic
Fiasco
Slapdash
Provide
Imitation
Underestimate)
Interpreter
A word you found:
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT CHILDRENS BOOKS
A DISCUSSION GUIDE
Gooney the Fabulous
Discussion guide:
1. What is a fable? What animal would you choose to write a fable about? What animal name
starts with the same letter as your name? What lesson or moral would you try to teach?
2. Barry says that having a teddy bear is a baby thing. How do Mrs. Pidgeon and the class
set him straight? Do you have a special animal too?
3. How did the second graders in Mrs. Pidgeons class help Beanie and Barry to revise their
fables? What did each of them need?
4. How did the Chihuahua fable have an open (or ambiguous) ending? Do you like these kinds
of endings?
5. What was Nicholas so upset about all week? How did Gooney Bird help him solve his
problem?
As you read Gooney the Fabulous fill out the following graphic organizer about the fables as
you read them.
Gooney the Fabulous
Animal Retell in one sentence Moral of the story
Panda Ex: Panda leaves the woods
to eat a new food with deer
but then feels sick and
scared.
Sometimes what you
already have is the best
thing.
Kangaroo
Bear
Flamingo
Tyrannosaurus rex
Bunny and Tortoise
Bison
Chihuahua
Mandrill
Gnus
Projects:
Write your own fable. Be sure that it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Try to use
dialogue and build suspense. Dont forget to use the word SUDDENLY!
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT CHILDRENS BOOKS
A DISCUSSION GUIDE
Gooney Bird is So
Absurd
Gooney Bird is So Absurd
Discussion guide:
1. Describe Gooney Bird Greenes fashion choices. What is the most surprising? Would you
wear a brain-warming hat or not?
2. What is a couplet? How does each couplet tell us something about the writer? Can you
write one too?
3. Mrs. Pidgeon brings in the poems her mother wrote as mentor texts for the children. What
other poets do you like to read?
4. Which of the poetic forms (list, haiku, or limerick) is your favorite? Why? Which poem from
the story is your favorite?
5. Why does Mrs. Pidgeon miss school? How do the children help?
Type of poem Definition Helpful writing tips
Limerick
List poems
Haiku
Project:
Try your hand at a haiku, a list, and a limerick. After revising, choose your favorite poem and
illustrate it for a bulletin board display.