Estimated time: 60 minutes

Think about and discuss these questions from your reading:

1. Why did Alice follow the White Rabbit? Would you have followed the White Rabbit?
2. Alice spends a good part of Chapter 1 trying to get into the garden unsuccessfully. Have you ever had a similar experience? How did you feel about it?
3. What term does Alice use for making herself smaller?
4. In Chapter 2, we find that Alice's body is changing and she seems to have no control over it. How does she react to this rapid change? How can this be related to growing up in general?
5. Alice is so upset about changing that she begins crying, and even though she tells herself to stop, she just can't. Have you ever experienced such strong emotions that you couldn't seem to control it? Why is the author including this in his story?
6. Why did the author choose to use a concrete or shape poem in Chapter 3?

Freewriting

After you have pondered and discussed these questions with your teacher, choose one to complete a freewrite. If you are unfamiliar with freewriting, here are a few tips:

• Keep your pencil moving. Don’t stop. Just brain dump onto your paper.
• Have a set amount of time. Set a timer and write for the full amount of time.
• Ignore all grammar and spelling. Don’t let editing slow down the process. The goal is to get thoughts on paper. Spelling and grammar are not important in this instance.
• Pen and paper aren’t the only ways to freewrite. Feel free to type on the computer. Not only does this accomplish the task, but it builds typing skills.

Share your freewrite in the comments below.