Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark — Chapter 8

About This Passage

Mary Pope Osborne shows Jack giving himself orders and then immediately acting on them. 'Don't panic' is the command, 'Think' is the second command, and the next sentence shows him doing exactly that — peering carefully at the valley to gather information. This is what self-control actually looks like under stress: short orders to the self, followed by an immediate small action that proves the order has taken effect. Students will practice writing the rhythm of self-command followed by observed action, and will learn that thought-tags ('thought Jack') can be used to dramatize interior dialogue.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?

Discussion Questions

1. Jack opens the dinosaur book hoping for help against the T-Rex. The book tells him the creature 'could eat a human in one bite.' Jack thinks 'the book was no help at all.' Was the book really no help, or did Jack just want a different KIND of help than the book could give?
2. Jack tells himself, 'Don't panic. Think.' Why does Jack need to TELL his own brain what to do — isn't his brain already his brain? What does the chapter suggest about the difference between having a brain and using one well?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide