The Report Card
The Report Card. Andrew Clements;
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2004
Grade Level: (3-5)
0-689-84515-4 and $7.74 and up:
Author Information:
Synopsis:
Nora Rowley, fifth grader at Philbrook Elementary School, was a genius. She describes herself as having the opposite of amnesia she can remember everything. She loves facts and thinks everyone else over-reacts about grades. Nora decides she will come up with a plan to show others that grades are not important. Everything starts off going pretty good; she even gets her best friend Stephen to join in on her plan. When things take a turn for the worst can Nora talk her way through her plan?
General review:
Andrew Clements’ has written another solid story about a real-life issue, “state testing”. He has highlighted the controversial issue of testing and grades from a students’ perspective while also expressing the pressures put on all involved; students, teachers, administration and parents. The fact that standardized tests cannot really tell you much about a child seems to be Clements’ main point. I enjoy the fact that Clements’ has included a variety of view points in this story and has also pointed out that not all teachers are fans of tests. The large print and bright cover will attract all readers and may be a title to hook a reluctant reader.
Themes: school, friendship, honesty, imagination, education, testing,
Discussion Questions:
1. Nora has kept her intelligence a secret from her family, friends and teachers for a long time. Give several examples of ways Nora keeps her secret.
2. Do you think Nora made a good choice to keep this secret? Why or why not?
3. Nora says that she got her terrible report card for Stephen. Explain this statement.
4. List some of the ways Nora describes her friend Stephen. How do you think Nora really feels about Stephen? Do you think protecting Stephen is truly the only reason Nora decided to get a bad report card? 5. Describe what happens at your school and at home on a report card day.
6. Who opens your report card? How do you feel just before the report card is opened? What happens if you get especially good or bad grades?
7. Would you like to go to a school without tests or grades? Why or why not? List some of the possible positive and negative aspects of such a school.
Activity Suggestions:
1. Nora describes how she first got to know her friend Stephen. Write a paragraph or short story about how you met one of your best friends. (Standard 3.1)
2. Nora and Stephen had an important message about testing and a desire to share their thoughts. Choose an issue, which you feel strongly and create a plan for sharing your feelings with others. (Standard 2.2)
3. Nora seems uncertain about her goals for life after high school while her sister Ann has clear goals. Write a paragraph describing what you hope to accomplish after high school. Share your paragraph with your class or a group of friends. How might you achieve your goals? (Standard 4.1)
Suggested follow-up Books:
Frindle
The Landry News
The School Story
A Week in The Woods
The Janitor’s Boy
The Last Holiday Concert
Jake Drake books
