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Snowflake Bentley: Discussion Questions
Book Title: Snowflake Bentley
Author: by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Grade Level: 4
Type: Nonfiction
Topic: Biography/Science
Lexile: AD830
Discussion Questions
- Do you think Willie Bentley cared what others thought of him? Tell why.
- Willie didn?t care about what others thought of him.
- He continued along with his work no matter who thought he was foolish and who made fun of him.
- What gift did Wilson Bentley want to give to the world? Do you think his work was a gift? Why or why not?
- He wanted to give others the chance to see the exquisite nature of the snowflake.
- Students will probably agree that his photographs were a gift since people didn?t realize how much beauty was in a snowflake until Bentley studied and photographed them.
- Which details from the book support the idea that Wilson Bentley truly loved nature?
- Bentley took photographs in all seasons. He photographed snow, grasshoppers, and spider webs?anything beautiful that he could find.
- He loved snowstorms especially, however, and dedicated his entire life to studying snowflakes.
- In your opinion, what is one of Wilson Bentley?s most outstanding character traits? How did this trait help him accomplish his dreams?
- Students may suggest traits such as determination, patience, dedication, or will power.
- Any of these traits gave Bentley the ability to work hard and try over and over again when things didn?t work out. He never gave up and he loved what he did.
- What gift did Willie?s parents give their son, and why was it a sacrifice for them? Do you think the decision they made was a wise one?
- They bought him a special camera with a microscope.
- It was a sacrifice because they had to use their savings to buy it.
- Students may argue that their decision to buy the camera was wise since Willie was responsible and ended up becoming famous because of his photographs.
- Other students may argue that buying this camera was a thoughtful gesture, but it was too much of a risk considering they didn?t know if Willie would be successful with it or not.
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