Noodles Makes a Boo-boo, Online Activities Guide

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Credits

Story Written by:
Marcia Thornton Jones & Debbie Dadey

Activities Written by:
Reta Broadway & Terri Darr Mclean

Illustrated by:
Chris Ware

Cover Design & Titling by:
Pyrographic Media

 

Chapter 5 - Grounded

Beginning Activities

Dialogue is the talking that takes place between characters in a story. "Noodles Makes a Boo-boo" is full of dialogue, especially between Noodles and Danny. In this chapter, Dad has a lot to say to the twins, and even Boo-boo talks.

  1. What do you learn from the dialogue in this story? Does the dialogue help you understand more about the characters? About the plot? Skim over the previous chapters, if necessary, and discuss your thoughts with the rest of the class.

  2. Now find a comic strip in which two characters are talking to each other. What does the dialogue tell you about them? How does it add to the theme or message of the comic strip? For fun, rewrite the dialogue to change the personalities of the characters but not the message.

  3. Find another comic strip that has no dialogue. How does the strip’s creator use other techniques to get the message across? Discuss.

  4. Have you ever thought about how reporters include exactly what people say to make a newspaper story more interesting or easier to understand?

  5. Find an interesting quote in a news story and copy it on a separate sheet of paper. Underneath the quote, describe how it adds to what the writer is reporting.

  6. Bailey is the only character in this story who doesn’t talk, but she is an important part of the story. How do you think she feels about Boo-Boo? Create a brief dialogue between Boo-Boo and Bailey or Bailey and Danny. Share your dialogue with the rest of the class.

 

 

 

Noodles tries to keep a stack of dishes from falling.

 

Real Science!

Creating an invention involves trial and error. Even though you begin with an idea about what you are inventing and how you are going to go about it, sometimes you find out that things don’t work the way you expect. However, a good scientist learns from these mistakes. Then the scientist is able to make changes to improve the invention and not repeat the same mistakes.

  1. In our story, Noodles continues to make changes in Boo-Boo so that he will work again, but she does not seem to be learning from some of her mistakes. What mistake does she continue to repeat?

 

   Boo-Boo stacks the dishes.
 

Challenging Activities

  1. Even when Danny helps Noodles by stopping Boo-Boo from getting out more dishes, Noodles is angry with him. Why do you think she reacts this way?

  2. Why does Noodles defend Boo-Boo even when he continues to create problems? What excuses does she make for his behavior?

  3. The twins’ dad grounds them when he sees the mess in the kitchen. What privileges do they lose when they are grounded? Have you ever been grounded? Did you lose the same privileges as the twins?

  4. Dad doesn’t really seem to be aware of what is happening. Do you think it’s possible that he has no idea what is going on? Does he really think Boo-Boo is just another toy? Explain your answer.

  5. Danny tells Noodles that both she and Boo-Boo are nothing but trouble. Do you think he really means that? Does he really think she will get rid of Boo-Boo? How does Noodles respond when he says these things?

  6. Why does Danny think more trouble is coming when he sees Noodles eyes sparkling?

 

  

 
 

For the Advanced Reader

  1. Use the Internet, encyclopedia or other resource to find information about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Write the dimensions and describe the angle at which the Tower tilts. Why do the writers compare the stack of dishes Boo-Boo creates to this famous structure? Draw a sketch of the dishes on the table and the Leaning Tower of Pisa side by side.

  2. Danny and Noodles are twins but they seem to have very different personalities. What are some words that you would use to describe each of them? If these twins were your neighbors, which one would be more likely to be your best friend? Why? Think about your brother, sister or best friend. Make a list of ways in which your personalities are
    alike and different.

  3. Boo-Boo breaks down again and Noodles blames Danny. Why does she blame him? Danny decides that Noodles "is on her own." What does this mean? Do you think Danny will stick to this decision?

  4. Noodles doesn’t always follow the rules, but she is learning that Boo-Boo needs adjustments in order to work correctly. Most inventions do not work perfectly the first time and scientists have to continue to make changes over time. Do some research on an invention that interests you. Try to determine how long it took the inventor to perfect the item.

 

  

 

Noodles has an idea.

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