On A Magical Do-Nothing Day

Name: On A Magical Do-Nothing Day
Author: Beatrice Alemagna

A story that explores wonder and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Wonder. staying curious about the world around you.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: to be amazed at and/or curious about something that is pleasantly unexpected, beautiful, or mysterious. In short: Curiosity sparks endless discovery.
Summary: A young boy and his mom spend time in a cabin in the woods. The boy gets bored and decides to take a walk while his mom works at the computer. To his surprise, he starts to notice a lot of interesting things, like snails, wild mushrooms, and a lot more. The rest of the day is fascinating, full of adventures. What was once a very boring day becomes a magical day! Lesson Objectives:

Students are more likely to challenge themselves when they’re bored to explore and find something interesting to do. Why? Because they’ve learned that our world is full of adventures - one just has to look carefully!

Guiding Questions:

Why do you think the author gave this title to the book: “A Magical Do-Nothing Day”?
Where was the boy in the beginning of the story and what was he doing?
When he started out on a walk, was he very excited or still just bored?
What was in the “underground world”?
What are some of the things he did that made him say, “Why hadn’t I done these things before?”
Compare the boy’s mood before he left the cabin and when he returned. What changed and why?
He was frustrated with his mom in the beginning of the story, but he felt different about her when he returned. How was it different?
Have you ever done any of the things the boy did, like catch raindrops in your mouth, talk to a bird, collect smooth stones,or jump in mud puddles? If not, would you like to try?
Have you ever been bored, but found something to do that took away the boredom? Describe what happened. Where were you, why were you bored, what did you do to take away the boredom, how did you feel when you decided to do something to change your situation?
Do you think it’s okay to be bored sometimes, even if you usually prefer doing something fun and interesting? Why or why not?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Wonder means staying curious about the world around you.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Wonder · Family Discussion Guide

On A Magical Do-Nothing Day

by Beatrice Alemagna

Guiding Questions

Students are more likely to challenge themselves when they’re bored to explore and find something interesting to do. Why? Because they’ve learned that our world is full of adventures - one just has to look carefully!

Guiding Questions:

Why do you think the author gave this title to the book: “A Magical Do-Nothing Day”?
Where was the boy in the beginning of the story and what was he doing?
When he started out on a walk, was he very excited or still just bored?
What was in the “underground world”?
What are some of the things he did that made him say, “Why hadn’t I done these things before?”
Compare the boy’s mood before he left the cabin and when he returned. What changed and why?
He was frustrated with his mom in the beginning of the story, but he felt different about her when he returned. How was it different?
Have you ever done any of the things the boy did, like catch raindrops in your mouth, talk to a bird, collect smooth stones,or jump in mud puddles? If not, would you like to try?
Have you ever been bored, but found something to do that took away the boredom? Describe what happened. Where were you, why were you bored, what did you do to take away the boredom, how did you feel when you decided to do something to change your situation?
Do you think it’s okay to be bored sometimes, even if you usually prefer doing something fun and interesting? Why or why not?

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On A Magical Do-Nothing Day

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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On A Magical Do-Nothing Day

Guiding Questions