Fourth Grade Rats

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 15 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: How does Suds feel about moving from third grade to fourth grade, and what does Joey tell him about being a “fourth grade rat”?
2. Chapter 2: Why do you think Joey wants Suds to stop acting like a “third grade angel”? What does this show about Joey’s personality?
3. Chapter 3: What are some ways Suds tries to act tougher in this chapter? Do his actions seem natural to him, or does he seem uncomfortable? Explain.
4. Chapter 4: How do Suds’s choices at home affect the way his family treats him? Use details from the chapter in your answer.
5. Chapter 5: What does the word “rat” seem to mean to Joey and Suds in this story? How is it different from the animal called a rat?
6. Chapter 6: How does Suds’s friendship with Joey influence the decisions he makes? Give one example from the chapter.
7. Chapter 7: What problem is Suds facing inside himself? How can you tell he is not completely sure about being a rat?
8. Chapter 8: Make a prediction: If Suds keeps following Joey’s advice, what might happen to his friendships or family relationships? Why?
9. Chapter 9: How does Suds act around Judy or other classmates in this chapter? What does his behavior show about what he wants people to think of him?
10. Chapter 10: What lesson is Suds beginning to learn about trying to be someone he is not?
11. Chapter 11: Choose one strong word from this chapter that shows a character’s feelings. What does the word mean, and why is it a good choice?
12. Chapter 12: How does Suds’s opinion about being a fourth grade rat change in this chapter? What causes that change?
13. Chapter 13: Compare Joey and Suds. How are they alike, and how are they different in the way they handle growing up?
14. Chapter 14: What theme, or big message, do you think the author is showing through Suds’s struggles with acting tough?
15. Chapter 15: At the end of the book, what do you think Suds has learned about himself? Would you have made the same choices he did? Why or why not?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 3: What are some ways Suds tries to act tougher in this chapter? Do his actions seem natural to him, or does he seem uncomfortable? Explain.

I think Suds tries to act tougher because he wants Joey to think he belongs in fourth grade. He does things that do not really match his true personality. To me, he seems uncomfortable because he is not acting from his heart. He is more worried about what other people think than about what feels right.

Chapter 8: Make a prediction: If Suds keeps following Joey’s advice, what might happen to his friendships or family relationships? Why?

I predict that Suds might get into more trouble if he keeps listening to Joey. His family may feel hurt or confused because they know he is usually kinder than that. His friends might also stop trusting him if he acts mean just to look tough. I think Suds will have to decide whether being a rat is really worth it.

Chapter 15: At the end of the book, what do you think Suds has learned about himself? Would you have made the same choices he did? Why or why not?

I think Suds learns that growing up does not mean you have to be mean or tough all the time. He finds out that being himself is better than pretending to be like Joey. I probably would have felt pressure too, because it is hard when a friend tells you how to act. But I hope I would choose to be kind, even if other kids called me babyish.