Frindle is a fun book that helps foster creativity and independent thinking for kids. Here are some fun activities to do as a family after you read!
It’s time for the second Read Aloud Book Club post! This month we read Frindle by Andrew Clements, and our whole family loved it!
If you’re unfamiliar with the Read Aloud Book Club, you can read the introductory post HERE, which has more details, the full list of books for 2020, and a free printable to help you track your reading.
Frindle Thoughts
I remember reading Frindle with my class back in the third grade. I honestly didn’t remember what it was about at all, but I remember LOVING every second of it. In fact, one day my mom wanted to keep me home for some reason and I begged her to still go to class because I didn’t want to miss any of Frindle!
This time around was much of the same. I was hooked from the very first chapter and it kept me hanging out until the very last word. And yes, I’m that emotional book nerd who was barely able to read some of the words out loud without my voice cracking or crying. My kids love to make fun of me for that!
My daughter didn’t like this one quite as much as Doctor Dolittle (you can find the post on that book HERE), but my son liked it more! In fact, when it was time for us to start in on this one, he was already reading it with his class at school. I asked him if he just wanted me to read it to my daughter or on my own, since he was already reading it, and he said no. He wanted to read it twice! So that’s a pretty great endorsement right there!
Discussion Questions
- Do you think words can just be made up? Why or why not?
- Can you think of any examples of words that maybe aren’t in the dictionary, but that a lot of people use anyway?
- Did you like Mrs. Granger? Why or why not?
- Do you think what Nick did was disrespectful?
- If you were Mrs. Granger, how would you have handled the situation?
- Do you think one person can change the world? Why or why not?
- Do you have an idea for how you can change the world?
Food Idea
In Frindle, Nick mentions the idea of boycotting the cafeteria’s gross food to persuade them to serve yummier options. With this idea in mind, ask your kids to create their ideal school lunch menu, then serve it!
You can have them write it down for you to make and serve, or you can have each kid create their own plate.
Make things extra special by serving the food on cafeteria-style tray plates, like the ones HERE.
Activity #1: Decorate Your Own Frindle
Supplies:
- Pens (I always have a big box of THESE ONES on hand–the best pens ever and super cheap)
- Washi Tape
- Scissors
Directions:
- Pick a “frindle.”
- Pick out the washi tape you wish to use. You can use one roll, or mix things up and use a bunch of different styles!
- Wrap the tape around the frindle. When you’ve gotten it how you like it, cut the tape and secure the end.
- Repeat with any other rolls of tape you wish to use.
- Start using your new, personalized frindle!
Activity #2: Make Your Own Dictionary
Make up your own word (or two or one hundred) and pick some of your favorite words to create your own special dictionary, just like Mrs. Granger’s giant dictionary at the front of the classroom.
I created the two printables below to help kids make their own dictionary. One is for writers, and includes a spot to write the word and the definition. The other is for younger kids who can’t write yet. They can simply draw what the word means in the box. Or, if they’re just learning to write, they can write the word in the box (with plenty of room for big letters), then draw its meaning.
Use the printables as you wish–print one or print a bunch and let them create a large dictionary!
You can download the printable for older kids HERE or by clicking on the image below:
You can download the printable for younger kids HERE or by clicking on the image below:
Thoughts on Frindle
Overall, we really liked Frindle. I have a feeling it’s one we’ll reread again in a couple years.
What about you? Did your family enjoy the book and/or activities? Let me know in the comments below! And if you join in on the fun, use #CMHReadAloudBookClub so we can all see what you thought and how your family used the activities.
March’s book is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (my childhood favorite). Check the blog on March 17th for the corresponding food and activities for that book.
If you want to see the whole year’s list of books, you can see it on this post HERE. Or sign-up for the free book club below and get a download to check off each book as you go (and a download to track each month’s book as well).
Britney is a wife and mom with a passion for helping other women see the good inside of them. She loves podcasts, polka dots, and dancing around the kitchen with her family.