Chapter 8 - Gooseberry Falls

Rico, Diego, and Araceli are all "undesirable" animals. What qualities do raccoons, skunks, and porcupines have that made Gustavo want to stay away? Which animal do you think is the least desirable?

(Raccoons look like bandits, and can be scavengers in garbage cans. Porcupines can hurt other animals with their quills. Skunks can spray a very stinky odor that is hard to get off. Have them explain why they would stay away from the animal they choose.)

What quality do the geese share with the Martinez family? Why?

(They are bilingual in Spanish and English, because they migrate to Mexico every winter and return to Minnesota in the summer. The Martinez family is bilingual because Papi is from Mexico and Mami is from Minnesota.) 

Are you bilingual? Do you know anyone who is? Why is speaking more than one language like a superpower?

(You are able to communicate with more people. You can help other people communicate with each other by translating for them. This is like a superpower!)

Can we tell what language someone speaks by looking at them? What is the problem with assuming? 

(We can't always tell what language someone speaks by looking at them. If we speak about someone in front of them, they may understand us.  Even if they don't understand, it isn't right to say unkind things about others.We should always speak kindly about other people, even if they don't understand.)

How did the Martinez kids show helpfulness? How did Gustavo show helpfulness?

(They went to look for Gloria, the missing gosling. Rico even saved her from having a terrible accident. Gustavo helped them by fetching the agate that they were not able to reach.) 

Minnesota Moment: Did you catch the "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck" reference? In Minnesota we don't call it "Duck, Duck, Goose" like in most places. What do they call the game where you live? 

Chapter 9 - Cooking with Mami

When Mami asked the kids to help her make wild rice soup, what was their response? How did they show kindness and helpfulness to Mami? 

(They didn't want to help her make soup, but after Papi told them to, they became very good helpers. It feels good when children help their parents, and even better when they choose to do it.)

Chapter 10 - Lake Mille Lacs

Does Wade seem like a very kind friend? Why or why not?

(Probably not. He was very proud and boastful. He didn't include Diego because he was a different species of fish. 

Did Birgitta seem like a kind friend? Why  or why not?

(Probably not. She is conceited and believes that she is more intelligent than others around her.)

Chapter 11 - Bottom of the Lake

Who is Mr. Eelpout? What happened to him?

(He was the former teacher of the School of a Thousand Lakes. He was also an ugly eelpout fish.Wade hit him with a rock and Birgitta told him he wasn't needed, so he left the school.)

Did Sonja seem like a kind friend? Why or why not?

(Yes. She is friendly and accepts all kinds of fish. She has a kind word to say to everyone. She is concerned about Mr. Eelpout and goes out of her way to encourage him to come back.)

What does it mean to forgive someone? How are two people involved in forgiveness?

(To forgive someone is to let go of our anger for a way we were hurt by someone. The offender can ask for forgiveness, and the offended can choose to forgive them.) 

How was forgiveness demonstrated in the story?

(Birgitta and Wade asked Mr. Eelpout for forgiveness for the unkind way they treated him. Mr. Eelpout made the decision to forgive them, and even returned to teach the school once again.)

Is it easier to ask for forgiveness or to forgive someone? Explain your response. 

(Answers will vary.)

Forgiveness

Read the following verse.  What does it mean to forgive someone? Do we all need forgiveness? Is it easy to forgive others? How will we feel after we forgive someone?

13 Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.  

Colossians 3:13 NIRV

( Everybody makes mistakes and hurts others at times. We have been forgiven by God for the wrong things we have done. We should also forgive others who hurt us. It is not always easy, but it can make us feel better to let go of our anger.)

Acceptance

Read the following verse.  What does it mean to accept others? 

7 Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God. 

Romans 15:7 NIRV

(People may seem different from us, but we should not judge them by their appearance or jump to conclusions about them. God has accepted us, as imperfect as we are, so we can accept and show kindness to others.)