Wrapped Up in Reading

At St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School one of our biggest goals is to nurture a love of learning in all our students.  Recently, second grade teachers, Beth Barker, and Madeline Forsdick, transformed the summer reading novel Mummies in the Morning into a hands-on escape room adventure. After a week of exploring the story, students teamed up to solve puzzles, unlock clues, and celebrate their successes by wrapping classmates as mummies!

“Doing an escape room as the culminating activity after reading the book Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne offered the students an engaging and interactive way to bring the story to life,” said Mrs. Barker, SAA 2^nd grade teacher.  “By working together to solve puzzles, the boys and girls practiced collaboration, communication, and problem-solving – all while having fun!”

Navigating the escape room also helped build community between the classes, as success depended on everyone contributing their ideas and actively listening to one another. This shared experience not only reinforced themes from the book, but also strengthened relationships and created a memorable celebration of their learning.

“When the boys and girls come together, they each benefit from hearing new perspectives and learning different ways to approach tasks,” said Ms. Forsdick, SDS 2^nd grade teacher.  “It gives them the chance to practice respectful communication, cooperation, and empathy outside of their usual peer group.”

Creative, hands-on experiences like this bring the joy of reading to the forefront for our students.

“Learning to read is the foundation for all other learning, giving students the tools to access knowledge, build vocabulary, and think critically,” said Ms. Forsdick.  “Just as important, however, is developing a love of reading. When children enjoy reading, books become sources of imagination, curiosity, and empathy, not just assignments. Fostering both the skill and the joy of reading creates lifelong learners who see reading as a gateway to growth, discovery, and new possibilities,” she added.

Mrs. Barker, a veteran teacher, with 29 years of experience and Ms. Forsdick (SAA ‘20), who has been teaching for two years, have built a relationship for the betterment of all their students.

“Collaborating with Beth has been an incredibly valuable experience,” said Ms. Forsdick. “Together, we can share ideas, exchange resources, and build upon each other’s strengths to create lessons that are both engaging and effective. Having a partner to celebrate successes with and to rely on during challenges makes my work more meaningful and productive.

“Beth’s experience and wisdom have been incredibly helpful in guiding me as I continue to grow as an educator. At the same time, I believe I bring fresh ideas and a new perspective that add to our collaboration in meaningful ways. This balance creates a true partnership where we complement one another and continue learning together. Just as importantly, our collaboration models for students the power of teamwork.”

We love to see the camaraderie and teamwork between our teachers and our Stars and Suns.

Together we are truly better!