#7 in My Weird School Series
Dr Nicholas Is Ridiculous!
on Goodreads (773)
What’s inside...
This book is part of the funny 'My Weirdest School' series, where second-grader A.J. and his friends have hilarious adventures in their outrageous school. In this edition, a health inspector called Dr. Nicholas visits the school and threatens to shut it down due to its unhealthy habits, prompting A.J. and his friends to save their school.
Character compass
Discussion points
Why do you think Dr. Nicholas finds history so interesting? What subject are you most curious about?
Dr. Nicholas has some funny ideas about historical events. Can you think of a fun way to remember something important you learned?
How do the characters react to Dr. Nicholas' quirky teaching style? Do you think it's important to have fun while learning?
If you could go back in time like in Dr. Nicholas' stories, which historical event would you like to witness and why?
Dr. Nicholas makes mistakes and learns from them. Can you share a time when you learned something from a mistake?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use humor to discuss the book’s content, mimicking the light-hearted tone of Dr. Nicholas to make learning enjoyable.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the historical events Dr. Nicholas talks about and their own school lessons or experiences.
Ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to think critically about how the story elements can apply to their own life and learning.
Create a playful quiz or trivia based on the book’s historical mentions to reinforce information and ensure comprehension in a fun way.
Discuss the importance of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, just as Dr. Nicholas does, to promote resilience and a growth mindset.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of history and learning from it
Explanation: Dr. Nicholas stresses the significance of historical events and figures, showing kids how past events shape our present.
Real-World Application: Children can develop an appreciation for history and use lessons from the past to understand their current world and make informed decisions.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and questioning
Explanation: The character A.J. challenges Dr. Nicholas' unusual teaching methods, which promotes critical thinking among students.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to question and analyze situations rather than accepting everything at face value. This skill is crucial in their educational journey and everyday problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Resilience and adaptability
Explanation: Throughout the book, students adapt to the quirky and unconventional methods of Dr. Nicholas, learning to thrive in varying circumstances.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being flexible and resilient in the face of new or challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Encouraging curiosity and engagement in learning
Explanation: Dr. Nicholas' peculiar ways ignite curiosity and engagement among the students, making learning a more dynamic and interactive experience.
Real-World Application: Fosters a lifelong love for learning, prompting children to seek knowledge actively and enthusiastically in all areas of their life.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for diverse teaching styles
Explanation: The book showcases different educational approaches through Dr. Nicholas, highlighting that learning can occur in various forms.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and appreciate different teaching methods and understand that everyone has unique learning preferences.