The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm Networking it out Tired of being bullied and picked on, three seventh-grade outcasts join forces and, using scientific methods and the power of a local area network (LAN), begin to create a new atmosphere at Parkland Middle School.

Discussion

What types of students do you have at your school? Do they get along with one another?

Should there be any consequences for a student teasing another student? Why, or why not?

At school or at home, what is the most comfortable place for you to be?

Do you consider yourself popular? What can someone in your school do to become popular?

Have you ever been a new student or felt alone at school? How did you handle it?

Which character do you identify with most?

Russell relates to Daredevil, The Man without Fear, and Elliot uses dinosaurs to relate to. Who do you relate to (or look up to)?

Russell's mother says, "Girls at this age can be really vicious, and so vulnerable. I almost think it's more serious business than you boys with your physical stuff." Which bullying do you think is worse, the physical bullying that the Russell and Elliot live with or the emotional bullying that Catalina deals with?

Do you think that the parents/teachers should have done anything different to help the situation?

Why did Russell not help Elliot when he was getting bullied? What do you think you would do in that situation? Do you think Russell is just as guilty as those who bullied Elliot?

What made Russell make friends with Elliot and Catalina?

Do you think that Russell, Elliot and Catalina did a good job in handling the bullying situation at their school? What would you have done differently?

Do you think the views of Bullying were different between the adults and the students? Why or why not?

Would you recommend this book? If so, to whom?

What makes "good friends?" Do you think that Russell, Elliot and Catalina make good friends?

Did the author, Doug Wilhelm, do a good job of describing life in middle school?

Activity

Make a paper maché dinosaur sculpture
FromThe Children's Museum

You will need:

• research materials about dinosaurs & paper for notes
• sketch paper
• pencil & eraser
• colored pencils or crayons
• lots of newspaper
• masking tape
• paper towels or soft paper
• cardboard (that can be cut with scissors)
• scissors
• paper maché paste & large container with lid for paste
• tempera paints & brushes & mixing containers
• clear, water-based, non-toxic "varnish" (Mod Podge Gloss Lustre, Rightstep Water-Based Varnish or watered down white glue)
• optional any other objects you wish to add (for eyes, teeth, patterns etc.)
• optional materials for display (board to mount, string to hang etc.) optional

• Select and research a dinosaur. Find out as much as you can about your chosen dinosaur. Learn as much as you can about its anatomy to build your sculpture.
• Make sketches of your dinosaur sculpture. Plan its pose. What is it doing? Draw an outline.
• What are the basic shapes of your dinosaur? Highlight the forms that you will make from newspaper.
• Make body parts with newspaper, cardboard and masking tape. Crush, squeeze and twist newpaper into very tight forms. Cut flat shapes from cardboard. Tape firmly as you go! Make sure your pieces are smooth and very firm. Rub the tape so no edges come loose.
• Tape the body parts together. Use lots of tape and rub it hard to be sure it won't come off. Tape all the way around each body partlayer the tape in different directions. You may have to tear the tape into small pieces to get in the tiny seams. Test the body parts to make sure they don't come off easily.
• Time to paper maché! Find a place to work. Cover your work space with newspaper. Prepare your paper maché paste. Have a towel handy to wipe your hands. Tear lots of small strips of newspaper--no bigger than your finger. For very small, detailed parts you will need even smaller strips.
• Dip each newspaper strip in your paste. Then pull strip through two fingers to remove excess paste. You want them wet but not drippy and slimy.
• Cover the body with newspaper strips. Rub them well so no edges pop up. Rub out all air bubbles too!
• Allow to dry. Do another layer of newspaper strips and dry. Do one more final coat with paper towels (brown "school" paper towels work great!) or smooth, soft paper.
• You are ready to paint when your dinosaur is sturdy and smooth. Let it dry very thoroughly!
• Paint with tempera paint. First, you may want to try out different colors and patterns by coloring your sketch with crayons or colored pencils.
• Paint the main colors first, recoat if needed, then paint the details and patterns.
• You may also want to coat with a clear, water- based, non-toxic "varnish" (Mod Podge Gloss Lustre, Rightstep Water-Based Varnish or watered down white glue).
• 7. Display your sculpture. Plan how will it be displayed (free-standing, on a stand, hanging?) You may want to include a short paragraph about your dinosaur.

  Recipe

  Superhero Slices
  From Razzle Dazzle Recipes

  Ingredients:
  

  • 1 16oz package of hot roll mix
  • 8oz Italian sausage; cooked and well drained
  • 1/2 of a 10oz package of frozen spinach; thawed & well drained
  • 1 cup shredded provolone
  • 3/4 cup pickled vegetables, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 beaten egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

  Prepraration:
  

  • Prepare hot mix according to directions, after kneading, divide dough into 2 portions; cover and let rest 5 minutes.
  • Grease large baking sheet; set aside
  • In a large bowl, stir together sausage, spinach, provolone, vegetables, and Parmesan.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 portion of the dough into a 12x10" rectangle. Spread the filling to within 1" on the edges of the dough. Start with one of the long ends, and roll up. Moisten and pinch edges to seal. Repeat with the 2nd piece of dough.
  • Place loaves, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Combines egg white and water, and brush on loaves, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover and let rise until nearly double, about 30- 40 minutes.
  • Bake in a 375º oven for 30 minutes. Cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Remove from baking sheet, let cool slightly, slice and serve warm.
  • Make ahead tip: Thaw spinach overnight in the fridge, cook and drain sausage one day ahead and chill in a covered container.
  • To avoid soggy bread, be sure sausage, spinach and veggies are thoroughly drained.
  
  Prep time: 35 minutes Rise: 30-40 minutes Bake: 30 minutes Cool: 20 minutes Makes: 20 servings