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The Superteacher Project
Last updated Sunday, August 3, 2025
Author: Gordon Korman
Date of Publication: 2023
ISBN: 0063032791
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2025
Synopsis:
Oliver Zahn, spitball champion and self-declared rule-wrecker of Brightling Middle School, is not a fan of his new homeroom teacher, Mr. Aidact. The guy is sort of stiff, never cracks a smile, and refers to them as "pupils." The worst part is he catches Oliver before he can pull any of his signature pranks! It's time for Oliver and his best friend, Nathan, to show the new teacher who's boss.
But as the weeks go by, they start to realize that Mr. Aidact is not what they expected. He has an uncanny ability to remember song lyrics or trivia. When the girls' field hockey team needs a new coach, he suddenly turns out to be an expert. He never complains when other teachers unload work on him - even when it's lunchroom duty and overseeing detention. Against all odds, Mr. Aidact starts to become the most popular teacher at Brightling.
Still, Oliver and Nathan know that something is fishy. They're determined to get to the bottom of the mystery: What's the deal with Mr. Aidact?
| Note to readers: |
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Note to Readers: This book has many twists and turns before the truth comes out about Mr. Aidact
comes out. The students should be encouraged to finish reading the book to see what happens.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This book is organized by chapters with different persons’ name. Each person gives their own point of
view with respect to the story.
Vocabulary
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prank: a mildly mischievous act.
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prankster: a person who likes to play pranks
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boomer: a negative nickname for a person born during the “baby boom” (1946 – 1964)
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behavior: the way in which someone conducts themselves.
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detention: the act of holding someone in temporary custody for some kind of behavior.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Oliver prides himself on being able to do great pranks (spitballs, fake bomb in the girls’ restroom, toy
cars). What do think of his behavior? Is there anyone at your school who does things like this? How is
that person thought of?
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What do you think of Mr. Aidact?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Draw a picture of something you have done this summer (camping, ball game, amusement park, etc.).
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Draw a picture of what you think a robot will look like.
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| Special activities: |
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Do the word search.
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REMINDER: if you don’t have air conditioning, on a very hot day your public library has AC to help
keep you cool.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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