How to Eat
Fried Worms
Thomas Rockwell
Chapters 1-7
Questions for Discussion
Vocabulary:
Chapter 1- witnesses, furtively, gnawing, savings account, fricasseed
Chapter 2- anxious, devious, schemer, measly
Chapter 3- coaxed, obsequiously, piccalilli, horseradish, Worcestershire,
maraschino cherries
Chapter 4- fink, menacingly, flourished, souvenir, scrutinized
Chapter 5- troglodycrosis, bleat
Chapter 6- daub, wearily, chaff
Chapter 7- gaggles, draggling, topples, rev, brackety
Questions:
Who are the four main characters in this story?
As the story opens, Alan and Billy tell Tom he missed something the night
before. What did he miss?
How do the boys get started talking about eating worms?
What are the details of the bet? If you were Billy, would you have accepted the
bet? Why or why not?
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What is a python? Why does Tom use the word to describe the worm Alan and
Joe have just dug up?
What kinds of things does Billy do to prepare himself for the worm?
What arguments does Tom use to convince Billy that he has to go through with
the bet after he sees the first worm?
When Billy starts hopping around the barn flapping his arms like a big bird,
what do the other boys think?
How do you know Alan is worried? Can you give any reason for Joe's lack of
concern? Why isn't he worried?
What is the thing that bothers Billy the most about eating the worms? What
suggestion does Tom have?
The author makes Billy's fantasy about taking the mini-bike into church and
school seem so real by using interesting descriptive words. List as many of these
words as you can find from pgs. 28-29.
Chapters 1-7
Multiple Intelligence Activities
Choose one or two that interest
you and your family the most
Interpersonal
Tom tried to convince Alan and Joe not to pick a nightcrawler from the manure pile.
However, Tom eventually agrees with their choice. Reread chapter 2. If you were Tom
what would you have said to convince Alan and Joe they weren’t being fair with their
choice? Write down a few ideas.
Intrapersonal
Tom cheers Billy up in chapter 7. Then Billy lets his imagination “run wild” describing a
day on his new bike. Reread chapter 7 to see what Billy imagines. If you couldn’t get in
trouble with your parents, what would you do? Where would you go? Let your
imagination go crazy as you write down your perfect afternoon on a new bike!
Naturalistic
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The boys set out to find the perfect worm for Billy to eat. Reread their discussion in
chapter 2 as they pick the first worm. Then go out into your backyard and see if you can
find any worms. Take a sketch pad or camera with you on your worm-walk. Record the
differences in size, shape, and color of each of the worms. If you are really brave make
a habitat for a worm and keep it as a pet! :)
Existential
A conversation about Tom eating his dinner turned into Billy taking a bet to eat 15
worms! Reread chapter 1 to see how the bet happened. Pretend that you took Alan up
on his $50 bet. Write a diary entry describing your feelings, doubts, or excitement for
things you could buy with the money.
Verbal-linguistic
Tom wants Billy to complete his goal of eating 15 worms. Reread chapter 7 to find the
poem Tom tells Billy. If you were Billy’s friend, what would you say to persuade him to
eat the remaining 13 worms? Write a short rhyming poem that would encourage Billy to
keep up his icky-tasting bet.
Logical-mathematical
Billy was angry when he was presented with the first worm. He argued that an
nightcrawler was different from a regular worm. Billy checked in a dictionary to settle the
argument. Reread chapter 4 then do your own research on worms using a dictionary,
encyclopedia, or online reference. Write down the 5 most fascinating facts you discover.
Spatial
Billy was angry when he was presented with the first worm. He argued that an
nightcrawler was different from a regular worm. Billy checked in a dictionary to settle the
argument. Reread chapter 4 then do your own research on worms using a dictionary,
encyclopedia, or online reference. Make a diagram of a worm using paints, crayons, or
play doh (sky is the limit-be creative!)
Musical
In chapter 7 Tom tries to convince Billy the next worm will taste like fish. Reread
Chapter 7. Take the poem from page 28 and sing it the tune of your favorite song. (ie.
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Row Row Row your Boat”)
Bodily kinesthetic
Billy has an interesting reaction after he eats his first worm. Reread chapter 4 and act
out Billy’s actions after the last bit was swallowed. Why do you think he acts like this?
Chapters 8-14
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Questions for Discussion
Vocabulary:
Chapter 8- sizzling, New Orleans, Peru
Chapter 9- doped
Chapter 10- keel, grimace, deracinated
Chapter 11- hayloft, indignant, pelting, trough
Chapter 12- sensible
Chapter 13- cringing, hoarse
Chapter 14- din, haunches, gurged, jostled, antidote, lugging
Questions:
Does it seem like Billy has any trouble eating the third worm? Why?
What are Joe and Alan up to as they watch Billy eat the fourth worm? What
story do they tell Billy?
What does Tom think of Joe's story? Do you think Billy believes it? Why or why
not?
Where do you think the boys live? What time of year is it?
Why did Billy want Tom to eat a worm? How do you know that Tom really
doesn't like the idea?
Besides losing the fifty dollars, what was Alan afraid of?
What did Joe mean when he said to Alan over the phone that he had nothing to
worry about because Billy was "cracking"?
How do you know that Billy is beginning to worry about what Joe had said
about eating worms?
What does antidote mean? Why was Billy looking for an antidote?
Have you ever had a scary nightmare? What was it about?
Chapters 8-14
Multiple Intelligence Activities
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Choose one or two that interest
you and your family the most
Interpersonal
The author uses many vivid words to describe Billy’s dream. Reread chapter 14, “The
pain and the blood and the gore.” Choose 10 vivid words and create a word search
titled “The Nightmare!”
Intrapersonal
Billy begins to feel very ill after his nightmare. Reread chapter 14 to see his physical
symptoms. Do you think Billy will continue his bet? Do you think he should tell his
parents what he has been up to?
Naturalistic
At this point you may have a worm as a pet (sorry parents)! Do some research to find
out how to care for your worm. What should you include in the terrarium? What do
worms eat? Take care of your slithery friend!
Existential
Alan and Joe try to come up with a plan to get Billy to stop eating worms. Is Alan being
fair? Reread chapter 9. Why do you think people bet each other to do things? Have a
discussion with your family.
Verbal-linguistic
Billy doesn’t seem to mind eating the fried worm. Reread his reaction in chapter 8, then
write a recipe for a worm that you would not mind eating. Look at a real recipe as an
example. Don’t forget to include instructions as well as a list of ingredients.
Logical-mathematical
Billy has an awful nightmare in chapter 14. He dreams of huge worms grabbing his
ankles and arms. Reread the chapter for the vivid details and descriptions. Do some
research on the computer to see if those huge worms really exist outside of Billy’s
nightmare. Once you find the largest worm measurement use a ruler to draw the worm
to scale! Yikes!!!
Spatial
Tom fries the third worm. He wants to make it look like fish so Billy won’t remember he
is really eating a worm. Reread chapter 8. Draw a worm that looks as icky as you can
imagine. Then, draw a worm with a “disguise.” How does your decorated worm compare
with the original? Which would you rather keep as a pet? Why?
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Musical
Each worm that Billy eats makes Alan more nervous. Reread chapter 13 and try to
imagine how Alan is feeling. Sing your favorite song, now try to change the words of
that song to reflect Alan’s feelings of worry. Make sure you write the song down so your
family can sing it each time Billy eats another worm!
Bodily kinesthetic
Tom makes up a story to try to scare Billy from eating the fourth worm. However, as he
is talking, Alan begins to have a “sneezing fit.” Alan is not really sneezing, but trying to
cover up his laughter. Why do Alan and Tom think this story is so funny? Reread
chapter 10. Try to disguise laugher with a sneeze. Is anyone is your family convinced?
Chapters 15-21
Questions for Discussion
Vocabulary:
Chapter 15- discernible, tupenny, treacle, serene, glowered
Chapter 16/17- tentatively, sullenly, airily
Chapter 19- slouching
Chapter 20- virtuous, nonchalantly, yukked
Chapter 21- Saran Wrap, yug, midst, sauté, Alsation, bravo
Questions:
Who sounds more worried about Billy's gurgling stomach, his mom or his dad?
How do you know?
If you woke your mom up at 3:15 am with a rumbling, gurgling stomach, and
you said you had eaten five worms, what would she say?
Billy actually had nightmares after eating the fifth worm. Why is it that he
doesn't seem to mind eating the sixth, seventh, and eighth worms? What things
does Billy do as he eats these worms that show you he is no longer afraid of
what might happen to him?
Are Joe and Alan getting more worried? How do you know?
Billy asks Alan, "Where's Joe?", as he eats the eighth worm. What was Joe up
to?
Why did Billy suspect something as he looked at the ninth worm?
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When the author writes that Billy had forgotten to dip the piece of worm in
horseradish sauce, what had happened?
Why do Joe and Alan come to see Mrs. Forrester? Do you think they trust Billy?
What has happened to the friendship between Alan, Joe, and Billy?
What does Mr. Forrester think about the fact that the bet is still on?
Chapters 15-21
Multiple Intelligence Activities
Choose one or two that interest
you and your family the most
Interpersonal
Billy ate the sixth worm “triumphantly.” Reread chapter 16 and create a mental picture
of the events. Then, look up the word “triumphant” in the dictionary. Think of something
that you have done triumphantly. Try to act out the scene; make a “triumphant-face” as
your family cheers you on!
Intrapersonal
In chapter 20 Alan and Joe tell Mrs. Forrester (Billy’s mom) what Billy has been up to.
They name her the referee of worms ten and eleven. What does a referee do?
Brainstorm some games with a referee. If possible watch a referee in action. Are
referees necessary is all games? Why or why not?
Naturalistic
Hope you are still taking care of your pet worm! Start a daily journal of your worms
behaviors. What does it eat? Does it seem to have a favorite place to hang out in its
new habitat? Include sketches in your journal.
Existential
The worms in this story have a tough life! Imagine you are a worm in this story. You are
being chased by Alan and Joe. If you are caught you will be gulped down by Billy.
Write yourself an escape story. Remember you are a worm, so you can’t move too fast.
You will have to come up with a creative escape! Good luck!
Verbal-linguistic
Billy is no longer worried about eating worms. Reread chapter 17 to see Billy’s reaction.
He gulps down the worm and grabs his comic book. Create a comic strip with the
adventures of a worm as the main character.
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Logical-mathematical
Alan tried to trick Billy into eating a two worms glued together. Reread chapter 19 to see
how long the glued together worms measured. Measure out the length of the worm with
a piece of string. Then, find the half-way point on the string. That is the length of just
one of the worms! Wow! How many inches is half of 2 feet?
Spatial
Alan and Joe try to trick Billy into eating two worms glued together. Reread chapter 19
for all the details. Then, imagine eating your favorite food. Now picture it double in size!
Draw your super sized food or create it with materials from around the house.
Musical
The sixth and seventh worm are eaten with no problem. Then, Mrs. Forrester creates a
tasty worm speciality for worm number ten. Create a unique drum roll that Tom could
perform as Billy eats the remaining worms.
Bodily kinesthetic
In chapter 19 the boys have to chase an escaped pig. Reread the chapter to see how
the pig got loose. Now go outside with your family and play tag. You’re it!
Chapters 22-29
Questions for Discussion
Vocabulary:
Chapter 22- whizbang, protruding, envious
Chapter 23- bloated
Chapter 24- relieved
Chapter 26- mealybugs, heave, dopily, scuttled, clambered
Chapter 27- finkiness, writhed
Chapter 28- lunging, fringe
Chapter 29- tousled, wrenched, bleary
Questions:
What new way of serving up worms does Mrs. Forrester come up with?
Describe it.
You are asked to prepare a "worm dish" for Billy. How would you serve your
worm?
Why is Emily, Billy's sister, a bit envious?
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Joe comes up with another idea to trick Billy. How do they plan on making Billy
lose the bet?
Why don't Billy, Tom, and Pete have to "dig up" a worm when Billy realizes he
has been tricked?
Explain why Billy has to eat the worm raw.
Why do they wake up half the neighborhood before Billy eats his thirteenth
worm?
When did Mr. Phelps realize that he had been used as a way to trick Billy into
losing the bet? Was he very happy about that when he found out?
Chapters 22-29
Multiple Intelligence Activities
Choose one or two that interest
you and your family the most
Interpersonal
Alan and Billy confront each other about the baseball game trick. Reread chapter 27.
On page 92 Joe says, “We can lick you with our hands tied behind our backs and paper
bags over our heads.” Now try to draw a picture with your hands behind your back.
The literal meaning of that saying is harder than it sounds!
Intrapersonal
Tom and Billy wake up the entire neighborhood for the eating of the thirteenth worm.
Reread chapter 28 to see how Alan’s parents react to the news of their cheating. What
would you say to Alan and Joe if you were their parents?
Naturalistic
Keep taking care of pet wormy!
Existential
Chapters 23, 24, and 26 are titled after actual events in history. Have a family member
tell you a bit about those events, or do some research on the computer. Now compare
the events of Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal with events from the story. Why do you
think the author chose these as chapter titles? Is there a connection?
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Verbal-linguistic
Billy and Alan get into a fight in chapter 29. Look at the way the author spaced the
words on page 93. It actually looks like the boys rolling around in the fight! This is
called a concrete poem. See if you can write a poem that take the shape of the object
you are writing about.
Logical-mathematical
Billy has just eaten his thirteenth worm in chapter 27! The word “thirteenth” is called an
ordinal number. It shows the order of numbers. We use ordinal numbers for days of the
week, months of the year, or worms that we eat. Write the ordinal numbers for the
numbers 1-15. I’ll start you out...first, second, third, fourth...
Spatial
Billy and Alan get into a fight in chapter 29. Look at the way the author spaced the
words on page 93. It actually looks like the boys rolling around in the fight! This is
called a concrete poem. See if you can write a poem that take the shape of the object
you are writing about.
Musical
The eating of the thirteenth worm definitely deserves a drum roll. Reread chapter 27.
Then act out the chapter with your family as you perform your special worm-eating drum
roll!
Bodily kinesthetic
Reread chapter 29 to catch the details of the fight between the boys. The fight ends with
Billy getting hit with a rock! Not good! Instead of recreating that scene, go outside with
your family and play “Hot Potato.”
Chapters 30-39
Questions for Discussion
Vocabulary:
Chapter 30- accusing
Chapter 31- fulmar, lassitude, secrete, malignant, paralysis, autopsy
Chapter 32- feebly, lussitude
Chapter 33- defrauding
Chapter 34- concede, stagnant
Chapter 35- craning, butcher, cistern
Chapter 36- chaffy, mussed, cistern
Chapter 37- babble
Chapter 39- dejectedly, gleefully, cavoring, slunk
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Questions:
Why are the last three letters in the title of chapter 30 upside-down?
Why does Billy suspect that Joe and Alan will try something?
In chapter 31, Billy reads a letter addressed to his mom. Who is this letter from
supposedly? Who do you think really wrote it?
What is it about the letter that makes it seem very unlikely that a real doctor
would've sent it? Explain your answer in detail.
What is an autopsy? When are autopsies performed? Why would this scare
Billy?
How did Mr. Forrester know something was the matter with Billy?
Tom isn't around to watch Billy eat the fifteenth worm. Where is he? Who tells
you this? Is this person a reliable source of information? Why? Could there be
another explanation as to Tom's whereabouts?
Do they try to trick Billy again? How?
Why would Mr. Forrester be so upset about the boys playing around in the cistern?
Why did Pete say, "Hurry! Tom's talking to your mother!" What did he mean?
Did Billy collect on the bet? How do you know?
Why is Alan "at the store"?
Why don't the other guys want to trade lunches with Billy?
Did you enjoy this book? What was the part you liked best?
Chapters 30-41
Multiple Intelligence Activities
Choose one or two that interest
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you and your family the most
Interpersonal
The bet is over. However, Billy is still eating worms! Create a worm-food. (ie. Worm-O’s
instead of Spagetti-O’s or worm-dogs instead of hot dogs) Then, create a commercial to
market your food. Remember, you want to convince people to eat this new worm-food.
If you would like, create props and have your family tape the commercial!
Intrapersonal
Billy receives a letter in chapter 31. Reread the chapter to see why Billy is suddenly so
scared. The fake letter is filled with large words and percentages. Pretend you are a
doctor, write your own “official” letter convincing Billy that eating worms is dangerous.
Naturalistic
Write a final journal entry about your pet worm. Now say “goodbye” and set wormy free.
Existential
In chapter 30, Mr. O’Hara has to step in and break up the fight. Then in chapter 40, Mr.
Forrester sends Billy to his room without time to finish the last worm. Reread both
chapters. Then, decide if you agree with Mr. O’Hara’s or Mr. Forrester’s actions.
Verbal-linguistic
The bet is over. However, Billy is still eating worms! Create a worm-food. (ie. Worm-O’s
instead of Spagetti-O’s or worm-dogs instead of hot dogs) Then, create a commercial to
market your food. Remember, you want to convince people to eat this new worm-food.
If you would like, create props and have your family tape the commercial!
Logical-mathematical
Reread chapter 41. Billy has his new bike. Alan paid him the $50. Experiment with
money. How many different ways can you make $50? (Remember, there are $1, $5,
$10, $20, and $50 bills)
Spatial
Chapter 40 is filled with action! Reread page 115. Illustrate the page with a picture. You
may need several pictures to capture all of the details!
Musical
Reread chapter 40 to catch all of the excitement that went into eating the fifteenth worm.
Create an “I won” song and dance. Perform it for your family.
Bodily kinesthetic
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Pete saves the day in chapter 40. Reread the chapter for all the details. Think of
another way Pete could have gotten the worm up to Billy’s window. Create a list of
ideas. Go outside with your family and see if any of these ideas would work. I think a
worm riding a kite would work. Can you try it out for me?
Concluding Activities
Rent the movie!
Prepare one of the tasty worm
recipes from the back of the book.
Eat and watch the movie with
your family.
Compare the events in the movie
and the book.
Are the the same?
Different?
Is the general idea of the book
captured in the movie?
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