The Misfits

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Many schools have a group of students that are elected to represent the student body’s interests. This group is often called a “student council,” but it can have other names, too. What are some specific things that a student council does? What kinds of decisions do you think a student council should get to make?

Teaching Suggestion: As students offer their answers to this question, give them some ideas about what kinds of decisions student councils make in elementary and middle schools. It may be interesting to discuss the differences between what adults think a student council should be for and what students themselves wish a student council could do. It will also be helpful to them to know about some of the specific roles that students can fill on a student council. If they have little experience with this kind of student government, one of the following resources may be useful:

• a 2.5-minute video from a Newton Elementary School staff member
• a website hosted by the Texas Association of Student Councils

2. What kind of a person do you think makes a good student leader who can represent other students’ interests well?

Teaching Suggestion: This question is designed to help students start thinking about the difference between popularity and effectiveness in representing others. Guide students to think about qualities such as fairness and empathy, as well as relationship-building and organizational skills. This is also a good time to start them thinking about the themes of avoiding judgment based on first impressions and growing up as an outsider or outcast.

Short Activity

The novel you are about to read is about a student-council election. Imagine that you are going to run for a position on a student council. What would make you a good representative for other students? What kind of changes would you like to try to make in your school? Create a campaign poster that is eye-catching and answers these questions.

Teaching Suggestion: If you wish to have students do this work online, many sites (such as this one) offer templates to get them started. After students have completed the activity, give them a little time to share their work, either in small groups or by displaying their posters in the classroom or on a class website. You might even give them a taste of what running for student council is like by letting them vote for the most persuasive poster.