How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
It was the first day of second grade and Billy Miller was worried. He was worried that he wouldn't be smart enough for school this year. (1.1.1)
Right from the start, we learn that school can be a worrisome place—and it's not any easier with that big ol' lump on Billy's head. In fact, that lump has Billy wondering just how good he'll be at second grade, and whether he'll end up a total failure in the end (cue foreboding music).
Quote #2
After several long strides, Billy heard the joyful, rowdy sounds of his schoolmates, and was drawn to them as if he were being pulled by a strong invisible force. When they reached the edge of the playground, Billy turned around. Papa, Sal, and Amy were more than a block away. He and Ned waved good-bye and then plunged into a noisy group of kids charging around the playground like a pack of dogs. (1.2.26)
Even though Billy is nervous about school, you just can't keep this kid away from the place. When he and Ned arrive for the first day, not only have they ditched their parents, but they're diving straight into the playground, too. What do you think about this contrast between Billy's major nerves and his desire to jump right into school? We're thinking it has something to do with that "strong invisible force" pulling him in.
Quote #3
Billy couldn't concentrate on schoolwork. His mission filled his mind. He wondered when he should put the silver things on Ms. Silver's desk. […]
When she came to Billy's table, she leaned forward and extended the nest across the tabletop as if she were offering a bowl of snacks. Billy's eyes went right to Ms. Silver's chopsticks, which were mere inches from him. Then he tried to catch her eye and smile at her, but she was focused on the nest. (1.5.14, 17)
Sometimes for Billy, school is less about learning the lesson and more about impressing his teacher. Billy is afraid that he accidentally insulted Ms. S—and that's a big no-no in his book—so while he should be focusing on the bird's nest that Ms. Silver is showing the class, all our guy can think about is proving that he's a nice dude. Looks like school is about more than memorization and homework in this book.
Quote #4
"Do you think I'm smart enough for second grade?"
"Oh, Billy. Absolutely. Yes." She paused. "Are you worried about something?"
He told her his story—about falling—and he showed her his lump.
"Your bump is nearly gone," said Ms. Silver.
"The doctor said when I fell I protected myself."
"Well, that was smart of you," said Ms. Silver in a voice that was clear and kind. "You are very smart." (1.5.55-60)
Ms. Silver sure knows how to make Billy feel better. Second grade might be scary, but having an awesome teacher makes all the difference. And Ms. S is one awesome teacher. Did you notice that she doesn't just tell Billy that he's smart enough for second grade, but she provides evidence, too? She's got encouragement in the bag and the know-how to make her support count.
Quote #5
He said, "Mica sparkles like jewels. It is a mineral in caves. It's like glitter."
Billy had been looking down as he spoke, but when he had nothing else to say, he raised his eyes, connecting with Ms. Silver's. She was in the far corner of the room sitting casually on the window ledge, holding a clipboard.
Ms. Silver nodded approval, and Billy felt proud. He also felt a surge of relief when he was done. Back with his tablemates, he sank into his chair, loose and slack as a rag doll. (2.4.2-4)
We're sensing a bit of a trend for Billy: He might feel like awesome-sauce one minute, but then he'll feel like a big ol' puddle the next. And when he shares his diorama in front of the class, he goes from "proud" to "rag doll" pretty quickly. What do you think of this contrast? And what does this tell us about Billy's attitude toward school?
Quote #6
"Ms. Silver told us about the Year of the Dragon today. The Chinese New Year started on Monday. It's different than our New Year because theirs is lunar, which means the moon," Billy explained. "We didn't do anything special at school for the Year of the Rabbit, so Ms. Silver had a dragon party today. We ate tangerines because they're a symbol of good luck. And we watched Chinese dancers on the computer."
Billy paused, trying to remember everything Ms. Silver had taught them. "The dragon can have the head of a donkey and the body of a snake. Or it can just be a dragon." (3.2.12-13)
Okay, is it just us or does a dragon party at school sound really fun? Plus, we can tell that Billy is learning and excited about school because he's recounting all of the facts to Sal and Gabby over dinner. And even though Sal doesn't get to go to school yet and Gabby is way older, they learn some new info from Billy, which is pretty cool. Looks like learning doesn't just have to happen in the classroom.
Quote #7
"Well, this year Ms. Silver wants to do a show for the end of the year. But not a play like The Three Billy Goats Gruff or The Emperor's New Clothes, because she's done that before."
Papa nodded.
"She wants to do something original. With poetry." Billy didn't particularly like poetry, except funny poetry, but that wasn't the problem. "Everyone has to write a poem about someone in their family. Ms. Silver said the show would be called Family or Room 2 Families or something like that." (4.1.11-13)
When it comes to school, Ms. Silver knows how to get creative. She's always giving her students projects to do, like drawing pictures or making dioramas or writing poems. Can you think of other ways that Ms. S gets creative in the classroom?
Quote #8
Ms. Silver gave everyone in Room 2 a new notebook. "These are your poetry journals," she told them. "We'll use them to write our poems for our show. Then you can keep them to use over the summer. For writing or drawing or whatever you want. But, I hope you'll continue to think about poetry even when school is done for the year." (4.2.3)
Looks like Ms. Silver has a theory: Learning doesn't stop over the summer. Nope, this teacher wants her students' education to last all year long. And one way for that to happen is for them to use their poetry notebooks during their lazy days on vacation. So there's just one question left: Do you think Billy keeps using his over the summer?
Quote #9
"I have an idea," said Ms. Silver. "I think you should take your journal home tonight. You should ask your mom what she likes." […]
"Okay," said Billy. His eyes shifted down to his volcano drawings. He wasn't fond of homework in general, but it seemed even worse now that it was so close to the end of the school year. His mind was already focusing on summer vacation. (4.2.32-33)
So remember how Ms. S was really excited about the idea that her students would keep thinking about poetry during the summer? Well think again, Ms. S, because according to Billy, homework is just about the worst thing ever. And so close to summer it's the absolute pits. Billy's attitude is understandable (we've all had summer-itis before), but it also reminds us that teachers and students can have pretty different views about how and when learning goes down.
Quote #10
"Thank you, everyone," said Ms. Silver. "We accomplished a lot this year—not just putting on this marvelous show." […]
"We studied and learned so much," Ms. Silver continued. "We worked hard." She smiled and raised one hand up near her heart. (4.5.65, 67)
If you ask Ms. Silver, she thinks Room 2 has had a pretty spiffy year in second grade. And she's not making it all about herself either. Did you notice that Ms. Silver uses the word we a lot? Sounds to us like she thinks this whole learning thing is a group adventure.