Performance Task: FINAL REQUIREMENT

Discussion Questions for Akeelah and the Bee

(Based on a true story of a girl from Washington DC)
Directions: Answer the following questions based on the story. Use long bond paper. (You may encode your answers.)

Some of the major characters to watch for: Akeelah Anderson, Dr. Larabee, Tanya Anderson, (Akeelah’s mother),
Javier Mendez, Dylan Chiu, Mr. Chiu, Principal Welch

1. What pathways to excellence did you see in the story? In other words, what specifically did Akeelah and her coach do
to improve her performance?
2. Comment on Dr. Larabee’s leadership. Comment also on the leadership of Akeelah’s mother (Tanya) and Dylan’s father
(Mr. Chiu).
3. What, if anything, is the connection between fear and performance? Try to go beyond a superficial answer.
4. What are your major take-aways from this story regarding excellence, simplicity or anything else?
6. Have you ever been afraid to show your talents like Akeelah? If so, why were you afraid?
7. Do you believe it is more important to fit in with your friends or stand out from the crowd and do something special?
8. Why do you think the girls at Akeelah’s school teased her about being smart? Does that ever happen at your school?
9. Who first taught Akeelah to spell? (dad) How does this relationship motivate Akeelah?
10. How did Dylan’s father, Mr. Chiu, motivate his son? Do you think this is a good way to motivate someone?
11. How did Dr. Larabee motivate Akeelah? Do you think this is a good way to motivate someone?
12. Who motivates you to develop your talents and reach your dreams?
13. In the movie Dr. Larabee asks Akeelah to read this quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask
ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make
manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same”
What do you think the quote means and do you agree?

14. How did the people in Akeelah’s neighborhood feel about her accomplishments?
15. Why did they help her study for the spelling bee and how did that make Akeelah feel?
16. Why did Akeelah choose to misspell a word in order to let Dylan win?
17. Why didn’t Dylan take advantage of the opportunity to win?