Today we are launching our One School, One Book event!  We are so excited to read Stuart Little by E.B. White this year as a school community.  

Not familiar with this story?  See a brief overview below:

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born into a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Stuart is shy and thoughtful, and a true lover of adventure. Stuart's greatest journey begins when his best friend, a little bird named Margalo, suddenly disappears from her nest. Determined to find her, Stuart sets off on an adventure away from home for the first time in his life. Along the way, he encounters plenty of excitement—but will he be able to find his friend and bring her home?

Published in 1945, the book is known for its themes of courage, individuality, and kindness, as well as for its take on the world from a mouse’s perspective. E.B. White's warm writing style and imaginative storyline have made Stuart Little one of the most beloved classics in children’s literature. 

Students will start their reading journey in class today by reading Chapter 1.  All students (K-5) will bring home a copy of the book tonight along with a bookmark to decorate.  

To learn more about One School One Book and catch up with Chapter 1 before your student comes home, watch the video below!

Students read Chapter 1 at school and should be able to summarize the chapter or you may also read it as a family to kick-off this exciting journey. 

Discussion Questions: 

1. How did Stuart Little use STEM skills to help his family in Chapters 1 and 2? What problems did he solve?
2. When talking about the mouse hole, why do you think Mr. Little says that Stuart LOOKS like a mouse, instead of that he IS a mouse?
3. What do you predict might happen in the next chapter?  Why do you think that?

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why did George keep promising he was going to do something to help Stuart and then not do it?
2. Why was it so important to Stuart that he be able to do things in the bathroom on his own without anyone's help?

Activity: How to Draw Stuart Little

Discussion Questions: 

1. Other than the fact that he is a mouse, why else might Snowbell not have liked Stuart?  
2. Why did Snowbell pretend that Stuart went into the mousehole?  

Discussion Questions: 

1. What else could the Little's have done when they found out that Stuart was missing?
2. Why didn't Stuart tell on Snowbell for tying him up in the blinds?  Would you have told on him?

Discussion Questions: 

1. Do you think Stuart likes being small or do you think he would rather be different?  Why do you think that?
2. -Why did the old man want Stuart to sail on his ship?

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why do you think the crowd loved Stuart so much and were rooting for him?
2. When Stuart got home and George asked him what he was doing all day, Stuart replied, "Oh just knocking around town." Why do you think Stuart didn't tell George about his sailing adventure?

Discussion Questions: 

1. What is the relationship between Stuart and the bird, Margalo?  
2. When he is making sure Snowbell does not eat Margalo, Stuart says that he feels brave and scared at the same time.  When you have you felt that way and what did you do?  
3. What does it say about Stuart that he would take a sick bird inside the house and take care of it?  

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why do you think Margalo searched so hard for Stuart and tried so hard to save him?
2. When Stuart was scared on the garbage barge, what did he think about?  What did he decide was most important to him?

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why didn't Margalo say goodbye to Stuart?  Was that a nice thing for her to do?  
2. How do you think Snowbell would have felt if the other cat ate Margalo?  Do you think Snowbell would have felt badly if that happened?  

Discussion Questions: 

1. If you were Stuart, would you have left home to look for Margalo without telling anybody?  Why do you think he did this?  
2. The doctor gives Stuart a car that can become invisible.  If you could make one thing in your life invisible, what would it be and why?

Activity:  Stuart Little Crossword Puzzle and Word Search

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why do you think Stuart didn't ask the Littles to help him find Margalo?  Was that a good idea?
2. Do you think Stuart would make a good substitute teacher?  Why or why not?

Discussion Questions: 

1. When Stuart asked the store owner if the canoe leaked, the storekeeper didn’t answer him.  Why do you think he didn’t answer him?  Was that the right thing to do?
2. How does everyone in the story treat Stuart?  Do they treat him like a mouse or like a person?  

TONIGHT (4/15) is STEM Night from 5:30-7:00!  Bring your STEM challenge creation for our Stuart Little school display.  

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why did Stuart have to change his shirt so many times?
2. How did Stuart act when his plans were ruined by the canoe being gone?  Was that the right way to react?  What would be a better way?  

Discussion Questions: 

1. Do you think Stuart will find Margalo?  
2. Pretend you are the author and are writing the next chapter.  What will happen next for Stuart?