Ang+H.





This was an ask the author activity. The sixth grade teacher asked if she could come in as Mrs Wishy Washy. This is the main character of a Wright group read together book titled Mrs Wishy Washy. It begins with a cow, pig, and duck, rolling in the mud saying oh lovely mud. Along comes Mrs. Wishy Washy and she scrubs them. There are hillarious illustrations of a cow, pig(the back side), and duck being scrubbed in a wash tub. After they are washed she goes back into the house. Can you guess where the animals go?

We had read it a few weeks ago and I have noticed that a student is always reading it during free time. So on that day, here she came in all her glory, yes she was wearing fuzzy slippers and a bandana around her head just like the book. She read the story to them, teaching them new hand motions. (When we had read it they acted out the animal parts). Then I told the students that if they had any questions or comments now was the time. Initially there was the classic telling Mrs Wishy Washy about their life. One student asked why did the animals like the mud, don't just pigs like the mud? Then a little boy asked, Why did you scream at the animal? She said because it was a lot of work to wash them and she had many chores on the farm. Then another student said well you could put a fence around the mud puddle. That started a whole discussion of how to solve Mrs. Wishy Washy's problem of keeping the animals clean. That was the morning class.

My afternoon class also enjoyed having our guest. They enthusiastically read with Mrs Wishy Washy. When it came time to ask questions their questions were centered around how did she get those animals in that tub. One student had focused on the cow's face and though she looked embarrased. One student asked, "how do the animals feel?" With some clarrification Mrs Wishy Washy talked about hides and feathers. The difference was that no question sparked this group like the morning.

It was a very powerful exercise. For kindergarteners the concept of asking verses telling is difficult. The visit has become a jumping off for discussions about telling sentences and asking ones. I am now scanning my big books to look for another character to come in and visit.I am also working on asking better questions.