#1 in My Weird School Series
Miss Daisy Is Crazy!
What’s inside...
Miss Daisy Is Crazy! is a funny and engaging children's book by author Dan Gutman that follows the adventures of second grader A.J and his classmates at Ella Mentry School. Miss Daisy, their teacher, admits she doesn't comprehend math or spelling, so the students take it upon themselves to teach her.
Character compass
Discussion points
What do you think makes Miss Daisy such an unusual teacher, and how would you feel if she was your teacher?
Miss Daisy pretends not to know basic subjects. Why do you think she does that, and what does it teach the students?
If you could create a fun class project like the ones in the book, what would it be and why?
How do the students help Miss Daisy throughout the story, and what does this show about teamwork?
What is the most important lesson Miss Daisy teaches her class, and how can you apply it in your own school life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own memories of a favorite or unique teacher, encouraging your child to draw parallels.
Highlight the importance of understanding and compassion in learning, as depicted through the interactions between Miss Daisy and her students.
Discuss the value of creativity in solving problems, inspired by the imaginative classroom activities in the book.
Ask your child to imagine their own quirky classroom activities, fostering a deeper connection to the book’s themes of engagement in education.
Encourage your child to think about teamwork by discussing how the students work together to help Miss Daisy and each other.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Creativity
Explanation: In 'Miss Daisy Is Crazy!', Miss Daisy's unconventional teaching methods, like using games to learn math, show how creativity can make learning enjoyable.
Real-World Application: Children can apply creativity to solve problems or make everyday tasks more fun and engaging, fostering a love for learning.
Example Lesson: Value of Asking Questions
Explanation: The story highlights that Miss Daisy encourages her students to ask questions, demonstrating that curiosity is key to understanding and learning.
Real-World Application: Children learn to not hesitate in asking questions in school or in other settings, which can lead to better understanding and knowledge acquisition.
Example Lesson: Importance of Empathy
Explanation: Miss Daisy expresses understanding and care towards her students' unique needs and feelings, creating a supportive learning environment.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by considering the feelings of friends and family and responding with kindness and support.
Example Lesson: Benefits of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, students collaborate on various activities, showing how teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in group activities, whether in school projects or sports, learning to work cooperatively and respectfully with others.
Example Lesson: Growth Mindset
Explanation: Miss Daisy teaches her students to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes, helping them develop resilience and a positive attitude towards learning.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt a growth mindset in their studies and personal interests, understanding that effort and perseverance lead to improvement and success.