A Guide to Teaching
Beverly Cleary’s
Ramona the Pest
About the Book
Ramona Quimby is starting kindergarten and is determined to please. So how does she manage to get into so much trouble? Anyone who knows Ramona knows that she is never a pest on purpose!
Discussion Questions and Topics for Discussing Beverly Cleary’s Ramona the Pest
1. Ramona thinks a “dawnzer” is a kind of light. Does your class know all of the words to “The Star Spangled Banner”? Do they know the meaning of the words?
2. Ramona loves her teacher Miss Binney, her new boots, and writing the letter “Q”! Discuss some of the things kids look forward to on their first day of school.
3. When Ramona’s class gets a substitute teacher, she doesn’t know what to do, so she hides behind the garbage cans at school. Ask students to write or talk about something at school that they were nervous about. Did everything end up being okay?
4. For the first Show and Tell of the school year, Ramona takes her doll, Chevrolet, in to show the class. Ask students to name the first or best thing they have taken to show their classmates and friends.
5. Ramona looks forward to the rain so that she can wear her new boots. Ask students what their favorite season is, and why. Encourage them to draw a picture of what they like best about their favorite time of year.
6. Howie likes having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches much more than he likes having tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. Ask students what their favorite thing is to have for lunch.
7. Ramona loves to play Gray Duck in class. Ask students what their favorite game to play is and why.
8. Howie likes playing with tools and Ramona loves ribbons and also using arts and crafts. Encourage students to talk about their favorite hobbies, or things to do after school.
9. Ramona loves dressing up for Halloween. Have students discuss what holiday they most look forward to every year.
10. April 12 is National Drop Everything and Read Day! Ask students to name some of their favorite books that they like to read, either at home or at school.
RAMONA THE PEST
HC: 978-0-688-21721-1 • $16.99 ($19.99)
PB: 978-0-380-70954-0 • $5.99 ($7.50)
Spanish Edition: 978-0-688-14888-1 • $5.99 ($7.50)
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
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