Zoey and Sassafras Dragons and Marshmallows - Chapter 1

Study guide for 4th – 6th Grade

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Copywork

About This Passage

This sentence shows who Zoey is: a young scientist who treats having ideas as serious, special work. Copying it lets a writer enjoy Zoey's playful logic, that goggles worn nearer the brain help her think, and notice how the second short sentence delivers the funny, confident reason like a punch line.

But when I need to think of brilliant ideas, I wear my Thinking Goggles on top of my head. That way they’re closer to my brain.

Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.

Discussion Questions

Narration Prompt

Retell the chapter in order: Zoey playing with the roly-polies, the Thinking Goggles idea, the bug circus she builds, which bug crosses the tightrope, and what she sees Mom doing at the end. Then name the moment you think matters most, and say why.

Discussion Questions

  1. When the biggest roly-polies tumble off the tightrope, Zoey does not give up; she changes her plan and tests the smallest one instead, and it balances all the way across. What does this trial-and-error moment show about the way Zoey solves problems, and why? Use the chapter's details about the bugs to defend your answer.
  2. Zoey wears her Thinking Goggles on top of her head 'closer to her brain' and compares herself to scientists. What do the Goggles and the careful way she plays show about how Zoey sees herself, and why? Use the chapter's details to explain.

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide

Vocabulary

Item 1

Something valued and prized as special.

Item 2

For certain, without any doubt.

Item 3

Bent low with the knees close to the ground.

+ 7 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide

Critical Thinking

+ 5 more questions in the complete study guide

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