The Secret School

Most schools put different grade levels in separate classrooms, but kids of all ages work together in a one-room school. Give reasons why such a system might be both good and bad for learning.

Why does it matter so much to Ida that the other students call her “Miss Bidson” and that she put her hair up at school? What might happen if she let the kids call her Ida while she’s teaching?

Ida nicely solves the problem of Herbert’s rebellious classroom behavior by pressuring him with a unanimous student vote to oust him. Suggest another tactic Ida might have used that also could have overcome Herbert’s bad behavior.

Describe three characteristics Miss Sedgewick sees in Ida that encourage the school inspector to bend the rules in Ida’s favor.

Ida’s father asks if she wants to be treated as a child or an adult, but Ida doesn’t have an answer. Explain why Ida might want both.

Why doesn’t Mr. Bixler want Herbert to attend school? Offer reasons why the Bixlers would benefit if Herbert gets an education.

List two ways by which Ida lightens her heavy workload. Include one technique for her studies and one for her teaching duties.

Ida believes Herbert didn’t pass his exit exam because he didn’t want to. Why would Herbert forego advancement in this way? How does his plan to join the Navy serve as a substitute for the education he misses at the schoolhouse?