In "The Wild Robot," you will encounter various themes, some of which may be challenging for children to grasp. Below is a list of these themes, along with read-aloud suggestions suitable for both lower and upper elementary levels. These resources aim to support and facilitate discussions about the feelings and thoughts students may have regarding these topics.
How do Stick and Stone demonstrate the qualities of true friendship throughout the story?
What challenges do Stick and Stone face in their friendship? How do they overcome these challenges?
What lessons can we learn about making friends from Stick and Stone's relationship? How can we apply these lessons in our lives?
What are some differences between the main character and his enemy? How do these differences initially create a barrier to their friendship?
What activities do the main character and his enemy do together? How do these experiences help them build a friendship?
What important lessons about friendship can be learned from "Enemy Pie"? How can we apply these lessons in our daily lives?
What is the most important element that makes a family? How do the characters demonstrate love and support for one another?
What challenges do the families face in the story, and how do they overcome them? What does this teach us about resilience in families?
How do the characters demonstrate love and support for one another?
How would you describe the relationship between the narrator and her older brother? What are some specific examples of their interactions that show their bond?
What moments in the story illustrate the narrator's feelings of jealousy toward her brother? How does she deal with those feelings throughout the book?
What strategies do the characters use to resolve their disagreements? How might these strategies be useful in your own family or friendships?
Why is it important for families to share stories? How does it help them feel closer?
What can we learn about love and family from this story? How do you show love in your family?
Compare the feelings of the characters at the beginning and the end of the story.
Investigate how the characters' lives change after adoption. What are some of the positive changes?
How does the Juice Box Bully make the other children feel?
Summarize what happens when the children stand up to the Juice Box Bully.
Investigate how the characters worked together to solve the problem.
What did the main character do that made them a bully?
How does the main character feel at the beginning of the story compared to the end?
Why do you think the main character decided to change their behavior?
Can you list two things that make you feel like you belong?
What are some reasons people might feel left out? How can we help them?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you belonged? What made that moment special?
Chapters 1-2 of a great chapter book!
Identify one new friend the character makes in the story.
Classify the different emotions the character experiences throughout the story.
Assess how the character changes from the beginning to the end of the story. What is different about them?
Chapter Book
Can you list some things that make Lola feel hot?
Compare how Charlie and Lola react to the heat. What are the differences?
Investigate different ways Lola could cool down. What are some creative solutions you can think of?
How is Ruby's school different from other schools?
Compare Ruby's experience at school to your own first day of school.
How did Ruby's actions help other children later?
How does the bear feel when he shares his food with friends?
Investigate how sharing affects the bear's friendships in the story.
Draw conclusions about what might happen if the bear never shared.
Can you list two things that the characters wanted to change in the world?
Can you summarize what the characters did to try to help their world?
Formulate a plan: If you could help your community, what would you do?
Draw a conclusion about how working together can help make changes in the world.
How does the story show the importance of friendship?
How would you describe the feelings of Ida and her friend throughout the story?