Read the first six pages (up to the part where Chrysanthemum is going to school for the first time), then stop and predict: what will happen when Chrysanthemum gets to school? Why do you think this will happen? Then read the next few pages, stop, and discuss whether the predictions happened in the story or not.

Predict whether Mrs. Twinkle will have a boy or girl. Do you think she will really name a girl Chrysanthemum? Then read the Epilogue to find out what happened.

Predict how Victoria, Jo, Rita, and Chrysanthemum will perform in their Class Musicale. Read the Epilogue; were you right?

Throughout the story, the text says "Chrysanthemum wilted. She did not think her name was absolutely perfect. She thought it was absolutely dreadful." Have students make a picture in their minds of Chrysanthemum sinking her head and shoulders down and feeling sad to help them understand what it means when she "wilts."

Use this strategy to convey the difference in Chrysanthemum's voice and Victoria's voice. Contrast the way Chrysanthemum exclaims "School!" (p. 6) with the way Victoria says "I'm named after my grandmother. You're named after a flower!" (p. 8). 

You can also contrast the voices of the adults (Chrysanthemum's parents, Mrs. Chud, Mrs. Twinkle) with the voices of the children (Chrysanthemum, Victoria, Jo, and Rita).

You can use this text to model the difference between reading a sentence that ends with a period versus a sentence that ends with an exclamation point. Model both ways of reading an exclamatory sentence to students and discuss how you can change your intonation to make it sound appropriate.

• P. 6—"Hooray!" said Chrysanthemum. “School!”
• P. 8—"I'm named after my grandmother. You're named after a flower!"
• P. 24—"Chrysanthemum's a daisy! Chrysanthemum's a daisy!"

There are so many new and interesting words to choose from. One area you can focus on is the dad's language when both parents are talking to Chrysanthemum throughout the story.

• P. 11—"And precious and priceless and fascinating and winsome."
• The word "wilt" is used throughout the story and how Chrysanthemum always wilts when she feels upset about her name.  "Chrysanthemum wilted. She did not think her name was absolutely perfect. She thought it was absolutely dreadful."