Discussion Question Category: Ethics

First Woman and Strawberry

First Woman and Strawberry (a Cherokee Legend) A video of read-along for the book is available here. Note: In many indigenous cultures, important stories are told and passed down orally by grandmothers (the story in the book is told by a grandmother to her granddaughter). If time permits, the reading of the book can be First Woman and Strawberry

Love, Z

This lesson plan can be used either in a classroom or online.

Freedom Soup

Warm-up questions (optional): Questions for after reading the story: Before discussions that might touch on social justice issues, read “Things to Think About.” Contributed by Sam Sandoval, University of Washington

Last Stop on Market Street

Cover illustration for Matt de la Pena's picture book Last Stop on Market Street

CJ and his nana have a weekly routine. Are routines important? Why? Why is it important to understand the ways in which people are different from each other? Why is it important to understand the ways in which people are the same? Does having more things make people happier? Why? Why do people help other Last Stop on Market Street

Wild

What feelings/thoughts do you have about this story? Why do we think the girl is “wild”? What makes her “wild”? Have you ever had a time you felt like the Wild Girl? Can you describe it? What was that experience like? What does it mean to behave “wrongly”? What does your “wild girl wild space” Wild

I Am the Dog

Cover of book I am the dog. Illustration of boy and dog face to face.

What are the benefits and downsides to being a human? What are the benefits and downsides to being a dog? Max and Jacob decide that being a dog is better than being a human. Does that seem right to you? Are all dogs’ lives the same? Are all humans’ lives the same? If you could I Am the Dog