The Story of Peter Pan

Peter Pan is a magical boy who never grows up. He lives in a wonderful place called Neverland with his fairy friend Tinker Bell. Peter can fly through the air and has many adventures with the Lost Boys, who are children without parents. One day, Peter visits the Darling family’s home in London and teaches Wendy, John, and Michael how to fly.

Keywords:

• magical
• Neverland
• fairy
• adventures

Reasoning Question with Two Choices:

• When Peter Pan teaches the Darling children to fly, is he sharing something ordinary or something special? (something special)

Reasoning Question with a Predictable Answer:

• To fly like Peter Pan, the children needed happy thoughts and fairy _____. (Expected completions: dust (75%), powder (20%), magic (5%))

Reasoning Question with a Range of Responses:

• Peter Pan is a character from a story. Can you name another character from a story?

Open-Ended Question:

• If you could fly like Peter Pan, where would you want to go?

Peter takes Wendy, John, and Michael to Neverland where they meet mermaids, pirates, and Native Americans. The most dangerous pirate is Captain Hook, who has a hook instead of a hand and is afraid of a ticking crocodile. Captain Hook wants to catch Peter Pan because Peter cut off his hand and fed it to the crocodile. The children have fun playing games and going on exciting adventures in Neverland.

Keywords:

• mermaids
• pirates
• crocodile
• ticking

Reasoning Question with Two Choices:

• Is Captain Hook afraid of the crocodile because it makes a sound or because it is friendly? (makes a sound)

Reasoning Question with a Predictable Answer:

• Captain Hook is the leader of the mean _____. (Expected completions: pirates (80%), crew (15%), men (5%))

Reasoning Question with a Range of Responses:

• Captain Hook is afraid of a crocodile. What is another animal that might be scary?

Open-Ended Question:

• What kind of adventure would you like to have if you visited Neverland?

After many adventures, Wendy decides that she and her brothers should go home to their parents. Peter is sad but understands that the children miss their family. Captain Hook tries to stop them, but Peter and the Lost Boys defeat the pirates in a final battle. Wendy invites the Lost Boys to come live with her family, and most of them agree. Peter returns to Neverland, promising to visit Wendy every spring to hear stories.

Keywords:

• parents
• battle
• defeat
• spring

Reasoning Question with Two Choices:

• When Wendy decides to go home, is she choosing adventure or family? (family)

Reasoning Question with a Predictable Answer:

• Peter promises to visit Wendy to hear her tell _____. (Expected completions: stories (70%), tales (20%), adventures (10%))

Reasoning Question with a Range of Responses:

• Wendy misses her parents. Who is someone you would miss if you were away from home?

Open-Ended Question:

• Why do you think Peter Pan doesn’t want to grow up?

SOURCES:

• Barrie, J.M. (1911). Peter and Wendy. Hodder & Stoughton. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16/16-h/16-h.htm
• Disney’s Peter Pan (1953). Walt Disney Productions.
• Rose, J. (1984). The Case of Peter Pan, or The Impossibility of Children’s Fiction. University of Pennsylvania Press.