Characters
Who is the main teacher of Room 117?
Mr. Zachary Kermit
What subject does Mr. Kermit supposedly “teach”?
Reading
What nickname do people give Room 117?
The Unteachables
“We’re not bad kids. We’re just in the wrong place.” Who said it?
Kiana
What does the word “unteachable” really mean in the story?
Someone who’s labeled as a failure or hard to deal with
Who is the student who wasn't supposed to be in Room 117 but stayed anyway?
Kiana Robini
What happened that caused Mr. Kermit to lose his passion for teaching?
A cheating scandal he was blamed for
What’s unusual about the way Mr. Kermit teaches at first?
He doesn’t really teach — he reads newspapers
“Teaching is a two-way street.” Who said it?
Mr. Kermit
What is the theme about labels and identity in the novel?
Labels can be wrong, and people can surprise you when given a chance
Which student is obsessed with cars and engines?
Parker
What do the students do with the class lizard that surprises everyone?
They take care of it and bond over it
What unusual item does Elaine use to intimidate people?
Her glare and her strength — she’s “Elaine the Pain”
“You don’t get kicked out of the Unteachables. You survive it.” What does this quote say about Room 117?
It’s known as the worst class, but you can grow from it
What does “redemption” mean in the context of Mr. Kermit’s story?
He gets a second chance to prove he’s a good teacher
What’s Rahim's main habit that drives Mr. Kermit crazy?
Sleeping in class
What big event do the Unteachables succeed in near the end of the book?
The science fair/assessment test
Why do the kids feel bonded with each other by the middle of the book?
Because they are all misfits but start to support one another
“Being in Room 117 doesn’t mean you’re broken.” Who needed to hear this most?
All the students, especially Mateo
What role does teamwork play in the story?
The students and teacher succeed because they support each other
Who is the person who wants to get rid of Mr. Kermit?
Dr. Thaddeus
How do the students try to save Mr. Kermit’s job?
They testify at a school board meeting about how he helped them
What surprise talent does Barnstorm show?
He’s great at art despite his football fame
This class taught me more than I taught them.” What does this reveal about Mr. Kermit?
He was changed by his students)
What lesson can readers learn from the Unteachables?
Never give up on people — they can always grow and change