The children notice it right away:
The giant lobster on top of the cabinet in our Heroes’ Hangout reading space.
They are elated:
Look! A lobster! Why is it here? Where did it come from? Look! He has hearts on his cheeks! He’s so cool!
Truth is that a colleague gave the lobster to me when she learned that I sometimes let the smallest, wiggliest students hold onto a stuffie “friend” so they can focus on listening to their volunteer reading a book to them.
But this is what I tell these second graders:
He’s a reading lobster. He wanted to be here in the Heroes’ Hangout.
This sets them off again: What’s a reading lobster?
Well, Friends, you will have to decide that for yourselves… why would a lobster like reading?
More chatter. We may never get to the lesson.
A few days later I remember a hat I have at home. Perfect for the lobster!
I bring it to school and put it on his head.
The kids notice right away: Look! The lobster has a hat! It says ‘Fight Evil, Read Books!’
That’s right, Friends. Maybe he’s a Superhero Reading Lobster.
Maybe we will create a Superhero identity for him and a backstory and possibly write some adventures starring our Superhero Reading Lobster who fights evil by reading books…I mean, anything is possible after Dog Man…
But for now, when my group of second graders finishes their guided self-portrait lesson with me in the Heroes’ Hangout, I say: All right, time to put away your materials and line up at the lobster.
They form a quiet line.
I say, Bye, Friends. Lobster power all the way.
All eleven kids jump up to touch the lobster as they pass by. I watch them walk down the long hallway to their classrooms in a straight line, without a sound.
Not one student has ever asked what I mean by “lobster power all the way.”
That’s how powerful our lobster is.
*******
with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the March Slice of Life Story Challenge
For more about the Heroes’ Hangout, click here.
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lit bits and pieces 
He’s a very cute lobster, I have to say. And pretty magically inspiring, although I don’t think the magic really comes from the lobster. Someone has to put it there. Fun post to read and easy to picture the excitement and joy those kids have for reading.
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Fran, the idea of a reading lobster is just fun. I remember when you shared the space with us, and now it looks like it is not only catching on but catching readers. I didn’t expect to see a reading lobster when I woke up today, but here he is, cute as ever, inspiring kids to want to read and sending the message that even lobsters need to read.
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The Friends fan in me made me think this is a Slice Phoebe would’ve written. Or at the very least made a song about. I love how the children don’t question the new super hero. I think writing little adventures starring your new found friend/mascot is a great idea!
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Sooo much fun. I would never have thought of a reading lobster, but of course it’ll catch the imagination of every child. I think ‘Fight evil, read books’ must be my catchphrase going forward!
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Fran, I love the excitement your students exhibit. I think this reading lobster will have a prominent place in your student’s learning.
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Fran, after Dog Man, you are right: this lobster can do anything. What a great slice of your sweet time with the second graders. “Fight evil! Read books!” should be our mantra these days!
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This is the cutest! Love the lobster and love the students’ enthusiasm for the lobster and reading!!
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Oh, Fran, I loved being a fly on your classroom wall. Your second graders are so lucky to have these powerfully positive moments with reading. They will never forget the reading lobster. I know because my middle schoolers often tell me about the awesome stuff they did in elementary, like setting leprechaun traps or reading spooky books in the dark. Excellent storytelling!
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I adore your lobster and all he/she represents. For many years, I had Beary in my classroom, greeting students in the window, reading for hours, and embracing every single holiday and birthday that come to pass. I left him when I retired because that was where he belonged. After his monthly trips to the oversized laundromat, he was matted and soft, yet the perfect reading partner for my reluctant readers,
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