Sideways Stories from Wayside School Reading Comprehension Questions
by Louis Sachar
Part of the Wayside School series · Book 1 of 3
Book Summary
Wayside School was built thirty stories high instead of one story wide, making it a very unusual place. Each chapter tells a funny and often absurd story about the students and teachers on the thirtieth floor. From a teacher who turns students into apples to a boy who can't count, the book explores the humorous and sometimes heartwarming adventures of a unique group of characters, often with subtle lessons about friendship, fairness, and understanding.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Sideways Stories from Wayside School.
1.Who was the first teacher on the thirtieth story of Wayside School?
2.What did Mrs. Gorf do to students who got a question wrong?
3.What did Mrs. Jewls first think the students on the thirtieth story were?
4.Why do you think Todd often got sent home even when he didn't do anything wrong?
5.What can you infer about Sharie's dreams based on the story?
6.Why did Paul pull Leslie's pigtails at first?
7.What lesson does Paul learn about showing affection?
8.What is a main idea or theme from the story about Mrs. Jewls thinking the students were monkeys?
9.How did Louis, the yard teacher, show he was a helpful person?
10.In the story, Todd often felt **exasperated**. What does **exasperated** mean?
11.When Mrs. Jewls became **suspicious** about the previous teacher, what did that mean?
12.The school building was described as **absurd** because it was built thirty stories high. What does **absurd** mean in this sentence?
13.If you were a student in Mrs. Gorf's class, what would you do to try and avoid being turned into an apple?
14.Maurecia loved ice cream very much. What is something you love a lot, and would you share it with a friend, even if it was your favorite?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Sideways Stories from Wayside School to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School with children.
What was your favorite part of Sideways Stories from Wayside School? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Sideways Stories from Wayside School, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Sideways Stories from Wayside School make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Sideways Stories from Wayside School to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Louis Sachar wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Sideways Stories from Wayside School?
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.3. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Sideways Stories from Wayside School?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Sideways Stories from Wayside School, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Sideways Stories from Wayside School for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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