Tools For Teachers and Librarians 
Webquest tool for teachers/librarians
Ann Dutton Ewbank, Reading Teacher, Cholla Middle School, has done a webquest
for Teachers/ Librarians to facilitate the discussion of Everything on a
Waffle. Here is a link to the webquest.
http://members.cox.net/adutton1/waffle.html
Synopsis:
A tale of a (possibly) orphaned girl, Primrose, from a small Canadian fishing
village who just won’t believe that her parents died in an ocean storm.
She finds a restaurant called, The Girl on the Red Swing, where everything
comes on a waffle -- lasagna, fish, you name it and who’s owner takes
her under her wing and teaches her how to cook.
General Review:
School Library Journal, June 2002 - "Didn't you ever believe anything
just because you knew it was true?" Eleven-year-old Primrose asks this
question of the inhabitants of Coal Harbour, British Columbia whenever the
topic of her parents' disappearance comes up. They were lost in a storm
at sea, and she is the only one who believes they will return.
Polly Horvath's Everything on a Waffle is Primrose's sweet and often quirky observations of the townspeople who help her cope with her loss. Moving from Miss Perfidy, the elderly babysitter, to Uncle Jack, her reluctant only relative, to foster parents Bert and Evie, with plenty of input from Miss Honeycut, the school counselor, and Miss Bowzer, the owner and operator of The Girl on the Red Swing, Primrose develops a philosophy of life that will satisfy young and old alike.
This is a coming-of-age story of a child who believes with her heart while trying to make sense of the world around her.
Everything on a Waffle
Discussion questions:
- The names Primrose and Perfidy have other meanings. Look up the meanings
in a dictionary (print or electronic). Why do you believe these names
were chosen by the author? Does your name have another meaning?
Standard 3, Benchmark 3 - Primrose includes a recipe in each chapter of her story. Why do you
think cooking is so important to her?
Standard 3, Benchmark 3 - Why do you think Primrose believes her parents are alive when everyone
else in town is convinced they have died?
Standard 3, Benchmark 3
Activity Suggestions:
- What do you anticipate happening in the story by looking at the cover?
- Create a new cover for the book that would represent what you think is the main theme. Standard 5, Benchmark 1
- Explain similes. Read the description of Primrose aloud. Have students
write a similar paragraph about themselves.
Standard 5, Benchmark 1 - The second chapter begins with a bullying scene. Ask someone to read, beginning with the third paragraph. Have 3-6 students read the taunting lines while others portray Primrose. The first time they play the scene, have Primrose run away. Repeat the scene, but this time call “Freeze” before she runs away and ask students what Primrose might have done or said. Standard 5, Benchmark 3
- Students pick one of the recipes in the book and with a family member
cook and taste test it. Using a 3 ring binder students create a “family
recipe” book of favorites.
Standard 5, Benchmark 3 - Compare and contrast waffle recipes. With a several students, cook and
taste test several kinds of waffles. Write descriptions of the results.
in the style of a restaurant critic.
Standard 5, Benchmark 3