My Two Cents: Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair
is a cute second in series book about two anthropomorphized classroom mice with lots of personality. I did not read the first in the series, Fergus and Zeke
, but Kate Messner books are always a treat so I can imagine why there is sequel.Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair
has many opportunities for interdisciplinary literacy for beginning chapter book readers, some solid vocabulary words related to science and the scientific method, as well as a cute story about classroom mice wanting to DO an experiment rather than BE an experiment.With no ‘big’ themes to struggle over requiring teacher guidance, Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair
is a solid literary circles selection for grades 1 or 2 and/or a striving 3rd grade group - probably more of an individual selection rather than a whole class read. See teaching ideas below...Genre: Animal Tales, Beginning Chapter Books
Age: Transitional Readers, ages 5-9
Pages: 48
Date: September, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7847-0
Thank You to Library Thing and Candlewick Press for my review copy!
Themes: Training animals, Science Fair, Working hard in school
Character Development: Zeke is the standout mouse, with Fergus being the more reasonable, rule following one. Students and teacher are pretty generic as Fergus & Zeke are the show.
Plot: Will Fergus & Zeke get to do a science fair experiment?
Originality: Classroom. Students. Teacher. Pets. Pretty typical kid lit stuff.
Believability: I’m not the best animal tales reader, but allow that many kids love them. This one seems quite plausible and plays on the mice as experiment subjects idea.
Diversity: Tale is centered in typically represented American classroom. Kid’s skin tones are somewhat diverse. Teacher is white/blonde.
Teaching Ideas:
First.... a teaching guide from Candlewick Press can be found : HERE
Vocabulary: masterpieces, journal, announcement, science fair, experiment, solar system, scientists, erosion, observe, soggy, maze, skittered, grumped, demonstration, squealed, chemistry, marveled, clipboards
Interdisciplinary Opportunities: Solar System, Sunlight/Plant Growth, Erosion, Scientific Method
Anticipatory/Engagement Questions: What is a science fair? Have you ever trained something? Why do we train animals?
Comprehension Questions:
At first, Fergus & Zeke plant sunflower seeds and watch them, but that doesn’t work. Why not? (they eat the seeds) p. 5
Why do Fergus & Zeke have trouble completing the erosion experiment? (they can’t aim well to get the water to erode the wood chips) p. 9
Why does Zeke hide in his mad spot? (he wants to DO and experiment himself, not be part of one) p. 12
Why doesn’t Lucy give Zeke a treat? (he cheated) p. 16
Why does it matter that he cheated? (she is trying to train him to run the maze and he went over the top of the maze wall) - inference standard
Which animals are Fergus and Zeke going to try to train in their experiment (children/Lucy) p. 19
What do Fegus & Zeke train Lucy to do? (do the bouncy cheer) p. 22
What do Fergus & Zeke win? (first place ribbon) last page - inference visual
Post Question: Does a teacher “train” children? Elaborate
You can read more about Kate Messner's many fabulous books (and her too) on her website.
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