After Reading
Comprehending the Text
Draw the group together again and ask children to discuss the plot and whether or not they think it is believable.
Ask: Who can summarize the plot? Who do you believe in this story, Hattie or Sarah and Sybil? Give a reason for your answer. Do you think the mermaid is real or imaginary?
Discuss the author’s and illustrator’s views of the characters.
Say and ask: Let’s first discuss what the author and the illustrator tell us about the characters. What do they look like? How old are they? What ethnic groups do they belong to?
Have children discuss what they know about the characters by what they say and do and by what other characters say about them.
Say and ask: Let’s talk about Hattie first. Share what you know about Hattie from what she says and does. Refer to the text to back up your comments. Did you learn anything about Hattie from what others said about her? Now let’s talk about Sarah and Sybil. What do you know about them? Do you know anything about them that isn’t biased by what Hattie thinks of them?
Ask children to form their own opinions of who they believe, Hattie or Sarah and Sybil, based on their own personal experiences.
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