The Maze Runner by James Dashner

(AR Level: 5.3 - AR Pts: 15.0)

Let's explore The Maze, shall we?

Begin with a math lesson on probability.

The Maze Runner introduces a world changed by devastating disease and climate changes.  Many people believe these types of scenarios are plausible, even probable.  Scientist and mathematicians use probability to determine the likelihood of certain events occurring.  Check out some of their current theories on Gizmodo,  Aquiziam, and Discover Magazine.

Okay, now that we've managed to bring about the downfall of mankind, check out this link and explore what scientists currently know about amnesia, then devise your own theory about how WICKED erased the memories of the boys in the Glade.

What do you think your personal reaction would have been to finding yourself in such a peculiar situation?  Would you hide in terror, conform to the rules, or fight against the entire situation and change your destiny?

If you were to be dropped into the Glade right now, what skill do you think you have that would help determine your job in the group?  What skill would you like to develop to have the job you’d really want?

Ever thought about running?

How would you survive? Learn a new life saving skill, or just a neat trick, from a resource such as these. http://izifunny.com/2013/06/19/why-you-need-for-camping-23-pics.html

http://lifehacker.com/258043/the-ten-most-useful-knots-and-how-to-tie-them

http://survivallife.com/2014/08/08/how-to-throw-a-knife/

You could even try your hand at telepathy.

Now, design and illustrate your own version of a Griever.  Try to write out a description of it so that a reader can see what you see without your illustration.

WICKED is an acronym for World In Catastrophe Killzone Experiment Department.  If you were to create an acronym for your own life right now, what would it be?

Now, learn how to create mazes from these sites

http://amazeingart.com/maze-faqs/draw-mazes.html 

http://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Basic-Maze

http://amazeingart.com/maze-faqs/draw-mazes.html

and try creating a maze out of your first initial.

Want even more fun? Visit a nearby corn or mirror maze.

Check out an interview with James Dashner.

Take a Maze Runner quiz or two.

http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Literature/The-Maze-Runner-357110.html

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/12276-the-maze-runner

http://www.gotoquiz.com/which_maze_runner_character_are_you

Watch the movie and see how it compares to the book.

Ready for the next book in the series?  Check out The Scorch Trials

Also, check out a few similar and interesting titles:

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Variant by Robison Wells

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Neptune’s Children by Bonnie Dobkin

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The Ultimate Survival Manual by Rich Johnson

The Ultimate Maze Book by Galen Wadzinski

 

Oh, and don’t forget to identify yourself properly.

Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Today is all about flies.  Read Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold together, or view a video of the story being read 

here

(FYI: Hi! Fly Guy’s AR reading level is 1.5)

Discuss aspects of the book with your child:

What did the fly want?

What did the boy want?

What kinds of considerations should be addressed when thinking about getting a pet?

What kinds of responsibilities would different pets carry?

What does it mean to be a pest?

When is it important to consider the thoughts of others on what you should and shouldn’t do?  When is it less important?

Learn to draw Fly Guy and focus on a little math with this link from Fairy Dust Teaching.

Check out all the free printables available from Scholastic here.

How about pretending your really do want a fly for a pet?

Color and name your fly with this online coloring page.

Take a closer look at his anatomy here.

Learn about the life cycle of a fly here.

Learn how to catch and train your pet fly with these pages:

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Pet-Fly

http://joyagain.hubpages.com/hub/petflyonastring

http://www.dnalc.org/view/1720-Training-Flies.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dPfZE5adYg

Figure out what your new pet will eat and watch what happens when a fly actually eats here.

Look at the world through fly eyes.

Organize a pet show of your child’s stuffed animals and make awards for them, similar to those earned by the animals in the pet show in Hi! Fly Guy.

Want even more fun?  Don't forget to check our Pinterest page!

PS. Consider adding this adorable plush to your child’s collection. 

PPS. Hi! Fly Guy received an honorable mention from the Thoeodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book Awards. You can see all the winning titles for this award here.

Love Fly Guy?  Here are some more titles to check out:

Fly Guy Presents Space by Tedd Arnold

Fly Guy Presents Sharks by Tedd Arnold

Fly guy and Franken Fly by Tedd Arnold

Super Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman

A Fly Went By by Mike McClintock

The Fly by Elise Grave

Freaky Flies by Greg Roza

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Let’s spend a day with The Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Illustrations by Oliver Jeffers).

The day might begin by reading the book, or watch it read to you here, and a breakfast of pancakes with a variety of syrups in different colors to choose from.

You can find some recipe ideas here:

Strawberry

Blueberry

Lemon 

Chocolate 

Or even, Blue Raspberry Kool-aid!

Begin lesson time with a discussion on the book’s theme, story order and emotional content.

Have your child sort their own crayons into the order they appear in the story.

What was each crayon’s complaint?

What similar situations can your child relate to that help them understand the crayon’s feelings?

Does your child feel that the crayons chose positive or negative ways to express their concerns?

Watch an additional clip about a crayon with a problem here and help your child discuss what he or she sees.

Create cone hats out of construction paper and turn the book into a play or short skit.

Count the number of crayons that were featured in the book.

Count and compare the number of crayons in your child’s own box.

Create simple math problems by asking the child questions about how many crayons they would have if all they’re blue crayons got mad and left the box, or if their orange crayon found two more friends to join the box.

Compare fractions.  What a whole crayon looks like next to half a crayon.

Practice writing the letters in each color name with the same color crayon.

Draw and write your own letter back to one of the crayons. Try this free printable from Peace, Love and Learning.

Make your own name letter out of crayons.

Sort your crayons by color grouping, order in the rainbow, or any other system that makes sense to your child.

Learn about the history of Crayola here.

Find out how crayons are made here.

Dig a little deeper into the psychology of color for your own enlightenment.

Have your child choose their favorite color and go on a scavenger hunt to find items that are that same color.  How many are they able to find?

Choose your own favorite color and eat foods of only that color for lunch.

Color!

Talk about why it might, or might not be important to color “inside the lines”.

Use those crayons in other creative ways.

Let your children help you plan a rainbow colored dinner and explore the ideas from Enchanted Home Schooling Mom for a complete set of decorations and ideas.

And, have edible crayons for desert.

And don't forget to check out some of the other crayon books and products we love!

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
My Crayons Talk by Patricia Hubbard
A Day with No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch
Monsters Love Color by Mike Austin
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Crayola Ultimate Crayon Case
The Little ABC Coloring Book by Anna Pomoska
Color Me Calm by Lacy Mucklow

And always remember:

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