The Secret Knowledge of
Grown-ups
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Grown-up Rules
Writing Kit
Use this kit with your students in conjunction with the
book The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups by David
Wisniewski or on its own.
In the book, the author presents a variety of grown-up
rules that kids have to follow (like eating your
vegetables). He then tells the reasons that parents give
their kids (vegetables are good for you), but he then
reveals the “real” reason behind the rules. These rules
are hilarious conspiracy theories that the kids really
enjoy. (You have to eat your vegetables so they don’t
eat YOU!)
This is a great way to kick off a discussion about rules
and the reason why we have them in our classrooms.
Have the kids pick a grown-up rule, give the adult
explanation behind the rule, and then explain the “real”
reason why you have to follow the rule. The kids LOVE
coming up with crazy reasons!
Use the prewriting sheet to start organizing those ideas,
and then have students publish their ideas. Add an
illustration of the chaos that would come from not
following the rule for added fun! Combine all of the
rules together, and make an awesome class book or
hallway display! Name:____________________
Grown-up Rules
(Prewriting)
They’re weird, aren’t they?
Think of a something that grown ups always tell you to
do. It could be brushing your teeth, making your bed,
doing your homework-you get the idea.
My Grown Up Rule
__________________________________________
__________________________________________ Why do adults tell you that you have to do this?
__________________________________________
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__________________________________________ Now come up with something CRAZY that would happen if you
don’t follow this rule. Will your un-made bed eat your
homework? Maybe your dirty clothes will run away-be as
creative as possible!
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__________________________________________ Name:____________________
Grown-up Rule #______ The Rule:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________ What adults tell you:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________ The real Reason:
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Thanks for purchasing
this activity! Make sure
you check out the other
products in my store and
hop over to my blog for
more teaching ideas!
www.willgradeforcoffee.blogspot.com