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"I have an idea for soeon"

"We could ested

"Or thend flowerth," said Felicia Ann

"This is better than cookies and flowers coan to describe her idea

7

"Are you ready, Mr Leroy?" called Gooney Bird, looking up at the open second-floorof Watertower Eleround with the rest of Mrs Pidgeon's other second-graders, all of them dressed in boots and jackets anddown, and he called back to her, "No, wait!"

"Wait for what? It's cold out here and we're all rehearsed and ready!"

"I'ive the camera to Mr Furillo! I decided I want to be in the video! Is that all right with you?"

"Mr Leroy, Mr Leroy, Mr Leroy," Gooney Bird said with a sigh "You didn't come to the rehearsal!"

"I knoas busy in the office because a sixth-grader had a behavior problem in the classroom I had to have a little talk with him It wouldn't wait"

"Well, we'll take a vote," Gooney Bird said "Second-graders? Is it okay if Mr Leroy is in our video? All in favor say 'Aye'!"

A chorus of ayes caround

"Any nays?" asked Gooney Bird in a loud voice

But there was none The children were silent and sht down" Mr Leroy disappeared fro the video carade classroom, today's new substitute, a pleasant, chubbywhile he waited for the class to return They didn't need him for this project

"Brrrr," said Mr Leroy when he arrived on the playground "Cold out here! Where would you like me?" he asked Gooney Bird

"Stand near Barry," she directed him, "and do what he does, and say what he says, since you haven't rehearsed You should have worn your boots, Mr Leroy," she told hily at the snow around his shoes "Your feet are going to freeze"

"Too late," he said "I'll just suffer"

He ht, everyone!" Gooney Bird shouted "Listen up! Look toward the camera, and remember your parts! Ready?"

"Ready!" the children called

"Ready, Mr Furillo?" called Gooney Bird "Are you sure you knoork the camera?"

"Yes," Mr Furillo replied "I've done it before!"

"Kids: Remember! Outdoor voices!" Gooney Bird re "Okay, Mr Furillo! Action!"

She stepped forward, looking up toward the here the custodian stood with the camera at his eye For a second she stood silently Then, in a boo outdoor voice so that she could be heard on the video, Gooney Bird announced,

"This is a Poem for Many Voices!"

She turned and faced the other children and Mr Leroy She held up her arms like a concert director

"Many Voices!" all of the children called

Gooney Bird Greene turned back to face the camera "It is a Goodbye Poem!" she said

The chorus echoed her "A Goodbye Poem!"

They all stood silently while Gooney Bird carefully lay down on her back in the snow She el--" she said

"For Mrs X!" the children chanted

Gooney Bird pointed toward Chelsea, who lay down and el, then stood

"For our room mother!" Chelsea called

"Our room mother!" the chorus said

Gooney Bird pointed to Nicholas, who dropped to the ground and el, then stood "For Xenia!" he called

"Xenia!" the chorus replied

As if she were directing a group of instruments, Gooney Bird pointed quickly to Ben, Felicia Ann, and Beanie They els are for her daughter, too!"