Copyright: 2007 Publisher: Atheneum Books
About the Novel:
Have you ever gone a day without talking? What about an hour? A half-hour? Meet Dave. One day he had an idea. I crazy idea! He decided to go an entire day without talking. A whole twenty-four hours! And if you think his idea isn't crazy enough, he made it into a contest - against the girls. And the idea for one full day turned into two, and the only time a kid could talk was in reponse to a teacher's question - and only three words. No more! You won't be able to speak yourself as you explore what it would be like to give an oral report, attend music class, and play at recess - without saying a single word. The silence starts.... now!
What is this novel like?
- Realistic fiction
- School story
- Exciting (page turner)
- Unexpected ending
Online Resources to Support Text:
Activities & Discussion Questions
Site contains activities, research topics, and many discussion questions for teacher use.
Author Study
Teacher-oriented website that generates ideas to conduct an in-class author study. Site focuses on Andrew Clements and his novels, but could be applied to other authors.
Teaching Suggestions:
1. Before Reading: Engage students in a meaningful whole-class discussion about what they think the novel will be about based on the front cover and the title. Encourage students to make predictions about what they think would happen if they did not talk, what the consequences and outcomes might be, and how they would manage to communicate without words.
2. While reading students will keep a journal where they record the noisy and quiet times each day from the start of the novel to the finish. They should include information such as how noise affected their mood or actions. They should also indicate if they have a preference for quietier or noisier parts of the day. After the journals have been completed, students will share their findings and compare and contrast their experiences with those of their peers.
3. Children will write a persuasive essay arguing for or against a full day of 'no talking' providing evidence from the story and from their own experiences.
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