Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the author of the book Out of My Mind?
Who is the author of the book Out of My Mind?
Sharon M. Draper
What does Melody do in the superstore when trying to warn her mom about the dangerous blocks on the shelf?
What does Melody do in the superstore when trying to warn her mom about the dangerous blocks on the shelf?
She throws a temper tantrum
What convinces Mrs. V to give Melody language?
What convinces Mrs. V to give Melody language?
They watched a documentary about Stephen Hawking
What does Mrs. V think is a great place for Melody to invite Rose to?
What does Mrs. V think is a great place for Melody to invite Rose to?
What is the first thing Melody has her Medi-Talker say?
What is the first thing Melody has her Medi-Talker say?
What does Dr. Dimming say after the practice round on the Whiz Kids Team?
What does Dr. Dimming say after the practice round on the Whiz Kids Team?
What meal does Melody really want to ask her dad for?
What meal does Melody really want to ask her dad for?
What has always swirled around the narrator like snowflakes?
What has always swirled around the narrator like snowflakes?
How old is the narrator?
How old is the narrator?
What has the narrator never done?
What has the narrator never done?
How does the narrator get around?
How does the narrator get around?
What color is Melody's wheelchair?
What color is Melody's wheelchair?
What can Melody hear and smell when music is played?
What can Melody hear and smell when music is played?
What kind of music does Melody's mom like?
What kind of music does Melody's mom like?
What kind of music does Melody's dad like?
What kind of music does Melody's dad like?
What kind of music does Melody like?
What kind of music does Melody like?
What gift did Melody's dad give her when she was a baby that she couldn't hold onto?
What gift did Melody's dad give her when she was a baby that she couldn't hold onto?
Whose songs did Melody's dad sing to her?
Whose songs did Melody's dad sing to her?
What kind of memory does Melody have?
What kind of memory does Melody have?
What does Melody call it when she loses control?
What does Melody call it when she loses control?
Why did 4 year old Melody get upset about the plastic blocks at the store?
Why did 4 year old Melody get upset about the plastic blocks at the store?
What was the name of the doctor who evaluated Melody before she started school?
What was the name of the doctor who evaluated Melody before she started school?
What diagnosis did the doctor give Melody's mom when she went to be evaluated before she started school?
What diagnosis did the doctor give Melody's mom when she went to be evaluated before she started school?
Where did the doctor suggest Melody's parents send her?
Where did the doctor suggest Melody's parents send her?
What school does Melody attend?
What school does Melody attend?
What game do Melody and the other special needs kids watch the regular kids play before school?
What game do Melody and the other special needs kids watch the regular kids play before school?
What do the kids in Melody's class decorate every Christmas?
What do the kids in Melody's class decorate every Christmas?
What does Ashley call Melody?
What does Ashley call Melody?
What did Melody use to communicate at the beginning of the book?
What did Melody use to communicate at the beginning of the book?
What word does Melody hate?
What word does Melody hate?
What is the name of Melody's next door neighbor?
What is the name of Melody's next door neighbor?
What does Melody call her next door neighbor?
What does Melody call her next door neighbor?
What did Ms. V make Melody do on her own the first time she watched her?
What did Ms. V make Melody do on her own the first time she watched her?
What does Ms. V always serve first?
What does Ms. V always serve first?
Would Melody rather walk or talk?
Would Melody rather walk or talk?
What did Mrs. Tracey, Melody's second grade teacher, let her do all year?
What did Mrs. Tracey, Melody's second grade teacher, let her do all year?
What was Melody's third grade teacher's name?
What was Melody's third grade teacher's name?
What did Mrs. Billups do that drove Melody to throw a fit?
What did Mrs. Billups do that drove Melody to throw a fit?
What did Melody's mother do to the Old MacDonald CD?
What did Melody's mother do to the Old MacDonald CD?
What happened to Mrs. Billups?
What happened to Mrs. Billups?
What did Melody name her goldfish?
What did Melody name her goldfish?
What happened to Melody's goldfish?
What happened to Melody's goldfish?
What did Melody name her puppy?
What did Melody name her puppy?
What happened to Melody's mom when Melody was eight?
What happened to Melody's mom when Melody was eight?
What was Melody's sister's name?
What was Melody's sister's name?
What does Penny call her stuffed animal?
What does Penny call her stuffed animal?
What did Melody want to eat that her dad couldn't figure out?
What did Melody want to eat that her dad couldn't figure out?
Study Notes
Author and Overview
- Sharon M. Draper is the author of "Out of My Mind."
- Melody, the protagonist, experiences challenges due to her disabilities yet possesses a rich inner life.
Character Actions and Relationships
- Melody warns her mother about dangerous blocks in a superstore by throwing a temper tantrum.
- Mrs. V is convinced to provide Melody with language after watching a documentary on Stephen Hawking.
Melody's Environment and Support
- The aquarium is suggested by Mrs. V as a great place for Melody to invite her friend Rose.
- Melody's first words from her Medi-Talker are a thank you to Mrs. V.
Academic and Social Insights
- After a practice round with the Whiz Kids Team, Dr. Dimming implies the questions were too easy as Melody was a winner.
- Melody expresses a desire for a Big Mac and shake, reflecting her normal childhood cravings.
Melody's Experiences and Imagination
- Words swirl around Melody as if they were snowflakes, showing her desire for communication.
- At age 10, Melody has never spoken a word and navigates her world using a pink wheelchair.
Sensory Experiences
- When music plays, Melody experiences colors and images, demonstrating her unique sensory perception.
- Different music genres are preferred by her family: her mother loves classical, her father enjoys jazz, while Melody prefers country.
Personal History and Family Dynamics
- As a baby, her father gave her a stuffed cat, which she was unable to hold.
- Her father sang her songs by The Beatles, indicating a connection through music.
Memory and Emotional Expression
- Melody possesses a photographic memory, enhancing her ability to recall details vividly.
- "Tornado explosions" is how she describes moments when she loses control emotionally.
Early Perceptions and Challenges
- Aged four, Melody becomes upset over harmful plastic blocks after seeing a news report.
- Dr. Hugely diagnosed Melody with brain damage and profound mental retardation, leading to suggestions for institutionalization.
School Life
- Melody attends Spaulding Street Elementary School, where she observes typical children's games like four square.
- In class, students decorate a Styrofoam snowman for Christmas, reflecting a blend of fun and inclusivity.
Classrooms and Educational Struggles
- Melody has difficulty with teachers; Mrs. Tracey allowed her to listen to audiobooks, while Mrs. Billups frustrated her by repeatedly teaching the alphabet.
- The emotional toll of her experiences culminates in Mrs. Billups resigning after Spring Break.
Family and Personal Connections
- Melody names her goldfish Ollie and her puppy Butterscotch, displaying her affectionate nature.
- The arrival of a sister, Penny, changes family dynamics, with Melody’s mother having a baby when Melody is eight.
Key Interactions
- Ashley refers to Melody as "Melly Belly," illustrating her peers' varied perceptions of her.
- Melody communicates initially using a board, emphasizing her struggles before the introduction of advanced communication devices.
Significance of Terms
- The term "retarded" is deeply disliked by Melody, reflecting broader societal issues regarding language and perceptions of disability.
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Description
Test your understanding of 'Out of My Mind' by Sharon M. Draper. This quiz covers key moments from Melody's journey, her relationships, and the challenges she faces due to her disabilities. Explore her environment, interactions, and personal growth as you answer questions.
