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The Worst Class Trip Ever



Last updated Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Author: Dave Barry
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 1484708490
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2019

Synopsis: Eighth-grader Wyatt Palmer takes us on a class trip to Washington, DC. Wyatt, his best friend, Matt, and a few kids from Culver Middle School find themselves in a heap of trouble-not just with their teachers, who have long lost patience with them-but from several mysterious men they first meet on their flight to the nation's capital. In a fast-paced adventure with the monuments as a backdrop, the kids try to stay out of danger and out of the doghouse while trying to save the president from attack-or maybe not.

Note to readers:
•  This is a chapter book you will not finish today. Please read for as long as the kids are still enjoying the book, then you can do crafts.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever been on a class trip? Where did you go?
•  Have you flown on a plane before? Where did you go?
•  How would you travel to the U.S. Capital?
•  The kids in this story travel from Miami to Washington DC. How many of you have been to Miami? Find it on the map. Has anyone been to Washington DC? Find it on the map.

Vocabulary

•  myth (pg.7) - widely held false idea
•  Federal Air Marshall (pg.29) - a federal law enforcement officer on passenger flights
•  aerial (pg.22) - in the air

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Where would you most like to go on a class trip?
•  Who would you sit next to during the trip?
•  Why did Wyatt want to sit next to Suzana?
•  What was suspicious about the two men who sat behind Wyatt and Matt on the plane? What are some examples?
•  What were some places that the kids visited at Washington DC? Have you heard about/ visited these places before? Share with the group your favorite memory.
•  What excuse did Matt come up with to get him and Wyatt out of trouble?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture and/or write a short description of a time you saw one of your parents do something brave
•  Wyatt came up with a joke. Write your own original joke
•  Draw you and your friends on a class trip
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/september-2019/the-worst-class-trip-ever/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!