For Educators
Grade band: 4–8 | Time: 20 min discussion + 15 min activity | Skills: citing evidence, inference, theme & character motivation
Discussion Questions
- Curiosity vs. Caution — What drives each sibling?
In the stairwell and hidden-room scenes, how do Loukas and Lydia react differently to risk and mystery? What specific lines show their motivations? - Setting as Pressure — How does place raise the stakes?
Choose two details (sealed ceiling, glowing Disk, carved symbols, latch/cane). Explain how each adds pressure or changes their decisions.
Quick Activity
ELA (Evidence Ladder) — Quote → what it shows → why it matters (pairs share one ladder).
Optional STEAM: create a five-step non-musical pattern (sequence), connecting to the Disk’s five notes.
Differentiation
- ELL/EML: mini-glossary; sentence frames.
- Advanced: two interpretations of one quote.
- Accessibility: oral ladders or underlined evidence.
Standards (choose your grade)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RL.4.1 / RL.5.1 / RL.6.1 (evidence), RL.4.3 / RL.5.3 / RL.6.3 (characters/plot), RL.4.2 / RL.5.2 / RL.6.2 (theme).
Optional: NGSS Practices — Patterns; Analyzing & Interpreting Data.