5. Bug Bag

5 Bug Bag Tuesday Dear first-grade journal, Mr. Scary just called me in from recess. All the other children are still playing out there. He said for me to write in my journal for a minute and he will be with me soon. I keep peeking at him from

behind these pages. He is printing sentences on the board. It is extra work for me. I think. I do not actually approve of this. From, Junie B., First Grader Mr. Scary put down his chalk. "You can stop peeking at me now, Junie B.," he said. I looked at him real surprised. 'Cause that guy has eyes in the back of his hair, apparently. He turned around and smiled. "Do you see these three sentences that I just wrote up here?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "I see them." "Excellent," said Mr. Scary. "Could you stand up and try reading them from back there, please?" Just then, my heart got pumpy and pounding inside. 'Cause I'm not good at reading from the board, that's why. I kept on sitting there. "Please," said Mr. Scary. "Just give it a try, okay?" Finally, I stood up. And I squinted at the sentences.

I read real slow. "Bob… is… a… bug… bag," I read. I did a teensy frown at that news. "Really?" I asked. "Bob is a bug bag?" Mr. Scary pointed to sentence number two. "Try this one," he said. I squinted some more. "I… like… my… hog… spt," I read again. I looked at my teacher very curious. "These sentences are oddballs, aren't they?" I said. Mr. Scary pointed at the last one. "Just one more to go," he said. This time, I stretched my neck. And I strained my eyes. "Jack… is… going… to… to…" I scrunched my eyes even smaller.

"…to jail," I read. I did a gasp. "Really? No fooling? Jack who?" Mr. Scary came back to my seat. He took my hand and walked me closer to the board. "Could you try reading them again from here, Junie B.?" he said. I made my voice real whiny. "But I don't want to read them again, Mr. Scary," I told him. "I already know what they say." "Just one more time," he said. And so finally, I did a big breath. And I read the sentences all in a row. "Bob is a big boy." "I like my dog, Spot." "Jack is going to Jill's."

I covered my mouth very surprised. "Hey! What do you know? He's going to Jill's, Mr. Scary!" I said. "Whew! That's a relief, right?" Mr. Scary laughed. "Right," he said. After that, I headed for the door. "Okey-doke. Well, I guess I'll be getting back to recess now," I said. "See ya." I waited for him to answer. He did not say see ya. I turned around. "See ya?" I said a little bit softer. But Mr. Scary just shook his head no. 'Cause too bad for me. He had other plans. Mr. Scary took my hand. We walked out of Room One and down the hall.