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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Last updated Monday, December 21, 2020
Author: Stacy McAnulty
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 1524767573
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2020
Synopsis:
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!
Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?
| Note to readers: |
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A nice chapter reading, but no pictures.
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Be sure to have a pre-discussion before the reading to support the read aloud engagement from the book.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What comes to your mind when you think about math?
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How would you feel if you became a math genius?
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Would you tell your friends about your superpower of being a math genuius?
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If you were a math genius, would you still like to go to school with friends or be homeschooled?
Vocabulary
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Toolshed - a one-story structure, typically in a backyard, used for storing tools.
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Current - a flow of electrical charge carriers
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Defibrillator - is a machine that gives your heart an electric shock to re-establish a normal heart rhythm
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Savant - a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist.
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Acquire - learn or develop (a skill, habit, or quality)
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Soft skills - personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.
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Deteriorate - become progressively worse.
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Exponential - very rapid increase
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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How did Lucy transform into a math genius?
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What is Lucy favorite mathematical constant? What charm did Uncle Paul give to Lucy?
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Why does Lucy enjoying talking with her online friends rather than leaving the house to make new friends in person?
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Why does Lucy always keep clorox wipes or hand sanitizer with her?
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When did Nana tell Lucy that she could go to college?
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| Special activities: |
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Discussion: If being a math genius was your superpower, what type of fun things would you do? What inventions would you create?
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*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!
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