775 Books!

We Love to Read Book Drive Update!

Total Number of Books Donated:

703 books!

Total number of donated books was last updated on Saturday, February 26th.

Thank You Doesn't Cover It!

I would like to thank all of our Celebrity Readers who took time out of their busy schedules to come into our classroom and share in our We Love to Read Challenge. Words can't quite explain the impact ten to twenty minutes of reading has on my amazing second graders.

I have been personally impressed with all of the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's athletes that came into our classroom. Our second graders truly look to them as role models, and the athletes do not take this role lightly.

It means worlds to the students to see important figures, such as these athletes, other St. John's teachers, and our students' parents and grandparents, come into the classroom and share the importance and joy of reading with the second graders. I could not have predicted the effect the last month would have had on my class. 

It is now overwhelmingly exciting to walk into my classroom. Come in and see it for youself! When I look around the room throughout the school day, I can find any of the following occuring: smiling students sitting silently in a chair engulfed in a book, students, tummy on the carpet and feet in the air, circled around the cd player listening to a book on tape together, one student happily suggesting a recently read book to another student, and an excited student running to tell me what just happened in the book they are currently reading.

Thank you for helping my second graders open their eyes to the various adventures books can provide them.

Our Last Week of Celebrity Readers

On Tuesday, we welcomed Mrs. Z as our Celebrity Reader. 

She brought a wonderful story to share, as well as a truly interesting hat for our school-wide Hat Day.

Thank you, Mrs. Z!

Following Mrs. Z's wonderful reading, we happily welcomed several players from the Notre Dame Baseball Team and their student manager. The Second Graders were very excited to hear all about their recent trip to Flordia, why they enjoy playing baseball at Notre Dame and what they each love about reading. 

Thank you, Notre Dame Baseball, for spending your morning with our wonderful group of Second Graders and their crazy hats. 

Students were greeted on Wednesday morning by more members of the Notre Dame Baseball Team. The players spent quite a bit of time with the class, carefully answering every question the students had. They read several new books to the group. 

Again, we thank the Notre Dame Baseball Team for spending their morning with us. After the players left, I had a student explain to me how hard it was going to be when they would have to decide between playing soccer or baseball for Notre Dame.

Mrs. Treber popped into our room Thursday afternoon to share her children's favorite bedtime story with the class. She even brought us our own "boo-boo jar", which she made herself. 

Thank you, Mrs. Treber! We are looking forward to spending next year with you.  

Mrs. Benak, Ashley's mom, joined us on Thursday morning as our Celebrity Reader. She brought "Cinderhazel", a silly twist of the story Cinderella. The students enjoyed this creative version of a fairy tale. 

Thank you, Mrs. Benak.

We were lucky to have another Celebrity Reader on Thursday morning, Mrs. Bogol. She brought one of her favorite books from when she was a child to read with the students. We now have a new chapter book for our daily read alouds. 

Thank you, Mrs. Bogol!

Sadly, Friday was our last day of Celebrity Readers for our We Love to Read Challenge!

Luckily, we had a remarkable group of ladies planned for Friday afternoon. We welcomed the Saint Mary's Quidditch Team as our Celebrity Readers. Quidditch is the wonderfully creative sport played in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series.

Members from two different teams showed up in their uniforms (capes!), with their equipment (brooms!) and ready to read a chapter from J.K. Rowling's book, "The Tales of Beedle and Bard". One player even read and explained the Italian version of the book to her small group. Her reading was a cultural experience for the students! 

After they read with small groups of students, the ladies showed a short slide show of pictures from various different quidditch matches played this past Fall.

Then, we went outside and...learned how to play quidditch! Our Eighth Graders couldn't resist joining us for this learning opportunity.

I apologize that I do not have pictures to post at this time. Please check back to see pictures from the Saint Mary's Quidditch Team's visit!

Crazy Hat Day!

Check out those CRAZY hats! 

Due to a snow day during Catholic Schools' Week, we missed our Crazy Hat Day. Here is a picture from the make-up day this week. 

How Many...

Celebrity Readers Can We Have in ONE Day?

Let's count...

One...Mrs. Richter, the principal of St. Joseph's High School, took a moment out of her busy day to visit our second graders. First, she read her sons' favorite children's book about a forgetful fox. Then, she read "The Old Man Who Loved Cheese". 

Thank you, Mrs. Richter. Don't worry, you haven't lost your reading touch! 

Two and Three...Following recess, the second graders were surprised by a visit from Jessica and Ellen, two members of Notre Dame's Women's Soccer Team. They each read a story and answered several questions from the second and third grade students. 

Thank you, Jessica and Ellen! We truly enjoyed meeting you and hearing you both read wonderful books. 

During the ladies' Celebrity Reader time, two more members of the Notre Dame Men's Soccer Team, Aaron and Chris, arrived. Four and Five... After several nicely phrased "pleases" from the students, Miss Boocher allowed the players to demonstrate a few soccer tricks for the classes. 

 We can happily report that nothing was broken. 

After the tricks demonstration, Aaron and Chris got down to business. They each read a story, "The Great Fuzz Frenzy" and "Bat's Big Game". The second and third grade students enjoyed both stories and quickly prepared themselves to ask questions immediately following the end of the last book.  

 

Thank you, Aaron and Chris! You RULE as Celebrity Readers.

 Five Celebrity Readers!

Our passion for books is growing much like the Grinch's heart in Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

I can't wait to see what next week brings...

 

"How much...

do you love reading, on a scale from 1 to 10?" inquired Miss Boocher. 

"Most definitely a MILLION!" replied the second grader.

During Preschool's rest time, Mrs. Roberts snuck down to be our Celebrity Reader on Thursday afternoon. She read several amazing books, and reminded us how fun she is. 

Thank you, Mrs. Roberts! Come visit the tall people anytime you want.    

Luckily, our time with members of the Notre Dame Men's Soccer Team continued today!

Brendan and Michael came ready to read a few books and answer many questions. They were even nice to show us a few tricks. Miss Boocher quickly made a new rule about playing with soccer balls in the classroom. 

Thank you, Brendan and Michael. You're welcome back anytime. We'll just have to take the soccer balls outside.

ND Soccer Guys Have Skill....

...In Reading Amazing Books!

Greg and Adam, two soccer players from the University of Notre Dame, visited our classroom on Wednesday afternoon. They talked with the overly excited Second Graders about their day-to-day life at Notre Dame, the importance of reading and soccer! 

 They were nice enough to read two different books to our class. First, they read "There Once Was A Monster...". This is a silly tale of a very hungry monster who dances as if he has ants in his pants. 

After they finished the first book, they were happily guilted into reading a second. So, Greg and Adam read "Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers". It was comical to see various different animals doing silly things.

Thank you, Greg and Adam, for spending some time back in the second grade. 
We couldn't have been more excited to have you.

A New Week Means....

New Celebrity Readers!

Mrs. Ferris, Alyson's mom, was nice enough to step in as our Celebrity Reader on Monday. The Second Graders enjoyed "Splat the Cat" with Mrs. Ferris. 

Notice everyone's wonderful Valentine's Day colors!

Thank you, Mrs. Ferris. You were a wonderful Valentine's Day Celebrity!

We welcomed Mrs. Reeves, Aliceya's mom, to our classroom on Tuesday morning! 

She brought two delightful books with her. 

First, she read President Obama's wonderful children's book entitled "To Thee I Sing". With Mrs. Reeves as our literary guide, we took a trip through history meeting several influential individuals. Miss Boocher quickly ordered the book for her collection. Second, she read a silly book that was able to get everyone giggling. 

Thank you, Mrs. Reeves! We truly enjoyed your visit!

Mr. Miller, a Business Service Officer from Teacher's Credit Union, came to read to us on Tuesday afternoon. Teacher's Credit Union works hand-in-hand with WSBT22 to put on the I Love to Read Challenge every year. Mr. Miller talked to the students about the importance of reading, as well as the importance of saving money.

We enjoyed meeting you, Mr. Miller. Thank you for coming to read with us!

Wednesday morning began with a spectacular Celebrity Reader, Mr. Botham! We were lucky to have him spend his plan period for the school day with us. Mr. Botham read "Make Way For Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey. We were not surprised, but happy to enjoy Mr. Botham's amazing read aloud skills! 

Thank you, Mr. Botham. You rock at reading!