Thank You Mr. Falker

What lesson does the little girl learn about herself?

• She learned that she could read – she just needed good teachers and lots of practice!

• She learned she was only good at art.

• She learned that honey makes her happy.

• She figured out that she would never learn to read or do math.

How does Mr. Falker change Trisha’s life?

• With his help, she is able to go on to 6th grade.

• He moved the bullies into other classes so they would not bother her.

• He tells her she should just focus on drawing, and she is relieved.

• He believes in her, helps her, and opens a whole new world of reading for her.

What is Trisha’s problem that makes it hard for her to read and work with numbers?

• She didn’t try hard enough.

• The numbers and letters looked wiggly, fuzzy, and out of order.

• She needed glasses.

• She is just better at art.

What was important to know about Mr. Falker’s point of view when it came to his students?

• He dressed in the neatest clothes.

• He thought he could teach Trisha to read all by himself.

• He treated his students fairly, saw their talents, and didn’t accept bullying.

• He thinks teaching is boring.

What can we learn about Trisha’s feelings from the illustrations of recess?

• She ignores mean kids and has fun playing with her friends.

• She is very angry and finds ways to bully people at recess.

• She is happiest at recess time because she doesn’t have to read.

• She is very hurt by the words the bullies use to make fun of her.

How was “kindergarten Trisha” different than “first-grade Trisha”?

• She was happy in kindergarten, but started to feel “different” in first grade.

• She was bored in kindergarten.

• She was so happy to learn to read in first grade.

• All she did was draw in first grade.

Based on what you’ve read, why did Trisha become an author of children’s books?

• She wanted to be famous.

• She couldn’t decide on another job.

• She could use reading, writing, and drawing to help children not feel so “different.”

• She just wanted to draw.

What line did the author repeat at the beginning and at the end to show how far Trisha had

come?

• She repeats the idea of books and knowledge being like honey and bees.

• She repeats how much she does not like school.

• She says thank you to Mr. Falker at the beginning and at the end.

• She repeats all the horrible things some of the kids said to her.

Who is the story really about?

• The story is about a little girl who grows up to be a teacher.

• It is about a teacher who is new to the girl’s school.

• It is about the author, Patricia Polacco, when she was a little girl.

• It is about a girl who has trouble in art class.