Analyze and draw connections between the characters in the parable and your own experiences. Why do you think the author chose to make Hem and Haw people instead of mice? What does this choice say about Johnson’s belief in the differences between mice and people? Why are Sniff, Scurry, and Haw all valuable assets to companies and relationships?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit by having access to the book and their reading responses when analyzing the characteristics of the characters in the parable. Consider encouraging students to draw connections between personal experience and the parable during brief, timed brainstorming exercises to expand on the book’s theme of embracing change.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require additional assistance in organizing their thoughts for whole-text tasks may benefit from working in small groups to analyze the characters, design a graphic organizer (such as a table or chart), and generate responses from shared experiences.