Jayson Dinger’s third-grade ELA class at Hornell Intermediate School has been on a thrilling adventure through the world of “The Wild Robot.” The students have been immersed in the story, both in print and on screen, thanks to a unique field trip to the local Spotlight Theater.

Mr. Dinger discovered the book before the school year began and knew it would be a perfect fit for his third-grader readers. With the release of the movie adaptation in September, he decided to combine the two experiences for a memorable learning opportunity.

The Spotlight Theater graciously accommodated the class, providing them with an exclusive theater rental for the movie screening. Over the past week, students have been actively comparing the book and the movie, identifying subtle differences and discussing their preferences.

“I liked the movie better because it went much quicker,” said Gavin Kohls.

The students noticed that the movie condensed the winter season, which was more detailed in the book. Additionally, Roz, the main character, built multiple homes for the animals in the book, while the movie focused on just one. The movie also introduced a prominent fox companion, a character that played a less significant role in the book.

“I was surprised that the movie left out some of the parts of the book,” added Alaric Howell.

The students’ enthusiasm for “The Wild Robot” is contagious. They have already begun exploring the next book in the series, “The Wild Robot Escapes,” eager to continue their journey with Roz and her animal friends.