Consider the difficulties that Matt, Tony, Hooter, Q, and Katie experience during their time-travel adventure. What are some of the comforts they miss from their 20th century life? What items do they specifically mention?

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt invites students to connect their Response from the Personal Connection Prompt in the context of the novel. Throughout the novel, Matthew and the other members allude to the things they miss about home, including warm clothing, electricity, hot water, their favorite foods, and spending time with their family. Ultimately, Matthew and his friends decide they will no longer take Comfort in the Familiar for granted after their time travel adventure. To extend the discussion or analysis, consider asking students to revisit the Personal Connection Prompt and revise any of their original choices with the knowledge they now have about the adventure. They might also explain their reasoning and discuss the importance of such luxuries with their peers or the rest of the class.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

CREATIVE WRITING: “Time-Travel Adventure”

In this activity, students will draft and present their own time-travel adventure, using Woodruff’s novel as a model.