The New windmill series
New Windmills: Chicken
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the chicken feel brave in the story?
How did the chicken's actions change the situation for the other characters?
If you were in the chicken's place, what would you have done differently?
Why is it important to stand up for what you believe in, like the chicken did?
How do you think the story would have ended if the chicken didn’t take action?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your thoughts on a key scene to make your child feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
Ask your child to compare the chicken’s behavior to a real-life situation, aligning the character’s challenges with something relatable.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of the chicken’s actions, prompting them to consider cause and effect.
Utilize illustrations in the book, asking your child to describe what they see and how it relates to the story, enhancing visual literacy.
Praise your child’s responses to affirm their thinking process and encourage deeper analysis and confidence in expressing their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story demonstrates the importance of understanding and empathizing with others' feelings and situations, as characters navigate complex social dynamics.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to recognize and respect the feelings of their peers and family members, fostering a more compassionate environment.
Example Lesson: Courage and resilience
Explanation: Characters in the book often face challenging situations that require bravery and persistence, showcasing the value of not giving up in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children face their own challenges with determination, whether it’s trying again after a failed attempt or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The book illustrates how the characters' decisions lead to various outcomes, teaching the importance of considering the consequences before acting.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to think more carefully about their choices, such as how sharing and cooperation lead to better friendships.
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: Through the plot and interactions between characters, the value of truthfulness is highlighted, showing how honesty builds trust and resolves conflicts.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be honest in their daily interactions, which helps in building and maintaining trustful relationships with others.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The story promotes working together to solve problems, demonstrating how teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating with others, whether in school projects or in playing sports.