MEET THE MC
What is the narrator’s name in Out of My Mind?
Who is Melody?
Which sense is most strongly described in the opening chapters: sight, sound, taste, or smell?
Sound (and words)
How old is Melody at the beginning of the story?
Almost 11
What is synesthesia?
When one sense triggers another sense.
Which character shows signs of synesthesia: Melody or her parents?
Melody
Name one physical challenge Melody has that affects how people see her.
She cannot speak, walk, or control her movements well.
What color and smell does Melody associate with classical music?
Bright blue and fresh paint
What does Melody’s father often do to comfort and connect with her?
Sings, reads, talks to her, takes her outside
Give one example of synesthesia from the article.
Hearing sounds as colors / tasting words / seeing numbers as colors.
How is Melody’s experience with music similar to examples in the article?
She connects sounds to colors, smells, and tastes.
How does Melody describe her intelligence compared to what others think?
She is extremely smart but people assume she isn’t.
How does Melody describe jazz music using her senses?
Brown and tan; smells like wet dirt
What causes Melody’s “tornado explosions”?
Frustration from not being able to communicate
Is synesthesia a disease or a difference in how the brain works?
A difference, not a disease.
Which text is informational and which is literary?
Synesthesia article = informational; Out of My Mind = literary.
What is one way Melody shows she understands far more than people realize?
She remembers everything she hears or sees / has a photographic memory.
What food flavor does Melody connect to country music?
Lemon
What happens in the store with the toy blocks?
Melody tries to warn her mom the toys are dangerous but can’t communicate.
According to the article, do all synesthesetes experience synesthesia in the same way?
No.
How does the article help readers better understand Melody?
It explains that her experiences are real and scientific.
Why does Melody feel frustrated with the people around her?
They don’t know what she’s thinking or how intelligent she is.
Why are sensory details important to understanding Melody’s world?
They show how vividly she experiences life and thinks differently.
Why is this store scene important to the story?
It shows how dangerous misunderstandings can be when Melody can’t communicate.
Why do scientists study synesthesia?
To learn how the brain processes information.
What theme connects both texts?
People experience the world differently.