Every Child Succeeds: A Short Story and Discussion Guide ("The Foster Home")

“The Foster Home”

A Short Story and Discussion Guide

By Betty J. White, copyright 2023, a.k.a. Compass Rose

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since it is a completed version of the mystery and this would make a complete unit.

- A reading selection suggested for grades 5 on up.

- This short story is about relationships. It’s about several children who are raised in a foster home where every child succeeds. It was written to promote a better understanding of the experiences that a foster child may face growing up and how communities need to come together and provide support and friendship for all children.

- Illustrated.

- Discussion Guide with some possible suggested answers for the discussion leader.

- Some vocabulary to peruse:

What is a foster home? It is a system where a child has been placed in a group home or private home and is cared for by a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a foster parent. The placement of the child is arranged by the government or a social service agency.

lavender- It’s a flowering plant in the mint family. It grows best in the full sun and has sparsely arranged spikes with lavender-colored flowers. They are cultivated for their essential oil, dried, and used in sachets and dried flower arrangements. Lavender is sometimes used to flavor beverages and sweets.

Cygnus- In this story, Cygnus is used as a girl’s name, but it is also a word meaning “swan”, a constellation in the northern hemisphere.

Andromeda- In this story, Andromeda is used as a girl’s name. It is also a word meaning an evergreen shrub, typically having small, bell-shaped flowers.

Francophile- a person who greatly admires France, French, or may be culturally connected to the French culture.