Teacher Questionnaire: Chocrotes and the World Without Question

Before school was out I had the honor of visiting two classes of fifth graders at the Mill Pond School in Westborough, MA. It was a wonderful experience and I had a blast speaking with the students.  They had such creative questions and comments about my debut children’s book, Chocrotes and the World Without Question. They were a great audience who listened patiently and intently. They even begged me, when time was running out,  to continue reading an excerpt from my upcoming fantasy tale due out in late 2012, early 2013.

Before visiting the school I sent the two teachers, Ms. Porcello and Ms. Kilpatrick, a questionnaire about their views of the story of Chocrotes and the World Without Question.

Here is Ms. Porcello’s Response:

1. As a teacher, what lesson does Chocrotes and the World Without Question provide to students? Why is it important? 

Chocrotes provides multiple lessons.  It teaches children to embrace questioning, as it is a part of life and it helps increase curiosity and intelligence.  Another lesson is for students to be courageous and speak up, where others would remain quiet.

2.  How would you use Chocrotes and the World Without Question in your classroom? 

The Mill Pond School has won numerous awards and received honors as a National School of Character.  The key value of the month of June is courage.  We are always looking for ways to incorporate the key values to success in our regular instruction routines.  Chocrotes would serve as a great lesson regarding courage and perseverance, two of our keys to success.

3. When reading Chocrotes and the World Without Question to your class, what did students respond to the most? What questions did they ask? What characters did they relate to and/or enjoy? What was their general response to the story? 

My students thought the story was interesting from the beginning, as it was about chickens!  I was sure to vary the voices and try to bring Chocrotes’s passion forth in my read aloud, so that they would learn that he is very passionate about questioning and the right to do so.  They were confused as to why Doodle Doo would not allow questioning, so we discussed what it means to question.  They liked Marco Pollo as a supporting character!  They liked Chocrotes’s perseverance as well.  At times, they felt the story was a tad predictable and wished it was longer!

4.  What is your response to Chocrotes and the World Without Question? 

I thought the story was great!  It had a great message for kids to see the importance of questioning and to stand up for what one believes is right.

5.  If you were living in the World Without Question, would you…

a. Flee to the Great Western Woods or Red Mountains of the West

b. Stand up for you right to ask questions and risk expulsion or worse

c. Stay and live in the World Without Question (therefore accepting that no questions can be asked)

d. Other (Please explain) _______________________________________________________________________

 

Thank you Ms. Porcello for the opportunity to visit your students!

I hope you are having a lovely summer