Ms Hannah Is Bananas!
#4 of 21 in My Weird School Series
What’s inside...
In the third book of the My Weird School Daze series, A.J. and his friends are in third grade with their eccentric teacher, Miss Hannah, who believes the kids are monkeys. She engages them in activities like marching, dancing, and swinging from vines, and despite the unconventional methods, the kids have a lot of fun. Miss Hannah also has unusual habits, such as wearing dresses made of potholders and hoarding garbage. Additionally, she pairs A.J. with his smelly classmate Andrea, making it the worst art class ever. The series has sold over 30 million books and continues to be a hit among young readers.
Character compass
A.j.
Andrea Young
Ms. Hannah
Discussion points
Why do you think Ms. Hannah acts so differently from other teachers?
What is your favorite part about Ms. Hannah's teaching style and why?
How do the students react to Ms. Hannah’s unique methods?
What would you do if you had a teacher like Ms. Hannah?
How do you think Ms. Hannah helps her students learn better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine having a teacher like Ms. Hannah and discuss how it would make their school day different.
Draw parallels between the unconventional teaching methods in the book and any creative or unique learning experiences your child might have had.
Ask your child to think about what makes a good teacher and if they think Ms. Hannah fits this description, fostering critical thinking about education styles.
Discuss the importance of embracing differences and how Ms. Hannah's different approach might be beneficial.
Use examples from the book to talk about adaptability and how students adapt to Ms. Hannah's unique style.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embrace Individuality
Explanation: Ms. Hannah, the teacher with unconventional methods, exemplifies embracing individuality through her unique teaching styles and personality.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and celebrate differences among people, which fosters an inclusive environment at school and in other social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Creativity in Learning
Explanation: The story highlights how Ms. Hannah's creative approaches make learning more engaging for her students.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively in problem-solving and to view learning as a fun, imaginative process.
Example Lesson: Respect for Teachers
Explanation: Characters in the book come to understand and appreciate the unconventional methods of Ms. Hannah, learning respect for her as an educator.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing respect and open-mindedness towards their teachers, understanding that everyone has unique qualities to offer.
Example Lesson: Value of Humor
Explanation: Ms. Hannah uses humor to teach, making the classroom a joyous place.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use humor positively to build friendships and ease tense situations.
Example Lesson: Courage to Try New Things
Explanation: Through the narrative, students are shown trying new activities under Ms. Hannah’s guidance, which they initially find strange or intimidating.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches kids the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones to try new experiences, which is crucial for personal growth.