The Unteachables

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 32 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, what do you learn about the class called the Unteachables, and why do people at school treat them differently?
2. How does Kiana’s first day in Room 117 help you see the class with fresh eyes? What surprises her?
3. What does Mr. Kermit’s attitude in this chapter show about how he feels about teaching right now? Use details from the chapter.
4. Choose one student from the class. What is something other people misunderstand about that student?
5. What do you think the word “unteachable” means in the story? Do you think it is a fair word for the students? Why or why not?
6. How does Parker’s point of view help you understand his strengths and struggles?
7. What prediction can you make about Kiana’s place in the class? Do you think she will stay, leave, or change things? Explain.
8. In this chapter, how do the students react to Mr. Kermit’s way of teaching? What does their reaction tell you about them?
9. What do you learn about Mr. Kermit’s past, and how might it explain the way he acts now?
10. Which character seems to want people to think they are tougher than they really are? What makes you think that?
11. How does the author use humor in this chapter? Give an example of a funny moment and explain why it works.
12. What problem is growing between Mr. Kermit, the students, and the school? How might it get worse?
13. What does this chapter show about labels and how they can affect people?
14. How does Kiana’s opinion of Room 117 change as she spends more time there?
15. Pick an important choice a character makes in this chapter. What does the choice show about that character?
16. What is one new or interesting word from this chapter? What do you think it means, and what clues helped you?
17. How does Mr. Kermit begin to see the students differently? What details show a change in him?
18. What do the students do that shows they are becoming more like a team?
19. Why do you think the author lets different characters tell parts of the story? How does it help you understand what is happening?
20. What prediction can you make about whether Mr. Kermit will change as a teacher? What evidence supports your prediction?
21. How does the conflict with the adults at school affect Room 117?
22. Which character shows courage in this chapter? Explain what they do and why it is brave.
23. What lesson about second chances is beginning to appear in the story?
24. How do the students’ feelings about Mr. Kermit change? What causes the change?
25. What is one moment in this chapter that made you feel hopeful, worried, or proud? Explain your reaction.
26. How does Parker prove that being a good learner is not only about reading and writing?
27. What does this chapter show about friendship and trust inside Room 117?
28. If you could give Mr. Kermit advice at this point in the story, what would you tell him and why?
29. How do the students try to help solve a problem instead of just getting into trouble?
30. What important change do you notice in the way the school sees the Unteachables?
31. What theme, or big message, do you think the author wants readers to understand near the end of the book?
32. After finishing the final chapter, how has the meaning of “unteachable” changed for you? Use examples from the story.

Example answers

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

What does Mr. Kermit’s attitude in this chapter show about how he feels about teaching right now? Use details from the chapter.

I think Mr. Kermit feels tired and disappointed about teaching. He does not act excited to help the class, and he seems like he is just trying to get through the day. This shows me that something must have happened to make him stop caring so much. I also think he might still have a good teacher inside him, but he has hidden it away.

How does Kiana’s opinion of Room 117 change as she spends more time there?

At first, I think Kiana sees Room 117 as a strange place where nobody expects much from the students. As she spends more time there, she starts to notice that the kids are not bad or hopeless. They each have their own problems, but they also have talents and feelings. I think Kiana begins to care about them and sees the class more like a group of real people than a label.

What does this chapter show about friendship and trust inside Room 117?

This chapter shows that the students are starting to trust each other more. Instead of only looking out for themselves, they begin to help and protect one another. I think that is important because they have been treated like they cannot do anything right. Their friendship helps them believe they can be better than what others expect.