Laptop Dog
Woody's sister, Chloe, carries her laptop on every trip so she
can show Woody all the e-mails he gets and play secretary to the
star of the KPA chapter series projects. |
Mr. Dogwood Goes to Washington
WEEK 1 - Woody is in the doghouse! Dad surprised the family
with a trip to D.C. and gave the pups a coloring book to help them
familiarize themselves with the monuments. Woody was supposed to
be doing chores, but decided to finish his masterpiece of the Washington
Monument. He was sure Mom would understand. Wrong! The incident
landed him in the doghouse. As the article ends, Woody is in the
corner thinking about his upcoming trip when he starts getting
sleepy.
WEEK 2 - Woody is so excited the day of the trip is finally
here. He, along with Mom, Dad and Chloe are in the Woody Bus traveling
to the nation’s capital. To pass the time, they sing patriotic
songs. During the trip, Mom explains where D.C. is located and
a few other small facts about the city.
WEEK 3 -Their first full day in the District. Chloe wants
to go to the Mall. Woody isn’t happy and tells Chloe they
can go to J.C. Penney’s when they get back home. Chloe explains
she is talking about the National Mall. Woody agrees it is a great
idea. While on their way, Dad suggests they visit the National
Archives Building to learn about the history of the country. It
will make their trip more meaningful. Inside the Archives, a tour
guide gives the pups a very brief little story about the making
of America. He shows them the Declaration of Independence.
WEEK 4 - Still inside the Archives, they view the Constitution,
and the Bill of Rights. The tour guide educates Woody about the
Bill of Rights, particularly explaining the first amendment. Woody
had no idea that so many men had gone to so much trouble to help
him have freedom. Because of that, he vows to become more civic-minded.
WEEK 5 - Woody and family are having a great time seeing the sights.
They spend some time in a few of the Smithsonian Institutes, visit
the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington
Monument. Woody is particularly excited about this since he has
spent so much time coloring the majestic structures in his coloring
book. Standing at the top of the Washington Monument, he can see
so many places, including the Capitol and the White House. He realizes
he must visit these places immediately.
WEEK 6 - He can’t believe the Capitol. Another tour guide
takes the family through the Capitol and gives a brief explanation.
She also tells Woody how a law is made and even lets him watch
Congress in session from the third floor of the Capitol. Woody
imagines how cool it would be to bang the hammer on the table.
The tour guide explains it is a gavel! They leave the Capitol and
find themselves on Pennsylvania Avenue. Woody sees a man and a
very pretty lady walking on a lawn. They are waving to everyone.
He is sure he has seen them on T.V. before, though he can’t
recall their names. They also have two dogs with them. Determined
to introduce himself, he takes off across the lawn, barking, and
disobeying his parents’ orders to stay. He finds himself
in the arms of the Secret Service. At first, he thinks it’s
cool. After all, he loves secrets, but quickly finds out he is
in hot water!
WEEK 7 - Woody’s stint with the Secret Service lands him
in the doghouse. Chloe takes the opportunity to write and explore
some things about the ladies of our country. She is particularly
interested in Betsy Ross. While studying Betsy Ross, she learns
some important things about our flag.
WEEK 8 - Woody returns after his time in the doghouse. While being
punished, Woody had to write and memorize The Pledge of Allegiance
and The Star Spangled Banner. It didn’t feel like punishment
to him at all. Dad breaks down the Pledge phrase by phrase so that
Woody certainly understands it. Woody is even more convicted to
be a good citizen. He remembers his coloring book includes five
tips to being a good citizen. He and Dad explore the tips.
WEEK 9 - Woody and family are at Arlington National Cemetery.
Their visit to the cemetery completely demonstrates to Woody how
much people have sacrificed for his freedom. He learns some facts
about Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknowns. He looks at Chloe
and sees she has a tear in her eye. He understands why. Though
he isn’t tired, he has the strange feeling he needs to go
home. Dad explains they have one more visit.
WEEK 10 - The article opens with Woody straightening his bow-tie
and combing down his hair. He is in the White House. He learns
the family he chased happened to be the President of the United
States. The President understood it was all a misunderstanding
and invites the family to the White House so Woody can make a formal
introduction. He is contemplating what he will say when he finally
meets the President. He hears footsteps, and even a voice calling
his name. Very confused and puzzled, the voice isn’t the
President’s, but his Mom’s. She is trying to wake-him
up. She explains he went to sleep in the corner while being punished.
She tells Woody dinner is ready and also informs him he has a big
day tomorrow since they will be leaving for Washington, D.C. Woody
can’t believe even in his dream, he learns so much. He remembers
the things he learned, being thankful most of all that he lives
in a free country.
Notes: During the story, Woody makes several references such as “This
is like a dream come true,” or during the incident with the
Secret Service he says, “This was like a nightmare and I
was praying someone would wake me up.” He also would say, “Funny,
I didn’t feel tired at all.” He doesn’t give
it away, but there is usually one sentence in every article that
might elude it possibly could be a dream. I just didn’t want
the reader to get to the end and be totally surprised.
Also, Woody introduces himself as Dogwood. He wants to sound
more dignified and serious since he is in D.C. “Besides,” Woody
says, “It’s not Tommy Jefferson, Benji, Franklin, or
Georgie Washington.” He finally realizes that D.C. is made
up of all kinds of ordinary people doing great things. He should
never be ashamed of who he is or where he came from.
|
Woody gets letters and emails from his fans
Dear Woody,
We have been reading your stories in the newspaper. Some of us saw
you at our school. We have read some of your mom's books.
We read that you needed to get in shape. At our school, we are having
a walk-a-thon called the Bulldog Strut. We walk for 20 laps around
the track. That would really pump you up. You need one "doggy
dollar" to walk with us.
We enjoy reading all of the Woody stories from last year and this year
and want to read more of your mom's stories too. We hope to see you
at the walk. We will work and dream like big dogs until next week.
Your friends at David T. Wilson,
Ty Clevenger, Jacob Franke, and Robert Simpson
•••••
Our school is following Woody's Adventures and have a large bulletin
board in the lobby of our school dedicated to Woody's Tales.
Deborah Coats, Librarian
Caldwell County Primary School
•••••
Hi Woody!, I am so happy to get in touch with you because
my languge arts class has been traking you everywhere you go in our
local newspaper's (The News Democrat) edition of tales from the blugrass
2 ! but where are my maners? allow me to introduce myself, I am Kathryn
Ruth Gillespie but please, call me Kathy.
I am in the 4th grade in Cartmell Ellementry in carrollton KY. I hope
you and cloe can come to our scool sometime soon.
If you can't come I understand because I am a verry undurstanding young
lady.
I like your books and newspaper articles and I can't wait to hear where
you go next, and how you get there.
your pal,
Kathy Gillespie
P.s Woody I am Captain Jack Sparrow the sable and white coker spainiel
and I love your books and ... oooh look a toy, oh I need to go now
so arff-arff and good by.
p.s.s Cell Chloe hi for me!
•••••
Dear Mrs. Florence,
Our class is following along with the Woody stories being published
in our county newspaper each week. My class wants to know if you are
really taking these trips with Woody and Chloe or is this just your
wild imagination.
Did you for real ride on the Belle of Louisville? If so, please tell
us more. Our class is studying the state of Kentucky and we are eager
learners.
Can Woody and Chloe really do sit-ups? We think that that they could
not do this because of their short legs. Just wondering.
Do you like burgoo? The kids in our class don't really like lima beans.
Yuck! Did the dogs really like burgoo?
Our whole class loves your stories and we really hope you are asked
to come back to Williamstown Elementary School. Could we be a part
of one of your stories?
Have you already written these ten chapters or are they a work in progress?
We read that two steamboats raced. Have Woody and Chloe ever raced?
Your fans,
Mrs. Walters 4th Grade Class
Williamstown Elementary School
Williamstown, Kentucky
•••••
Dear Woody,
We have been reading Tails from the Bluegrass II the past couple of
weeks. We learned you will be in Owensboro, Kentucky on December
2nd at Towne Square Mall. We are really excited about your visit
to our town!
If you do not have plans on December 1st, we would LOVE for you to
visit us at Cravens Elementary School! We would enjoy meeting you in
person since we read about you weekly! Think about it for us pleaseJ
Email us back! Talk to you soon!
Miss Evans' 3rd grade students
Cravens Elementary School
Owensboro, Kentucky
P.S. Our teacher, Miss Evans, has a dachshund named Mia. We think Miss
Evans would enjoy a visit from Woody and Chloe as well.
•••••
My name is Caitlyn and am a big fan of yours I love your books I liked
the chapter book the best it was alsome!
Dear Woody,
It is caitlyn again thank you for your suite reply I just loved it
it was very nice!
Hi it is can you guess who it is Caitlyn sorry to bother you but I
want to tell you my class that is right my class is reading your chapters
in the news paper we have already read chaper1 it was alsome!
•••••
Hi Woody,
I Read Chpt.1And Chpt.2 I loved It It was the best stories u guys have
ever written. I Live in Monticello Ky I read this at my school Wayne
County Turner Intermediate
Mrs.Jeanie Sexton my Language arts and English Teacher My Name Is Sierra
Mills And Me And My Girlfriend Sara Wants You to come to our school
sometimes and meet you in real life.You And Chloe seems to be really
nice dog writers I love the part were you and Chloe was going on a
trip and you packed your suitcases and dad said that the van wouldn't
work that was pretty sad to hear that but you all went on a trip on
a boat which wasn't bad. I Have a dog name Sugar She Is A Cocker Spaniel
she is 3 yrs.and 4 months old she is a good athlete dog.
•••••
Hi Woody!! We are sure excited to know your stories are coming out
soon!! My 2nd grade class sure loved your stories last school year.
Do you know you look like our dog Nala who passed on to Heaven last
December? We really loved her and she was the best dog ever. I can't
wait for you and Chloe to bring your stories to our newspaper. See
you soon!
Love,
Barb
•••••
Woody is welcome to ride with me as I observe the fall foliage this
month and visit each of the last standing cover bridges in KY. I
retire from the Navy last year after 25 years and have moved back
home to live and ride my motorcycle across KY on weekend visiting
many places I never saw when I grew up here. So if he still has that
helmet he is wearing in the cover picture of the pulse he can climb
aboard and hit the road.
Delbert C. Berthold
Director of Fleet Management
369 Warsaw Street
Frankfort, Ky. 40601
•••••
Hi,
My name is Lucy Hensley. I met you in Lancaster at the Garrard Co Public
Library this past summer. I had brought my son Gus to meet his favorite
story book chacters.
We have two dachshunds too. A red diva named Gracie, and a black and tan sweetie
named Buddy. A lot of your stories are really similar to ours. Our Buddy was
a rescued dog, and both dogs went through a lot of adjustments when my husband
Billy and I got married, and then again when we moved from our home in Richmond
to Lancaster.
Anyway, to the point that I am writing you. We are Civil War re-enactors. Each
year a few events are chosen to be national events. This means that thousand
of re-enactors from across the country come to that particular event. A lot more
special activities take place then usual such as different speeches, presentations
and a preservation march along where the soldiers came along. Usually places
like Gettysburg, Vicksburg, or Antitem get this honor, both this year its going
to be in Perryville.
If you do not already have a full schedule, we thought it would be a neat stop
for you "Tails of the Bluegrass" series. Being a teachers daughter
and a historian I know the importance of teaching youth of the heritage and what
happened "way back when".
Perryville was a very significant battle during the war. Both sides where marching,
searching for water when the ran into each others army in the small town of Perryville.
President Lincoln said that if the Confederate General Bragg had won at Perryville
he would have lost Kentucky without Kentucky, the Union was lost.
The dates are Oct 5-8. The march will be that Friday and a battle on Sat.& Sun.
My phone number is 1-859-792-3309. The phone number for the Perryville battlefield
is 1-859-332-8631.
Thanks,
•••••
Hi, I read your book yesterday and today. I hope Woody isn't going
to be that upset that the Woody bus is broken down. Is he going to
have anymore trouble? If you can't tell me that is cool. If you can
that is cool to. Did this really happen? Anyway I can not wait until
next week to read the rest of your book. Well I will stop talking
about your book because I bet everybody is like " Hey your first
Chapter is in the newspaper" So how has this month been so far.
I love Fall going pumkin patching, the cool crisp weather, and going
to UK games with my daddy. Well I am going to eat a snack. So hope
is up for Woody and Chole to go on there trip. Hope they Work and
Dream like a BIG DOG, Woof Woof.
Carly
••••••
Dear Chloe,
My name is Tasha. I wish you guys were my dogs because you and your
little brother are just so cool and very smart. Since you guys are
so special to me I just want to know if you could ask your mom if I
will be able to come over sometime and be able to feed you and play
with you. What I want you to know is that you are a good dog to me
and you are not just special to me you are better than special you
are awesome. I meant to ask your mom if I could have your autograph
because you are better than cool you guys are super. Oh and Chloe do
you remember one of those things your little brother, Woody has I made
you one of those.
Courage
Helpful
Lovable
Ownership
Eats Healthy
Love,
Tasha
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