Here are some resources you might find helpful in using Under My Teacher's Desk in the classroom. At the bottom of this page are the Special Features links that kids see on their page. Please email us if you have other suggestions, ideas to share, or if you find an error on this page!
Vocabulary Words (with chapter #)
scold (1)
opera (2)
sarcastic (4)
elimination (5)
elevation (6)
suspicious (6)
inconsiderate (6)
inconspicious (6)
conclusion (7)
confusion (7)
disconcerting (8)
infinity (9)
alternative (10)
dross (10)
geologist (12)
chauvenist (14)
adrenaline (14)
camouflage (16)
Literary Devices
Under My Teacher's Desk was written for a 4th grade class. Therefore it was written not just a story, but a story that would stretch the minds of the students. Toward that end, the literary devices below were employed.
As you and/or your students read through the book, you can have them become involved by listening for and identifying these devices, or the vocabulary words. You could even have them try using the devices themselves in their own stories.
Multiple-meaning words:
In many sentences and paragraphs the same word is used two or three times, and each time the word has a different meaning. Sometimes this is as simple as a noun and a verb, but sometimes it's more complex. Students can watch for these and look up the various meanings.
Similies and Metaphors:
There are many of these throughout the book. As a refresher, a similie says "A is like B" while a metaphor is more abstract and says "A is B".
Comparisons:
Many comparisons are used to help students visualize or understand certain aspects of the story by comparing something with which they are familiar with an idea in the story. For instance, at one point, Thomas pulls back from a key like it was a big hairy spider. Most kids should be able to imagine what that would feel like.
A specific kind of comparison is used with measurements. Any time sizes or distances are mentioned, they are compared to something kids should be familiar with: a basketball, the size of a school room, a football field, and so on. This should help the students visualize the thing being discussed.
This is a good place for your students to be involved by replacing some of these with their own comparisons.
Parallel Plot Lines:
Some students may not have been exposed to more than a single plot line yet. This book gives an easy introduction to this idea as the adventures of Kitten and Nicodemus occur in parallel to the main story.
Bookending:
One way of telling a story is to begin and end with similar events, dialogue, or concepts, that exist outside of the main story but are related to it. Under My Teacher's Desk begins and ends describing a typical day at Rachel Steerman Elementary, except that the closing bookend incorporates the twist from the main story.
Discussion Questions
Why does feeling inferior make us feel like we need to act in negative ways?
Why do differences in others tend to make us think less of them?
How can accepting our own limitations allow to help others?
What are the different ways in which people are "smart"?
How can the knowlege you learn now help you later in life?
Is there a difference between not being taught and choosing not to learn?
What happens when we act on assumptions instead of finding out the facts?
What would be the outcome if we really treated others the way we want to be treated?
Here's what your students will see under the Special Features icon:
School Floorplan
School Addition
