Mystery Reader 14: Grandma Donna!

"I work with a lot of money.  My favorite color is pink.  I love to go shopping."  The students gather around the clues each morning we have a guest reader, but nobody guessed this particular guest reader.  Her grandson made the connection that it must be somebody that works in a bank, but did not think about the fact that his grandma works in a bank!  This grandma actually lives out of town, but was visiting for Track and Field Day.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing a story with the class!

Mystery Reader #13: Big Sister

"I like to go 4-wheeling with my family.  My nickname is after a vegetable.  I have 1 brother and 2 sisters."  We had a big sister join us today to share a story.  Little sister was certainly surprised!  Thanks for joining us Taylor not only for a story, but for a fun afternoon!

Mystery Reader #12: Ollie!

Ollie is our fabulous Picture Parade volunteer this year, and our class just adores her fun and easy going personality!  When Ollie said she wanted to be a Mystery Reader, I knew the class would be thrilled!  Her clues really stumped us... I have lived in 5 states.  I like to bake cookies.  I take a lot of walks.  Her adorable daughter joined in the fun as well.  Thanks so much Ollie!  We especially loved hearing the new Mo Willems' book!

Mystery Reader #11: Mr. Darling!

"I ride my skateboard to school everyday.  I am in track.  I am in 7th grade."
When Mrs. Benson was our Mystery Reader, her son signed on right away to be our next reader.  It was so fun to have Drew join us since he was in my multi-age classroom the first year we started it.  I have such fond memories of him, and it was great to see him in the position to inspire and motivate the young ones to love reading as much as he does.  Thanks Drew!

Mystery Reader #10

After reading the clues, the students knew exactly who our Mystery Reader was!
1. I love Junie B. Jones books.
2. I love to use different voices when I read.
3. You see me in 3 different places around the school.

Of course it was Mrs. Benson!  She came in and read one of her favorite books, "Precious and the Boo Hag," using lots of fun voices that kept the class very entertained!  Thanks Mrs. Benson for sharing such a great story along with all of your contagious enthusiasm!

Mystery Reader #9: A Dad Stops in to Share About His Favorite Animal

"I live on a farm.  My favorite farm animal is a pig.  My favorite color is blue."  Since we just had a visit from this student's big sister, he was not expecting his dad to be our next Mystery Reader!  Mr. Ruen stopped in and shared a wonderful nonfiction story about pigs.  The students loved the book and had so many of their own stories to share.  The class could have talked with Mr. Ruen all afternoon about farms and animals!  Thanks so much for your informative and fun visit!

Mystery Reader #8: Big Sister and a Former Student

"My favorite color is orange.  I live on a farm.  I was in Mrs. Howard's class."  So fun to have old students return these last few days.  Last year was the first year I had Mystery Readers come to surprise our class, and this former student knows just how exciting it is for the students as they try to narrow down their predictions.  The class narrowed it down to two possible visitors.  Today we heard a fun story about a moose dealing with a stubborn loose tooth.  This is a topic that many first and second graders can relate to! Thanks for sharing Moose's Loose Tooth with us!

Mystery Reader #7: Big Brother and Former Student

Our Mystery Reader today is going to be a birthday boy in 4 days.  That wasn't the only clue that tipped off his sister.  She also knew that he loves to read, play outside, make things, and watch America's Funniest Home Videos.  There was no doubt in her mind that her big brother would be paying us a visit to share a story, and she was right!  He shared the book Dear Deer.  This is a funny story about homonyms.  He shared with us that his favorite series of books is the Froggy series.  We could all agree because we love Froggy too!  Thanks for being our Mystery Reader and happy early birthday!

Mystery Reader #6: A Visit from a Big Sister

This Mystery Reader provided the following clues: "I have brown hair.  I am in 4th grade.  I have a brother in your class.  My favorite color is orange."  We have a few students with a 4th grade sibling, and so the class took it in their own hands to do some research during the day.  I found out that they stopped our Mystery Reader in the hall to ask her if she was our surprise visitor, and she quickly covered up by saying, "What's a mystery reader?"  Her quick thinking threw our class a curve ball!  She shared A Green Wilma story with us by one of our favorite authors- Tedd Arnold!

Mystery Reader #5

Many students thought these clues fit their family members... "I have brown hair.  My favorite season is fall.  My favorite food is pizza."  This student had guessed her mom on previous days, but the pizza clue threw her today.  It's always fun when the student is absolutely surprised!  Thanks for joining us today Mrs. Schnebly and reading "I Need My Monster."

Mystery Reader #4

Welcome to our classroom Mrs. Rein... who lives on a farm, likes taking hikes and canoeing, and loves dark chocolate.  We have a few students who thought it could be their parents because they live on a farm.  One student was very certain it was her mom because of the dark chocolate clue, and she was right!  Mrs. Rein shared with the class "Otto the Book Bear."  We even had the pleasure of having little sister join in the fun!

Mystery Reader #3: A Story and a Snack!

Mrs. Snyder joined us today and read the hilarious book "Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake."  The students also enjoyed the snack that Mrs. Snyder brought in to go along with the theme of her book.  Her son felt pretty certain that the reader today was his mom based on the clues: "I love volleyball.  My favorite season is summer.  My favorite thing to do is chaperone class trips.  I have 4 children."  He must know his mom very well!  Thanks again for joining us today!

Mystery Reader #2

Today's guest provided clues that lead most students to believe it was the music teacher...


 "I am funny.  I play the piano.  I host a local radio show."

Though many questioned whether or not Mrs. Boyum was part of a radio show.  At music time, the class clarified this question with her.  When the answer turned up no, one student knew that left only one logical answer: his uncle!  Thank you Mr. Prestemon for visiting our classroom to share a story and your passion of reading!

Mystery Reader #1: Welcome Mr. Howard

We had our first Mystery Reader today, and the class was so excited.  Based on the clues of being a teacher and coach, everyone thought it was our principal, Mr. Semmen.  They sure were surprised when Mr. Howard came walking through the door!  He was able to join us as a Mystery Reader since he's on Spring Break.

Calling All Mystery Readers!

I would like to invite any parents, older siblings, grandparents, relatives, or other special people to surprise your child by being a “Mystery Reader”  in our classroom during 4^th quarter.  Students will LOVE having their family, friends, and relatives visit our classroom to share a story!

 If you are interested in being a “Mystery Reader” you can email me at nt.howard@hotmail.com, send in a top secret note to school with your child, or call me at school at 467-2229.   We can be very flexible and choose a time that best fits into your schedule.  Readers can either bring a book to read or read a teacher-chosen book from our classroom library. 

 I also ask that you provide us with 3 clues about yourself that I will share with the class before you come.  It will be very exciting for the students to try to solve the mystery! 

 We look forward to our “Mystery Readers!”