If there is something that you can’t do, does that make you useless or worthless?.

Is it right for Gerald to think that he’s useless because he can’t dance?.

Should the other animals make fun of Gerald for not being able to dance? Why or why not?.

Why does Gerald feel sad that he can’t dance?.

Why did Gerald think he was bad at dancing?.What was Gerald good at? Why was he good at it?.The other animals see him and his clumsiness and conclude that giraffes can’t dance. Gerald the giraffe is clumsy, and thinks he’s bad at dancing. What is it like to discover that you can read a big book after all? Alternatively, what is it like to discover that you cannot do something like dunking a basketball? Is there something good in having tried and failed? Questions for Philosophical Discussion Abilities Students can reflect on how they feel when it turns out they can or cannot do that new activity. And while you can do a cartwheel, it looks nothing like a professional gymnast’s. For example, maybe you imagine you will be able to do a cartwheel like a professional gymnast. Students may discuss how their ability to do something can look different than how they imagined. What does it feel like to have someone believe in you when you lack confidence in yourself? The cricket encourages Gerald by telling him “sometimes when you are different you need a different song.” Students can consider times when they didn’t believe they could do something and how that affected their willingness to try something new. Gerald lacks the confidence to try to dance. Does being unable to sing or dance or walk even make someone a lesser person? Also, how important are those activities in general? This raises important questions for children to consider like what is the relationship between the activities they want to be able to perform and their own self-worth. Gerald, after being laughed at, feels embarrassed and dejected. Students can consider why they want to be able to do certain things: sing, dance, play sports, etc. The book provides an opportunity for students to discuss how they know what their abilities are. Gerald is a clumsy giraffe who would like to be able to dance, but cannot. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andrede and Guy Parker-Rees raises issues regarding people’s abilities. Rutland Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion Skeptical at first, Gerald finds his song and finds he can dance rather well. A cricket comes along and encourages Gerald to try to dance by listening to a different song. When he attempts to join in the dancing at the Jungle Dance, the other animals make fun of him and Gerald feels he is useless. He is best at eating leaves from tall trees. Gerald is a giraffe who is tall and awkward.

Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary Giraffes Can’t Dance raises questions about abilities, the abilities people have or lack, and how people discover them.

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae