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Hazelwood Community Reads

A Boy Called Bat

Hazelwood Community Reads A Boy Called Bat

Hazelwood Community Reads! A Boy Called Bat

A Boy Called Bat Book Trailer
Book Trailer for A Boy Called Bat
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We'd love to hear your thoughts on Hazelwood Community Reads!

Would you take a few moments to share your thoughts? Thank you!


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We are excited for you and your family to be a part of the first ever Hazelwood Community Read event from January 8th- February 16th. With the help of Hazelwood PTA, we are thrilled to provide one free copy of the book, A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold, to each family in our school. The youngest sibling will receive a copy of the book for their family to enjoy on January 8th.


Over the next six weeks, we ask that you and your family read this book in the evenings or on the weekends. Our goals are to help families enjoy the fun of sharing a book together and to get the whole school community talking about the same book. You will find a schedule in this newsletter to help everyone stay on track. Each week will have different chapters to read or listen to, and some optional activities and discussion questions. You can read the chapters aloud as a family or there is an audio option for each chapter read by one of the staff members at Hazelwood Elementary. The links to these videos will be shared in the school ParentSquare each week.


After each chapter, we also provide you with optional discussion questions and activities if you and your child choose. These build great comprehension and vocabulary skills. They are also just plain fun!


The story is written at a third grade level and includes vocabulary that will be above the level of our younger students. That’s okay! Building rich vocabulary embedded in the tale of friendship and care will delight all ages.


We hope you will continue reading stories aloud to your child after this event. Spending just 15-20 minutes per night reading with your student will make a huge difference in their success at school. ENJOY!


In partnership,


Mrs. Lee





ABoyCalledBatBookTrailer


https://youtu.be/eJAevNdF9rI


AMessageFromTheAuthor


https://youtu.be/vWg4O3l9V4M




Reading Schedule



Week 1 January 8-12: Chapters 1-4


Week 2 January 15-19: Chapters 5-8


Week 3 January 22-26: Chapters 9-13


Week 4 January 29-February 2: Chapters 14-18


Week 5 February 5-9: Chapters 19-22


Week 6 February 12-16: Chapters 23-26


Discussion Questions Chapters 1-4:

  1. What are some words you could use to describe Bat? His sister, Janie? His mom?

  2. You’ve learned a bit about Bat in the first four chapters. Do you have anything in common with him?

  3. Bat talks about his room and how he feels really good and safe there. What is a place that makes you feel good and safe?

  4. Bat is anxious about his mom coming home late, and he is angry that she didn’t bring home more vanilla yogurt. What things cause strong feelings and upset you?


Other Activities:

  • Bat likes to have an after school snack. Tell about your favorite snack after school. You could choose to draw a picture of it, describe it, list the steps necessary to make it, or make it and take a picture of it.

  • Draw or write about a place where you are completely comfortable. What are your favorite things about this place.


Discussion Questions Chapter 5-8:

  1. Bat thinks it’s not worth it to explain his thinking to his sister because she will not understand him. He thinks most people misunderstand him. Why does this seem to be the case?

  2. Share two facts you learned about skunks from Bat.

  3. What happened with Lucca, Israel, and Bat? Why did Lucca rush off to the bathroom crying? What doesn’t Bat understand?


Other Activities:

  • We know that Bat really likes patterns and does not like when they are broken. Go on a search for mathematical patterns, visual patterns, or musical patterns. Or print and color a pattern. Here is a link to some great pattern coloring sheets if you'd like to try them: Pattern Coloring Sheets


Discussion Questions Chapters 9-13:

  1. Share some reasons why Bat thinks Mr. Grayson is a good teacher. Compare him to your teacher. What do they have in common? What is different about them?

  2. What does “unspoken rule” mean? What unspoken rules does Bat follow with Babycakes? What unspoken rules do you follow?

  3. How would you describe the relationship between Bat and Janie? How do they feel about each other? What clues from the book led you to think that?


Other Activities:

  • Use Legos, blocks, or anything you have at home to create your own pet skunk. Bring your creation to school or share a picture of it.


Discussion Questions Chapters 14-18:

  1. Bat sneaks out of bed to read about skunks when he should be sleeping . How do you feel about his decision to do this? Why?

  2. Describe the interaction between Bat & Janie during dinner. Do you think Bat understood how his words affected Janie? Explain.


Other Activities:

  • If you had a pet skunk, what would his habitat or home look like. Use what you know about skunks or do a little more research and design where your skunk would live.


Discussion Questions Chapters 19-22:

  1. Why did Bat want to thank Janie? Did Janie like what Bat did to thank her? Explain your answer.

  2. How did Mr. Grayson help Bat? Has your teacher ever helped you?

  3. Have you ever had a time when it was hard for you to concentrate in school because your focus was on something else? If so, explain.

  4. Janie explains to their dad that Bat doesn’t have any friends. Is this true? If so, why? If not, who are his friends?


Discussion Questions Chapters 23-26:

  1. Do you think Mr. Grayson is right when he says that Israel wants to be Bat’s friend? What does Bat think about when he's trying to decide if Israel is his friend?

  2. What might be interesting, exciting, or challenging about being friends with Bat?

  3. Which character in the book do you think is the most empathetic or understanding of Bat?


Other Activities:

  • Bat’s mom says “you can tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes.” Take a long look into someone’s eyes. What can you see? Create some art to show what you saw in their eyes.

  • What was your favorite part of the book? Write about or draw a picture of your favorite part.


Thank you for participating in our first One School, One Book shared Reading. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experience with us by clicking on the survey below:

https://forms.gle/B5KbZ5vD1fSziZiS9




Interested in more?! Check out these other books in the series!

Book 1: A Boy Called Bat

Book 2: Bat and the End of Everything

Book 3: Bat and the Waiting Game

Elana K. Arnold Vlog Post at Jean Book Nerd
Tina Whicker
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