The Target

About this page

Detail Dog lines up his shot, tongue out in concentration, aiming straight at a bullseye marked The Truth. This page gives kids a picture of what a hypothesis is actually for. It is not about being right on the first throw, it is about having something to aim at. A dart can land wide of the target, and researchers simply adjust and throw again. Midway through Chapter 3, this scene reminds young readers that careful aim, patience, and a clear target matter more than a perfect score. Detail Dog would never rush a throw, and neither should we.

Talk about it while you color

• What do you think Detail Dog is saying to himself right before he throws?
• Have you ever aimed at something, like a basket or a target, and missed? What did you do next?
• If the dart lands on the edge instead of the middle, what should Detail Dog try?