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Archibald FrisbySims

Bibliotheraphy Lesson Plan

Reference

Chesworth, M. (1994). Archibald Frisby. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd.

Story Summary

Archibald Frisby is the story of a young boy who loves science and explores the scientific aspect of everything that he does. One day, Archibald’s mom is fed up with all of his science and decides to send him off to summer camp so that he can have a “normal” experience.

Developmental Challenges Addressed

  • Being Misunderstood
  • Intellectual Overexcitability
  • Being Different/Standing Out
  • Family Environment
  • Acceptance

Themes/Key Concepts

  • Be yourself, don’t let anyone try and change you
  • Appreciate the talents/interests/differences of other people
  • Do what interests you
  • Use what you know to help others
  • Be open to new experiences

Introductory Activity

  • What is passion? What does it mean to be passionate about something? I’m really passionate about______. It is something that I really like to do (or study). What are some things that you are passionate (enthusiastic or excited) about?

OR

  • Finish this sentence:
  • My absolute favorite thing to do is….
  • When I talk to people about my favorite things they….
  • If I could be anything I would be….
  • My biggest problem is….

Menu of Discussion Questions

  • Identification:
  • How is Archibald different from other children his age?
  • How did Archibald feel about playing games?
  • What did Archibald’s teachers think of his focus on science?
  • How did his mom feel about him always doing science experiments?
  • Why did his mom send him to summer camp?
  • How did he feel when his mom sent him to summer camp?
  • In the beginning, how did Archibald interact with his peers? How do you think they felt about him?
  • Which character (s) in the book do you feel is (are) most like you? Why?
  • Catharsis:
  • Have you ever been so interested in something that you always studied it? What was it?
  • Have you ever had an interest that no one understood? What was it?
  • Think about a time in your life when you felt like you didn’t fit in with the group (like you were different)? How did you feel? What did you do? What would you do if that ever happened (again)?
  • Do you think it was helpful for Archibald’s mom to send him to summer camp? What do you think would have happened if he didn’t go to camp?
  • Have you ever had a parent or family member who didn’t understand your interests? How did that make you feel?
  • How did Archibald feel after he tried something new?
  • In the story, his peers ended up finding his interest in science useful and they needed his help. Is this realistic? Is this something that you think has happened or could happen in our school?
  • How do the kids in our school treat people who are different?
  • Would you be friends with someone like Archibald?
  • Insight:
  • Is it okay to be really interested in something?
  • Is it okay to be different from other people?
  • Should you give up something you love because other people don’t understand it? What would happen if you did that?
  • What should you do when someone doesn’t understand why you are really interested in something?
  • What does it mean to accept someone for who they are?
  • How do people (you) feel when they (you) are not accepted for who they are?
  • What can happen if you accept someone?
  • It is sometimes scary to try new things. What makes new things scary? What is good about trying new things?

Follow-up Activities

  • Journal (unfinished sentence prompt)
  • Give the students a selection of journal prompts to choose from and have them spend a few minutes writing in their journals
  • Pair and Share
  • Give students a prompt and have them discuss it in groups of 2 or 3
  • Pizza
  • Give each student a copy of the blank pizza
  • Have students write in each section what their major interest areas are. If students are really interested in something they should use more than one piece.
  • Have students come together and show each other their pizzas
  • Discuss the similarities and differences
  • Role play
  • Pair students up and have one student play Archibald and one student play his mom. (students should play both parts)
  • When students finish role playing, have everyone come back together and discuss how they felt. Did they get any new understanding of the characters by looking at the situation from a different perspective?
  • This is the story of…
  • Give each student a copy of the “This is the story of Archibald Frisby” worksheet.
  • Have the students fill in their names.
  • In each respective box students should write what they are interested in, How people feel about it, how they feel when other’s don’t understand, etc.

Sample Journal Prompts/Pair and Share prompts

  • My favorite thing about school is….
  • The thing (s) I am most passionate about is (are)….
  • Regarding your interests: My friends think…..My parents think….
  • If I were Archibald I would…
  • I am different because…
  • Being different is….Why?
  • Have you ever met anyone who was really different from you? How did you feel about that person? How did you interact with that person?
  • We should treat people…….Why?
  • Something new that I want to try is….
  • Has your family ever forced you to try something new? What was it?