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 7 - Super-duper
Do-it-all Robot

Beginning Activities

1. Now that you’ve read the complete story of "Noodles Make a Boo-Boo," what do you think? What part of the story did you like best? Which part did you like least? What did you learn from the story?
   
   
2. The title of the story is a play on words. What two meanings does it have? Do you like this title? Suppose you had been the author. What other title might you have given the story?
   
   
3. Now it’s time to write a review of "Noodles Makes a Boo-Boo." Instead of writing a regular book review, though, try writing a newspaper-style review.
   
   
4. First search your newspaper for examples of movie, restaurant and book reviews. You will see that the goal of a newspaper review is to tell readers something about the movie, restaurant or book and whether the reviewer liked it. Study some of these examples before you begin to write.
   
   
5. As you write your review, remember: Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings. If you truly enjoyed "Noodles," try to persuade others to read the story. If not, tell your readers why. Be sure to back up your opinions with facts and examples.
   
   
6. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you write your review:
   - What is the story about? (Provide some details.)
   
   - What is it that I like or dislike about this story?
   
   - What is the story’s theme or message?
   
   - Why did the authors write this story?
   
   - Why did the authors create the characters as they did?

Real Science!

As Noodles and Danny discover, things can go wrong with a science project just as they can go wrong in everyday life. Whether mistakes are a result of flaws in the experimental design or plain bad luck, good planning can eliminate many. And the most important thing is that you can always learn from your mistakes!

Challenging Activities

1. Noodles does not have a poster for the science fair. She taps her forehead and says, "I have everything stored right up here." What does she mean? Do you think she is right? Who might have benefited if she had made a poster?
   
   
2. Sometimes students feel nervous when they have to speak in front of other people or explain things to judges. Identify the ways in which Danny and Noodles demonstrate their nervous feelings when they explain their projects to the judges. Do you think the judges noticed they were nervous? Do you think they expected the students to be nervous?
   
   
3. What mistake does Noodles make when the judges ask her to demonstrate her robot? She has made this mistake several times before. Why does she make it again in this important situation?
   
   
4. How does Danny come to Noodles’ rescue once again?
   
   
5. Even after Boo-Boo makes the gym look like "a tornado had done a square dance across the floor," Noodles still acts as if she expects to win the prize. What do you imagine that she is thinking? Does she really think she will get the blue ribbon?
   6. Even though Danny is happy to win the science fair ribbon, he feels bad for Noodles. But that doesn’t last long. Why not? How do you think Noodles feels when Danny wins the ribbon?

For the Advanced Reader

1. Throughout the story Noodles refuses to follow the rules. Mr. Falkner tells her that not following the rules is the reason she doesn’t win the science fair prize. Do you think Noodles has learned anything from this experience? Why does she resist following rules? How do you feel about her attitude?
   
   
2. Danny says he can hardly wait for next year’s science fair. What does he mean by that?
   
   
3. Although Noodles seems to get Danny into trouble a lot, he still likes her. What things in the story let you know this?
   
   
4. Although Noodles and Danny both say they want to work alone at different times in the story, they often end up cooperating with each other to solve their problems. Working together means getting along and having respect for the goals of others. Explain how you have accomplished something or successfully completed a project while working with another person, small group or team.
   
   
5. Who is your favorite character in "Noodles Makes a Boo-Boo?" If this story were made into a television program, which part would you like to play? Explain your answer.

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