About
The kids at Bailey School are excited to get a new playground, but the adults in charge can't decide how to make the playground and argue about it constantly. A construction crew of workers show up at the school and begin to take down the old playground. The kids think they are elves, but don't understand why Santa's elves are helping them with their playground.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
What drove up to the playground as the kids were playing?
Page 3 — construction trucks
3
What did the man’s voice sound like who got out of the truck?
Page 4 — High and squeaky
4
What did Hollis Bell say they were going to build?
Page 4 — The best playground they could imagine
4
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
How do the adults feel about the new playground?
Page 8 — Grumpy/ upset
8
Why did Hollis Bell want the children to stay away from the trailer?
Page 10 — So they wouldn’t see what was inside
10
What was blocking the view so the children couldn’t see into the trailer?
Page 11 — Christmas trees
11
What does Hollis Bells' tool belt sound like?
Page 13 — Santa’s jingle bells
13
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why did Hollis Bell visit the kids’ class?
Page 16 — To find out what they want on the playground
16
What are some ideas of things the kids wanted on the playground?
Page 18 — Slide, swings, tree house, picnic tables
18
How many times did Hollis Bell tell the children to check their lists?
Page 18 — Twice
18
Who else makes a list and checks it twice?
Page 19 — Santa Claus
19
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Who does Eddie think the construction workers are?
Page 22 — Elves
22
What were the new Christmas trees decorated with that were planted around the playground?
Page 22 — Lights and candy canes
22
Why did the kids go into the trailer?
Page 25 — To see if the workers were elves
25
What did the kids see when they looked inside the trailer?
Page 28 — Toys on tables
28
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Who did the children go see to help them know if the construction workers were elves?
Page 31 — Santa Claus
31
Where was Santa?
Page 32 — In a store
32
How long did the kids have to stand in line to see Santa?
Page 32 — One hour
32
Why did Santa think the elves were at the school building the playground?
Page 36 — Because there’s trouble that needs to be fixed
36
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
When the children arrived at the playground who was fighting?
Page 42 — The parents
42
What were the parents fighting about?
Page 41 — The playground
41
What did Eddie have in the brown paper bag?
Page 45 — Pair of old sneakers
45
Why did Eddie want to leave old worn shoes next to the trailer?
Page 46 — If Mr. Bell was an elf he couldn’t resist fixing them.
46
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What was in the brown paper bag Eddie left out for Mr. Bell?
Page 48 — Nothing
48
Where did the tennis shoes go that Eddie left out for Mr. Bell?
Page 48 — On Mr. Bell’s feet
48
What other things did the kids want the elves to fix?
Page 50 — Their shoes and dolls
50
When did the plans for the playground need to be decided?
Page 51 — That day
51
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
What does “compromise” mean?
Page 52 — When people disagree with something, but everyone finds a way to cooperate
52
Where are the construction workers going?
Page 55 — Up north
55
Why are they leaving?
Page 55 — The elves couldn’t wait for the parents to decide any longer
55
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What did the playground look like that Eddie wanted to build?
Page 57 — A dragon slide, castle with a bridge
57
How did the parents feel about his plan?
Page 58 — Too expensive, they didn’t think they could build it
58
Who was chosen to be the new director of the playground committee?
Page 64 — Eddie
64
Why?
Page 64 — He planned the playground and convinced the parents to build it
64
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What were the kids surprised to see when they got to school and saw the playground?
Page 68 — It was completely finished and had very large bows wrapped around it
68
Who do the kids think helped finish the playground?
Page 70 — The elves
70
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
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