Dear Parent or Guardian:

During this week your son or daughter will be reading Strange and Mysterious stories . During and after reading, your child will be learning and practicing strategies for reading, writing, vocabulary, and spelling.

These stories  deal with the fantastic. In thesre classic stories, the characters encounter strange and mysterious people or phenomena. Below are brief summaries of the selections in the collection. I encourage you to read any or all of these selections, or just the summaries, and to discuss them with your son or daughter.

"The Landlady," a short story by Roald Dahl_To the main character's great misfortune, his friendly landlady is not what she seems. listen

"The Monkey's Paw," a short story by W.W.Jacobs    The White family comes into possession of a mummified monkey's paw, whose magical power to grant three wishes always spells doom. listen

"The Tell Tale Heart," a short story by Edgar Allan Poe_A madman, who insists he is not insane, recounts murdering another man because of the appearance of the man's eye. Perhaps because he is unable to bear his guilt, the narrator believes he can hear the dead man's heart beating louder and louder. listen

"There Will Come Soft Rains," a short story by Ray Bradbury_In the year 2026, after a holocaust, the McClellans' fully automated house "lives" its ghostly final days. listen

"The Inn of Lost Time," a short story by Lensey Namioka_Zenta and Matsuzo, samurai warriors, listen to an innkeeper telling a folk tale; Zenta then tells of a similar event that happened to him long ago. listen

"The Open Window," a short story by Saki {Hector Hugh Monro} Much to his demise, Framton Nuttel encounters a young lady with a very active imagination. listen

"The Listeners," a poem by Walter de la Mare A lone traveler arrives at a house that hides a secret in this image filled verse. listen

I hope you and your child both enjoy these fine selections. You may find that reading or just talking about these selections with your child is a great way to share time with him or her. Thank you for your interest in our class.

Sincerely,

Mr. Schumacher