MyTrib - A Christmas Surprise - December 16-22 by trib.com

c. 20 De 20 2, -2

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A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

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INSIDE! • 100 BOOKS TO READ ALL ABOUT THE LETTER O, ACTIVITIES ON PAGES 2-3 • KID SCOOP: HOLIDAY FUN. READ MORE ON PAGES 4-5

Letter of the Week

Check out our FREE interactive literacy app! Kids games, puzzles & much more!

START HERE!

Download the app from the Google Play or Apple Store by searching “We Read - Free Games for Kids.”

Provide the first letter of your first name.

Select your student’s grade in school.

100 Books to read together OWL BABIES BY MARTIN WADDELL

Pick up a copy at the Natrona County Public Library! 2

| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16-22, 2020

Select the school your student attends.

FINISH! You’re ready to start playing and earning medals! Questions? E-mail weread@trib.com or call (307) 266-0521

We Read is a partnership between the Casper Star-Tribune, the Natrona County School District and the Natrona County Public Library, supported by local businesses and foundations. Its aim is to promote and support literacy as a community-wide value and reading as an important, multi-age, mentoring activity. The overall goal mirrors NCSD’s #1 goal — to have students K-3 reading at or above grade level by the end of the third grade. “My Trib” is published weekly by the Casper Star-Tribune as part of the We Read program.

1, 2, JUST FOR YOU! ORIGINAL O The letter O is like a circle. Find a crayon that matches the color of each dotted O. Trace the O. Be creative and see if you can turn the O into an object that starts with the letter O. Maybe you see an orange, ornament, octopus, and owl. Or you might have another original O idea.

3, 4, ASK FOR MORE!

Spend at least 20 minutes a day reading with your child. Stop by the Library to check out new books or log on to the Libby app to download them straight to your device.

ACTION RHYME: THE SNOWMAN On my face I have a nose, Roll the snow into some balls. (Make a rolling motion with your hands.) Make a snowman, oh so tall! (Stand tall and stretch your arms over your head.) Place a hat upon his head. (Pretend to put a hat on your head.)

Give him buttons that are red. (Point to the buttons on your shirt.) Use some coal to make his eyes. (Point to your eyes.) You can do it if you try! Next he needs a carrot nose. (Point to your nose.)

Where will we get one of those? (Shrug shoulders and put your hands up.) Make a mouth and he’ll be done. (Use your index fingers to point to your smile.) Making snowmen is such fun! Wednesday, December 16-22, 2020 | 3

Jeff Schinkel, Graphics

Vol. ol. 37, No. 5

Today’s exciting match-up features the Number Crunchers vs. the Stupendous Sums! Use your math skills to solve these challenging brain teasers created by these two arithmatic-loving teams.

Help Stupendous Sums running back Common Denominator, reach the end zone by moving horizontally or vertically only on even-numbered spaces on the field.

Take a close look at this picture of Number Cruncher quarterback Tim Tally. Find the following numbers hidden in this picture: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10.

How many stars can you find on this page? Can a friend find as many, or even more?

A= E= H= L=

4-2 7+3 3-2 4+2

M=9-2 O=5+4 R=2+2

1 4 | December 30, 2020-JANUARY 5, 2021

3 2 S=4+4 T= 9-6 2

U = 1 + 11 Y = 19 - 6 3

8 12 7

1 10

Whoops! These Stupendous Sums fans need your help. Use the code to reveal what their cheer card says.

4 10

6 13

10 8

7 10

94 36

Standards Links: Number Sense: Identify odd and even numbers.

Use the clues to complete Number Cruncher

EWhoops! = 7 + 3TheseM = 9 - 2 HStupendous =3-2 O=5+4 Sums fans L= 4+2 R= 2+2 need your help. Use the code1 to reveal what their cheer card says.

S=4+4 T= 9-6 2

U = 1 + 11 Y = 19 2 -46 10 3

6 13 3 9 3 2 6

odd and even numbers.

score 9 –7. In the second quarter,

Stupendous Sums running

Use the clues to complete Number Cruncherback Bonus Dividend scored 36 Coach Rocky Abacus’ crossword puzzle. __________ points, making the 10 7 Challenge a friend! 10 8 9 score 16 –7. But a costly fumble 4A = 4 - 2 5 2 Standards Links: Number Sense: Identify Each of you have E=7+3 M=9-2 odd and even numbers. during the extra point attempt 1. Seven plus nine minus two H = 3 - 2 O = 5 + 4 S = 4 + 4 U = 1 + 11 60 seconds to circle L = 4 + 2 R = 2 + 2 T = 9 - 6 Y = 19 - 6 4. Twenty-nine minus twenty-two gave theasball back to the many numbers 6. Ninety-seven minus ninety-five 1 2 3 as you find on Crunchers. Theycan scored 7 points 6 ThreeNumber plus seventeen the front page of the Use the clues to 8. complete Cruncher minus nine on the next possession, bringing Coach Rocky Abacus’ crossword puzzle. paper. Who found 7 the score _____________ . thetomost numbers? Challenge a friend! 4 5 Each of you have 1. Thirty-three minus twenty-eight Whose numbers 1. Seven plus nine minus two 60 seconds to circle 2. Four plus four plus four add scored up toagain the in The Crunchers 4. Twenty-nine minus twenty-two as many numbers 3. Thirty-nine minus twenty-one highest amount? 8 6. Ninety-seven minus ninety-five as you can find on 6 the fourth quarter, tying the game 8. Three plus seventeen minus nine 4. Eight plus eight plus eight minus eight the front page of the Standards Links: Number at _____________ . numbers paper. Who found 5. Sixty-four minus fifty-five 7 Sense: Calculate Standards Links: Number Sense: Read numerals and to 100 or higher. the most numbers? calcualte sums to 100. 7. Ninety-seven minus ninety six 1. Thirty-three minus twenty-eight Whose numbers 2. Four plus four plus four add up to the 3. Thirty-nine minus twenty-one highest amount? 4. Eight plus eight plus eight minus eight Standards Links: Number 5. Sixty-four minus fifty-five Sense: Calculate numbers to 100 or higher. football jerseys 7. Ninety-seven minus ninetySTUPENDOUS six

Standards Links: Number Sense: Read numerals and Write the missing numbers in each row of calcualte sums to 100. to complete that row’s number pattern.

Write the missing numbers in each row of football jerseys to complete that row’s number pattern.

Standards Link: Patterns: Complete patterns.patterns. Standards Link: Patterns: Complete

unable to score, and the Sums kicked a 56-yard field goal to

end the game with the final score

CRUNCHER of _________________ . FOOTBALL Links: Number Sense: L L A B Standards STUPENDOUS F B F T O Calculate sums.O MESSAGE CRUNCHER E C O A C H O R O O FUMBLE FOOTBALL L L A B T O O G F B JERSEY A byLusingWall theYletters R Athe grid T FF B Complete MESSAGE in the word COUNT in each vertical and E O O R C O A C H O horizontal row. Each letter should only FUMBLE SPORTS A L C A beU I inSeachFrow. L used once Some E spaces JERSEY have been filled in for you. G T F B R A A L W Y BRAIN SPORTS A L C A U I S S L EO D N E P U T S F U SHIRT BRAIN B SU R C S O M A R S U O D N E P S U T COUNT SHIRT S B U R C S O E M AI RN N H O R B G E COUNT COACH E I N N H O R B G E COACH M A T H E P T L A J MATH M A T H E P T L A J MATH BOWL M S H I R T S E E S BOWL M S H I R T S E E S FANS FANS Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical POSE POSE words. Skim and scan reading. Recallwords. spelling Skim patterns. and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Gift for the World

Sports Page Search

Sports reportsPage are often packed with Sports Search adjectives to describe the exciting action.

ANSWER: She puts one number in front of the udder.

Sports often packed with Choosereports an articleare in the sports section and adjectives to describe the exciting count the number of adjectives you find. action. Choose an article in the sports section and Standards Links: Grammar: Identify adjectives in writing. count the number of adjectives you find.

In overtime, the Crunchers were

If you could give the whole world a gift, what would it be? Why this gift?

December 30, 2020-JANUARY 5, 2021 | 5

ANSWER: She puts one number in front of the udder.

Standards Links: Grammar: Identify adjectives in writing.

R G A D D E BOOK OF THE MO N O C SE Dear Second Grade Families,

Do you like kittens? How about Christmas? If your answer is yes to either of these questions then you will love to read, Magic Kitten, A Christmas Surprise, is for Turkey, by Sue Bentley will be a fun book for you to read together as a family. This book is a great story about a kitten named Flame that is magical but needs help. The main character, Molly, is able to help Flame and in turn he also helps her out at Christmas time. Enjoy reading this fun story with your child and discuss how magical Christmas can be with friends and family. For a child to become better at reading, it is important that they read for at least twenty minutes each night.

Happy reading!

About the Author

Sue Bentley is the author of the Magic Kitten, Magic Puppy, Magic Ponies, and Magic Bunny series of books. She has sold over 2 million copies of these books. Ms. Bentley has met many animals that she says have brought a special kind of magic into her life. She lives in Northamptonshire in England where she enjoys reading, walking, painting, and doing research for writing both children and books.

| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16-22, 2020

ONT H

Natrona County School District Standard Answer and ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about the story.

Dear Students,

Are you excited for Christmas? Christmas is my favorite holiday! Well if you are excited, this story is for you. Magic Kitten, A Christmas Surprise, by Sue Bentley, is a sweet story about a magic kitten named Flame that needs help from our main character Molly. They become quick friends and they both help each other. Using his magic, Flame even gets to go to school with Molly. Take turns reading this fun story with someone you love to read with, whether it is your teacher, a brother or sister, or a parent and make sure to talk about your favorite magical traditions at Christmas. Merry Christmas!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16-22, 2020 |

THE BEST IN THE WORLD Written by Marc Talbert | Illustrated by Betsy James

Chapter 6 A Joke and a Record STORY SO FAR: Clay’s plans for making money backfire and his mother and grandmother see them at Jerry’s Super-Duper. Clay’s mother abandoned her cart and ran toward them. “Clay!” she gasped. Nick saw her horrified gaze fix on Clay’s filthy T-shirt and bloodstained jeans. “What’s going on?” “So you know these kids?” Mr. Jerry asked, smiling. Clay’s grandmother sauntered up. “You might say so.” “Don’t be shy, son. Show them your sign.” Embarrassed, Clay held up his piece of posterboard. “As you can see,” Mr. Jerry continued, “these kids are raising money for the homeless and this young man is helping generous customers with their groceries. Open your purse strings. I’m matching them dollar for dollar.

About the story Ever since Nick got hold of The Guinness Book of Records, he’s been obsessed with notions of being the best at something. That’s why he and his best friend Clay, concoct a scheme to establish a world record of their own. Their idea is focused on making money, a lot of money. They have two plans: selling jokes and looking as if they were poor so as to beg for coins. As it turns out, their plans go awry when their own self-centered goals turn into a much-praised plan to raise funds to help homeless people. While it doesn’t make them rich, it makes then--momentarily-famous and much better people.

Would you excuse me? I need to call the newspaper.” Nick felt uncomfortable as Clay’s grandmother stared at them with knowing eyes. “Helping the homeless, are we?” They nodded. Nick was relieved when Clay’s mother sighed. “I thought I got rid of those jeans. You’re just full of surprises, Clay. But how can I be angry when you’re doing something so nice?” She turned to Jazz. “What does your sign say, dear?” Jazz held it up. “You’re telling jokes for the homeless?” They nodded. “People get their money back if they don’t laugh,” Jazz said.

“I hope it’s a whopper of a joke.” Nick could tell that Clay’s grandmother was trying not to smile. Clay’s mother glanced at her shopping cart. “The ice cream’s melting,” she said. “Be a dear, Clay, and take the groceries to the car.” “I’ll show him where it is,” said Clay’s grandmother, taking his elbow in her hand. “Do you get paid extra for helping an old lady walk?” She chuckled. Clay’s mother turned to Nick and Jazz. “Does your mother know what you’re doing?” Nick shook his head. We’re in trouble now! he thought. “Should I call her?” “I suppose,” Nick said. What would their mother think?

Clay’s mother hesitated as she turned to go. “One more thing. I don’t know where you kids came up with this idea, but make sure Clay gives every penny to the homeless. OK?” Nick smiled. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. Boomer’s owner, with Boomer in his arms, greeted them as they walked back to the Scudsy-Sudsy. “I knew you’d be back!” Grateful, Nick smiled. “Just so you know, the dollar you gave us is going to help the homeless.” “Wonderful! In that case you need more business!” Boomer’s owner disappeared into the Laundromat. Soon a loose line stood in front of Jazz and Nick. The next couple of hours were busy. Starting with Boomer’s owner, Jazz whispered her joke over and over, trying not to laugh, her face funnier than the joke. Nearly everybody laughed for her. Only once did Nick and Jazz have to give money back. Whenever Nick glanced toward the Super-Duper, Clay was

8 | Wednesday, December 16-22, 2020

stretched out, pushing a loaded cart. When the newspaper reporter arrived, Nick and Jazz could barely fit another coin or bill into their pockets. As if by magic, Mr. Jerry appeared, pulling Clay behind him. The reporter got her pen and pad ready. She looked at the sign Jazz held. “Want to share your joke with our readers?”

Jazz held out her hand. “Got a quarter?” The reporter laughed. Mr. Jerry grinned. “Aren’t these kids something? When you’re writing this story, would you mention that I’m issuing a challenge to other business leaders in this community to match these kids dollar for dollar, just like me?” “You got it,” the reporter said,

taking notes. She looked up. “Here comes the photographer.” A car belching blue smoke pulled up. “Let’s get some photos! Then I’ll ask questions.” “So much for being rich!” Clay grumped as they posed. “But we’re famous,” Nick said. Curious people were gathered around. More people to tell Jazz’s joke to, he thought.

“I’d rather be rich,” Clay muttered. Nick checked Clay’s pockets for lumps of money. He didn’t see many. The record was probably his. But just in case . . . He flashed a smile just before the camera clicked. “About my mom’s groceries. I don’t feel right taking your mother’s stuff. Give me the twenty-dollar bill so Jazz and I can shop before we go home.” “Man!” Clay moaned. He frowned but reached into his pocket. “You’re wiping me out! I was too busy pushing carts to make much,” he whined. “What was your joke, anyway?” Jazz cleared her throat, hunching her shoulders and speaking softly to keep new customers from hearing. “Why did the rooster cross the road?” Mr. Jerry, the reporter, and the photographer leaned close enough to hear. Clay shrugged. “Should I care? OK. Why?” “Because he wasn’t dead.” She wanted to laugh so much, her face must have hurt. The reporter and photographer laughed. Mr. Jerry laughed. “That’s the stupidest joke I ever heard!” Clay said, staring at Jazz. But then a burp-like, nervous giggle popped from his mouth. He tried to hold the laughter inside, but when he started laughing, he couldn’t stop for several minutes. A world record? Naw. But maybe a record for Clay. To be continued

Wednesday, December 16-22, 2020 | 9

READING THE SKY Written by Avi | Illustrated by Joan Sandin

Chapter 9 Trapped!

full circle. That’s when he saw Gillian walking through a gully. At first he thought she was the boy he had seen before. Only STORY SO FAR: It’s 1972. when Gillian turned—ponytail Having found the money bag whipping about—did he realize that Ed Goddard stole and he was wrong. Then again, he dropped while parachuting, Gil- thought, I suppose it could have lian has decided that she had been a girl. best bring it home. Jamie is still Suddenly only one thing matlooking for the bag. tered: this kid was holding the money bag. “Hey!” he shouted. From the middle of the field, Surprised, Gillian squinted Ed Goddard could see nothing up to see who was calling. For but low hills covered with trees a second she thought it was and rocks. That made it impos- Jamie. But it was someone she sible to see any great distance. had never seen before. She And his knee hurt more than gasped. The man coming toever. ward her was dressed in a torn, He looked up, expecting any filthy, and disheveled suit. minute to see low-flying police He was carrying a thick stick, helicopters sweeping along the and his tension-filled eyes route the Keystone plane had were staring straight at her. taken. Certainly by now they Alarmed, she began to clamber had started searching for him. up the side of the gully. They won’t find the parachute, Goddard was too quick. He he reminded himself. I can still leaped the last few feet, grabbed get away easily. But the million hold of her heel, and gave a dollars. It’s nearby, somewhere. yank. Gillian tumbled down but I’m not leaving it! managed to keep her grip on the He climbed another hill. As he bag handle. Stunned and very walked, he kept twisting about, scared, she looked up from the searching the widest possible ground. area. At the hilltop he turned a “Don’t move!” Goddard

yelled, brandishing the stick over her head. Gillian cowered. “I want that bag,” Goddard shouted, taking a step forward. “It’s mine!” With a lunge, he used his free hand to rip the bag from her grasp, all the while holding up the stick. Gillian, up against the rock, an awful sickness rising inside her, was too frightened to move. “Where’d you find this?” he demanded. “Over there,” she whispered. “In the rocks.” “Did you see it fall?” “What?” “I said, ‘Did you see it fall?’” His voice rose, as did the stick. Gillian shook her head. “But you saw me drop, didn’t you?” he shouted. “I don’t understand,” said a bewildered Gillian. “You saw me land when I parachuted. From the sky, you idiot! I saw you!” Gillian gasped. From the sky! Jamie had been telling the truth. She swallowed hard and shook her head. “No, I didn’t see you.” “Liar!” he cried. Gillian, her stomach in knots,

clenched her teeth. She wanted to run away, but the man kept holding the stick before her, as if ready to strike. Goddard shifted his gaze and looked about. “What’s the nearest town?” he demanded. “Stoneville,” Gillian whispered. “Stoneville,” Goddard repeated, trying to create a map from memory. “Mansfield is five miles from here,” he said. “Springfield is eight. Right?” Gillian nodded. “Where’s the nearest road?” “That way,” she said, motioning. “There’s a bus station in Mansfield. Am I right? Answer!” “Yes,” she managed. “Okay,” he said. “Now listen: you’re going to show me how to get to Mansfield. Not by roads. They’ll be watching them by now. You’ll get me to Mansfield without roads.” “I don’t know how,” said Gillian. “Listen here,” cried Goddard, “I’ve got to get there, it has to be fast, and you’re the one who’s going to show me how to do it.” The stick went up. “Under-

10 | Wednesday, December 16-22, 2020

stand?” Gillian, trembling, nodded yes. “Okay,” Goddard said, calming down. “You do that, and things will be fine. Just don’t fool around or run away. I don’t want to hurt you, but I’ve got to get this whole thing together.” Gillian, swallowing to catch her breath, watched as Goddard put the bag down, looked inside, and closed it. As he did this he kept glancing up, freezing her with his ferocious look. Hardly believing what was happening, Gillian tried to figure out how she could get away from the man without getting hurt. She looked about cautiously. Even if she could get away from that stick, she wasn’t sure she could outrun him. The fact was, she was trapped. If only Jamie would appear. Her next best hope, Gillian figured, was to tell Jamie where they were going—to leave some clue, some message. Then, if he found it, he could get help. Cautiously, she stole a

look at Goddard. Good! As he tied the arms of his jacket into a knot around the bag, he had momentarily stopped keeping a close eye on her. Legs unsteady, Gillian slid down the rock until she was on the ground. Drawing up her knees to hide what she was doing, she began to write in the damp dirt with a finger. First she drew an arrow. It pointed in the direction of Mansfield. Next she began to spell out the word Mansfield. àMANS “Hey!” Goddard called. Gillian jumped. “Let’s go!” Gillian got up instantly, hiding her message with her body. “Come on.” Goddard poked her with the stick. “Lead the way to Mansfield.” Gillian moved from the rock. Her one hope was that Jamie would find the note, read it, and get help. But she had not taken five steps when she remembered: Jamie could not read! To be continued

Wednesday, December 16-22, 2020 | 11

Dec 16-22 DEC.17 - WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY Dec 10: On the anniversary of Melvil Dewey’s birth, December 10th, librarians and fans everywhere take a moment to celebrate the most widely used classification system in the world.

Natrona County Public Library Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. • Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sunday, 1 p.m.-5p.m. We have weekly ﬆories poﬆed to our facebook and youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCZKhJzicn5OuElA6sLDZOfA The Library is now oﬀering a service called tutor.com. It provides free online tutoring for all ages, from young children all the way up to adult learners. It’s a free online service (all you need is a library card to access it through the library’s website natronacountylibrary.org). For more content like this, visit: https://bit.ly/390PHXA EXTRA CONTENT FROM WYO GAME & FISH DEPT. – WGFD.WYO.GOV/WILDLIFE-IN-WYOMING/WILDLIFE

My Trib is supported by:

NATRONA COUNTY

| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16-22, 2020

Zimmerman Family Foundation