Credits

Story Written by:
Marcia Thornton Jones & Debbie Dadey

Activities Written by:
Reta Broadway & Terri Darr Mclean

Illustrated by:
Chris Ware

Cover Design & Titling by:
Pyrographic Media

Chapter 2 - Boo-Boo

Beginning Activities

Characters are only one part of a good story. There are other elements that are important, too. For example, all stories have style — the way in which a writer uses words to tell the story. This may include the type of words used, how details are presented, and how long the paragraphs are.

Another part of style is the point of view in which the story is written. If one of the characters is telling the story, it's called first-person. If someone outside the story tells it, it's called third-person. The all-knowing point of view, sometimes called omniscient, lets you see, hear, and know it all with descriptive words.

1. From which point of view is "Noodles" told? Practice identifying the different points of view by finding an example of each type of newspaper writing listed below. Identify the point of view each is written in.
   - Letter to the editor
   - Syndicated column
   - Sports story
   - How-to article
   - Editorial
   - News report
   
   
2. Foreshadowing is a technique writers use to give readers a clue about something that is going to happen in the story or a hint about how it might end. Skim over Chapter 2 again and look for clues that you think might be a sign of things to come. Write your thoughts down on a note card and, when you've finished reading the story, see if you were right.
   
   
3. The setting of a story is the times and places in which the events of a story occur. What is the setting of "Noodles"? As you read the story, describe the setting in which the various events take place. Is there more than one setting? Do the settings change?
   
   
4. Then, find a feature story in your newspaper. Read the story and describe the setting. Is a description of the setting as important in this example of non-fiction as it is in the fictional "Noodles"? Discuss.

Real Science!

With any science project, safety comes first. Make sure you:

• Work under the supervision of an adult.
  
  
• Use all instruments and equipment correctly.
  
  
• Wear goggles and protective clothing when working with chemicals and other dangerous materials.
  
  
• Keep clear of danger from electrical current and devices.
  
  
• How is Noodles doing?

Challenging Activities

1. How long does Noodles stay closed up in her computer lab?
   
   
2. How does Danny offer to help Noodles with her project? Why do you think he offers help?
   
   
3. What does Bailey’s reaction to Noodles’ robot when it first comes out of the computer lab tell you? How does Danny feel when he first sees the robot?
   
   
4. Boo-Boo may eventually be a lot of help around the house, but Danny and Noodles have to learn how to give commands. What is wrong with Danny’s commands, "Pick up all these toys" and "Put down the toys?"
   
   
5. Chapter 3, next week’s chapter, is titled Disaster. Predict what you think will happen in that chapter.

For the Advanced Reader

1. Describe Noodles’ behavior as she works on her idea for making a robot. Do you think inventors in real life forget about time when they are working on new ideas? Explain. Can you recall an event when you lost track of time because you were working so hard?
   
   
2. How are Noodles and Danny communicating with Boo-Boo to get him to do their work? Do you think Noodles can make the robot work correctly? Explain why you think Noodles will be successful or unsuccessful.
   
   
3. Have you ever bought anything that did not work easily or that was defective? What does defective mean? What do you do when you find that something that you have bought is defective?

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