Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark — Chapter 8

About This Passage

These two short sentences show Jack giving himself an order. When you are scared, the first thing your body wants to do is panic. Jack tells his own brain: STOP, THINK. Young writers will practice writing what a person says INSIDE their own head, using the word 'thought.' Notice that 'Don't panic' and 'Think' are very short — Jack does not have time for long sentences when a Tyrannosaurus is nearby.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.

Discussion Questions

1. Jack opens his book to read about the Tyrannosaurus Rex — and the book tells him the T-Rex 'could eat a human in one bite.' Jack thinks 'the book was no help at all.' Was the book really no help, or did it give Jack important information he just did not want to hear?
2. Jack tells himself, 'Don't panic. Think.' Why does Jack have to TELL his own brain what to do? Have you ever had to give yourself an order like that? Does it work?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide