Discussion Guide for Middle Schoolers

I1: MIDDLE SCHOOLER DISCUSSION GUIDE

FEEDBACK ON YOUTH BOOK

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I. INTRODUCTION

• Welcome children as they arrive

• Introduce the facilitator, the project, purpose of the discussion, “rules of discussion,” etc.

Script:

Hello. My name is [insert name] and I am so happy you could join me today. Does anyone know why we are here today? Well, I am here today because the people I am working with (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are in charge of coming up with ways to help kids stay healthy. But, we have one small problem. None of the people I am working with are kids! We are all grown-ups. How are we supposed to come up with good ways to help kids stay healthy if we are all grown ups and too old to remember what it’s like to be a kid?

So, that’s why I want to talk to you today. If you look around you, you will see that all the other boys and girls here are between the ages of 11 and 14? And everyone here is in middle school or junior high, right? So today the YOU get a chance to tell the grown-ups what they think. And I hope that all of you will share your ideas with me so we can find the best ways to help kids stay healthy. How does that sound?

Great. Before we get started, I have just a few rules, kind of like the rules your teacher probably has.

• Speak one at a time.

• There are no right or wrong answers. I really want to hear how you think or feel about things.

• NO making fun of what other people say.

• You do not have to talk about anything that you do not want to. But, I really hope that everyone here will have something they want to share today.

Does anyone have any questions? Then let’s get started because when we are all done, we have treats, a short activity, and some goodie bags you can take home.

STORY, PLOT, THEME (30 MINS)

1. What can you tell me about the book—[insert title]?

Probes:

• What is the story about?

• What kind of story is it? (e.g., Real or fiction? Comedy? Horror? Adventure? Mystery?)

2. Was the book easy to read?

• Did it take you a long time to read or did you read it quickly?

• Was the vocabulary list helpful?

• Did the story keep you interested, did you want to know what happens next?

3. What do you think about the setting, where the story takes place?

• Can you imagine the reservation?

• Does the setting seem real or believable to you?

3. Can you describe for me the parts of the book that talked about being healthy?

• Were these parts interesting? Why/why not?

• Did you learn anything new?

• Did you learn anything new about diabetes?

3. Can you describe for me the parts of the book that talked about being bullying?

3. Can you describe for me the parts of the book that talked about science?

• Did you learn anything new? If so, what?

3. Which of the science activities interest you most? Why?

• What OTHER kinds of science would you like to learn more about?

3. Are there any science activities you’d like to do as a job or career? If so, what?

CHARACTERS (15 MINS)

3. What were your first impressions or feelings about the characters in the book?

Probes:

• In what ways do the kids act like the kids you know?

• In what ways do the kids sound like the kids you know?

3. What did you think about the ADULT characters in the book?

Probes:

• In what ways they act like the adults you know?

• In what ways are they different?

3. Who is your favorite ADULT character and why?

3. Favorite ANIMAL character and why?

13. Would you like to read about these characters in another book? If so, what do you think should happen in the next book?

IMAGES/VISUALS/ILLUSTRATIONS (5 MINS)

14. What do you think about the pictures that go with the story?

Probes:

• Are these pictures like what you imagined when you were reading the book?

• What do you like/dislike about them?

SUMMARY (5 MINS)

15. What else would you like to share or say about the book?

Thank you so much for taking time out to talk to me today. We have a few Eagle Books items you can take home with you today. Have a great day.

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