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Sample Worksheet 1

Chapter Guide

Pizza Numbers (page 41)

Chapter Focus

This chapter shows how learning can feel fun and less scary when it connects to real life. It highlights confidence, curiosity, and how humor can change a student’s attitude toward school.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Matew felt so confident during this math lesson compared to other times?
How did the pizza change the way the class reacted to math?
What does calling fractions “pizza numbers” tell us about how Matew understands learning?
Why do you think Matew jokes so much when he’s talking about school and adults?
Have you ever learned something better because it was explained in a fun or surprising way?

Optional Classroom Connections

Discussion: Invite students to share a time when something confusing suddenly made sense to them.
Quick Writing: Have students write about a school moment that surprised them in a good way.
Creative Response: Students can invent a playful name for a school concept that once felt hard.

SEL Connection (Optional)

Confidence-building
Curiosity and questioning
Humor as a coping skill
Positive risk-taking

Teacher Note (Optional)

This chapter works well as a standalone sample or early in the book to help students relax and connect with the narrator. It’s especially effective for sparking conversations about mindset and confidence in learning.

This worksheet is part of the free teacher’s guide. There is one for each chapter.

Sample Worksheet 2

Chapter Guide

Bet You Didn’t Know You’ve Got Eleven Fingers! (page 59)

Chapter Focus

This chapter explores how kids make sense of the world through logic, imagination, and humor—and how misunderstandings can lead to both fun discoveries and anxious moments. It also highlights growing up, learning to question ideas, and finding confidence through understanding.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think Matew believed Uncle X so quickly? What made the idea feel convincing to him?

• How did Matew’s feelings change from excitement to fear during the chapter? What caused those shifts?

• What role does humor play in this story, especially between kids and adults? • Why do you think Matew wanted to “get the joke” instead of waiting until he was older? • What does this chapter suggest about learning from mistakes?

• Do you think knowing math helps keep people from tricking you? Why or why not?

Optional Classroom Connections

• Discussion: Talk about a time when something seemed true at first but later turned out differently. How did it feel to realize the truth?

• Quick Writing: Invite students to write about a moment when their imagination made a situation feel bigger or scarier than it really was.

• Creative Response: Have students create a short comic strip showing a funny misunderstanding between a kid and an adult.

SEL Connection (Optional)

• Recognizing and managing fear

• Building curiosity and critical thinking

• Learning from mistakes

• Perspective-taking between kids and adults

Teacher Note (Optional)

This chapter works well as a light, engaging read-aloud and is great for discussing how humor and misunderstandings can be part of learning and growing up. It also opens the door to conversations about emotions and problem-solving in everyday situations.

This worksheet is part of the free teacher’s guide. There is one for each chapter.

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