Norman Juster
Lesson plans for The Phantom Tollbooth

| Author information | | Lesson plans |

Biography and Background

An Interview with Norton Juster
Text of 2001 interview.

Interview with Norton Juster
A series of 6 short video clips dated June 2008. It begins with discussion of Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie .

Norton Juster
The author's biography at Wikipedia.

The road to Dictionopolis
Text of a 2001 interview.

Lesson Plans

Teacher Guide to The Phantom Tollbooth
How might students use storyboards to demonstrate and to extend their learning? Check the resources here. Includes plot summary, essential questions, themes, figurative language, vocabulary, a character map, more. Note: Storyboard That helps sponsor this site.

Finding Figurative Language in The Phantom Tollbooth
This lesson provides hands-on differentiated instruction by guiding students to search for the literal definitions of figurative language using the Internet. It also guides students in understanding figurative meanings through the use of context clues and making inferences. It is designed for grades 6-8.

Differentiated Literature Unit Plan
This 20-page document addresses a variety of skills using The Phantom Tollbooth . Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

In Search of Rhyme and Reason
This lesson focuses on idioms. It is designed for grades 6-8.

The Phantom Tollbooth
Five key quotations and explanations.

The Phantom Tollbooth
A mix of quotations and discussion questions.

Your Own Faraway Place
Using The Phantom Tollbooth as a mentor text, students create a setting of their own. Lesson focuses on word choice, includes handouts.