Freak the Mighty

Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity. 

Design Your Own Ornithopter

Using instructions from Instructables, design ornithopters using basic materials. Test for speed, distance, and durability. Connect this activity to your math and science studies by discussing the measurements and forces at work within the ornithopter’s operation.

• Record your plans and predictions for your ornithopter’s design.
• Reflect after building: Did your ornithopter fly as far or as fast as you wanted? How could the outcome change?

Teaching Suggestion: Provide some instruction on how to implement the activity and maximize its intent.

Paired Text Extension: The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco (2010)

Once the group creates their ornithopters, The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco could be used as a read aloud option to wrap up the STEM activity. This picture book for older readers is an autobiographical account of Patricia’s own experience of being placed in a classroom for those with special accommodations. Main character Trisha is disheartened as she is ostracized for being placed in “the junkyard class” and goes on to create planes and other inventions with her new classmates.

• As a group, compare and contrast Max from Freak the Mighty and Trisha from The Junkyard Wonders.
• Discuss how Mrs. Peterson’s definition of genius could be applied to the characters in Freak the Mighty.

Learning Disability Research

Research one learning disability through Churchill Center’s informational website. Gather in-depth definitions, explanations, and insights from individuals who have the learning disability on which you are focusing. This information can be obtained from interviews, videos, sound files, etc. Present your research to the group with three recommendations for how to show empathy and understanding to individuals with the learning disability you selected.

• Presentations may be in the form of a slideshow, spoken word project, class activity, etc.

Teaching Suggestion: Provide guidance for students by directing them toward additional resources on the learning disability they select. This activity would be a great opportunity for library visits, digital research lessons, and partnering with other classes for greater empathy building.

Paired Text Extension: Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, Or Does It? by Henry Winkler

The Hank Zipzer series follows Hank, who has dyslexia and experiences difficulties in class due to his learning disability. The series is based on Henry Winkler’s own experience with undiagnosed dyslexia as a child. The story is narrated with warmth and humor.

Freak the Mighty Remix—Conflict and A Bionic Body for Kevin

Write a new ending for Freak the Mighty where Kevin receives his new body.

• How does his body change the friendship dynamic between Freak and Max?
• How does this new reality impact the theme of Discovering Strengths through Friendships?
• Provide at least three examples of conflict in your remix.

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to stretch their imaginations to the fantastical and create a world that explores various examples of conflict, including person versus person, person versus nature, and person versus self.

• A PBS Learning Media video breaks down the differences between various kinds of conflicts within stories.
• SuperSummary entry for literary conflict that includes a definition, examples in a variety of texts, and common conflicts that occur in differing genres