Visit to Westowne Elementary Excites Students Celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

Gov. Ehrlich arrives at Westowne Elementary School, where he was greeted by four second-graders who escorted him to Ms. Brigid Claffy’s classroom.

To prepare for Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration, on Feb. 27th Brigid Claffy challenged her second-grade class at Westowne Elementary School to write two sentences with rhyming words.

While simply saying “birthday” and “celebration” might elicit excitement for any child, Mrs. Claffy’s class remained attentive.

Gov. Ehrlich holds up “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss for students to see.

Just staying focused was challenge enough for the children. For as they concentrated on the formation of words with long “o” and short “a” vowel sounds, there were plenty of distractions. There was, for instance, the aroma of scrambled eggs and ham cooking in one corner of the classroom.

And there was the fact that Gov. Robert Ehrlich would be there in moments, visiting their school and classroom to read the Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs and Ham. Yet despite this commotion, the students continued their lessons.

Among his many commitments, reading to children in Maryland’s schools is among Gov. Ehrlich’s most enjoyable.

When Gov. Ehrlich entered Mrs. Claffy’s classroom, he was greeted by second-graders Rebecca and Wilson. The two students explained the purpose of the day’s celebration to honor the birthday of the children’s author, and invited the governor to take a seat before the class. Gov. Ehrlich eased into his chair in front of a huddle of crossed-legged second-grade students.

“Now, who likes green eggs and ham?” he asked. The hands of students flew into the air. “I do,” Gov. Ehrlich agreed, “Now, who likes reading?” Again, students raised their hands. “I love reading,” Gov. Ehrlich said. “I read every night to my son Drew, and this is one of his favorites,” he said as he opened Green Eggs and Ham to page one.

From the looks on the faces of the children at Westowne, they enjoyed Gov. Ehrlich’s reading as well.

”I am Sam,” he read. “Anyone knows what comes next?” he asked.

”Sam I am,” replied the students.

”Why did I learn how to read?” Ehrlich questioned students following the reading.

”Because you have taxes,” answered a student. Hands again soared, more answers, more reasons, more purposes for being a life-long reader.

Gov. Ehrlich proclaimed the green eggs made by Ms. Claffy’s class “pretty good.”

In keeping with Dr. Seuss’s work and promoting literacy among all family members, Gov. Ehrlich presented the students with a new challenge. He promised that the top three students who, on their own, read the most books by the end of the year would receive a trip to Annapolis to have their picture taken with the Governor. And, he said, the first place student would receive a briefcase, a gift from the Ehrlichs. This call to action may not prove difficult for Mrs. Claffy’s students, whose daily reading logs displayed on Mrs. Claffy’s bulletin board, showed their commitment to reading.

Ms. Claffy (right) and a classroom volunteer dish up helpings of green eggs and ham.

 

And yes, before Gov. Ehrlich left Westowne, he and Mrs. Claffy’s students dined on a fine feast of ham and eggs. And, yes, they were green.

Gov. Ehrlich was a hit with the children of Ms. Claffy’s second grade at Westowne Elementary School.

Story by Lorraine LaPrade, Towson High School Photos and Editing by Charles Herndon, Office of Communication