88 pages • 2 hours read
Ann BradenA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.
“Book Debate”
In this activity, students conduct a debate using topics from The Benefits of Being an Octopus.
In the novel, Ms. Rochambeau and her debate class are pivotal in building confidence in Zoey and her ability to overcome her circumstances. Design your own debate to address topics about the novel. Collect evidence from the text to support the discussion and consider selecting one of the questions below to build it.
After debating your chosen topic with a partner or with the group, reflect on the experience. What valid ideas did your opponent convey? Did their points work to sway your opinion? Write a journal-style entry in which you summarize your individual debate experience and analyze its impact on you as a reader.
Books on Justice & Injustice
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Books that Teach Empathy
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Family
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Fear
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Fiction with Strong Female Protagonists
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Friendship
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Guilt
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Juvenile Literature
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Popular Study Guides
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Poverty & Homelessness
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Pride & Shame
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Realistic Fiction (Middle Grade)
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School Book List Titles
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Sexual Harassment & Violence
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Teams & Gangs
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