Educator Guides

One-page guides for parents, teachers, and homeschool families - built to turn a short Caribbean story into a good conversation. Read the story together, then use the questions below. No preparation needed.

Speedeet & Wilar: De Mango Tree Incident

Read the story · Ages 8-12 · Grades 3-6

Vocabulary: Julie mango (a small, sweet mango prized across the Caribbean) · shop yard (the fenced yard behind a small shop) · plan (here, a scheme - notice how Speedeet uses the word)

Discussion questions

1. Why did Speedeet want Mr. Chan’s mango so badly?
2. Wilar knew the plan was trouble, but he went along anyway. Why do you think he did?
3. What could the boys have done differently?
4. Have you ever followed a friend into something you knew was a bad idea? What happened?

Cultural note: The story is told in Guyanese Creole - the way friends really talk. Read Speedeet’s lines aloud. What does the way he speaks tell you about him?

Writing prompt: Write about a time you wanted something that wasn’t yours to take. What did you decide to do, and why?

Use this format for any story

Pick any story your child enjoys and ask:

• One vocabulary word they did not know
• One thing a character wanted, and how they tried to get it
• One choice the character made - was it a good one?
• One question that starts with “Have you ever…”

That is a complete discussion guide.