Common Core Standards Questions for Chicklet's Dream

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Using Chicklet's Dream to Teach Common Core Standards

Besides being a great book to share with the young readers in your family, Chicklet's Dream can be used to teach students about various subjects they will encounter during their formal schooling. 

To help parents and educators get the maximum benefit from from reading Chicklet's Dream to their children, here are some questions about the book based on Common Core Standards.

English Language Arts - Reading Literature - Grade 3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

  • What kind of bird is Chicklet?
    Chicklet is a Royal Tern. This is mentioned twice on page four and again on page 10.
  • Why are these birds called Royal Terns?
    On page 10, when Chicklet speaks to his older friend Bob, he notes that older Royal Terns, like Bob, have black, spiky feathers on their head that resemble a crown. (page 10)
  • Can Chicklet fly?
    No. Though there are several passages about Chicklet spreading his wings and flying, immediately after the passage, it's revealed that Chicklet was daydreaming. When Chicklet leaves the area by the alligator as quickly as possible, he "got out of there as fast as his little legs would take him." (page 26)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3
Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

  • What is Chicklet's main motivation during the story?
    Chicklet is driven by hunger. It's his first thought when he wakes up; whenever he talks to another character, he's thinking about food; his journey is to find something to eat; and the resolution of the story comes when Chicklet finds his mom and she bring him food. 
  • Is Chicklet afraid of anything?
    Yes. Though he doesn't seem too concerned that he can't immediately find his mom, he does show fear of being eaten by other animals, such as the alligator that looked like a log, and when the Wood Stork swooped overhead (though Wood Stork don't eat chicks so he really had no reason to be so scared).

English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Literature » Grade 4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

  • What is the author's main theme in Chicklet's Dream?
    There are many kinds of interesting birds and animals that live in the areas around beaches and wetlands. Most characters in the book are different species of birds. And when each is introduced, the reader learns a few facts about that species. 
  • Besides their location, what is another theme that ties all the animals in Chicklet's Dream together?
    Since Chicklet's adventure is driven by his hunger, he notes the way that each animal finds their food in the wild. He also notices the different anatomical features that are advantageous for each animal. Such as how the Ibis has a long beak or how the Osprey as sharp talons and powerful wings.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

  • Where does Chicklet's Dream take place?
    Using only details from the story, it's clear that Chicklet's Dream takes place along the shore of a beach and in some of the surrounding wetlands. He starts and ends on the beach, and in between, he is in wetlands that are near the shore. Looking at the species of birds featured in the story, it's clear the story takes place in the Southeastern United States. By looking at the book's Introduction, it's revealed the author is in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).

  • What is the meaning of the phrase "A ginormous black bird"?
    This phrase is used to convey how large the Cattle Egret looked in comparison to a Royal Tern chick. "Ginormous" is a portmanteau, where two words are combined to form a new one. In this case, giant and enormous become "ginormous", meaning something really, really big.