The name of a student who answers a question affirmatively is written on the blank beside the verb phrase. The goals are to fill as many blanks as possible and to get as many different names as possible. You might also want to require students to move on to another classmate after three negative responses. Whether you think Philip Malloy is a smart aleck who got what he deserved or consider him the innocent victim of an authoritarian teacher, you will be spellbound as a classroom incident gradually escalates to a national controversy. He offers no commentary.
Readers can see the far-reaching consequences of casual actions.
They can contemplate the enforcement of rules and grapple with the question of responsibility. An interesting way to study the novel is to have a class read it aloud with the same students reading the main characters' roles throughout. Reading can be alternated with discussion. You may find it difficult to determine where characters' points of view leave off and students' begin. Especially recommended for middle schoolers.