Schedule for the Day
Below is the suggested schedule for reading the ALL OF THE ABOVE in one school day. Total read aloud time is about
3.5 hours. The novel has been divided into seven class periods/blocks with about 25 - 40 minutes of reading time per block and one lunch period.
Be sure to print out the downloadable schedule for all staff and guest readers. The downloadable schedule includes a brief synopsis for each block, plus easy extension activities and questions. Feel free to adjust the timetable as needed for your school.
Period One: Assembly or Video with Guest Readers
Pages 1 – 39 (40 minutes reading time)
Use six surprise guest readers reading the parts of: Narrator (italicized passage), James Harris III, Rhondell, Sharice, Marcel, Mr. Collins. Or you can use this video of Shelley Pearsall introducing the book and reading the first chapter as Narrator, and then use five guest readers.
Handout: Students receive worksheet tetrahedron (or Ellison tetrahedron shapes) and geometric art page .
Period Two: Classroom Teachers Read
Pages 41 – 75 (30 minutes reading time)
Teachers read aloud to their classes.
Activity: Using markers, students decorate their tetrahedron shape with colors, designs, and words that reflect them. The geometric art page can be colored with marker while listening in any block.
Period Three: Students or Guests Read
Pages 77 – 111 (40 minutes reading time)
Volunteers read aloud -- or play a guest reader video. If all students have books, this could also be a silent reading block.
Talk About It: Whose background story surprised you the most? Who did you want to help? What would you do to help them? What will happen next? Think about a color that is good luck or bad luck for you. Share if time.
Period Four: Students or Guests Read
Pages 113-149 (40 minutes reading time)
Volunteers read aloud -- or play a guest reader video. If all students have books, this could also be a silent reading block.
Talk About It: Use Mr. Collins’ questions on page 149 for discussion. Brainstorm a recipe for another creative dessert.
LUNCH BLOCK
Lunch idea! Serve BBQ sandwiches in honor of Willy Q. Or make chocolate
cupcakes at home using Willy Q's Chocolate Truth Cake recipe in the book.
Period Five: Classroom Teachers Read
Pages 151-181 (25 minutes reading time)
Teachers read to their classes.
Take A Side: Are kids today “tougher” or “softer” than kids in the past? (p.157) Why or why not? List reasons.
Period Six: Classroom Teachers Read
Pages 183-214 (25 minutes reading time)
Teachers read to their classes.
Activity: Create a "book cloud"! Fill a page with key words, phrases, and memorable details from the story so far. Write words in different colors, sizes, styles, etc. Or start taping tetrahedrons together if your school is building a larger one.
Period Seven: Wrap-Up Assembly or Video
Pages 215 – 237 (20 - 25 minutes reading time)
Six staff members read the final chapters as Mr. Collins, Sharice, Marcel, Rhondell, James Harris, and Final Narrator in an assembly or video format.
Celebrate It: Celebrate the achievement of finishing one book in one day with applause, photos, music, cake, etc. Build an all-school or at-home tetrahedron for display. Tape works best for building and assembling.
